[Closed] Chromebook ?

You need to talk to Stoner, he's a Chromebook evangelist...

I got my daughter one for christmas

it seems great so far

as long as you are happy using Google docs for any office type stuff (and I would say only a "power user" might have problems)

If you need iTunes to manage music for an iPhone/ iPod then a chrome book won't work - but if you are a google play user then perfect

The good thing is they are relatively cheap - so worth a try to see how you get on

Get one...

For just general browsing and the odd document etc best thing I've had to be honest .

Much faster than a cheap laptop and under £200 (Acer 720)

I got one for christmas (Acer 720) and it's brilliant:
Light
Long battery life (7-8 hours)
Instant on or 7 second boot from cold (only done this once since xmas to for an OS update which installs completely in the background)
Plenty fast enough (plus it won't slow down over time)
16Gb SSD for downloads/files, etc
HDMI, usb and SD card slots
I can easily connect/use/control my work PC or the iMac at home using Chrome Remote Desktop.
Google apps are very good.

We have iPads and Android tablets in the house and I think the Chromebook is the best by miles if what you're doing involves any typing whatsoever.

Bought my Mum an Acer C720 for Christmas and she loves it. As above, very light, long battery life, super quick startup, no virus b*llox to worry about etc etc.

They are amazing, frankly. They are limited in what they can do, but that allows them to be optimised for it. Hard to describe how fast it is! £200 and it's at least an order of magnitude faster than my work laptop which is a quad core i7 that cost 11 times as much! Ok so it does more, but that is a double edged sword - a lot of the junk my work PC had to load is anti malware and corporate spyware yo make sure I haven't installed anything bad.

Mac fanbois keep saying 'it just works' but really that applies to Chromebooks far better. Open, surf. That's it.

We bought an Acer C720, only slight imperfection s the screen is budget looking. But it's perfectly usable and for £200 you can't complain!

Oh yeah, the other thing to consider is that it will never slow down over time like Windows can. So it could easily be just as good in 10 years' time.

And something else to consider - the Microsoft webapps also work, but not in demo mode when they are in the shop. So you have a choice of google docs or MS.

Spot on, c720 it is then.

Molgrips, can you use Word/Excel/Powerpoint with the Chromebook using Webapps then? Lack of MS office is all thats putting me off.

Google Docs takes care of office afaik...

You can also use outlook.com to edit MS Office apps, and the latest ChromeOS release has the Kingsoft (or whatever it is) MS Office compatible app installed.

And you can always use GDocs and export to MS if you want.

I am typing this on my Samsung Chromebook series 3. I use it far more than my mac or a PC. I wish I had an Acer though as the Haswell would add a little extra oomph.

Molgrips, can you use Word/Excel/Powerpoint with the Chromebook using Webapps then?

Yes but there's little point generally. If you were using Skydrive and Office elsewhere it might help, or if you are using say Windows phone like I am. I am pleased that I can use OneNote.

We've had an HP chromebook 14 for about a month now. £250 which gives a nice big screen and performance that would cost several times more from a windows (or heaven forbid, apple) equivalent.

The ms office issue is just something you need to get your head around rather than a real problem and as has been mentioned you can use the online ms office products if you really need to.

Very happy with it and more importantly Mrs Clubber is happy with it too.

How come the performance is so good for the money?

Why won't it slowdown over time?

We were early adopters with a mk 1 Samsung.

Treat it as a secure internet surfing tool and it is fabulous. Totally hassle free and foolproof. Battery and speed same as the day we bought it. Cold start to surfing in about 15 seconds.

If you have other devices, then I'd 100% say get one - much faster and easier than kid's Samsung tablet, with no issues about anti-virus software etc.

But.....As a total laptop replacement it is pretty useless. Very slow with photos, very limited apps, half the google stuff cannot work on it, printing a faff, documents a faff, some pdfs don't work (e.g. couldn't fill in a downloaded bank form last week) problems with listing stuff on ebay etc etc.

Because it's not running anything other than a browser in effect. As such updates happen when the app or website you're using updates.

It is slightly disingenuous to say that it won't slow down though as what we do increasingly uses more performance so in reality, it will seem to get slower though less than a windows computer which is allowed down over time by patching, etc.

Got one for my son for christmas. He seems to like it and it does exactly what he wanted.

How come the performance is so good for the money?

Cos it's optimised to run just one thing, Google Chrome. You can't install anything else on it, which is the reason why Windows can get slower with time. The OS is also a dedicated OS that doesn't allow you to do anything either hence is stripped down.

It's a cloud terminal, in reality. It's never going to replace Windows obviously, but it offers a real alternative to the concept of the PC. Modern PCs are phenomenally powerful, a complete waste just for looking at pictures of cats and insulting people.

[img] https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/3347845120/h5ED89E94/ [/img]

Main reason for saying won't slow down is ssd. As no moving parts like a HDD that slow down as they get older/fuller. Obviously you can get ssd laptops but not for £200

wow, some great advice, thanks............!

It will slow down over time but only because google will update ChromeOS to add more features/capability and reflect current day hardware capability and software protocols/technologies. *But* that timespan will be a long one 🙂 And I guess you have the option of not accepting new OS releases in the future if you're aware that one might be a performance step too far for your current hardware.

can they run flash on websites etc? thinking on one for my daughter but all those wee cbeebies/peppa pig etc websites use flash a lot iirc.

all those sites seem to work on mine. I did check beforehand 🙂

•Playing Games: Depending on how you play games on your computer, you may be in luck or this may be a big speed bump. If you play web-based games in your browser, Chrome OS allows you to play the same Flash and HTML-based games. The Chrome web store contains some popular games, such as Angry Birds and Cut the Rope. However, you can’t install Windows software (or any local software), so you can’t play PC games. They can be ported to the browser via native client — for example, you can play Bastion on a Chromebook — but few games have been.

Main reason for saying won't slow down is ssd. As no moving parts like a HDD that slow down as they get older/fuller

Not true. HDDs don't slow down over time, at least not until right before they fail. They do get fragmented - as you delete files and add new ones, files end up in smaller and smaller pieces all over the disk. However this is not such an issue these days, I think that Windows does some management of this as it goes along. This also happens to SSDs but it doens't make it slower, ebcause it can access any part of the disk in the same time - with an HDD, the head has to move around on the disk.

The real reason Windows slows down over time is because we keep installing more stuff. If you never installed anything, it wouldn't slow down, or would only slow down slightly. If you do format and re-install Windows on an old PC it becomes as quick as new again - try it if you don't believe me 🙂

can they run flash on websites etc?

As far as I can tell the Chrome browser is identical to the PC one (but faster!). So everything that works in Chrome should also work. Since I've been using Chrome for years on PC, it has the nice side-effect that all my bookmarks etc sync perfectly, and any apps I add on the Chromebook I can still use exactly the same on my PC!

Are these wifi only or can you get them with 3(or 4)G? I'm guessing it's a MiFi type dongle if you're not in a wifi spot?

You can get them with 3G build-in yes, as an option. Just need a SIM card from your preferred mobile operator. Probably more convenient than a mifi type thing really - the mifi needs to have its own battery charged etc.

I think that Windows does some management of this as it goes along.

Win7 schedules automatic defraging for you, every time I check my work machine it always says 100% defragmented.

Of course, there won't be much fragmentation as long as your HD isn't nearly full...

Do chromebooks work with webgl? I'm guessing no but any real world experience would be useful.

Hmmm, thinking about it, it would probably be cheaper to pay for tethering on my existing 3 contract.

It's between one of these and an iPad mini (not a direct comparison, more of a budget comparison) - I want to be able to take something to work with me for online ordering from screwfix etc (phone does job but a proper browser is a bit more detailed) and inputting my daily business spends.

We're kinda apple dna'd here but I see no reason why one of these wouldn't fit in as a standalone. It's not a different OS, just chrome in a box, so to speak.

Of course, there won't be much fragmentation as long as your HD isn't nearly full...

Amazingly mine is >90% and still completely defragged. I have a new, larger SSD drive sat by it ready to install, just haven't got round to it.....

chvck- they do. Well my Samsung ARM machine does, so I am sure the Intel ones do too.

Hmmm, thinking about it, it would probably be cheaper to pay for tethering on my existing 3 contract.

I pay I dunno, £5 or something for 2GB of 4G data on my phone. I'll cancel my dongle SIM when I can I think. However, 2-3 hours of tethering use means my battery is dead by early evening, so it's not ideal. Orange gave me 1Gb for £5/mo which may be worth it for the convenience of one battery and being able to open the laptop and go.

As for comparing with a small tablet - we just got a hudl (Chromebook + 7" tablet was the same price as a Windows laptop!) for family use, and it's frankly difficult for surfing on. Typing is terribly inconvenient. Too big to type two-thumbed as on a phone, and on my lap it's just too much hunching over.

I'm a fast typist, so for me using the Chromebook is far better and quicker. Also, websites don't have to be 'optimised for touch' since it's standard mouse + keyboard.

Thanks gofasterstripes that's good to know!

Only thing that's stopping me getting one right now is the need to run Java (runtime should suffice) and a couple of Java apps. Oh and need decent IRC client (must be a usable Chrome app?) and some way to ssh in to server (guess that's possible by default).

I know it's possible to hack a bit, and get Ubuntu install on as well as Chrome, but if I do that, I may as well run stock Ubuntu or other Linux distro.

If I ever get away from that Java dependency, then definitely buying Chromebook.

Hmmm, thinking about it, it would probably be cheaper to pay for tethering on my existing 3 contract.

I just changed to the One plan for 15/month and that has unlimited tethering built in, was cheaper than my previous 3 contract + paying for tethering

Oh and need decent IRC client (must be a usable Chrome app?) and some way to ssh in to server (guess that's possible by default).

It has an ssh app which also means that irssi will work for IRC.

SSH client is available, andy yes. Also RDP. If you don't mind me asking what Java stuff do you need?

You can do more than hack it a bit, you can wipe it and install your Linux of choice, and also apparently you can install Linux and ChromeOS side-by-side, have them both running simultaneously and hotkey between them!

Why bother installing Linux? Cos the hardware is pretty good and only costs £200!

We're kinda apple dna'd here but I see no reason why one of these wouldn't fit in as a standalone.

If you don't mind me asking what Java stuff do you need?

not my choice of language, but I'm not going to convert it to JS or anything else. Does have a bonus of being able to port to Android, but that version is less than alpha right now, and would only ever be a subset of the java version's functionality.

16Gig is more than enough for my current Linux install on an old eeePC, so dual boot or chroot thingy or wipe+reinstall may be the way forward. I won't be needing to store 64gigs of itunes downloads or my photo album locally.

A custom app you need for work, or something you've written?

Same here DD, but as the macs all run Chrome the Chromebook fits right in.
Whenever the iPad and Chromebook are side by side I always go to the chromebook now!

Ok, I'm sold. 🙂

Now...which one. 😕

We got an Acer C720 cos it was cheapest and the hardware is remarkably good - light, solid, no fan (most of the time), no HDD, no moving parts, no noise. The alternative in PC World was Samsung, which was ok too but the silvery finish looked as if it would scuff easily. That was £250 for the 3G version iirc.

Ok, so go on, spank me...but all the options I've seen [i]look[/i] awful...anything approaching the build quality of Apple?

Which did you look at?

For you DD

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromebook-pixel/

Or this:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/10/hp-chromebook-11-review-surprisingly-good-for-the-price-and-a-chromebook

Thanks mol. 🙂

Those two look like they might be contenders.

EDIT: until I saw the price of the Pixel 😆

I have the HP one but in 14" size (it's all about size DD 😉 ) - it looks very nice - certainly not tacky. The 11 looks good too but there may be supply problems as the first ones had chargers that could overheat...

EDIT - yeah, 'coming soon': https://www.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/chrome/devices/hp-chromebook-11/

Pixel is great had one 6 months or so.. It's all about the screen!

Google gave everyone at 2013 US conference a free one(!)..

So they do come up on Ebay quite regularly for less if your smitten and have time to stalk a few 🙂

@clubber,

While feeling no need to compensate (unlike yourself for some reason...all vertical eh? 🙂 ), Tesco have that 14 for £249.

Can these be used offline? Eg. as I mentioned above, I'd be building an accounts spreadsheet that I could update on the go rather than this panicky faff every January to get my books done and of course, missing out on all the things I could be using to dodge more tax in the rush. So can I update a spreadsheet offline which could then sync with google docs when in wifi or does chrome have to be "online" to be doing anything useful?

Mind you, I've just got unlimited tethering and data for £18/month-2-month from 3 but that's not coming online till beginning of Feb. 🙂

I got my (bigger one) from Tesco.

You can use them offline and increasingly so - Google docs (including sheets, the excel equivalent) allows offline working and there is that SSD to store some stuff on it for offline if you need.

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/1628467?hl=en

Ah, thanks for that link.

More silly questions to follow:

Towards the bottom of that article, it says:

Offline editing is limited to spreadsheets that were created after switching to the new version of Google Sheets. Also note that editing "My Drive" is limited to starring files and folders.

I'm not fussed about trying to edit on a tablet...won't be using iPads for editing spreadsheets, only the chromebook (or say, someone else's desktop running Chrome).

You always get the latest version of your apps. That's the beauty of cloud computing.

Yeah, I would expect so. I expect that you can convert 'old' ones to new ones though anyway.

I use google docs on my (android) phone and sometimes tablet and it's surprisingly useable and now that we have our stuff all on google drive, it's means I can access it pretty much anywhere which has turned out to be surprisingly useful.

The only "argh" discovery I've had using a chromebook in place of a moribund (Windows) netbook is that the Ordnance Survey "Getamap" thing won't fly, as it relies on MS Silverlight.

Otherwise, I'm amazed at how brilliant the thing is for the price, and the screen / picture quality in particular is very good (Samsung one, bought last year, don't know the model number)

does it really use Silverlight?
does anyone actually use that?

pretty sure I used OS getamap on Linux browser at some point (probably stock Chrome, or if not then the open source Chromium equivalent), and don't remember installing Moonlight or anything. Maybe I did. Was quite a while ago. All I know for sure is it wasn't Windows or OSX, since I've not used either in over 2 years.

Eurosport player uses Silverlight too.

So can you not run iTunes at all on a chromebook? I can't afford a mac, I don't want a ms laptop as experience of them is they slow down very quickly. But need something to update the old iphone if I need to. I know it does ota downloads but just in case.

no itunes, no.

However, google music will upload your entire iTunes collection and host it for you from where you can download it to the chromebook for local playing, or stream it when online.

I wont even use a site that runs silverlight on my PC. Horrible software.

Some other streaming TV requires Silverlight too. Had to install in on my PC for MissStripes

yeah was thinking one of the movie services probably uses silverlight.

not a major issue for what I need.

almost tempted. could use a fractionally larger screen and resolution than my eee. it's that or a cheap lenovo.

now just need to work out the best place to get one with a UK (or US) keyboard, and not a funny German keyboard.

So budget of £300 what is good samsung or hp?

Hp 14 qo15sa or a toshiba?

The biggest concern I have is I had a netbook but was rubbish for anything word related so cv's presentations etc just too small on the screen. So what do you guys reccomend

I use the Chromebook for STW etc, and a real PC@1900*1200 when needs must.

The only way around it would be to buy a machine with a Retina/equivalent screen and squint.

The main thing holding me back is photo management. I really want a local copy as well as uploading full sized to Google Drive. I know the Chromebook will read cards and allow uploading to Google+, it's the getting them onto my NAS that is the issue. The http access frankly sucks on the NAS and ftp doesn't seem to be a realistic option on the Chromebook...

I'm yet to buy one. The HP14 looks a good deal..... Help please ? Budget not an issue.....

wife has a laptop with Windows 8 which we hate.

Had a quick play on a C720 and it's quite nice, though as the wife has just spunked £135 on a pair of shoes, I think I might just save up for a second hand Nicolai frame instead.

I was kinda set on the HP 11, but it seems, from talking to a chap who works for HP, "coming soon" is not necessarily soon at all. 🙁

So what do we think of the [url= http://www.trustedreviews.com/acer-c720p-chromebook_Laptop_review ]New Acer c720P[/url]?

The acer looks good. The HP screen is good but it still has the same CPU as the Samsung Series 3 (which I am using which is good but sometimes I'd like a little more oomph). The Acer uses a Haswell processor and looks as if the screen may be a little better than this one.

Ah roight. Cheers AdamW.

I don't want a ms laptop as experience of them is they slow down very quickly.

Let's just clear something up. Windows doens't slow down on its own. If you treat it right it'll be fine.

And yes I know, you shouldn't have to blablabla.

Cheapest option would be to spend £10 on a Dummies guide to Windows 8. Its *really* not hard to use.

I agree. What was the question again?

Last question not concerning windows was at Post 70 Stoner.

I received the replacement charger for my HP 11 yesterday, so once the backlog of existing owners have been seen to, I would not have thought it would be long before they could start selling them again.

Not too sure what they have changed as it appears to recharge at the same speed and it still gets uncomfortably hot 😮

EDIT: In fact it appears to be on sale already [url= http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/01/24/former_fiery_hp_chromebook_11_back_on_google_play_shelves/ ]Article[/url]

Indeed it is! So much for my insider knowledge, eh? 😳 Right, so it'll be between the HP11 and the c720p then. I think the c720p is out in Feb. Hmmm.

Just thought I'd AdamW's earlier post. The hp 14 has a haswell chip. There's some confusion because there is a previous version of the hp chromebook 14 which was the 'pavilion'' model which obviously has an older chip.

I've got the latest hp chromebook14 and it's a great bit of kit. Just works basically though I've found it can be a little hit and miss working on routers (ip address navigation) and I've found a couple of websites where kids games don't work.

And OT, there's a lot of bs written about Windows. It does slow down over time even if you did all the "maintenance" a full on geek could do because of patching /updates. It doesn't however slow down quickly unless you constantly install rubbish on it.

Does the new HP14 have a dirty great big charger clubber?

Not excessively but it's a typical laptop type one rather than the mobile phone one on the 11