How to Install MATLAB on a Chromebook

Aug. 6, 2021



Chromebooks are considered simple and easy-to-use machines, but with the addition of Linux, even advanced users can now rely on them. As we have already shown, you caninstall Steam on your Chromebook, run the desktop version ofMicrosoft Office on Chromebook, and more, all thanks to the Linux container. So today, we bring you yet another guide where we explain how to install MATLAB on a Chromebook in multiple ways. MATLAB is a popular programming language, especially among engineering students. So let’s go ahead and check out the ways to run MATLAB on a Chromebook and how well it runs.

Here, we have discussed three ways to run MATLAB on a Chromebook – the Web, the Play Store, and the Linux container. Based on your expertise level, you can choose the method from the table below.

  1. First, head over to thiswebpageandcreate a free account. You will have to verify your email ID.

  2. Once you have created the account, you will move to the dashboard. Here, click on “Try Now” under “Trials”.

  3. Now, you need tofill a small form, where you have to mention all the details. Don’t worry, you don’t need to pay anything.

  4. Finally, you will be taken to the MATLAB Online page. Alternatively, you can alsoclick here. Now, click on “Open MATLAB Online“.

  5. And that’s it. You can now use the web version of MATLAB on your Chromebook. And the best part is that this version willwork on all Chromebooks, be it a school-issued Chrome OS device or otherwise. Moreover, you get 5GB of cloud storage for storing your codes and designs under the 30-day free trial. Post that, you will have to buy a license which starts at $21 for students.

There is an Android version of MATLAB too, but it’s pretty barebones, and you can only perform a few algebraic functions. Also, this method willnot work on school-issued Chromebookssince Play Store access is locked for students. Nevertheless, if you want to get started with MATLAB, you can try the MATLAB Android app on your Chromebook.

  1. If you have not set up Android apps on Chromebook before, open Settings and go to “Apps”. Now,turn on Google Play Store.

  2. Next, open the Google Play Store and search forMATLAB(Free). Install the app.

  3. Once installed,open this pageon your browser andcreate a free MATLAB account.

  4. Now, come back to the MATLAB Android app andsign in.

  5. Voila! You can nowuse the MATLAB Android appon your Chromebook.

If you are an advanced user and the web version of MATLAB or the Android app does not cut it for you, install thefull-fledged desktop version of MATLABon your Chromebook through the Linux container. Do keep in mind, you will need ample space (around 10GB) on your Linux partition and a powerful processor to run MATLAB in the virtualized container. Here is how you can proceed.

  1. First and foremost, go ahead andset up Linux on your Chromebook. During the process, make sure to assign more than20GB of spaceto Linux. If, for some reason,Linux is not installing on your Chromebook, follow our linked guide to fix the issue.

  2. Next, I suggest you follow thefirst methodof this article on how to run MATLAB on a web browser. Just sign up for a free account and enroll in the free trial.

  3. Next, click on “Trial”. If you don’t get the Trial option,open this pageand click on “Install MATLAB on your computer“.

  4. Once downloaded, move the ZIP file to theLinux sectionin the Files app. After that, copy the name of the ZIP file. You can press theChromebook keyboard shortcut“Ctrl + Enter” to copy the name of the ZIP file.

  5. Now, open the Linux Terminal, enter the below command, and hit enter. Make sure toreplace the filenamewith the actual file name that you copied above.

  6. After the Terminal is done extracting the content, run the commands listed below one by one.

  7. Finally, the MATLAB installer will pop up on your Chromebook. Now,enter the email ID and passwordyou used for the online MATLAB account. After that, follow the on-screen instructions and install MATLAB on your Chromebook.

  8. The installer will connect to the internet andinstall the desktop versionof MATLAB on your Chromebook. Once the installation is complete, close the window.

  9. Now, to open MATLAB, you need torun these commandsone by one.

  10. And that’s it. Here is the full-fledgeddesktop version of MATLABrunning on my Chromebook without any issues.

Three Ways to Run MATLAB on Your Chromebook

Three Ways to Run MATLAB on Your Chromebook

So that is how you can install MATLAB on a Chromebook. While the web version is good enough for beginners, getting the Linux version is your best bet if you want an offline desktop experience similar to PCs. Anyway, that is all from us. If you want to learn how touse a printer in Linux apps on your Chromebook, go through our linked tutorial. And if you are facing storage space issues, find out how tofree up storage on your Chromebook. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

Passionate about Windows, ChromeOS, Android, security and privacy issues. Have a penchant to solve everyday computing problems.

Powered by Hugo