I just don't get the point

[murphcid]

I just don't get the point of chrome books. A crippled device the cannot work unless you have an Internet connection, and can't run any real programs such as photoshop, libre office, word, etc. 16 gb of storage, 2gb of ram, less useful than a decent Windows laptop. What is the point of these devices? A real laptop and tab s2 does it all.

 

[B. Diddy]

This has been discussed many times on the forums before. I'm a big fan of Chromebooks, because like the vast majority of computer users, I do almost all of my computer activity in a browser. That includes work (remote access of my hospital's electronic charting system via Citrix), productivity (Google Docs/Sheets), leisure (Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, especially when casting to a Chromecast), and AC forum activity. Although I do have a Windows 10 PC, I do about 98% of computer activity on the Chromebook. Here's a rundown on things I like about it:

1. Fast and lightweight: Recent Chromebooks perform well, because there are no unnecessary Windows processes bogging things down. It literally boots up in 7 seconds, and I'm ready to start working in about 15 seconds. Chromebooks that have the better processors (like Haswell or Broadwell), along with 4 GB of RAM, can function smoothly with many open tabs.

2. Tight integration with Google services: I'm all in with Google, and Chromebooks make it easy to access your Google Drive (as if it were just another hard drive on the system), along with all other Google services.

3. Security: No need for antivirus/security programs, which often bog down Windows PCs. In addition, if I lose my Chromebook, I can rest assured that no one else can access my sensitive data, since it's all in the cloud. All I have to do is change my Google password.

4. Value: You can get an excellent Chromebook brand new for under $300, and refurbished under $200. My 15" full HD Acer Chromebook with 4 GB of RAM and a fast Broadwell processor was just $179. Any comparably priced Windows laptop will lag behind significantly in performance.

5. Battery life: Most Chromebooks will go at least 6-8 hours on a single charge, which is hard to find on a similarly priced Windows laptop.

6. Fast system updates: While a system update is downloading in the background, I only notice the faintest of hiccups. Installation of the update is as simple as rebooting, which again takes 7 seconds. Compare this to Windows PCs, which can take upwards of 30 to 60 minutes to complete multiple updates (longer if you haven't used it in a little while).


Regarding your specific concerns:

1. Chromebooks can in fact do a lot while offline. Documents and photos can be edited, music and movies can be played (if downloaded or cached beforehand). It's true that you can't browse without an internet connection, but that of course applies to PCs as well. These days, most people will use whatever laptop they have where there's a wi-fi connection, and if there isn't, that's what your phone's hotspot is for.

2. There usually is not a need to run a "real" program if the same thing can be achieved on the web. I don't need Word or Libre Office because Google Docs and Sheets do what I need (and I would guess that most people who have Microsoft Office use only about 15% of its features overall anyway). Photoshop is a common criticism, but (a) there are good web-based photo editing sites like Pixlr, (b) Adobe is working on a Photoshop for Chromebooks (https://edex.adobe.com/projectphotoshopstreaming), and (c) the full Photoshop PC program is so huge and resource-consuming that you'd need a much more expensive high end PC to get any decent use out of it. Running high end games is definitely a weak point of Chromebooks, but then again, you're not going to play high end games on a cheap Windows laptop either.

3. Tablets aren't a good replacement for a Chromebook if you're interested in doing a lot of web browsing, because no matter how powerful the Android tablet is, the browser will always be slower than Chrome on a PC or Chromebook.

That being said, can a Chromebook completely replace a PC? No, which is why I still (reluctantly) have my big clunky Windows PC sitting on my desk. The main time I fire it up these days is to download a podcast on iTunes that I can't find anywhere else (don't get me started on iTunes ). Still, slowly but surely, the things I used to rely on the PC for are being taken care of in the cloud. I uploaded my entire photo library to Google Photos, so I have no real need to store them on the hard drive as well. My entire music library has also been uploaded to Google Play Music.

Are Chromebooks for everyone? No, but I would argue that many many people would find them quite useful. You sound like your mind's already made up, but if you ever get a chance, try spending a few weeks playing around with one---you might end up being pleasantly surprised.

 

[Kelly Kearns]

Well things like a Chromebook or Surface Pro aren't going to take the place of a computer.

I don't have a Chromebook, but I don't use desktops anymore, just laptops. That being said, there is very little I do on my computer that I don't need an Internet connection for.

 

[murphcid]

Thank you for that excellent post. Good points on all areas. I disagree with the Cloud storage security, since I think it is inherently insecure compared to local storage (encrypted). Too many Hollywierd celebutants are getting their sex tapes hacked and placed on the net. Heck even the CIA directors emails were hacked. My kids schools are pushing chromebooks for the kids, but I just can't bring myself to spring for essentially another tablet. Google docs are good, but the school then decides to make you get Microsoft Publisher! That is why I need Libre Office since the DRAW program will edit Publisher files. *sigh* I wish they would stick with one platform.

This has been discussed many times on the forums before. I'm a big fan of Chromebooks, because like the vast majority of computer users, I do almost all of my computer activity in a browser. That includes work (remote access of my hospital's electronic charting system via Citrix), productivity (Google Docs/Sheets), leisure (Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, especially when casting to a Chromecast), and AC forum activity. Although I do have a Windows 10 PC, I do about 98% of computer activity on the Chromebook. Here's a rundown on things I like about it:

1. Fast and lightweight: Recent Chromebooks perform well, because there are no unnecessary Windows processes bogging things down. It literally boots up in 7 seconds, and I'm ready to start working in about 15 seconds. Chromebooks that have the better processors (like Haswell or Broadwell), along with 4 GB of RAM, can function smoothly with many open tabs.

2. Tight integration with Google services: I'm all in with Google, and Chromebooks make it easy to access your Google Drive (as if it were just another hard drive on the system), along with all other Google services.

3. Security: No need for antivirus/security programs, which often bog down Windows PCs. In addition, if I lose my Chromebook, I can rest assured that no one else can access my sensitive data, since it's all in the cloud. All I have to do is change my Google password.

4. Value: You can get an excellent Chromebook brand new for under $300, and refurbished under $200. My 15" full HD Acer Chromebook with 4 GB of RAM and a fast Broadwell processor was just $179. Any comparably priced Windows laptop will lag behind significantly in performance.

5. Battery life: Most Chromebooks will go at least 6-8 hours on a single charge, which is hard to find on a similarly priced Windows laptop.

6. Fast system updates: While a system update is downloading in the background, I only notice the faintest of hiccups. Installation of the update is as simple as rebooting, which again takes 7 seconds. Compare this to Windows PCs, which can take upwards of 30 to 60 minutes to complete multiple updates (longer if you haven't used it in a little while).


Regarding your specific concerns:

1. Chromebooks can in fact do a lot while offline. Documents and photos can be edited, music and movies can be played (if downloaded or cached beforehand). It's true that you can't browse without an internet connection, but that of course applies to PCs as well. These days, most people will use whatever laptop they have where there's a wi-fi connection, and if there isn't, that's what your phone's hotspot is for.

2. There usually is not a need to run a "real" program if the same thing can be achieved on the web. I don't need Word or Libre Office because Google Docs and Sheets do what I need (and I would guess that most people who have Microsoft Office use only about 15% of its features overall anyway). Photoshop is a common criticism, but (a) there are good web-based photo editing sites like Pixlr, (b) Adobe is working on a Photoshop for Chromebooks (https://edex.adobe.com/projectphotoshopstreaming), and (c) the full Photoshop PC program is so huge and resource-consuming that you'd need a much more expensive high end PC to get any decent use out of it. Running high end games is definitely a weak point of Chromebooks, but then again, you're not going to play high end games on a cheap Windows laptop either.

3. Tablets aren't a good replacement for a Chromebook if you're interested in doing a lot of web browsing, because no matter how powerful the Android tablet is, the browser will always be slower than Chrome on a PC or Chromebook.

That being said, can a Chromebook completely replace a PC? No, which is why I still (reluctantly) have my big clunky Windows PC sitting on my desk. The main time I fire it up these days is to download a podcast on iTunes that I can't find anywhere else (don't get me started on iTunes ). Still, slowly but surely, the things I used to rely on the PC for are being taken care of in the cloud. I uploaded my entire photo library to Google Photos, so I have no real need to store them on the hard drive as well. My entire music library has also been uploaded to Google Play Music.

Are Chromebooks for everyone? No, but I would argue that many many people would find them quite useful. You sound like your mind's already made up, but if you ever get a chance, try spending a few weeks playing around with one---you might end up being pleasantly surprised.

 

[B. Diddy]

I agree with you about the inherent (but I still think very small) risk of security breaches, and I don't store very sensitive material in the cloud (like password lists). Local hard drive storage is certainly more secure, but there is always the spectre of drive failure, so I'd advised keeping backups of very important data on at least one other physical hard drive.

 

[Steve Adams]

With a chromebook you can still use an external HD to store documents as well. Don't forget that point. I am going to florida again soon and I am planning to pick up a Pixel 2 while I'm down there. Will make a great unit to coexist with my surface 3 main system. I was deciding what android phone to use, I think the blackberry priv is my new android phone. I have a small lepan android tablet and while its running an older version of android it works great for my needs.

I am a windows/Microsoft user first. I love their products and how their system works.....but I also like the way google is going now too..

 

[Kelly Kearns]

I mean people have to remember.. This just can't replace a computer, but has its place.

Anything I put on the cloud is expendable and not secret, no matter how strong my cloud password is.

External hard drives are so cheap and I use one for my computers also, for back up. Really important things are printed and scanned on disk and put in a fireproof small safe, that can't be removed.

Your computer can be fine one second and the computer experts can't get the info off the next second, I've lived that. Same with your external hard drive, there is also the possibility of theft.

 

[murphcid]

True that is why I have 5 tb of storage and back up across those disks. I can't afford to lose my photos due to a disk failure. One of those disks is an external 2 tb drive.

 

[B. Diddy]

This just can't replace a computer, but has its place.

This is me tooting the Chromebook horn again, but for me, it's getting verrrrrrry close to completely replacing my PC. It depends on what a user needs in a computer. We should keep in mind that Chrome OS is not static--it is constantly evolving, with system updates being pushed out about once every month or so.

 

[Kelly Kearns]

Running Windows is not what determines if something can replace a traditional computer and I don't care what keyboard you get, not the same at all. I generally use a wireless, full keyboard with my laptop and need it. A Surface Pro keyboard can't handle my typing.

I also need an actual, internal DVD drive on my computers.

YMMV

 

[Steve Adams]

I have the dock for our surfaces. My wife wants to use the 27" monitor and keyboard and mouse, she docks her surface. I want to do some photo editing, store our photos on our server using the 27" monitor keyboard and mouse I just dock in. The surface is a killer device. And the pro 4 is crazy awesome with its top end specs.

I think chromebooks are a viable Main computer now, after using the demo on my acer notebook.

 

[anon(3653)]

For my personal life and blogging I use my phone and Chromebook... No need for a traditional computer. For work I have an iPad and Macbook Pro, but only because it is provided to me. I could do everything for my work with a tablet and a Chromebook.

 

[Steve Adams]

exactly, At this point in time, a chromebook can be a primary driver for 90% of the population. 10% want to game, do heavy cad design and 3d Graphic work. Everyone else could use a chromebook and be 100% covered with their needs.

 

[oscarnyc]

$ for $ a chromebook offers a better experience (keyboard, touchpad, screen, battery life, weight, speed, maintenance, overall build quality) than a PC for 95% of what I need from a non work-issued laptop. So it makes more sense to spend money on that and then suffer with my old windows laptop for the other 5% of things.
I lust for a Pixel, but I just can't spare the cash for such a luxury right now.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[oscarnyc]

Also, for the poster who uses his/her PC for iTunes podcasts, you should try pod kicker. They have a search option which searches iTunes. I've had good success there when other search methods wouldn't work.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[B. Diddy]

$ for $ a chromebook offers a better experience (keyboard, touchpad, screen, battery life, weight, speed, maintenance, overall build quality) than a PC for 95% of what I need from a non work-issued laptop. So it makes more sense to spend money on that and then suffer with my old windows laptop for the other 5% of things.

This is exactly my feeling as well.

 

[ffejjj]

This has been discussed many times on the forums before. I'm a big fan of Chromebooks, because like the vast majority of computer users, I do almost all of my computer activity in a browser. That includes work (remote access of my hospital's electronic charting system via Citrix), productivity (Google Docs/Sheets), leisure (Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, especially when casting to a Chromecast), and AC forum activity. Although I do have a Windows 10 PC, I do about 98% of computer activity on the Chromebook. Here's a rundown on things I like about it:

1. Fast and lightweight: Recent Chromebooks perform well, because there are no unnecessary Windows processes bogging things down. It literally boots up in 7 seconds, and I'm ready to start working in about 15 seconds. Chromebooks that have the better processors (like Haswell or Broadwell), along with 4 GB of RAM, can function smoothly with many open tabs.

2. Tight integration with Google services: I'm all in with Google, and Chromebooks make it easy to access your Google Drive (as if it were just another hard drive on the system), along with all other Google services.

3. Security: No need for antivirus/security programs, which often bog down Windows PCs. In addition, if I lose my Chromebook, I can rest assured that no one else can access my sensitive data, since it's all in the cloud. All I have to do is change my Google password.

4. Value: You can get an excellent Chromebook brand new for under $300, and refurbished under $200. My 15" full HD Acer Chromebook with 4 GB of RAM and a fast Broadwell processor was just $179. Any comparably priced Windows laptop will lag behind significantly in performance.

5. Battery life: Most Chromebooks will go at least 6-8 hours on a single charge, which is hard to find on a similarly priced Windows laptop.

6. Fast system updates: While a system update is downloading in the background, I only notice the faintest of hiccups. Installation of the update is as simple as rebooting, which again takes 7 seconds. Compare this to Windows PCs, which can take upwards of 30 to 60 minutes to complete multiple updates (longer if you haven't used it in a little while).


Regarding your specific concerns:

1. Chromebooks can in fact do a lot while offline. Documents and photos can be edited, music and movies can be played (if downloaded or cached beforehand). It's true that you can't browse without an internet connection, but that of course applies to PCs as well. These days, most people will use whatever laptop they have where there's a wi-fi connection, and if there isn't, that's what your phone's hotspot is for.

2. There usually is not a need to run a "real" program if the same thing can be achieved on the web. I don't need Word or Libre Office because Google Docs and Sheets do what I need (and I would guess that most people who have Microsoft Office use only about 15% of its features overall anyway). Photoshop is a common criticism, but (a) there are good web-based photo editing sites like Pixlr, (b) Adobe is working on a Photoshop for Chromebooks (https://edex.adobe.com/projectphotoshopstreaming), and (c) the full Photoshop PC program is so huge and resource-consuming that you'd need a much more expensive high end PC to get any decent use out of it. Running high end games is definitely a weak point of Chromebooks, but then again, you're not going to play high end games on a cheap Windows laptop either.

3. Tablets aren't a good replacement for a Chromebook if you're interested in doing a lot of web browsing, because no matter how powerful the Android tablet is, the browser will always be slower than Chrome on a PC or Chromebook.

That being said, can a Chromebook completely replace a PC? No, which is why I still (reluctantly) have my big clunky Windows PC sitting on my desk. The main time I fire it up these days is to download a podcast on iTunes that I can't find anywhere else (don't get me started on iTunes ). Still, slowly but surely, the things I used to rely on the PC for are being taken care of in the cloud. I uploaded my entire photo library to Google Photos, so I have no real need to store them on the hard drive as well. My entire music library has also been uploaded to Google Play Music.

Are Chromebooks for everyone? No, but I would argue that many many people would find them quite useful. You sound like your mind's already made up, but if you ever get a chance, try spending a few weeks playing around with one---you might end up being pleasantly surprised.

B, I think you just convinced me to try a Chromebook lol

I didn't even know I wanted one till reading your post!

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[murphcid]

Not enough RAM/Memory for the most part, I'll pass and stick with a real laptop for now. Unless the kids schools require them that is....

 

[CHIP72]

Not enough RAM/Memory for the most part, I'll pass and stick with a real laptop for now. Unless the kids schools require them that is....

Functionally-speaking, chromebooks don't need as much RAM as Windows or OSX computers to function at a high level. I'd recommend getting chromebooks with 4 GB of RAM, but chromebooks with 2 GB of RAM actually work reasonably well in their own right.

 

[murphcid]

I will admit that I am eating crow right now. Due to my daughter just demolishing her laptop, I had to run out and get her something to use Google Docs on for school, and ended up with the 10.1" screen ASUS Chromebook. I still think they are useless, but since her school is mandating Google Docs, etc for homework for seniors, I had to do something. $269 (incl tax) at Best Buy, and I made her put an account for her sister on it as well.