Chromebook?
I was thinking about getting a chrome book -- does anyone have any experience with them? Looks like they run Chrome OS. Not sure what is or isn't compatible with Chrome OS -- like CVBJ, CVCX, Steam, Eclipse, Visual Studio, other text editors / compilers I need for programming, etc. games, or other programs I have. Most of what I do is either facebook / forums / programming / and occasionally games. Also play music.
Any one have good or bad experiences with Chromebook? Any other laptops you'd recommend while we're on the subject? Most likely price range is less than $500 and keep the one I currently have, although, I could go up to $2K (or more?) if I get a replacement laptop.
And of course, I'm going to go to a Fry's Electronics or Best Buy in town and see what they have and what kinda info I can get from them -- but any help before I go in, would be great.
If being able to run your legacy software is important to you, the only option that I would choose is the new Microsoft Surface 3. It is a combination laptop/tablet that still runs on Windows and will handle the legacy applications. I chose to go with a big tablet with bluetooth keyboard. I am realizing that the amount of programming I am doing now is so much less than before. When I need to be travelling and still working on code I just VNC into my home computers using the tablet.
Also check out website Dealnews.com. They are a deal aggregate site. This is where I connected to the Dell deal. They frequently have coupon codes for 30-40% off.
http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/
Happy hunting
Quote: RSI was thinking about getting a chrome book -- does anyone have any experience with them?
Chrome books - like other netbooks - are reasonable as a second or third computer. As has been pointed out, they're for web browsing, and online applications (like Google Documents / Google Drive). Since a lot of the modern computer usage is as a world wide web terminal, that's reasonable.
If you need a general purpose computer that stores data locally and runs applications to process that data locally, a chrome book is not a good match.
Having two computers - one for data crunching locally, and one for online - is a reasonable compromise for some people. I know that most of the time, I don't need a heavy-crunching computer when I'm travelling (I just want to get online), and a lightweight netbook with good battery life is more than adequate (since, in my opinion, typing on a tablet sucks).
Quote: RSThinking of buying a new laptop, just because the one I have right now is so f***** heavy, difficult to travel with, and -- well, I like new things. :) Oh yeah, the one I have is getting viruses and slow.....so probably going to get a new laptop and just wipe this hard drive.
I was thinking about getting a chrome book -- does anyone have any experience with them? Looks like they run Chrome OS. Not sure what is or isn't compatible with Chrome OS -- like CVBJ, CVCX, Steam, Eclipse, Visual Studio, other text editors / compilers I need for programming, etc. games, or other programs I have. Most of what I do is either facebook / forums / programming / and occasionally games. Also play music.
Any one have good or bad experiences with Chromebook? Any other laptops you'd recommend while we're on the subject? Most likely price range is less than $500 and keep the one I currently have, although, I could go up to $2K (or more?) if I get a replacement laptop.
And of course, I'm going to go to a Fry's Electronics or Best Buy in town and see what they have and what kinda info I can get from them -- but any help before I go in, would be great.
Chromebook is just a browser. If there is an online version of something (web page, web app, or Chrome plug-in) you can run it. Otherwise, you can't.
I'll look into the Dell and Windows Surface 3 -- that's the one with the funky commercials right?
They have more discount coupon codes posted today for the Dell Financial site. Ex)$100 off any laptop priced from $250 to $399.
That's exactly what I wanted however, I hear the keyboard is kind of flimsy and awkward to use, it also has a hefty price for the best one. I want to wait for the new windows to come out before i get something new.Quote: RSHmmmm. So basically just a web browser. That's actually pretty cool though, and for two or three hundred, that'll be nice for traveling or something to use on the go.
I'll look into the Dell and Windows Surface 3 -- that's the one with the funky commercials right?
I don't like giving up screen size. (I know I can use a TV or monitor)
if you are going to get a chrome book, spend an extra $150 and get a Acer - Aspire Switch 10 laptop/tablet or something like that.
Dell Inspiron 11-inch 3000 Series was interesting at about $400
this was my favorite 2 in one laptop switch tablet
ASUS Transformer Book T300LA Signature Edition + Office 365 Home
$600
(was $898.99)
13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen
Intel Core i5-4200U
4GB memory/128GB SSD
Up to 7 hours battery life
Quote: AxelWolfI want to wait for the new windows to come out before i get something new.
Good call. Especially since rumors hint at a stronger separation of desktop and tablet in mobile devices. It could be Win9 will act like WinRT does: desktop only for Office (for now).
Quote:I don't like giving up screen size. (I know I can use a TV or monitor)
You may also wait for Apple. There's a strong rumor about a 12.1" iPad coming soon.
I'm thinking for my next PC in 2-3 years I should get a light ultrabook only and hook it to a big monitor and a keyboard at home. Of course, by now planning 3 years ahead might no be possible.
Not an apple fan. They seem over priced, even Apps.Quote: NareedGood call. Especially since rumors hint at a stronger separation of desktop and tablet in mobile devices. It could be Win9 will act like WinRT does: desktop only for Office (for now).
You may also wait for Apple. There's a strong rumor about a 12.1" iPad coming soon.
I'm thinking for my next PC in 2-3 years I should get a light ultrabook only and hook it to a big monitor and a keyboard at home. Of course, by now planning 3 years ahead might no be possible.
Quote: AxelWolfNot an apple fan.
Atheist! ;)
I'm an anti-fan of Apple, actually.
Quote:They seem over priced, even Apps.
It turns out people who can afford to overspend on an iPhone or iPad can also afford to buy more apps. Therefore the Apple app store, whatever it's called, sells more in dollar terms than all of Google's Play Store for Android despite there being more Android phones.
My GF likes her Ipad, she says it's smoother than my Galaxy.Quote: NareedAtheist! ;)
I'm an anti-fan of Apple, actually.
It turns out people who can afford to overspend on an iPhone or iPad can also afford to buy more apps. Therefore the Apple app store, whatever it's called, sells more in dollar terms than all of Google's Play Store for Android despite there being more Android phones.
Personally I really want ONE device with everything. So I can use all the same windows software. If a surface pro 3 10", came with a cell phone and 4g, I might consider a man purse. No real conformable way to carry a 10" tablet.
http://blog.codestarter.org/post/93985346780/how-we-turn-199-chromebooks-into-ubuntu-based-code
fwiw, I'm a fan of apple. I used to fight with my computer so much and now I just don't. It's been a huge win for me. I went to a conference a couple of years back and saw a sea of MacBooks dotted with occasional windows machines. While I think the trend is not quite as strong as it used to be, for a while, from my point of view, people who wanted to get work done overwhelmingly chose Macs.
Quote: NareedYou may also wait for Apple. There's a strong rumor about a 12.1" iPad coming soon.
If it's still an onscreen keyboard, I'll pass on that one. Those add-on keyboards don't suit me, either.
Quote: DieterIf it's still an onscreen keyboard, I'll pass on that one. Those add-on keyboards don't suit me, either.
At this point some Apple fan boy or a Windows 8 die hard should start talking about troglodytes afraid to accept change...
Really, the onscreen "touch" keyboards are very limited, and very limiting, too. If you want a tablet with a keyboard, look up the Asus transformer series. I think they have them for Windows (8, alas) and I'm sure they makes them with Android. The ~ 10" tablet detaches from the base, which holds a keyboard, additional storage and additional battery.
Quote: AxelWolfPersonally I really want ONE device with everything. So I can use all the same windows software.
I would like something like that as well. I've mentioned the idea before, I think. Imagine a tablet with a cell network hook-up, and WiFi as well. You could make calls with it, maybe using a Bluetooth headset, or better yet a Bluetooth handset accessory (perhaps as small, or smaller, than the old turn-of-the-century tiny, tiny cell phones). The handset could also serve as a repeater for apps like GPS in the car, say, and carry big, loud speakers for playing music or audio books.
Quote:If a surface pro 3 10", came with a cell phone and 4g, I might consider a man purse. No real conformable way to carry a 10" tablet.
Many tablets come with 4G. I think a version of the Surface does as well.
You could also always just strap it to your back, or to your chest.
Quote: socksI think this article is a pretty good case for the chrome book:
http://blog.codestarter.org/post/93985346780/how-we-turn-199-chromebooks-into-ubuntu-based-code
fwiw, I'm a fan of apple. I used to fight with my computer so much and now I just don't. It's been a huge win for me. I went to a conference a couple of years back and saw a sea of MacBooks dotted with occasional windows machines. While I think the trend is not quite as strong as it used to be, for a while, from my point of view, people who wanted to get work done overwhelmingly chose Macs.
That's a pretty cool link. I was considering doing that, but, after reading that article, looks like it's a bit much to do. :/
I'm not a huge fan of tablets or those flimsy keyboard things. I need me a real computer!
That's why a switch is good.Quote: RSThat's a pretty cool link. I was considering doing that, but, after reading that article, looks like it's a bit much to do. :/
I'm not a huge fan of tablets or those flimsy keyboard things. I need me a real computer!
Quote: AxelWolfThat's why a switch is good.
A switch?
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/ASUS-Transformer-Book-T300LA-US51T-Signature-Edition-2-in-1-PC/productID.306276500 this one is 13" screenQuote: RSA switch?
its a touchscreen laptop that detaches the normal keyboard from the screen and turns into a tablet. $300 and up.
