Chromebook questions

[Arctic Fox]

My understanding is that a Chromebook comes with no real operating system and limited storage, and relies on being connected to the internet.

Is it possible to install and run a Linux-based OS and use it for spreadsheets etc. while not connected to the internet?

I assume that additional storage is possible using a USB memory stick?

If "yes" to both, what Chromebook would you recommend?

Thank you

[retiredguy123]

I don't know about the Linux system, but, if you need additional storage, I would look for a Chromebook that has an SD or micro SD slot in it. Then, you can buy a tiny SD card to add at least 256 GB, and possibly 512 GB of storage. But, yes a USB flash drive will also work. And, if you need a disk drive, you can always buy an external USB powered disk drive for about $35 at Best Buy or Amazon.

[JoelJohnson]

I've been using a chromebook for about 10 years. It uses the cloud (15GB free) for storage. I've imported Word Docs and Excel Sheets and saved them in the Google format for editing and then saved them back to Word (or Excel) to someone on Windows. I use the Chromebook for 99% of my computing needs. You can read and write to USB, like on a PC.

That being said, I also converted my old PCs to Linux Mint and would never go back to Windows. There are thousands of programs for Linux that are very similar to Windows programs, but require a little learning curve.

The new high end Chromebooks will allow you to load Linux (mine is a little to old, which is why I converted my old PCs)

If you would like to see a Chromebook (or Linux) in use, I'll be at the Connected Villager workshop tomorrow (1 pm Dec 2nd) at the Eisenhower Rec Center. you will need a village ID.

[Arctic Fox]

The new high end Chromebooks will allow you to load Linux (mine is a little to old, which is why I converted my old PCs).

Many thanks, JJ

Grateful if you would explain why you can't load Linux on an old Chromebook, and why it needs to be a "high end" one?

I have read that Linux can be run off a memory stick (in a PC, anyway) but I would prefer things to be "self contained" for convenience.

[JoelJohnson]

Many thanks, JJ

Grateful if you would explain why you can't load Linux on an old Chromebook, and why it needs to be a "high end" one?

I have read that Linux can be run off a memory stick (in a PC, anyway) but I would prefer things to be "self contained" for convenience.

Like Windows PCs, the operating system updates are designed for new hardware. My chromebook is almost 3 years old, before the Linux option was created.

A memory stick will have the same problem since it requires newer hardware.

So why does Linux run on old machines but not old Chromebooks? Because of the hardware, Chromebooks are designed to run on low end hardware to keep them inexpensive. Old PCs had higher end hardware (for the time) and Linux is designed to use that hardware.

[Arctic Fox]

Like Windows PCs, the operating system updates are designed for new hardware. My chromebook is almost 3 years old, before the Linux option was created.

Thank you, JJ

[NotGolfer]

I have an older Chromebook (which I really like)...can't recall when we bought it but it might be 5 or 6 yrs old. We could never install it to send to our copier, which is somewhat inconvenient. We've circumvented that by my sending documents over to the PC in our office, which is just an occasional thing. Is copying available with the new Chromebooks??

[Jayhawk]

Is copying available with the new Chromebooks??

If you mean printing, then YES you can. I just got my first Chromebook a few weeks ago and it is great. Way cheaper than a Laptop PC also.

[capecoralbill]

Can you use Turbo Tax or HR Block Tax software on a chromebook, i don't mean the online version, i mean the full 'deluxe/homeowners" versions. Thanks

[retiredguy123]

Can you use Turbo Tax or HR Block Tax software on a chromebook, i don't mean the online version, i mean the full 'deluxe/homeowners" versions. Thanks
I'm pretty sure that they will not work because those software programs are not "stand alone" programs. They use either the Windows or Mac operating system as a template to perform the functions. I just purchased Turbotax for 2019 and it requires Windows or Mac software.

[Polar Bear]

What Chromebook is considered one of the most ‘powerful’? I don’t care to spend a fortune if I buy one, but I will pay a bit for one with plenty of memory and a nice, big screen.

[JoelJohnson]

The reason you can't get a virus on a chromebook is the reason you can't run programs like TurboTax, you can't run an EXE.

[DeanFL]

We both use ACER chromebook laptops as our main computer. Both with external keyboards and widescreen monitor - like a desktop. Ours are abour 3-4 years old, and believe they were $250 or less each. LOVE the very quick boot-up - about 20 seconds after powerup and Google acct PW entry. Auto update etc etc. And settings to auto load apps - I use YahooMail/Gmail, Calendar, weather, USA Today, Fox News, TOTV, 96.5 News. They all come up on tabs within 20 seconds - click and go.

Never had a virus or issue - fast response. Bookmarks easy to use and update. We use Google drive for storage, also have Android phones, so same storage.

Bottom line - Chromebooks are perfect for us, meets every need.

[Arctic Fox]

Chromebooks are perfect for us, meets every need.

I'm looking for something small and light to travel with, but since I won't always be connected to the internet I need something with an operating system installed (Windows or Linux-based) so that I can still work on it when off-line.

And since I might end up dropping it, I'm reluctant to spend too much on it :-)

[capecoralbill]

LOVE the very quick boot-up - about 20 seconds after powerup and Google acct PW entry. Auto update etc etc. And settings to auto load apps - I use YahooMail/Gmail, Calendar, weather, USA Today, Fox News, TOTV, 96.5 News. They all come up on tabs within 20 seconds - click and go.
.
Do you turn yours on and off several times per day? Why is bootup speed so important. I just leave my Windows computer on 24/7, but do reboot once in a while when i end up with too many window open. Thanks for your opinion. Bill

[DeanFL]

Do you turn yours on and off several times per day? Why is bootup speed so important. I just leave my Windows computer on 24/7, but do reboot once in a while when i end up with too many window open. Thanks for your opinion. Bill

When we're home - it's powered on in the morning, and off at night. just like me. But I take WAY longer to boot up in the morning than Chromebooks.

[JoelJohnson]

I'm looking for something small and light to travel with, but since I won't always be connected to the internet I need something with an operating system installed (Windows or Linux-based) so that I can still work on it when off-line.

And since I might end up dropping it, I'm reluctant to spend too much on it :-)

You can work on a spreadsheet, document, watch a video off-line.
When you reconnect to the internet your changes get updated automatically. Battery life is 8-10 hours. I just close the cover when I'm not using it and recharge it about every 2nd or 3rd day.

If you drop your chromebook (or it gets stolen) all you need to do is get a new one and sign in. That's it, everything comes back. BTW, if it is stolen your data is secure since it is encrypted and it will ask to re enter your password when it sees a new network.

While you're on line, everything you enter into the sheet or doc is saved automatically, right up to the last letter.

You can also sign into a Windows or Mac with your Google ID and Password and continue to do what you did on your chromebook.

[Arctic Fox]

You can work on a spreadsheet, document, watch a video off-line...

Thank you for the useful info, JJ

I should get one and start experimenting, before actually traveling with it

[jojo]

Now that several airlines are doing away with seatback televisions, how does a Chromebook work for streaming on a plane?

[New Englander]

Can you use Turbo Tax or HR Block Tax software on a chromebook, i don't mean the online version, i mean the full 'deluxe/homeowners" versions. Thanks

As of last tax season HR Block software would not work on my Chromebook. Maybe this coming tax season it will change.
I do my taxes using HR Block on my old Windows laptop.
Seriously folks Chromebooks are soooo much less headaches that Windows.

[New Englander]

Read the excellent specs on this Chromebook. If my 4 year old 15" Acer Chromebook died today, I would order this tomorrow.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GM2TCPM/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

[retiredguy123]

As of last tax season HR Block software would not work on my Chromebook. Maybe this coming tax season it will change.
I do my taxes using HR Block on my old Windows laptop.
Seriously folks Chromebooks are soooo much less headaches that Windows.
It won't work on a Chromebook for the 2019 tax year. You need Windows or Mac software. And, if you are using an old Windows laptop that has Windows 7, you may want to reconsider. Windows 7 will no longer be supported in any way after January 14, 2020. So, there won't be any security updates after that date. I am going to buy a new Windows 10 desktop to load my 2019 Turbotax software.

[JoelJohnson]

What Chromebook is considered one of the most ‘powerful’? I don’t care to spend a fortune if I buy one, but I will pay a bit for one with plenty of memory and a nice, big screen.

Sorry I didn't answer your question before, somehow I missed it.

You can $1,000 on a chromebook, but the real question should be, what do you need a chromebook to do? Some people get a cheap ($150) chromebook just to surf the web, read email, do a some online banking, etc. Others want to load Linux, do photo editing, etc.

I don't care for a touch screen, I prefer a keyboard (old programmer). I have 2 old laptops that I converted to Linux Mint incase I need anything more complex than the chromebook can do. Linux is free and it makes an old PC feel new.

[Arctic Fox]

I don't care for a touch screen, I prefer a keyboard (old programmer).

Funny you should mention that, JJ.

I used an old Asus EEE when traveling for two years and some of the keys stopped responding, so I bought another one on eBay and half the keyboard failed after a few months.

A shame, as it is a nice size and, though not powerful, does what I need. I currently have to pack a wireless keyboard as well, which makes it rather less compact :)

[JoelJohnson]

Funny you should mention that, JJ.

I used an old Asus EEE when traveling for two years and some of the keys stopped responding, so I bought another one on eBay and half the keyboard failed after a few months.

A shame, as it is a nice size and, though not powerful, does what I need. I currently have to pack a wireless keyboard as well, which makes it rather less compact :)

Yes, that was the flaw with the ASUS EEE, You could get a 11" chromebook. It would have a battery life of 8 - 10 hours, couldn't get a virus, give you 15GB of online storage (free), allow you to edit docs and sheets offline.

[Arctic Fox]

You could get a 11" chromebook.

I was considering the "Acer Chromebook 11 N7, Celeron N3060, 11.6" HD, 4GB LPDDR3, 32GB eMMC, Google Chrome, C731-C118" but don't know if it would be powerful enough to run Linux?

[capecoralbill]

Read the excellent specs on this Chromebook.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GM2TCPM/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

For $100 more you can get a windows laptop with much much better specs .

https://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-14-Laptop-Intel-10th-Gen-Core-i5-1035G1-8GB-SDRAM-256GB-SSD-16GB-Intel-Optane-memory-Natural-Silver-14-dq1039wm/569648772

[Arctic Fox]

For $100 more you can get a windows laptop with much much better specs .

https://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-14-Laptop-Intel-10th-Gen-Core-i5-1035G1-8GB-SDRAM-256GB-SSD-16GB-Intel-Optane-memory-Natural-Silver-14-dq1039wm/569648772

Thanks, CCB, but the Chrome book is under $150 whereas the HP is nearly $400 :-(

[JoelJohnson]

Thanks, CCB, but the Chrome book is under $150 whereas the HP is nearly $400 :-(

And the HP is running Windozes.

[M2inOR]

I have Windows 10 laptop, Mac laptop, iPad, and Android tablet. I also have Mac and Windows desktops.

My go-to computer these days are my Samsung Chromebook and Note 9 smartphone. These take care of most things I need to do. The desktop and laptop Mac and Windows PCs are needed for video/photo editing, taxes, and some financial tasks. There are also a few websites that require a real browser and a Mac or Windows computer.

My Samsung Chromebook has a real stylus built in, and can also be used as a tablet.

The model is a Chromebook Plus.