New laptop or Chromebook??
Discussion
I am trying to work out the best way forward with a new laptop or Chromebook. I use Google for pretty much all my documents, photos etc but do also need something that will run occasional Android apps such as Xero accounts. I am still trying to work out if a Chromebook will do the job as they obviously are all Google based, but it is the Android side I am unsure with them, so any advice would be great.
Corso Marche said:
Are there Win 10S apps available which are not available on ChromeOS/Android/Linux ? A 500 dollar Chromebook will run apps from all 3 environments side-by-side. If you were to step up from Win 10S to full Win 10 then you will find the Surface Go to not have enough horsepower to run and behave satisfactorily.
Ah right ok, back to just the Chromebook then. Seems to make sense and looking at all the replies, it is the way forward. 
Corso Marche said:
MS Office/Word
MS Word and OneDrive app work, as well as Chrome extensions to sync OneDrive content to the ChromeOS files app. Office Online also works incl Word. I believe (but haven't checked in recent months) that the android apps need an Office 365 subscription for editing, but as said I could be wrong on that.
Editing Word files using G Docs still has formatting issues, it all depends on the formatting involved and the version/file type of the Word file. There's another major push coming from Google to improve this, but I always employ a healthy level of scepticism.
You have better chance of success with the Word app, or Word Online. Word Online is what I use if necessary, but only once in a blue moon.
The reality is that Microsoft's handling of file types/versions down through the years has led to incompatibilities even within their own software.
I've encountered Word files created in Office 2010 where the formatting fell to pieces leaving the files a total mess when opened in Office 2013, and Word files created in Office 365 which have formatting errors in Office Online and the MS Word app. It worked the other way too. It's a legacy MS issue, and a PITA. Also a large reason why I moved away from MS Office, but not everybody can do that.
Android Tablet vs ChromeOS
The ChromeOS UI is different, when in tablet form it's closer to iOS on an iPad in how it lays out it's app drawer, with a taskbar for frequently used apps at the screen edge (usually bottom, but can be set to Left/Right/Bottom by the user). It can also be set to autohide, and appear with a swipe up, or tap at the relevant screen edge.
It's actually quite nice to use on the right machine, and most apps work fine, but there's still the odd app which has an issue on specific devices, so it pays to check beforehand if you have a heavy use case for any particular app.
That is very helpful, cheers for that. I must admit, I am not really a Windows fan (bring back XP I say, but that's another story possibly). I have found I use Google products more and more, having switched to an Android phone from Apple, I just like the way it works. The main reason for all this, is that I am shortly going to throw myself into the world of self employment as a tree surgeon and grounds maintenance business. I therefore want a device that I can receive emails on, generate invoices (using Xero accounting software which has been recommended), access online banking and then just general internet use. The ability to use Google Drive, Google Docs etc and access Google photos is also a prime consideration. While I appreciate a Windows machine will do this, I just wonder if a Chromebook will be slicker with less of the Windows junk on it? MS Word and OneDrive app work, as well as Chrome extensions to sync OneDrive content to the ChromeOS files app. Office Online also works incl Word. I believe (but haven't checked in recent months) that the android apps need an Office 365 subscription for editing, but as said I could be wrong on that.
Editing Word files using G Docs still has formatting issues, it all depends on the formatting involved and the version/file type of the Word file. There's another major push coming from Google to improve this, but I always employ a healthy level of scepticism.
You have better chance of success with the Word app, or Word Online. Word Online is what I use if necessary, but only once in a blue moon.
The reality is that Microsoft's handling of file types/versions down through the years has led to incompatibilities even within their own software.
I've encountered Word files created in Office 2010 where the formatting fell to pieces leaving the files a total mess when opened in Office 2013, and Word files created in Office 365 which have formatting errors in Office Online and the MS Word app. It worked the other way too. It's a legacy MS issue, and a PITA. Also a large reason why I moved away from MS Office, but not everybody can do that.
Android Tablet vs ChromeOS
The ChromeOS UI is different, when in tablet form it's closer to iOS on an iPad in how it lays out it's app drawer, with a taskbar for frequently used apps at the screen edge (usually bottom, but can be set to Left/Right/Bottom by the user). It can also be set to autohide, and appear with a swipe up, or tap at the relevant screen edge.
It's actually quite nice to use on the right machine, and most apps work fine, but there's still the odd app which has an issue on specific devices, so it pays to check beforehand if you have a heavy use case for any particular app.
Edited by Corso Marche on Thursday 25th April 11:17
I do like the whole Google integration thing. I got bored of Apple, I tried it and just didn't get on with it at all. Google does seem to make more sense to me. I just feel Windows has so much stuff you don't need, want or use on it, hence wanting to simplify to Chrome. Good to know that Xero works on mobile device and CB too.
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