Considering Leaving Chrome OS....

[ptkelly]

My desktop Windows computer has sat mostly idle for the last year as I used my Chrome OS devices. A few months ago I got an update for Windows 10 and recently started playing with it.

Windows 10 is much more Android/Google friendly that it was two years ago. Messages for Web seems to work with no problems and I have all of the Android apps I use regularly on my Windows computer with web-based icons on my taskbar.

The compatibility between my phone, a Huawei P30 Pro, and my Windows 10 computer is acceptable.

Now, why would I consider leaving Chromebook. I know it's hard to believe but while Chrome OS touts it's security I have to store all my documents and photos in the cloud with Google Drive. Some documents such as contracts, considered stock transfers, bid proposals, and some personal correspondence is confidential. I know keeping something private and excluding Google and the Federal Government from constant access is strange but that's where I am.

What are the chances Chrome and the Google Apps will allow documents and pictures to be saved directly to a thumb drive instead of to the cloud?

I'm, obviously, no geek and I suspect I already know the answer but is there any chance at all that Windows systems could run Android apps in the future? Since, I'm 78-years old, make that the near future.

 

[B. Diddy]

You can always save files locally to a Chromebook's own hard drive, or to an SD card (if supported) or USB flash drive. For very sensitive files, I think it's prudent to think twice before storing them in any cloud storage, not just Google Drive.

For me, it's still no contest. Virtually everything I need or want to do on a computer, I can do on my Chromebook, and it's done quickly and efficiently. I never have to deal with dreaded Windows updates, lumbering antivirus suites, or "system optimizers." There are times when I don't touch my Windows machine for weeks!

 

[ptkelly]

Can you recommend a word processor that I can use on my Chromebook that will allow me to write without have the document sent to Google?

 

[B. Diddy]

You can always use Microsoft Word, but then I think you'd have to subscribe to Office 365. If you want something that only saves locally, then you should consider an Android word processing app (rather than a Chrome OS app) -- here's an article that might be helpful: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/five-best-word-processors-for-android/

 

[ptkelly]

Thanks, BDiddy. I'm familiar with Google Docs and WPS. Both save files to the cloud. I want to be able to save correspondence with investment advisors, lawyers, and tax issues locally. I know my documents and everything else goes to Google Cloud and I have no idea who sees it from there.

I have an Acer Spin 13 and there's a lot to like there but I want to be responsible for security with some documents.

 

[B. Diddy]

What about Android apps like Polaris, OfficeSuite, DocsToGo, etc.?