Got drunk .......... ordered a Chromebook !!
Discussion
The Spruce Goose said:
which you can do in windows 10. A 1k laptop would all the chromebook stuff plus loads more.
Can't speak for a 1k Chromebook, cheaper chromebooks punch way above their price class in terms of build quality, smoothness and battery. Needing a lot less horsepower has those advantages.I've got a Pixelbook, had it for almost 2 years now. It's a great bit of kit, well engineered, looks fantastic, much thinner than a conventional laptop, great screen, battery easily lasts 8 hrs on the move and it's so easily transportable. Having to be online is overstated and most people now have data available through their phones, to which it auto-tethers, so not really an issue. Also, so many 'apps' are moving to cloud/online/PWA, so rather than being a disadvantage, it's ahead of its time in some ways. Updates are frequent and pretty seamless. Linux container works great for what I use it for (R-Studio, VS Code, Anaconda for Python etc.), though there are some limitations. I hate having to use my work Windows laptop and never touch my old, personal one.
Honestly, it's been a revelation...if I was buying another, it'd always be a high end one (budget ones I think suit the 'it's a browser' users).
I'd be surprised if you end up feeling like you'd like to return it but admittedly, I enjoy the geeky side of running Linux in a container on it, so can see it's not for all.
Honestly, it's been a revelation...if I was buying another, it'd always be a high end one (budget ones I think suit the 'it's a browser' users).
I'd be surprised if you end up feeling like you'd like to return it but admittedly, I enjoy the geeky side of running Linux in a container on it, so can see it's not for all.
dickymint said:
I've read that not many can load Linux Beta as it's model specific and not supported? Mine does have that option - i may try it as and when.
I believe most Chrome OS devices released in the last 24 months have it. The original restriction was with older versions of the Linux Kernel which sits at the core of Chrome OS. But Linux support is also being rolled out to some of those older devices currently.If you don't need Linux desktop apps then there is no need to activate the option. I use it a little, mostly for a genealogy program (GRAMPS), image editing (GIMP), and I've Firefox and Chromium installed to give options for browsing if necessary. I used stuff like Shotcut for video editing in the past, but if I was doing regular video editing I'd use a remote online service again. I just used Shotcut for a short one-off video.
A lot of the info you'll find online about Chromebooks and Chrome OS is totally outdated and wildly inaccurate nowadays, but the myths and ill-informed opinions still persist.
It's quite the capable platform, and would fill the needs of a huge number of people in 2020.
My tips would be;
- Consider your uses, and create separate accounts for use cases you want to keep independent of one another.
- Take advantage of the Google One offer you got with the Chromebook when you need it, and utilise the free storage on Drive for your storage. All my files are stored on Drive, including files/documents/images I use in Linux apps.
- Create a Downloads folder on Drive, and set that as the Download location in the Chrome browser. Any temporary files you need will then be accessible across all your devices which access Drive. You can then move it to another location/folder on Drive quickly, and if you accidentally delete a file it'll be in your Bin on Drive. Deleting files on local storage in Chrome OS is permanent, and can't be undone.
- If you prefer the feel or look of independent windows for separate apps then set them to open as independent windows, rather than tabs in the browser. My browser is my 'browser', and GMail, Docs, Sheets, Photos, Keep, Slides, & Drive all run in their own windows. It feels like a more traditional desktop environment with the flexibility of independent windows, and each app window has its own colour-coding.
- Take the time to learn the trackpad gestures and keyboard shortcuts. Like most computers, it will transform how you use the platform.
The Spruce Goose said:
which you can do in windows 10. A 1k laptop would all the chromebook stuff plus loads more.
Loads more 'traditional' stuff. Traditions change over time. Not every user requires 'loads more'.It would also provide 'loads more';
- security vulnerabilities
- update issues
- OS/system maintenance
- fresh OS installs every few years to restore performance etc etc etc
And before anybody says anything I've been using computers since the first days of PC-DOS and MS-DOS, and have seen all flavours of Windows down through the decades. I'm more than familiar with Windows, Linux, and Mac-OS.
It's about having choice, is it not? Chrome OS has fit my uses perfectly. As it does many others. I'm glad the choice exists, and to have options.
Nice to hear the positives and advice 
My thoughts are the OS is gathering momentum at a pace and hopefully the spec of this one (which i believe is expandable) will future proof it for what's to come. Apart from the bombshell that i could have saved £100 quid if i'd waited a couple of days I'm well happy but hey ho that's life.
My thoughts are the OS is gathering momentum at a pace and hopefully the spec of this one (which i believe is expandable) will future proof it for what's to come. Apart from the bombshell that i could have saved £100 quid if i'd waited a couple of days I'm well happy but hey ho that's life.superpp said:
leef44 said:
Just found out that it doesn't support NowTV so had to go back to my old Dell computer on Windows for that.
Does the android Now TV app not work?I went to Google about NowTV and Chromebook. It says Chromebook does not support the video player app.
Never looked at a chromebook before but i browse quite a lot on an old acer laptop with a SSD. Its not too bad but i like the look of a chromebook. Are the more budget friendly ones worth it and still as zippy speed wise?
All i'd want it for really is browsing and the odd bit of work / MS office type stuff
Thanks
All i'd want it for really is browsing and the odd bit of work / MS office type stuff
Thanks
James_N said:
Never looked at a chromebook before but i browse quite a lot on an old acer laptop with a SSD. Its not too bad but i like the look of a chromebook. Are the more budget friendly ones worth it and still as zippy speed wise?
All i'd want it for really is browsing and the odd bit of work / MS office type stuff
Thanks
Yeh even the cheap ones are fine for that. I still say these days 4GB ram isn't great though.All i'd want it for really is browsing and the odd bit of work / MS office type stuff
Thanks
My LG Chromebase was regularly using all available Ram, You can set it to use the SSD as virtual ram but eventually upped it 8GB for the overhead.
Office wise you will have the choice of free Google Docs or Office 365 (paid).
AJB88 said:
James_N said:
Never looked at a chromebook before but i browse quite a lot on an old acer laptop with a SSD. Its not too bad but i like the look of a chromebook. Are the more budget friendly ones worth it and still as zippy speed wise?
All i'd want it for really is browsing and the odd bit of work / MS office type stuff
Thanks
Yeh even the cheap ones are fine for that. I still say these days 4GB ram isn't great though.All i'd want it for really is browsing and the odd bit of work / MS office type stuff
Thanks
My LG Chromebase was regularly using all available Ram, You can set it to use the SSD as virtual ram but eventually upped it 8GB for the overhead.
Office wise you will have the choice of free Google Docs or Office 365 (paid).
I had an acquaintance who would happily describe himself as a luddite.
He planned a lot of trips using google maps and booking sites, plus some email.
Got him an HP Chromebox + FHD screen + mouse/keyboard combo for about half a grant about 6 years ago now. He calls it magic and everytime someone comes around he can't get over the fact how good and solid it's been and how cheap it was.
For some people it's more than they'll ever need.
He planned a lot of trips using google maps and booking sites, plus some email.
Got him an HP Chromebox + FHD screen + mouse/keyboard combo for about half a grant about 6 years ago now. He calls it magic and everytime someone comes around he can't get over the fact how good and solid it's been and how cheap it was.
For some people it's more than they'll ever need.
dickymint said:
or via Linux?...................... https://www.aboutchromebooks.com/news/5-reasons-yo...
Yeh go for it. I'm a long term Linux user so very familiar with Gimp and LIbre Office..
I'm typing this now on an LG Chromebase converted to Linux.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff