Chromebooks vs Asus X205T

[Geodude074]

https://blackfriday.com/stores/staples/flyers/black-friday/page-1

The Asus X205T is on sale this Black Friday for $99, regular price is $199. It's got a quad-core Bay Trail SoC, 2 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage (with a microSD card available for more). And since the storage is a solid state, it's going to have decent performance, much better than a traditional hard drive.

If you want a bare bones computing experience, but don't want to sacrifice functionality (like you do with a Chromebook) I don't think you're going to find a better deal than the Asus. Even at its regular price, it's still a great deal.

I'm definitely picking one up next weekend. I could find many uses for a full fledged computer for only $99.

 

[B. Diddy]

Sounds like a good deal! But I'd still be wary of how well Windows 8.1 functions with those specs. Let us know how it is!

 

[Dreyfuss Hudson]

If anyone should see a special deal on a blue tooth keyboard please post.

this little unit is an unprecedented deal. W/the dearth of quality apps for Android - well let's put it this way, if you're used to doing things the old fashioned Windows way, and can't seem to get by w/o that program, this unit is exactly what the doctor ordered.

I bought one on my friend's Best Buy card today for 180$ + tax. Not likely I personally would be able to take advantage of the BF deal, so there you go. Still a good deal though.

 

[rrballer11]

I wouldn't buy a windows computer with under 6 GB of ram.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Geodude074]

Well, went to Staples tonight and they already sold out of them before the doors even opened. The door greeter said that they've already been sold to their "distributors" and the only way I could get one was if I had a ticket. So in essence, the Black Friday deals at Staples were just a scam to get you to their doors.

That's a shame because I was really looking forward to picking up an X205 for $99. At its full price I'm a little more hesitant to purchase one.

Still a better buy than a Chromebook imo.

 

[Geodude074]

I wouldn't buy a windows computer with under 6 GB of ram.

Posted via Android Central App

My desktop has 16 GB of RAM and I barely even use a fraction of it for mundane daily tasks.

I'm responding to you right now using a Dell Venue 8 Pro which only has 2 GB of RAM and it works great.

In fact I'm loving my Dell Venue 8 Pro, I primarily use tablets to web browse on the couch or in bed, and having a Windows tablet to display the full web browsing experience is awesome, it can't be beat. I know mobile browsers can display web pages in the desktop site, but they're usually slow and clunky and sometimes they just refuse to display the desktop site.

But that's a discussion for another day.

 

[Rusty Kettle]

I got one on Black Friday. The LAST one! I love it so far. It surfs the web amazingly fast compared to my old Compaq. Best deal of Black Friday. I have to hunt one down for my wife even if it costs me more to get it this one is worth it. I am posting from one right now.

 

[LinuxDev21]

Each Staples store had a limited number of ASUS 205T units in stock. So those of us who arrived a few minutes early and stood in line were able to make their purchase. It's an amazing little PC. It comes with Windows 8, so that was immediately removed and replaced by my favourite Linux distribution. The next morning I returned to Staples to return another item. I asked the guy if there were any ASUS 205T units remaining. There weren't but he said he could order one via the Staples computer system (available in-store only). So I bought another ASUS computer! It was delivered (free shipping) in 4 days. Each unit cost $99 plus tax. Not bad for two fully capable portable Linux notebooks.

 

[blackneos940]

Greetings...... I come from Linux.org, and I have a question..... Just how did you get Linux on that Asus.....? I keep going to Aptio Setup Utility, but se NOTHING in the way of "Launch CSM", and even when I delete all the keys, and secure boot is disabled, it won't load my USB with YUMI..... Thank you, kind sir..... :3

 

[Dreyfuss Hudson]

Just to get back, I returned the Best Buy Asus, took advantage of the Thanksgiving Day sale for 99$. I stood in line for 2 hours - lol an hour or less would have been sufficient here in Howell, NJ. The people who work there, and people in NJ in general, are annoying and wise mouthed. But I got the deal, been using it since then. Do not feel hampered by anything, using it for basic tasks (you got to be realistic). This is the X205t. The wireless range is very good, compared to my 5 year old Toshiba p505d-s8930, way better. Battery life is amazing, 8-10 hours (perhaps not w/wifi). But if you're studying or whatever and don't have ac or don't want to plug it in, it's just phenomenal. Of course there are tradeoffs when you forego a normal hard drive equipped laptop. But it is what it is. If I had to do it again, and could live w/o extended battery life, I'd probably buy a reglar laptop for 200$+, whatever is available these days.. But for some people and applications, this thing is great. Not sure I'd pay 180$ for it though (did originally because m0ney was limited at the time and it was the best deal. At 100$, it was unparalleled. I'd buy another for 100$ just as backup, in a heartbeat).