New Chromebook - What is it good for?

[DC Wuff]

Just got my Samsung Chromebook yesterday. Love everything about it except for the fact that I can't use my work VDI from it, despite there being a Citrix Receiver app available on the Chrome Store. I'll just have to get by with OWA for the time being (or use my big honkin' Windows laptop when I need to get to the VDI) and press my IT guys to figure out a way to make it work. I gave my 11" MacBook Air to my girlfriend, because she has an iPhone and needs a real OS and hard drive in her on-the-go laptop. This device is almost identical in form factor to the MBA (except for the less capable but still good trackpad and the backlit keyboard), and it can do everything except VDI that I was actually using the MBA for.

Highly recommend this device for $250.

 

[John Scott3]

I bought a refurbished Chromebook through Amazon and having had a Nexus 7 for a year and also have a 14" Windows laptop. I really just wanted to spend under $200 to see what a Chromebook was all about. I have to agree that the Chromebook is not getting the attention from Google I had hoped. Its a striped down Linux with a Chrome browser. This limits its functions and abilities when it really should not have too. A little better Linux and you could plug and play printers, run other software from other sources in the Linux community and make it more usable.
Instead Google has chosen to lock it to their own ecosystem and that would not be so bad if they could get more developers to get on board. Its kind of sad when I am glad I did not pay $250 for it.
I cannot imagine why anyone would spend $1200 on a Pixel? Its a very nice PC but if I did buy a Pixel I would dump Chrome OS and install a "real" Linux version on it. That's just me and I cannot fault the Samsung Chromebook on what it does. Other then I find it tends to freeze occasionally on heavy processing like HD video. I suspect thanks to the passive cooling design (no fan) the Chromebook just gets a bit too warm. Probably because the ARM like processor is a fine choice for a smaller device but not so much for a notebook. Maybe more vents would have allowed a bit more air flow? Don't get me wrong, the Chromebook could very easily satisfy many consumers who surf the web, email and watch SD video's. Plus it does those things pretty well for little money.
But it reminds me of the whole Netbook thing and at least those netbook's had a "real" operating system with Windows XP. Chromebook is much less of a OS and for anyone familiar with a PC the Chromebook will leave many wanting more function. I know it has me.

 

[John Scott3]

The nice thing about Acer is it has a traditional hard drive and a Intel processor rather then the ARM in the Chromebook. The Acer would be much easier to convert over to a full Linux distro or even Windows. Plus the hard drive would provide much more storage space for those operating systems. For me having a Samsung Chromebook your pretty much stuck with what you have.

 

[oomairimtiaz]

Got the new Chromebook series 3 by Samsung/ Google and was wondering if it is just me or did I actually notice two different keyboard layouts??!!! One of them the most obvious difference is the enter key is "L" shaped, while the one I bought is rectangular kind of like the one on a macbook air. The other difference is red lettering on some of the keys. Are these older and newer versions of the series 3 samsung chromebook and if so what may be the other differences apart from the keyboard. BTW I completely love the new chromebooks but have notices a slight pixelation or VGA issue when viewing video or turning the screen on? Anyone else notice this?

 

[32str8]

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[32str8]

I've used mine for a month and i find it satisfactory for a sofa pc. Think of a device that is little more than the Chrome browser . Chrome apps, ok. Web stuff, ok. Drive, okay. Youtube, ok. It's decidedly Google - centric, imagine that.

Java, no. Ssh, no. Ftp, no. Photo editing, don't make me laugh. Games meh, Cut The Rope complained about the processor. I can actually do more with my Nexus 7 and all the top tier apps than this.

That said, once or twice a day I need a real browser. And this connects to my LED TV easy. If spending $250 is something you can just as soon do as pass wind, go for it. Otherwise, this is only a so-so netbook. Like a lot of Google stuff, I think this is still in Beta, and we're all testers.

// Tapatalk HD for Android - Nexus 7 //

There is currently a web app for just about every type of software that you can use on a traditional platform. Not as feature rich, but for most people more than adequate and getting better every day. Pixlr Editor replaces Adobe Photoshop and Sumo Paint replaces Adobe Illustrator for some examples. Just search the Chrome Webstore for extensions or apps to serve your needs. They're in there. As a Google Apps for Business user, I have been using a Chromebox for 6 months and personally haven't needed anything that the Chrome OS can't provide.

 

[JobSteves]

I ordered mine from Amazon on Tuesday and it was delivered Thursday. WOW!!! you just open the lid and it boots....love the keys, writing is so cool. Was kind of shocked that Picassa wasn't on it..aren't thet google? I wish they would hav ehad a book..instead of the quick start.but I googled what I needed and found it.....cannot believe how light this thing is...and I wrote for 3 hours with it on my lap and it never got hot. I did notice it~when u charge it..it gets a little warm, but unplugged...wow I think it's going to work out great.


BTW: my attitude?????? if someone asks a serious question and they are hoping(praying) in my case that they would get some feedback from "experts" and people just TOTALLY 100% IGNORE, the question you asked and give you some other info that has ZERO to do with your question....how is that helpful? I am not trying to be a bi-atch! but seriously if I ask about this chromebook and someone tells me try LINUX~ how is that helpful to what I asked..either they did not read my question or they just decided to toss that in.......

I like how you b*tch about people not answering your question but chrome clearly asked you what chromebook OEM you purchased and you completely ignored even though you read the post. F***ing hypocrite.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[arteg]

It's cheap, lightweight with great battery life and good for traveling. I can watch videos on the moving or movies while traveling. I enjoy my Acer C720.