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.
If you are starting from scratch, the answer is easy—purchase Go Direct sensors. These will connect directly to Chromebooks by Bluetooth or USB.
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 (LQ-MINI) or LabQuest 3 (LABQ3), 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. 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.
Sensors
The biggest part of a school’s investment is usually in the sensors themselves. Good news—most sensors manufactured after 2003 are Chromebook-compatible as long as you have a compatible interface.
| Sensor/Connector Type | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
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Yes | Go Direct sensors can connect either by USB and with a wireless Bluetooth connection. |
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Yes | Analog sensors with BTA connectors need to connect to the Chromebook though an interface (see below). |
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Yes | Digital sensors with BTD connectors need to connect to the Chromebook though an interface (see below). |
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No | Sensors with DIN, stereo, US phone, or other connectors, even with an adapter, do not work with Chromebooks. |
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Yes | Go!Temp (GO-TEMP) is a USB-only sensor that can connect directly to Chromebooks. |
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Yes | Go! Motion (GO-MOT) is a USB-only sensor that can connect directly to Chromebooks. |
Additional Information
● Which photogates can I use with Graphical Analysis and Graphical Analysis Pro?
● What spectrometers are supported in Spectral Analysis?
● What instruments are supported in Instrumental Analysis?
Interfaces
Interfaces are used to connect wired (BTA or BTD) sensors to a device such as a Chromebooks. Most USB interfaces work with Chromebooks.
| Interface | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 |
Yes | Go!Link (GO-LINK) 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? |
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No | LabPro (LABPRO) cannot work with Chromebooks. (Discontinued) For many, this may be the only piece of hardware you need to replace. For that, we recommend the LabQuest Mini (LQ-MINI). |
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No | Go Wireless Link is not compatible with Chromebooks. (Discontinued) |
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Yes | LabQuest (LABQ) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. (Discontinued) |
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Yes | LabQuest Stream (LQ-STREAM) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. (Discontinued) |
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Yes | LabQuest Mini (LQ-MINI) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. This is our recommended interface for Chromebook users. |
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Yes | LabQuest 2 (LABQ2) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. (Discontinued) |
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Yes | LabQuest 3 (LABQ3) can be used as a USB interface with Chromebooks. |
| Other | No | ULIs, Serial Boxes, MPLIs and other older interfaces are not compatible with Chromebooks. (Discontinued) |
Note: 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?
Software
A lot of people ask “Do you have Logger Pro for Chromebooks?“. 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.
- Graphical Analysis – free app for use with most sensors
- Graphical Analysis Pro – for-purchase upgrade to Graphical Analysis (1, 3, & 5 year license options)
- Spectral Analysis – free app for use with Vernier Spectrometers
- Instrumental Analysis – free app for use with Go Direct Mini GC and other instruments
- Vernier Video Analysis – for-purchase app for analyzing motion of objects in a video (1, 3, & 5 year license options)
Related:
● What are the differences between Graphical Analysis Pro and Logger Pro?
● What features are available in Graphical Analysis Pro that are not available in the free version?
● How can I deploy Graphical Analysis and other Vernier apps to all student Chromebooks?
● Google has stopped supporting Chrome Packaged Apps for Chromebooks.
● What is the difference between the Progressive Web App and Chrome Packaged App versions of Graphical Analysis and other Vernier apps?
Lab Books
We have updated most of our lab books to include instructions that work with the Graphical Analysis app and our other “Analysis” apps. You can access the updated version of any book you have purchased by logging into your Vernier web account at: https://www.vernier.com/account. For more information, see How do I access my lab books from my account on the Vernier website?
Conclusion
We are here to help! We can help you find the best solution for your classroom and budget, including reviewing your school’s purchase records from 1997 to now and figure out how to ride the current wave of technology without spending a lot of money. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice.