Chrome OS machine?
Discussion
Hi,
So, I was at a customer, who is a total tech inept.
His current windows (XP) machine is on it's way out, at 9 years old.
He was looking for a new machine, basically he does everything online in the browser (uses gmail on the iPhone & Nexus 7).
So a chromebook seemed the perfect pick for him (and I have a lot of experience with them), but... he wants a desktop. He wants the big screen, the big keyboard and mouse. I know I can attach all this to a chromebook but it seems such a waste.
I know there's some Chrome OS all in ones around, anyone have any experience with them? Or maybe even just a small box?
Or can I install Chrome OS on a lightweight x86 machine?
Price isn't really a concern, mainly chose Chrome OS because it'll do everything he needs without the need for updates or other "bothersome" stuff.
They also have a huge laptop in the house that could do all the stuff that may need to be done if the chrome OS can't handle it.
PS: Just did a bit of research and I've found "chromeboxes" from Asus and HP, anyone has any experience with either of them?
So, I was at a customer, who is a total tech inept.
His current windows (XP) machine is on it's way out, at 9 years old.
He was looking for a new machine, basically he does everything online in the browser (uses gmail on the iPhone & Nexus 7).
So a chromebook seemed the perfect pick for him (and I have a lot of experience with them), but... he wants a desktop. He wants the big screen, the big keyboard and mouse. I know I can attach all this to a chromebook but it seems such a waste.
I know there's some Chrome OS all in ones around, anyone have any experience with them? Or maybe even just a small box?
Or can I install Chrome OS on a lightweight x86 machine?
Price isn't really a concern, mainly chose Chrome OS because it'll do everything he needs without the need for updates or other "bothersome" stuff.
They also have a huge laptop in the house that could do all the stuff that may need to be done if the chrome OS can't handle it.
PS: Just did a bit of research and I've found "chromeboxes" from Asus and HP, anyone has any experience with either of them?
Edited by ZesPak on Tuesday 30th September 11:51
Haven't tried a chromebox yet but this new chromebase sounds ideal? http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-Chromebase-21-5-Chrome-...
Bikerjon said:
Haven't tried a chromebox yet but this new chromebase sounds ideal? http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-Chromebase-21-5-Chrome-...
Kind of like that were it not that it doesn't really look like a great deal to me :/.A chromebox (that has vesa mount!) and monitor of choice will be about the same budget and be more flexible.
ZesPak said:
<<SNIP>>chromebook seemed the perfect pick for him (and I have a lot of experience with them)<<SNIP>>
Apologies - I digress...Are they any use? Keep saying I'll try one, just for email & browsing really but never committed.
Do they stream to apple tv? Apps for Netflix, Amazon prime movies, Kindle, etc?
LordGrover said:
Apologies - I digress...
Are they any use? Keep saying I'll try one, just for email & browsing really but never committed.
Do they stream to apple tv? Apps for Netflix, Amazon prime movies, Kindle, etc?
They won't stream much themselves to the Apple TV, but they will to chromecast, as there's little support for video playback besides web browsing.Are they any use? Keep saying I'll try one, just for email & browsing really but never committed.
Do they stream to apple tv? Apps for Netflix, Amazon prime movies, Kindle, etc?
But, they'll happily playback have Netflix, Plex, Youtube or anything that has half a decent web interface.
Basically it does everything you can do now in your Chrome browser. I don't believe in it as a single/main machine in the house, just as I don't believe a tablet can be that.
But, as an alternative to a tablet, but with a better keyboard, bigger screen and slightly more the "laptop" experience (ie USB and the like), the chromebook takes the cake.
Big thing still missing (for me) is skype. Hangouts works great, but skype has no web support yet.
I'm watching this thread with interest, any chance you could post back how you fare please ?
As for Skype, it's pretty easy to run Linux and ChromeOS concurrently now isn't it ? Linux just running in a window on the machine while ChromeOS is also running ? I'm using Skype for Linux for the past two years on my laptop, for both personal and professional use, and never had any issue. I was using it daily for 1 hour sessions for work for a period of 7-8 months.
I'd imagine it should run smoothly on any ChromeOS device.
Incidentally, I did see a post on G+ a few weeks back from some guy who had both his office and his home-office based around a Chromebox, and used a Chromebook as his machine whilst on the move.
As for Skype, it's pretty easy to run Linux and ChromeOS concurrently now isn't it ? Linux just running in a window on the machine while ChromeOS is also running ? I'm using Skype for Linux for the past two years on my laptop, for both personal and professional use, and never had any issue. I was using it daily for 1 hour sessions for work for a period of 7-8 months.
I'd imagine it should run smoothly on any ChromeOS device.
Incidentally, I did see a post on G+ a few weeks back from some guy who had both his office and his home-office based around a Chromebox, and used a Chromebook as his machine whilst on the move.
I bought a Acer C710 Chromebook as a toy last year as was sick of lugging around my Linux laptop. Initially I was put off by the concept but then I thought what the hell give it a try.
A year on and I use it as my daily laptop now. Web browsing, Move watching, Streaming (Chromecast), Picture editing (Pixlr).
The C710 isn't great on battery (2-3 hours max, So I'm going to replace it with the new Acer Chromebook 13 (around 13 hours of battery).
I've also just ordered a LG Chromebase for home, Going to upgrade the ram from 2gb to probably 4-6 once it arrives. Also going to add a Apple magic mouse and keyboard. My Raspberry Pi will be plugged in the HDMI port aswell so I can use the Chromebases monitor for that.
With the introduction of Android apps running on ChromeOS now its going to see them be able to do alot more.
I'm abit of a Google geek though, I run ChromeOS, Chromecast, Nest thermostat, Android phone and a heavy user of Google Drive.
A year on and I use it as my daily laptop now. Web browsing, Move watching, Streaming (Chromecast), Picture editing (Pixlr).
The C710 isn't great on battery (2-3 hours max, So I'm going to replace it with the new Acer Chromebook 13 (around 13 hours of battery).
I've also just ordered a LG Chromebase for home, Going to upgrade the ram from 2gb to probably 4-6 once it arrives. Also going to add a Apple magic mouse and keyboard. My Raspberry Pi will be plugged in the HDMI port aswell so I can use the Chromebases monitor for that.
With the introduction of Android apps running on ChromeOS now its going to see them be able to do alot more.
I'm abit of a Google geek though, I run ChromeOS, Chromecast, Nest thermostat, Android phone and a heavy user of Google Drive.
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