Anyone use a Chromebook?

[Jada59]

They look tempting. But how good are they for writing? Thanks!

 

[Rustyoznail]

They look tempting. But how good are they for writing? Thanks!

Never used one, but I use Google Docs so it would be tied to that I would assume.

 

[DawnONight]

They look tempting. But how good are they for writing? Thanks!

I bought one, found it too limiting, and so gave it to my youngest daughter and replaced it with a traditional laptop running Windows.

 

[Jada59]

I bought one, found it too limiting, and so gave it to my youngest daughter and replaced it with a traditional laptop running Windows.

Thanks!

 

[_Lynn_]

The only thing I don't like about my Chromebook is the Word issue. So I tend to head back to the desktop when I'm writing.

 

[seeshelly]

Never had one but...

I never have had one but my girlfriend gave one to her daughter that is in college. But she found it too limiting. I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that they love it.

 

[TornConflict]

Personally, I like my windows laptop or desktop. My wife swears by her chrome book. She finds that on a window machine she gets too distracted by games, various software, and all the extras. With her chrome book she uses Google docs, a few websites, and checks email while on the couch. They are also fairly cheap to replace when they bite the dust. She is on her third I think and we haven't played more than 300 for one.

Chromebooks are not for heavy users, they have photo editors, word alternatives and what not but if you have very specific software you like they are not for you. I actually don't like Microsoft word and use Google docs to do all my writing so I have used her chromebook when traveling. I like it but if I had to use it for everything I would beat my head against a wall.

 

[Blind_Justice]

Considering the power of modern single-board computers, you could build a dedicated writing machine for less than a hundred bucks. A Raspberry Pi 3 should be around the 50 dollars mark and that thing has enough brunt to run a nice Linux desktop and Open/Libre Office. It has onboard WiFi, so all you need is a case for a tenner, mouse and keyboard and a USB power supply. It outputs HDMI, so you can plug it to any halfway current display. If you feel adventurous, you could even slap on a dedicated touchscreen display. The advantage over a Chromebook: You're not tied to Google and can use it offline as well. I've seen people run Raspi's off a power bank, but your mileage may vary depending on the peripherals in use.

 

[Voboy]

Chromebooks are great.











For junior high schools.

 

[SynSlave]

I think maybe a few of us are stuck in the last decade or even later. MS and Android are quite cross compatible with different ports. That's not even including third party software. Unlike that evil creature the Apple, which doesn't even allow for non-proprietary hardware in some cases still, let alone software.

I use MS word on my android phone and my personally configured build of Apache's Open Office on my Windows machines. Go figure. But the only reason I still use open office is because I spent several months configuring a build for the last company I worked for, and they wound up scrapping my project and purchasing the licenses for additional office products anyway - so I didn't want my effort to be a complete waste.

Docs works well enough and causes me less trouble with my touch screen than word. I shun libre... mostly because of its makeshift compatibility with other programs/formats (not that it necessarily applies but excel and PowerPoint formats/extensions are big headache with it). OO is the way to go if you want to avoid MS. Plus it's not just open source, it's friendly when it comes to repackaging and customizing.

I wouldn't get a chromebook simply because I haven't seen one that meets my hardware requirements. But just about every laptop suffers that scrutiny from me.

Still, as long as we aren't talking crapple, I'm interested and willing to participate with an open mind (behave nicely).

 

[Jada59]

The only thing I don't like about my Chromebook is the Word issue. So I tend to head back to the desktop when I'm writing.

Ahhh... Yeah. I like Word too!

 

[Jada59]

I never have had one but my girlfriend gave one to her daughter that is in college. But she found it too limiting. I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that they love it.

Thanks!

 

[Jada59]

Personally, I like my windows laptop or desktop. My wife swears by her chrome book. She finds that on a window machine she gets too distracted by games, various software, and all the extras. With her chrome book she uses Google docs, a few websites, and checks email while on the couch. They are also fairly cheap to replace when they bite the dust. She is on her third I think and we haven't played more than 300 for one.

Chromebooks are not for heavy users, they have photo editors, word alternatives and what not but if you have very specific software you like they are not for you. I actually don't like Microsoft word and use Google docs to do all my writing so I have used her chromebook when traveling. I like it but if I had to use it for everything I would beat my head against a wall.

My issue is that I need a new computer because this one is running Vista and I also can't update my Chrome. Maybe a cheap Chromebook would help me to limp along until I can replace the computer. I would have to switch back and forth. I *love* word. Don't know too much about Google Docs. I have used it but prefer Word.

 

[Jada59]

Considering the power of modern single-board computers, you could build a dedicated writing machine for less than a hundred bucks. A Raspberry Pi 3 should be around the 50 dollars mark and that thing has enough brunt to run a nice Linux desktop and Open/Libre Office. It has onboard WiFi, so all you need is a case for a tenner, mouse and keyboard and a USB power supply. It outputs HDMI, so you can plug it to any halfway current display. If you feel adventurous, you could even slap on a dedicated touchscreen display. The advantage over a Chromebook: You're not tied to Google and can use it offline as well. I've seen people run Raspi's off a power bank, but your mileage may vary depending on the peripherals in use.

That's a little over my head. But thanks!

 

[Jada59]

I think maybe a few of us are stuck in the last decade or even later. MS and Android are quite cross compatible with different ports. That's not even including third party software. Unlike that evil creature the Apple, which doesn't even allow for non-proprietary hardware in some cases still, let alone software.

I use MS word on my android phone and my personally configured build of Apache's Open Office on my Windows machines. Go figure. But the only reason I still use open office is because I spent several months configuring a build for the last company I worked for, and they wound up scrapping my project and purchasing the licenses for additional office products anyway - so I didn't want my effort to be a complete waste.

Docs works well enough and causes me less trouble with my touch screen than word. I shun libre... mostly because of its makeshift compatibility with other programs/formats (not that it necessarily applies but excel and PowerPoint formats/extensions are big headache with it). OO is the way to go if you want to avoid MS. Plus it's not just open source, it's friendly when it comes to repackaging and customizing.

I wouldn't get a chromebook simply because I haven't seen one that meets my hardware requirements. But just about every laptop suffers that scrutiny from me.

Still, as long as we aren't talking crapple, I'm interested and willing to participate with an open mind (behave nicely).

Thanks!

 

[Rustyoznail]

Something else to be aware of - Microsoft will only sell you Microsoft 365 on a new PC. It’s a subscription service.

 

[UsuallyPresent]

Something else to be aware of - Microsoft will only sell you Microsoft 365 on a new PC. It’s a subscription service.

That may have been true once, but a quick Google shows Lenovo & others reselling a year of 365 for a hundred for "up to 6 computers", other deals may have other variables.

 

[Desiremakesmeweak]

I can understand that a decent laptop or desktop running Windows is what people are familiar with, and these things have a lot of flexibility, but there are also a lot of strong points that Chromebooks have that many other pc's do not. It's extremely fast and can handle multiple pages and different programs running all at the same time with no discernible effect on critical performance. It never or almost never has 'buffer' issues. The battery is fantastic and the processor almost never ever runs too hot. Superficially, there is limited on-board hard memory but that is easily worked around using usb's and everyone uses those nowadays anyway albeit for back-up file storage. The camera is good, the sound is very good, the speakers and mic are good and the case is extremely robust. And, the thing is not expensive. The wi-fi is fast and powerful. And the whole thing is very light and slim.

In the long run, you're going to find that Google Drive docs are more or less 'industry standard' for external file storing and rapid/easy file sharing.

The new version is about to be launched. It's a definite option for some people.

 

[Reshbod]

I got mine mostly to take with me for travel. It's smaller and lighter than my main computer and it does everything I need and use it for. Also, it it gets lost, damaged or stolen, it's not a big loss.

 

[Jada59]

Something else to be aware of - Microsoft will only sell you Microsoft 365 on a new PC. It’s a subscription service.

Ah... Thanks!

 

[Jada59]

I can understand that a decent laptop or desktop running Windows is what people are familiar with, and these things have a lot of flexibility, but there are also a lot of strong points that Chromebooks have that many other pc's do not. It's extremely fast and can handle multiple pages and different programs running all at the same time with no discernible effect on critical performance. It never or almost never has 'buffer' issues. The battery is fantastic and the processor almost never ever runs too hot. Superficially, there is limited on-board hard memory but that is easily worked around using usb's and everyone uses those nowadays anyway albeit for back-up file storage. The camera is good, the sound is very good, the speakers and mic are good and the case is extremely robust. And, the thing is not expensive. The wi-fi is fast and powerful. And the whole thing is very light and slim.

In the long run, you're going to find that Google Drive docs are more or less 'industry standard' for external file storing and rapid/easy file sharing.

The new version is about to be launched. It's a definite option for some people.

Thanks! I don't usually share docs but I have on occasion. I'm just trying to limp this old computer along until something comes out that's better than Win10 as I've heard nothing but complaints about it.

 

[TornConflict]

Honestly if windows 10 is what you are concerned about don't be. You can pretty much make it look and act like windows 7. I hated it at first but it's really not as bad as it was made out to be. They have fixed most of the complaints.

 

[Jada59]

Honestly if windows 10 is what you are concerned about don't be. You can pretty much make it look and act like windows 7. I hated it at first but it's really not as bad as it was made out to be. They have fixed most of the complaints.

I know nothing about 7. I'm running Vista! Money is also an issue. Chromebooks are cheap.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I don’t what prices are like in the US, but Chromebooks range from cheap to really expensive. I’m sure you can find a factory refurbished laptop like these Dell units.
https://www.dellrefurbished.com/laptops
Just another option to confuse you...

 

[TxRad]

I don’t what prices are like in the US, but Chromebooks range from cheap to really expensive. I’m sure you can find a factory refurbished laptop like these Dell units.
https://www.dellrefurbished.com/laptops
Just another option to confuse you...

BestBuy has refurbished laptops w/wind7 for less than dell sells them for.