Chromebooks

[OFSO]

Since (a) I am fed up with installing. maintaining, keeping virus-free and updating my OS and general software, and (b) most of what I do is on-line work, and (c) free wifi is available just about everywhere in London and here in Spain, I purchased an Aesus Chromebook, the larger screen version.

The only additional apps (it comes with a lot) I have installed are those enabling off-line work and WhatsApp.

All my settings (including AdBlocker) were already on my Google account.

A truly excellent device. Anyone thinking of purchasing one, PM me for a discussion.

[Saab Dastard]

Interesting endorsement, thanks.

I was at a Google event in London last week, looking at the Chromebook and chromebox (for video conferencing) with a particular emphasis on integration with Citrix in the workplace. Impressive.

SD

[OFSO]

However, owning a Chromebook seems to come in the category of "doing something naughty you don't mention in public".

Having mentioned that I bought one, several friends have told me they already have a Chromebook, and at the place I bought mine there was a queue for them - a short queue but nevertheless a queue - and people were scuttling out of the store with wrapped parcels.

Probably the absence of a large illuminated graphic of a piece of fruit on the lid makes them less worthy of ownership.

[SpringHeeledJack]

It's a nice looking machine, the battery life is double that of my macbook. It reminds me of the black mac brought out a few years ago. For those used to PC and looking for a lightweight 'do-all' it seems to tick many boxes.


SHJ

[OFSO]

the battery life is double that of my macbook.

Re battery life: having bought it last Tuesday lunchtime I charged it for three hours. I've used it at least two hours a day since then, including watching TV, and I still have two and a half hours left on the battery. I'd say Aesus claim of over ten hours is true.

[mixture]

Re:

the battery life is double that of my macbook

That may well be your perception, but you have to ask yourself why.

There's no such thing as a free lunch, and I suspect a perusal of the Chromebook spec sheet will answer how they've achieved the battery saving, e.g. much less powerful processor.

[exeng]

I have had an Asus Chromebook for about 6 months. The long battery life is not a perception as Mr Mixture would have it but a fact. The processor is more than adequate for the tasks it performs. Basically an internet centred device and is a brick without good broadband speeds.

I would prefer a higher resolution on the screen, but other than that I am impressed.


Regards
Exeng

[mixture]

exeng,

I used the word "perception" in the context of people who think that a Chromebook can be considered to be equivalent to a MacBook with the added bonus of additional battery life.

You have confirmed that in your statement:

Basically an internet centred device and is a brick without good broadband speeds.

I'm sure if Apple made an internet-centered brick, their battery life would also be the same or better than the Chromebook.

Basically I'm saying people should not be comparing Apples and Oranges (or Apples and Chromebooks !).

[KBPsen]

It's an interesting product. Over the years I've found ASUS to be an excellent product. I'm on the fourth ASUS laptop and none of them has ever suffered a hardware failure.

I assume that Chrome OS is a close relative of Android? Perhaps OFSO could expand?

[Bushfiva]

Basically it's a flavor of Linux that boots to a browser. So it's fast and lean. You can whatever you want, as long as it's web-based. So if you already use gmail, store photos online, Google Docs etc. you're fine. If you're used to all your stuff sitting on your hard drive, you'll find it a tougher transition: the computer itself is stateless.

[onetrack]

And once you subscribe to the Great God Google with the purchase of one of these, you understand that you have handed over every aspect of your life, every ground movement, every page visited, every item you examine on the 'net - to a faceless organisation of 55,000 people, who sell that info so they can make lots of money - and who transfer every piece of your metadata to hundreds of other faceless 'net data-gathering companies, most of whom you have never even heard of.

I've got a Galaxy Note 3 and I like Google, it's very useful. However, I'm constantly surprised at how much Google does behind my back with my phone and my Google account.
I treat Google like I treat a very large anaconda. I watch what it's doing constantly, and I never ever, let it get a grip on me, that initially feels like a friendly hug.

[OFSO]

You can whatever you want, as long as it's web-based.

Well yes, as it comes from the box. However open your browser and tick "apps that work off-line" and you can find a lot of them. And they do work. Inserting a large-capacity SD card is essential.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned the paucity of USB connectors on Chromebooks, had they done so I would have riposted that connecting a hub solves that problem. Add a mouse, keyboard and big screen and you have something not unsimilar to the large PC that sits on your desk all day and is also connected to the 'net full time.

Google knowing everything about you ? Well, really, I'd never have thought it Next thing is you'll be saying they sell that data and make money from it.....

[chevvron]

I'm on my second Samsung Chromebook and I must say it's very 'pleasant' to use once you get used to the differences from Windows. I especially like the fact it doesn't keep loading updates every 3 or 4 days and refusing to shut down until they're loaded!!

[cattletruck]

I'm on the fourth ASUS laptop and none of them has ever suffered a hardware failure.

My ASUS from 2008 just does not want to die, I've done plenty to it but think I'm not trying hard enough.

Is Chromebook what we call a thin-client? What's it do when an internet connection is not available?

[OFSO]

What's it do when an internet connection is not available?

a) look for your smartphone with "Wifi Hotspot Enabled".
b) use the off-line apps you have loaded for just such an eventuality
c) suggest you move back to civilisation and the bright lights

[Mike-Bracknell]

Originally Posted by cattletruck

My ASUS from 2008 just does not want to die, I've done plenty to it but think I'm not trying hard enough.

Is Chromebook what we call a thin-client? What's it do when an internet connection is not available?

It could possibly fall into that category, however the only Chromebook i've played with I found horrendous to use due to the limitations of their app store with regard to RDP clients - I couldn't find one good one that worked with MS RDP, despite trying several.

[sea oxen]

I bought an Acer C720 and replaced its native 16GB SSD with 128GBl, set it up for dual boot and put Bodhi Linux on it. Since the initial tests, I've never run it on Chrome.

As mixture says, you endure sacrifices for the battery life - the screen is pretty poor on this model. OTOH, it has USB3 and HDMI - so on the whole it's been a good fit.

[Booglebox]

I'm sure if Apple made an internet-centered brick,

Apple - MacBook

[henry_crun]

Chromebook

Am thinking about getting one for use in local cafe on their wifi.

Any thoughts?


Ooops - thanks for merging to this thread SAAB.

[Minnie Burner]

Henry
I'm using a second-hand Samsung NC110 netbook which ran W7 starter and was dumped because it was frustratingly slow. They're still available refurbished on t'internet; mine now runs Linux Mint Cinnamon which comes with Libre Office, Firefox, Gimp, etc., etc. It runs brilliantly for up to 10hrs. It boots from cold in 40" and shuts down in 10. No AVG or Norton nonsense, no updating (unless you want to). You can use any browser or search engine you wish. It might have even better battery life if I upgraded to SSD but I'm too tight and CBA'd. Good hunting!!