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M. Gustave

macrumors 68000
Jun 6, 2015
1,856
1,712
Grand Budapest Hotel
The Verge's first look at the Chromebook Pro. Doesn't look like it's quite ready for prime time.

CHROMEBOOK PRO: LIFE IN BETA


I don't think it's fair for him to focus on a few games, and declare the entire experience buggy and "impossible". Where was the discussion of productivity and other activities? Aside from Chrome apps, which haven't changed, there are countless Android apps which work as expected on a Chromebook.

And for the record, I think it's a cool looking laptop, I disagree with him on that too.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,074
19,069
US
The price is kinda keeping me away right now. But love how they use the stylus in the video

The Good
  • Solid design.
  • Included stylus for easy handwritten notes and artwork.
  • Two USB Type-C ports.
  • Most Android apps are much better to use than any Chrome Web Store apps.
  • Good performance.
  • Good battery life.
The Bad
  • Display sometimes mistakes small hand pressure for stylus pressure.
  • Some Android apps don't translate properly in perspective and size when opened on Chrome OS.
  • Apps with specific hardware requirements (like GPS, rear cameras, etc) won't work exactly as they would on a smartphone.
  • You may have duplicate Chrome and Android apps cluttering your launcher.
The Ugly
  • $549 may feel high for some who aren't willing to spend more than $300 for a Chromebook.



https://thescene.com/watch/arstechnica/gear-gadgets-samsung-s-new-chromebook


https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...-thoughtful-marriage-of-android-and-chrome-os
 

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
I don't think it's fair for him to focus on a few games, and declare the entire experience buggy and "impossible". Where was the discussion of productivity and other activities? Aside from Chrome apps, which haven't changed, there are countless Android apps which work as expected on a Chromebook.

And for the record, I think it's a cool looking laptop, I disagree with him on that too.

Disagree...why not discuss game performance when let's face it, a common use of Android tablets is for gaming? And it wasn't just gaming performance...didn't you notice any of the other glitches? Touches weren't registering and the magically disappearing/flickering Google Play Store at the 0:50 mark? Check out the Android Authority review--pretty much the same sentiment regarding Android apps. Hell, simply scrolling was often terrible.

And the god awful latency for the stylus? Not exactly encouraging when Google states they will implement some machine learning to make it seem better. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. :rolleyes:

He had praise for some productivity elements--specifically mentions Microsoft Office for Android as being quite good.

And if you read the review at all, you'd notice he specifically states it isn't a review because it's not ready to be fully reviewed yet---he's using a pre-production model and the Android app implementing is officially in beta...no secret there.

I'm quite interesting in how this segment develops as I generally like the Chromebook experience and think bringing Android apps into the mix really improves their functionality. I also crave better hardware than, outside of the Pixels, has historically been available so I'm glad to see Samsung and Asus putting out better hardware. I just don't think we're quite there yet for traditional laptop replacement unless you only need web functionality. It'll be interesting to see how Android app integration into Chrome progresses over the course of the year.
 

M. Gustave

macrumors 68000
Jun 6, 2015
1,856
1,712
Grand Budapest Hotel
Disagree...why not discuss game performance when let's face it, a common use of Android tablets is for gaming? And it wasn't just gaming performance...didn't you notice any of the other glitches? Touches weren't registering and the magically disappearing/flickering Google Play Store at the 0:50 mark? Check out the Android Authority review--pretty much the same sentiment regarding Android apps. Hell, simply scrolling was often terrible.

And the god awful latency for the stylus? Not exactly encouraging when Google states they will implement some machine learning to make it seem better. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. :rolleyes:

He had praise for some productivity elements--specifically mentions Microsoft Office for Android as being quite good.

And if you read the review at all, you'd notice he specifically states it isn't a review because it's not ready to be fully reviewed yet---he's using a pre-production model and the Android app implementing is officially in beta...no secret there.

I'm quite interesting in how this segment develops as I generally like the Chromebook experience and think bringing Android apps into the mix really improves their functionality. I also crave better hardware than, outside of the Pixels, has historically been available so I'm glad to see Samsung and Asus putting out better hardware. I just don't think we're quite there yet for traditional laptop replacement unless you only need web functionality. It'll be interesting to see how Android app integration into Chrome progresses over the course of the year.

It's not in beta on my Acer R11, and I don't have those glitches. But I don't play games on it, so can't comment about that.
 

Breaking Good

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2012
1,451
1,225
+1

Chromebooks show just how overpriced Windows and Mac laptops are, IMO. And no, I don't lose any functionality by not having those. YMMV.

You can buy a Windows notebook computer for as little as $130. What price do you consider fair?
 

Michael Goff

Suspended
Jul 5, 2012
13,329
7,422
There's also the user experience. I'd much rather browse the internet on my Chromebook vs. my Lenovo win10 laptop, both $200.

That's understandable. No amount of "you can do X" makes up for core functionality being less than what you want it to be.
 

Scarpad

macrumors 68020
Jan 13, 2005
2,152
655
Ma
I picked up a plus at best buy using their laptop trade in i traded a piece of Crap Core Duo 2 laptop got $100 and $50 coupon so plus for $324 not bad. I really like it but have a question on the screen, it seems that when you get it the laptops screen is running at what it says is the best res, 1600x800, indeed when you go to native 2400x1800 things are really tiny. I guess i'm not understanding when you would use the native?
 

lowendlinux

macrumors 603
Sep 24, 2014
5,460
6,788
Germany
I picked up a plus at best buy using their laptop trade in i traded a piece of Crap Core Duo 2 laptop got $100 and $50 coupon so plus for $324 not bad. I really like it but have a question on the screen, it seems that when you get it the laptops screen is running at what it says is the best res, 1600x800, indeed when you go to native 2400x1800 things are really tiny. I guess i'm not understanding when you would use the native?
When would you use native on a rMBP? The same apples here.
 
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Scarpad

macrumors 68020
Jan 13, 2005
2,152
655
Ma
Anyone using the Chrome book for comics, I'm trying to find the best way to keep comic files on the SD card and get the app to see them, same issue with all the Android apps I've tried it can't see the SD Card.
 

kawalerzysta

macrumors regular
Oct 28, 2013
234
208
Tobyhanna, PA
Anyone using the Chrome book for comics, I'm trying to find the best way to keep comic files on the SD card and get the app to see them, same issue with all the Android apps I've tried it can't see the SD Card.

It looks that SD card is not supported yet for Android apps. You may have to use internal storage. Not into comics myself, but I tried to download music from Google Music Android app and it would not detect SD card, would download straight to the internal storage. I can assume that Google will work on android integration into Chromebooks. I have been using chrome OS for few years and experience improves constantly so my hopes are high for even better integration between android apps and Chromebooks.
 

Scarpad

macrumors 68020
Jan 13, 2005
2,152
655
Ma
really needed since they only put in 32mb
[doublepost=1489412091][/doublepost]Anyone have any good case or sleeves for the Chromebook Plus
 

jamesrick80

macrumors 68030
Sep 12, 2014
2,665
2,218
If people actually laid eyes on the display of both the chromebook Plus and upcoming Pro, they will be amazed (Unless you have one of the latest amoled Samsung devices). I have seen macbook pros and windows 10 laptops that can't even compete with this display; its amazing. The 3:2 Format also helps with the overall effect that you don't see on most devices.
 
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sman789

Customer Support
Staff member
Dec 25, 2007
2,611
2,316
Richmond, VA
If people actually laid eyes on the display of both the chromebook Plus and upcoming Pro, they will be amazed. I have seen macbook pros and windows 10 laptops that can't even compete with this display; its amazing.
Hm, I checked out the Plus at Best Buy because I wanted to see if it's quality could sway me to purchase it. I thought the screen was great but the overall build was just above average. I've owned the first Chromebook Pixel, 2016 Dell XPS 13 (Hi-Res version), and I'm currently on a Retina MacBook Pro. I think those screens are as good if not better. The Chromebook Pixel hold a special place in my heart. Great design, fit and finish.
 

bbplayer5

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2007
3,133
1,141
Amazon said this would ship the 28th. Mine hasn't even shipped and ordered it on the 15th. Weird.
 

AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
1,133
Date keeps getting pushed back for some reason. But I do see now it is on Best Buy website for shipping.

The Plus was in store day one when it was released.
 

lowendlinux

macrumors 603
Sep 24, 2014
5,460
6,788
Germany
That would explain the flurry of update starting last weekend, I believe I've been through six on the beta channel.
 

ryankul

macrumors 6502
May 6, 2014
254
87
Michigan
I have the Chromebook Plus. Loving it! Screen is crystal clear and can get really bright, battery lasts me all day, pen seems to work good for notes or sketching (nothing high end), build quality seems great and multiple usbc ports is nice to have.

Very happy with this purchase and can't recommend this machine enough.
 
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