Chromebook

[Dodgeman]

Anyone used the chromebook?
I picked up a windows 10 laptop as well as a macbook pro.

Macbook is great to use but is pricey. I am sure a chromebook will do what I need it to do only two questions...

1) Are most android apps you would use on your phone available on the chromebook?

2) If I have enough memory can I still save files/images to the desktop or even in the chromebook itself?


If both those things are possible then a chromebook would suit me well.

 

[Michael Goff]

Anyone used the chromebook?
I picked up a windows 10 laptop as well as a macbook pro.

Macbook is great to use but is pricey. I am sure a chromebook will do what I need it to do only two questions...

1) Are most android apps you would use on your phone available on the chromebook?

2) If I have enough memory can I still save files/images to the desktop or even in the chromebook itself?


If both those things are possible then a chromebook would suit me well.

1) Every Android app I’ve used works on my Pixelbook.
2) Yes.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I guess what I don't understand is that you already own 2 laptops. Why a third? I'd rather have an iPad at that point.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Anyone used the chromebook?
I picked up a windows 10 laptop as well as a macbook pro.

Macbook is great to use but is pricey. I am sure a chromebook will do what I need it to do only two questions...

1) Are most android apps you would use on your phone available on the chromebook?

2) If I have enough memory can I still save files/images to the desktop or even in the chromebook itself?

If both those things are possible then a chromebook would suit me well.

I have used a Chromebook - many chromebooks, especially back when I was a Google fanboi. If you already have a Windows 10 laptop and a MacBook Pro, there is no need for a Chromebook.

I stopped using Chromebooks by the time they started supporting Android Apps - but those that I do know that have chromebooks say the Android app support is poor and it is very laggy. Most Chromebooks have either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Yes you can save files to the device but it is designed to be used with Google Drive.

I am not a huge fan of Chromebooks now that I have a MacBook Pro. Back when I had a Chromebook, I did not have a primary laptop so they served their purpose. Imo, they're expensive for what you get and very slow. But if all you do is browse the web and do web stuff, you're fine. But completely useless if you have a W10 laptop or MBP.
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I guess what I don't understand is that you already own 2 laptops. Why a third? I'd rather have an iPad at that point.

Yeah what Darmok said... I shoulda left it at that. lol.

 

[Michael Goff]

I have used a Chromebook - many chromebooks, especially back when I was a Google fanboi. If you already have a Windows 10 laptop and a MacBook Pro, there is no need for a Chromebook.

I stopped using Chromebooks by the time they started supporting Android Apps - but those that I do know that have chromebooks say the Android app support is poor and it is very laggy. Most Chromebooks have either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Yes you can save files to the device but it is designed to be used with Google Drive.

I am not a huge fan of Chromebooks now that I have a MacBook Pro. Back when I had a Chromebook, I did not have a primary laptop so they served their purpose. Imo, they're expensive for what you get and very slow. But if all you do is browse the web and do web stuff, you're fine. But completely useless if you have a W10 laptop or MBP.
[doublepost=1525999274][/doublepost]

Yeah what Darmok said... I shoulda left it at that. lol.

Linux apps on Chromebooks is coming. It’s in beta right now for the Pixelbook.

 

[mi7chy]

Anyone used the chromebook?
I picked up a windows 10 laptop as well as a macbook pro.

Macbook is great to use but is pricey. I am sure a chromebook will do what I need it to do only two questions...

1) Are most android apps you would use on your phone available on the chromebook?

2) If I have enough memory can I still save files/images to the desktop or even in the chromebook itself?


If both those things are possible then a chromebook would suit me well.

1) Yes

2) Saving files locally on ChromeOS is very limited like on iOS. You can download files to the local Download folder and that's about it. From there you can either delete or move it to the cloud folder where it syncs to the cloud to be accessible by other devices under your login. If you have sufficient local storage, many ChromeOS devices allow you to boot Linux which is more flexible with local file storage.

Depends on what you use them for but typical use cases are...

- ChromeOS for the best desktop browser experience with the most secure OS for things like online banking

- Windows for productivity, professional and gaming software and adopted by over 90% of the enterprises

- Linux, everything minus Xcode you can do on Linux plus it dominates over 90% of the data centers, internet and cloud space

- MacOS for Xcode to develop iOS apps and surfing Facebook at Starbucks

- iOS isn't good for much with no file manager and even consumption is very limited since mobile browser can't access a lot of desktop web sites, lack of VP9 codec for YouTube, etc.

If you can only choose one device go with Windows with the option of multibooting Linux and CloudReady flavor of ChromeOS.

If you can only choose two devices go with Windows/Linux multiboot and ChromeOS.

 

[Dodgeman]

I picked up two laptops to try.
The windows computer was on sale for $500 and the Mac on sale for 1100.
I wanted to give it a fair shake but for what I do I am thinking a chromebook will work.

I love the apps on mac and the itunes store and the sync support but at this point I have a Note 8 and would have to buy an iPhone to reap the benefits. Plus 1100 is a big to swallow for what I want to do so I am torn. I know the Mac has way more capabilities. ...
[doublepost=1526005251][/doublepost]I mean the chromebook I can pick up for 350 and should serve my needs well. It is very very basic though.

The Mac works well. The Windows 10, its $500 a great computer but not sure I want windows 10.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I picked up two laptops to try.
The windows computer was on sale for $500 and the Mac on sale for 1100.
I wanted to give it a fair shake but for what I do I am thinking a chromebook will work.

I love the apps on mac and the itunes store and the sync support but at this point I have a Note 8 and would have to buy an iPhone to reap the benefits. Plus 1100 is a big to swallow for what I want to do so I am torn. I know the Mac has way more capabilities. ...
[doublepost=1526005251][/doublepost]I mean the chromebook I can pick up for 350 and should serve my needs well. It is very very basic though.

The Mac works well. The Windows 10, its $500 a great computer but not sure I want windows 10.

I guess it also depends on what you get for your money. I don’t know if it’s still the case, but it used to be that $350 machines were really slow, had terrible displays, or both.

 

[Dodgeman]

I guess it also depends on what you get for your money. I don’t know if it’s still the case, but it used to be that $350 machines were really slow, had terrible displays, or both.

It isn't top of the line but I am not gaming ot doing any heavy task.
It down to that Chromebook for 350, windows 10 2 n 1 for $500 or the Macbook Pro for 1150.

With the Macbook pro I know an iphone and iwatch will follow...

 

[three]

I recently picked up a Dell Chromebook 13 - 7310 off Swappa for about $250. It's not the newest (or even most powerful machine) but coming from cheap/low-end Chromebooks, it's a night and day difference. It's got a Core i3 over a Celeron or Pentium, which makes it feel so much snappier and smoother. Core i3, 4GB RAM, enough storage. Most importantly, it's got a decent display with nice viewing angles which is HUGE over the cheaper Chromebooks.

I'll be honest though, I don't use my Chromebook (or any laptop) on a daily basis or even more than once or twice a week. It's purely a backup machine for me. I still go for my desktop PC for most, if not all, of my day-to-day routine and workflow. When I'm out and about and can't access my PC, this Dell Chromebook perfectly fits my needs and I don't find myself wanting (or longing for) a more powerful machine running either Windows 10 or macOS. What I like about the Chromebook is the fact that it's quick, it's very battery efficient, and it's cheap enough where I don't feel like I wasted money using it so little.

 

[Michael Goff]

I think I’m one of the few people here who are using a Chromebook as their main “computer”.

 

[Dodgeman]

I recently picked up a Dell Chromebook 13 - 7310 off Swappa for about $250. It's not the newest (or even most powerful machine) but coming from cheap/low-end Chromebooks, it's a night and day difference. It's got a Core i3 over a Celeron or Pentium, which makes it feel so much snappier and smoother. Core i3, 4GB RAM, enough storage. Most importantly, it's got a decent display with nice viewing angles which is HUGE over the cheaper Chromebooks.

I'll be honest though, I don't use my Chromebook (or any laptop) on a daily basis or even more than once or twice a week. It's purely a backup machine for me. I still go for my desktop PC for most, if not all, of my day-to-day routine and workflow. When I'm out and about and can't access my PC, this Dell Chromebook perfectly fits my needs and I don't find myself wanting (or longing for) a more powerful machine running either Windows 10 or macOS. What I like about the Chromebook is the fact that it's quick, it's very battery efficient, and it's cheap enough where I don't feel like I wasted money using it so little.

I think I’m one of the few people here who are using a Chromebook as their main “computer”.

I had the Mac and I don't hate it all. I don't love it but I do like it. That is probably because I've only used it for a week.

The chromebook seems it will do everything I need it to do for a quarter of the cost. Not sure what route I will take as I do want some laptop functions but I also do not want to waste money.
[doublepost=1526082143][/doublepost]The biggest thing I do is explore the web but there are times when I need to type up something or save a document but nothing majorly critical.
Apple has some quirks that are tough to change and can be annoying but I do like the ease of use they offer.
The premium is terrible.

Only thing is in the future a chromebook wont support real school work.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I had the Mac and I don't hate it all. I don't love it but I do like it. That is probably because I've only used it for a week.

The chromebook seems it will do everything I need it to do for a quarter of the cost. Not sure what route I will take as I do want some laptop functions but I also do not want to waste money.
[doublepost=1526082143][/doublepost]The biggest thing I do is explore the web but there are times when I need to type up something or save a document but nothing majorly critical.
Apple has some quirks that are tough to change and can be annoying but I do like the ease of use they offer.
The premium is terrible.

Only thing is in the future a chromebook wont support real school work.

I guess it's hard to say if you're wasting money, as the MBP can last for a long time. Also, if you're anticipating the need for more functionality over time, then a traditional laptop seems like your better option if this decision is going to make this your only machine. Also consider that Macs can dual boot to Windows, making it a little more ideal for students that might need alternative OS'es for various classes.

Lastly, if the cost of the MBP is getting to you and you're willing to consider something as basic as a Chromebook, why not go with the MacBook Air instead?

 

[Michael Goff]

I guess it's hard to say if you're wasting money, as the MBP can last for a long time. Also, if you're anticipating the need for more functionality over time, then a traditional laptop seems like your better option if this decision is going to make this your only machine. Also consider that Macs can dual boot to Windows, making it a little more ideal for students that might need alternative OS'es for various classes.

Lastly, if the cost of the MBP is getting to you and you're willing to consider something as basic as a Chromebook, why not go with the MacBook Air instead?

Even a 350$ Chromebook is likely to have a better screen than the MacBook Air.

 

[Dodgeman]

I guess it's hard to say if you're wasting money, as the MBP can last for a long time. Also, if you're anticipating the need for more functionality over time, then a traditional laptop seems like your better option if this decision is going to make this your only machine. Also consider that Macs can dual boot to Windows, making it a little more ideal for students that might need alternative OS'es for various classes.

Lastly, if the cost of the MBP is getting to you and you're willing to consider something as basic as a Chromebook, why not go with the MacBook Air instead?

Even a 350$ Chromebook is likely to have a better screen than the MacBook Air.

This. The macbook air was $700 on sale.
Wouldn't go that route. The MacBook Pro was 1150. Not bad but it is expensive.

 

[Dodgeman]

I may go give another look to the MB Air. I think it is an amazing device worth the 700 but with a non retina display and almost every device around me has a retina display I think I would not be happy with it.
If the machine was $500 then It would probably be a go.
I mean the iPad is retina, phones have amazing screens, TVs are so vidvid and bright....

 

[Macalicious2011]

Has anyone turned their Mac into a Chromebook?

Nowadays I only browse on my Mac and don't use any native apps. I'm tempted to give Chrome OS a try.

 

[Dodgeman]

Has anyone turned their Mac into a Chromebook?

Nowadays I only browse on my Mac and don't use any native apps. I'm tempted to give Chrome OS a try.

True same thing I am thinking, and there is a huge price difference.

 

[mi7chy]

Has anyone turned their Mac into a Chromebook?

Nowadays I only browse on my Mac and don't use any native apps. I'm tempted to give Chrome OS a try.

You should be able to try it without wiping your primary OS by booting off of USB stick with holding down option key when it boots. Just make sure your Mac model is supported.

https://guide.neverware.com/supported-devices/

 

[sracer]

I've decided to have a chromebook in my "permanent" stable of devices. Every chromebook I bought in the past I end up giving away to someone who needs a computer where a chromebook fits perfectly.

I just picked up an Acer Chromebook 14 bundle from Costco. $299 for the chromebook, nice padded sleeve, and meh wireless mouse. I've had my eye on it for at least 8 months and figured that now is as good a time as any to get it.

It has the look and feel of a Macbook Air. I won't get into the specs (plenty of places to get that)
Here is the Acer 14 in between my 11" MBA and my wife's 13" MBA.


Here is the 13" MBA sitting on top of the Acer 14. They are nearly the same size.


Here's a height comparison between the 13" MBA and Acer 14


keyboard and touchpad comparison. The Acer 14 touchpad feels like a glass pad but I know that is not possible given the price point. It is very smooth and responsive and supports all multitouch gestures. Tap-to-click works great very comfortable.


The build quality is very solid, and the all-metal body feels surprisingly good. I also like the darker-than-space-gray tone of the metal. the upper edge of the keyboard deck is rounded which is nicer than the hard edge on my macbook air.

One final photo... of the screen. 1920x1080 IPS matte display. I think it looks terrific though not as bright as I'd prefer. In its native resolution, the UI elements of chrome OS are compact giving a feeling of a much larger display. There is a "dialed back" mode of (something)x856 which is a bit more "normal" looking that is set by default.


I'm using Fluid on my iMac to create standalone apps for the google apps so that I can work on documents on my MBA, iMac, iPad, Yoga Book, and chromebook in a similar workflow.