{"id":2871,"date":"2019-07-09T19:59:38","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T02:59:38","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-03-26T07:19:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:19:03","slug":"2871","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/2871","title":{"rendered":"My school is moving to Chromebooks. Will the probeware I already own work with a Chromebook?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If your schools is moving to Chromebooks, you may wonder what the most cost-effective path to use Vernier sensors would be. Each school is a bit different, so this guide is intended to help you navigate some of the most common questions.<\/p>\n

If you are starting from scratch, the answer is easy\u2014purchase Go Direct sensors<\/a>. These will connect directly to Chromebooks by Bluetooth or USB.<\/p>\n

If your school is like most, you probably already have at least some Vernier sensors. If so, and they are still in working order, you may already have the hardware you need to switch to Chromebooks. If not, you will most likely need to invest in new interfaces, such as LabQuest Mini<\/a> (LQ-MINI<\/nobr>) or LabQuest 3<\/a> (LABQ3<\/nobr>), that will allow your students to use existing sensors with Chromebooks. Or, you may choose to replace the older sensors and transition to our Go Direct sensors<\/a>. The number of existing sensors and their age are both important factors to consider in the decision. Additional information to help you decide is below.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Sensors<\/h3>\n

The biggest part of a school’s investment is usually in the sensors themselves. Good news\u2014most sensors manufactured after 2003 are Chromebook-compatible as long as you have a compatible interface.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Sensor\/Connector Type<\/th>\nCompatible<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nGo Direct sensors<\/a> can connect either by USB and with a wireless Bluetooth connection.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nAnalog sensors with BTA connectors need to connect to the Chromebook though an interface (see below).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nDigital sensors with BTD connectors need to connect to the Chromebook though an interface (see below).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nSensors with DIN, stereo, US phone, or other connectors, even with an adapter, do not work with Chromebooks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nGo!Temp<\/a> (GO-TEMP<\/nobr>) is a USB-only sensor that can connect directly to Chromebooks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nGo! Motion<\/a> (GO-MOT<\/nobr>) is a USB-only sensor that can connect directly to Chromebooks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nGo Wireless Temp, Go Wireless pH, and Go wireless Electrode Amplifier are Bluetooth only sensors that are not supported on Chromebooks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nGo Wireless®<\/sup> Heart Rate<\/a> (GW-HR<\/nobr>) and Go Wireless®<\/sup> Exercise Heart Rate<\/a> (GW-EHR<\/nobr>) are Bluetooth only sensors that are fully supported on Chromebooks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nMost Vernier Spectrometers<\/a> are supported on Chromebooks using Spectral Analysis app. Vernier Mini GC<\/a> are supported on Chromebooks using Instrumental Analysis.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Additional Information<\/strong>
Which photogates can I use with Graphical Analysis and Graphical Analysis Pro?<\/a>
What spectrometers are supported in Spectral Analysis?<\/a>
What instruments are supported in Instrumental Analysis?<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Interfaces<\/h3>\n

Interfaces are used to connect wired (BTA or BTD) sensors to a device such as a Chromebook. Most USB interfaces work with Chromebooks.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Interface<\/th>\nCompatible<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nGo! Link<\/a> (GO-LINK<\/nobr>) is the least expensive interface for connecting most analog (BTA) sensors. Not compatible or recommended with all sensors. See, What sensors do not work with Go!Link?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nLabPro<\/a> (LABPRO<\/nobr>) cannot work with Chromebooks. (Discontinued)<\/em>
For many, this may be the only piece of hardware you need to replace. For that, we recommend the LabQuest Mini<\/a> (LQ-MINI<\/nobr>).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nGo Wireless Link is not compatible with Chromebooks. (Discontinued)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nLabQuest<\/a> (LABQ<\/nobr>) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. (Discontinued)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nLabQuest Stream<\/a> (LQ-STREAM<\/nobr>) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. (Discontinued)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nLabQuest Mini<\/a> (LQ-MINI<\/nobr>) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. This is our recommended interface for Chromebook users.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nLabQuest 2<\/a> (LABQ2<\/nobr>) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. (Discontinued)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nLabQuest 3<\/a> (LABQ3<\/nobr>) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other<\/td>\n No<\/td>\nULIs, Serial Boxes, MPLIs and other older interfaces are not compatible with Chromebooks. (Discontinued)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Note:<\/strong> Some Chromebooks have only USB C ports. The compatible sensors and interfaces that connect via USB all come with USB A cables. We sell USB C cables separately; see How do I use Vernier USB products with a computer or Chromebook having only USB-C ports?<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Software<\/h3>\n

A lot of people ask “Do you have Logger Pro<\/em> for Chromebooks?<\/a>“. Since there was not a way to convert Mac or Windows software to Chrome, we developed a suite of Analysis apps for use with Chromebooks.<\/p>\n