Calling Chromebook Experts...
Discussion
A good few years ago I scarpered from the clutches of Mr Gates and bit on an Apple.
In all I've been very happy with all their (seriously expensive) kit, but I'm now wondering if such expenditure is really needed.
As an experiment today I bought a cheap Chromebook (delivered today) and I have to say I'm impressed. I have never laid eyes on one of these machines before and will keep playing with it for a bit to see if the Chromebook family of offerings will constitute a realistic alternative to very very pricey Apples.
So far I haven't found any obvious or insurmountable drawbacks.
So, experts, have I been fooled, or are they really quite good?
In all I've been very happy with all their (seriously expensive) kit, but I'm now wondering if such expenditure is really needed.
As an experiment today I bought a cheap Chromebook (delivered today) and I have to say I'm impressed. I have never laid eyes on one of these machines before and will keep playing with it for a bit to see if the Chromebook family of offerings will constitute a realistic alternative to very very pricey Apples.
So far I haven't found any obvious or insurmountable drawbacks.
So, experts, have I been fooled, or are they really quite good?
My £400 Acer C302C is an excellent bit of kit for £400, miles better than the equivalently priced Windows machine, and miles cheaper than an Apple machine. The only real downside is the screen isn't great, but it was £400, and I don't use it to watch films etc. anwyay. It feels very solidly built as well with the aluminium chassis which really surprised me at the price point.
Mine is a "renewed" (whatever that means) HP which cost even less than yours.
I didn't think there was much point spending much as it's just so that I can test drive the unfamiliar OS.
Must say, it's going well. So far seriously thinking of replacing everything (as each device fails/breaks/retires) with Chromebook/Android stuff.
I didn't think there was much point spending much as it's just so that I can test drive the unfamiliar OS.
Must say, it's going well. So far seriously thinking of replacing everything (as each device fails/breaks/retires) with Chromebook/Android stuff.
I posted in another thread yesterday, but they're all we have in the household now, after first experimenting with them 4 years ago when my wife's Windows laptop expired.
My one tip for newcomers who are used to traditional desktop environments is to set their frequently used apps/links/shortcuts to open in their own windows, rather than the browser. It feels more familiar to most, separates open apps/windows easily, and frees up display space on a smaller screen because any app just has the normal window title bar, rather than a 2/3 row combo of title bar, URL bar, and bookmark bar which are displayed with a browser window.
That, and learn the touchpad gestures and keyboard shortcuts.
My one tip for newcomers who are used to traditional desktop environments is to set their frequently used apps/links/shortcuts to open in their own windows, rather than the browser. It feels more familiar to most, separates open apps/windows easily, and frees up display space on a smaller screen because any app just has the normal window title bar, rather than a 2/3 row combo of title bar, URL bar, and bookmark bar which are displayed with a browser window.
That, and learn the touchpad gestures and keyboard shortcuts.
Great machines if you mostly want to do web/cloud based activity, which lets face it is 90% of what most home users probably do anyway. Its very light weight, so the hardware requirements are lower (machines are cheaper) and have better battery life. They’re also more secure and safer for the average user. They run Android apps but badly. The low price of most Chromebooks usually mean subpar spec such as the screen quality or CPU. Models that have much better screens, speakers, keyboards, touch pads and CPUs are a lot more expensive though, on a par with any of their rivals and then you have to deal with the drawbacks, i.e. not as powerful as a desktop OS to get real work done, restrictive, lacks apps.
Basically, how much computer do you need? If you don’t need much then you might be better served with a simpler machine.
Basically, how much computer do you need? If you don’t need much then you might be better served with a simpler machine.
TameRacingDriver said:
Great machines if you mostly want to do web/cloud based activity, which lets face it is 90% of what most home users probably do anyway. Its very light weight, so the hardware requirements are lower (machines are cheaper) and have better battery life. They’re also more secure and safer for the average user. They run Android apps but badly. The low price of most Chromebooks usually mean subpar spec such as the screen quality or CPU. Models that have much better screens, speakers, keyboards, touch pads and CPUs are a lot more expensive though, on a par with any of their rivals and then you have to deal with the drawbacks, i.e. not as powerful as a desktop OS to get real work done, restrictive, lacks apps.
Basically, how much computer do you need? If you don’t need much then you might be better served with a simpler machine.
My Chromebook runs Android apps just fine. It is a lot snappier than even more expensive Windows machines.Basically, how much computer do you need? If you don’t need much then you might be better served with a simpler machine.
Some apps wont scale properly, or fail to orientate correctly, some will crash, a small number might not work at all, and they will likely all run slower than on equivalently powerful dedicated Android hardware. I wouldn’t buy one if having a great Android app experience was a priority. It has probably improved since I last had a CB but even now I read in reviews of buggy Android apps.
Outside of this use case, I agree, they are responsive and ‘snappy’.
Outside of this use case, I agree, they are responsive and ‘snappy’.
Thanks for all the replies.
The screen on my cheap machine is not great, but then it was cheap and my iMac is 5K. Pretty fast though...
Early days, but I have to say that with better kit it could well be a goer....
I'm not certain what the iTunes solution/alternative is, a particular issue is that I have a huge number of audiobooks, many of which are Amazon/Audible stored but some are not. Any bright ideas?
Also, whilst I can use the "full" version of Chrome, I seem not to be able to use Brave in its full fat format.
Thanks again.
The screen on my cheap machine is not great, but then it was cheap and my iMac is 5K. Pretty fast though...
Early days, but I have to say that with better kit it could well be a goer....
I'm not certain what the iTunes solution/alternative is, a particular issue is that I have a huge number of audiobooks, many of which are Amazon/Audible stored but some are not. Any bright ideas?
Also, whilst I can use the "full" version of Chrome, I seem not to be able to use Brave in its full fat format.
Thanks again.
Out of the box you'll only be able to use alternative Android browsers, as you found with Brave.
To use alternative full fat desktop browsers you'll need a machine which is officially supported for Linux, and to then enable Linux in the settings menu. This is where machine spec becomes more critical, as you'll want the horsepower to run any Linux apps satisfactorily.
No idea on your iTunes quandary, sorry. Audible app and web player both work, but I don't know a solution for anything locked to your iTunes account.
Would you use an iPhone to access audio content from iTunes?
When I'm on my laptop I use my phone to stream podcasts, Spotify, radio etc to a Bluetooth speaker. I don't bother with it on the laptop. The phone is effectively like an audio remote sitting on the desk. Leaving the laptop free for whatever it is I'm doing.
With the right spec machine you could always investigate if iTunes works correctly using Wine or Crossover on ChromeOS. But that's where I draw the line personally. I just want stuff to work quickly and simply. If it works with the likes of Crossover then fantastic. If it's in the least bit hacky, doesn't work correctly, or requires workarounds then that defeats the purpose.
To use alternative full fat desktop browsers you'll need a machine which is officially supported for Linux, and to then enable Linux in the settings menu. This is where machine spec becomes more critical, as you'll want the horsepower to run any Linux apps satisfactorily.
No idea on your iTunes quandary, sorry. Audible app and web player both work, but I don't know a solution for anything locked to your iTunes account.
Would you use an iPhone to access audio content from iTunes?
When I'm on my laptop I use my phone to stream podcasts, Spotify, radio etc to a Bluetooth speaker. I don't bother with it on the laptop. The phone is effectively like an audio remote sitting on the desk. Leaving the laptop free for whatever it is I'm doing.
With the right spec machine you could always investigate if iTunes works correctly using Wine or Crossover on ChromeOS. But that's where I draw the line personally. I just want stuff to work quickly and simply. If it works with the likes of Crossover then fantastic. If it's in the least bit hacky, doesn't work correctly, or requires workarounds then that defeats the purpose.
Edited by Corso Marche on Wednesday 17th April 15:40
Corso Marche said:
Out of the box you'll only be able to use alternative Android browsers, as you found with Brave.
To use alternative full fat desktop browsers you'll need a machine which is officially supported for Linux, and to then enable Linux in the settings menu. This is where machine spec becomes more critical, as you'll want the horsepower to run any Linux apps satisfactorily.
No idea on your iTunes quandary, sorry. Audible app and web player both work, but I don't know a solution for anything locked to your iTunes account.
Thanks for that, looks like the Pixelbook (which I've been eyeing up!) will play nice with Brave. To use alternative full fat desktop browsers you'll need a machine which is officially supported for Linux, and to then enable Linux in the settings menu. This is where machine spec becomes more critical, as you'll want the horsepower to run any Linux apps satisfactorily.
No idea on your iTunes quandary, sorry. Audible app and web player both work, but I don't know a solution for anything locked to your iTunes account.
Agreed, Audible app/player generally works well although can sometimes be a tad clunky.
I've been using ChromeOS since they first come out.
I did have a 2010 MBP as a "backup" machine for when I needed software for the car, I now have a 2018 Dell XPS Ubuntu for car software.
Convinced sister and mum to get 2 Chromebooks as was sick of hearing... this bloody machine wont do this than and the other, or this pop up has come up saying this needs updating etc.
I did have a 2010 MBP as a "backup" machine for when I needed software for the car, I now have a 2018 Dell XPS Ubuntu for car software.
Convinced sister and mum to get 2 Chromebooks as was sick of hearing... this bloody machine wont do this than and the other, or this pop up has come up saying this needs updating etc.
Corso Marche said:
Yeah, it's a Pixelbook I use. Fantastic machine. You get spoiled by it though, and notice immediately if somebody passes you any other type of machine.
They are that nice to use, keyboard, trackpad, display, weight and feel etc
On the lappy front for the last few years we've been using MacBook Pro's and MacBook Airs. Pixelbooks look similar.They are that nice to use, keyboard, trackpad, display, weight and feel etc
Bikerjon said:
They're good machines and I suspect they would suit many more people if they could just shift out of the MS Windows/Office mindset for long enough to try one properly. The only real problem I have with the hardware is I'm yet to see one that has the screen quality of a Macbook.
The pixelbook has a better screen quality than a macbook Ascayman said:
Bikerjon said:
They're good machines and I suspect they would suit many more people if they could just shift out of the MS Windows/Office mindset for long enough to try one properly. The only real problem I have with the hardware is I'm yet to see one that has the screen quality of a Macbook.
The pixelbook has a better screen quality than a macbook Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff