Google Chromebooks. Pros - Cons?

[KayakerNC]

Anybody have a Chromebook computer? :024:
Seems like a good option for travel and internet surfing use. Any recommendations and likes or dislikes?

[coolkayaker1]

I have an iPad 2, a new IPad Mini with Retina Display, a Macbook Pro laptop, a Samsung laptop, an Andoird Smartphone, blah, blah--one could say that I like tech stuff-- and I own one of those Chromebooks, too, NCKayaker. lol This one, which is generally the highest ranked out there, Haswell chip, etc.:
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-C720-Chro...rds=chromebook

When do I use it? Whenever my Ipad battery runs too low and is on the charger. lol

Not as visually clear as an iPad (even my iPad 2). Not as convenient as an iPad for portability. Very wired into Google--you have to sign into Google every single time you use it--for anything! Every time! It cannot be turned on and used without Google log in. Pushing Google+ and all the other things we hate about Google (and I think Google's great, in general).

Not as many Apps as iPad (although Google has Apps and plenty of them; but want Windows Office? iPad only. Many others, too, iPad and Apple only).

Chromebook does not have the battery life of the iPad (7 hours, if that, versus 10). Nor does it have the wonderful Siri of the latest iPads, both for looking things up, and just plain dictating, such as TOV posts (all dictated, right on TOV Forum!).

Built-in keyboard is a plus, right? For posting on TOV, for instance, right? But the Chromebook has no juice. The processor is slower than the newest iPad. Hiccups with Youtube videos. So, if I'm doing serious work, where I would need a keyboard--Word processing, editing videos, working with photos, or any work-work, like office work--the Chromebook fails, even with it's keyboard; one needs a good laptop.

For me, the Chromebook is the worst of all worlds--not the power and speed of my MacBook Pro or other laptop, not the glistening, long-battery life portability of an iPad. lol

What about Price? Well, the iPad Air is $499, and iPad Mini is $399, and Chromebook is $199. But the Chromebook is made very cheaply, it rattles and is cheap, fingerprinty plastic (please do see one in person before buying it). If one buys a glass and titanium Ipad, they can sell it anytime on eBay or TOV Sales for $200 less than they paid for it, so cost of ownership is $200. Chromebook is hard to sell, no one will pay anything since they can get a new one for $200, and the cost of ownership is, well, $200.

The charging cord on the Chromebook is larger than the tidy and small on on the iPads. More to lug for travel (the Chromebook has a moderately larger brick).

Have I drenched your thoughts of a Chromebook yet? Lol Saved ya a couple hundred smackeroulians, perhaps. lol I wish we lived closer, NCKayaker, bc you seem pretty cool and you could try my Chromebook out first hand to see if you like it.

[Uberschaf]

No virus's. Web connection only.Can't install another O/S on it. It runs in the cloud.Not a bad unit,for surfing the net.

[KayakerNC]

No virus's. Web connection only.Can't install another O/S on it. It runs in the cloud.Not a bad unit,for surfing the net.

Hmm. And the cloud use is free for 2 years, then you get to pay for it? Sounds like planned obsolescence.

[tomwed]

I used to do tech support for a school district. I bought a chromebook for my daughter for $200. I told her to try it out for 2 weeks and return it if she didn't like it.

Since she has wifi and knows how to use it as a phone, for watching movies and tv shows. She does everything online and for her it's a good fit. It also connects to her tv using HDMI. It starts in seconds. There's a lot you can do offline too but it's no Ipad. It's for a different type of user with a lower budget.

As for me, I'll never need to make any software repairs, remove viruses or OS installs for her. I remember when computers were $3,000, wifi was for the wealthy and tech support could charge $100/hr. We all do. If you get 2 years out of a $200 chromebook, it is disposable.

[NotGolfer]

We have a Chromebook...LOVE it! A family member told us it's good enough for us (not 'techies') for our e-mails and Facebook etc. We don't need a lot of "bells and whistles" just something small that will get the job done w/o the fear of virus' (we've had a few). For the value...I'd vote for this!! :024: :024:

[coolkayaker1]

Some users like Chromebooks, as noted.

I just wanted to add, just to clarify what is being said here, that iPads have automatic, one-click, free operating system upgrades and do not get viruses any more frequently (i.e. never) than a Chromebook.

I do not work for and have no affiliation with Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, etc.

Good luck in your hunt, KayakerNC.

[KayakerNC]

Thanks for all the great responses.
My experience has all been with the Windows OS. How does the Chrome OS compare with using Chrome on my laptop? Can I still open more tabs, as in looking at a restaurant website in one tab, and Google mapping a route in another tab?
Should I be looking at the 32G memory, or is the 16G good enough. Touchscreen or not?
The Acers seem to give the most bang for your bucks, are they reliable?
I really appreciate the advice.

[tomwed]

[QUOTE=KayakerNC;917662]Thanks for all the great responses.
My experience has all been with the Windows OS. How does the Chrome OS compare with using Chrome on my laptop?

Chrome the OS will feel like Chrome the browser.

click here (http://thewirecutter.com/?s=chromebook)for expert advice. I like The Wire Cutter.

Call me old fashion but i like a keyboard and touchpad. Touch screens have their place with smartphones and ipad type devices.

I wouldn't buy the latest and greatest. I buy a generation back and replace more frequently. In the long run it will save you money. This is good advice for the kids.

But isn't now is the time to buy your dream machine? :)