Samsung Tablet vs Chromebook for Travel?

[krause734]

Debating between a Samsung Tablet and a Chromebook for travel.
The Chromebook has a built in case (technically speaking the outer shell), keyboard, and stand while the tablet has games and the app store. The Chromebook seems more productive and the tablet seems more fun.

 

[lowendlinux]

Chromebook

 

[1050792]

The Chromebook is too limited, as you said with the Tablet you get all the Apps and Games.

 

[krause734]

The Chromebook is too limited, as you said with the Tablet you get all the Apps and Games.

I've heard the newer Chromebooks can run android apps. Not sure how unless it's a touchscreen Chromebook.

 

[Michael Goff]

I've heard the newer Chromebooks can run android apps. Not sure how unless it's a touchscreen Chromebook.

Most Android apps work with a mouse and keyboard.

 

[sracer]

I've heard the newer Chromebooks can run android apps. Not sure how unless it's a touchscreen Chromebook.

I'd recommend a 2-in-1 chromebook like the Samsung chromebook Plus. It works well as both an android tablet as well as a notebook-like device.It is thin and light enough to be enjoyable as a tablet. It's a bit pricey though. Some of the other 2-in-1's work better as notebooks but not so well as tablets because they're thick and heavy.

The chromeOS and Android subsystems aren't fully integrated yet (Android filesystem is sandboxed and cannot access the internal storage nor any removable media.) The only area that is commonly accessible by both is the "Download" folder in the internal storage. so be aware of that when making a decision.

If you're leaning toward an Android tablet, I highly recommend taking a look at the Android version of the Lenovo Yoga Book. (I'm using it to type this post). Works great as a tablet and the Halo keyboard is like using an onscreen keyboard so when the keyboard is folded back to use it as a tablet, the back is smooth (like a traditional tablet) rather than feeling the keyboard.

They are currently selling brand new for $250-$299.... that's for a 10.1" Android tablet (4GB RAM/64GB storage), keyboard, and wacom stylus.

 

[SigEp265]

My vote is for Samsung Chromebook Plus or Pro

 

[Dodgeman]

I played around with a chrome book, a base model one and the touch screen.
I did see much use for it. To it seems like a computer body with the google internet.
I did not play with it for long, but isnt a chrome book just like an all google platform (google apps that are on android)?
I was trying to see if you uninstall some of tge apps on there or if there was a play store.... did not really see it but if anyone has any first hand experience on the device I am curious to hear thoughts.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I'm not too familiar with either. But I use Chromium OS on my older tiny Asus netbook. Works great. Although I would assume an actual Chrombook is better on battery.

 

[sracer]

I played around with a chrome book, a base model one and the touch screen.
I did see much use for it. To it seems like a computer body with the google internet.
I did not play with it for long, but isnt a chrome book just like an all google platform (google apps that are on android)?
I was trying to see if you uninstall some of tge apps on there or if there was a play store.... did not really see it but if anyone has any first hand experience on the device I am curious to hear thoughts.

What specific chromebooks did you try? There is a wide range of chromebooks currently being sold. Some model are quite a few years old, others were just released. Most if not all newly released chromebooks have access to the Google Play store, so it is a bit odd that you didn't see the Google Play store icon.

 

[eplchamps]

Chrombook anyday.

 

[Dodgeman]

Checked out the Samsung ones at Best Buy, one was 199, the other was like 450.
[doublepost=1521984996][/doublepost]

Chrombook anyday.

What is so great about it?
Couldnt really understand it for much other than the internet.

 

[sracer]

Checked out the Samsung ones at Best Buy, one was 199, the other was like 450.
[doublepost=1521984996][/doublepost]

What is so great about it?
Couldnt really understand it for much other than the internet.

In the context of this thread, (Samsung tablet vs. chromebook for travel), a chromebook, in particular a 2-in-1 like the Samsung Chromebook Plus/Pro offers all of the benefits of a tablet and most of the benefits of a traditional laptop. While it is true that much of what a chromebook excels at is web-based, there is a lot that it can do offline as well. Access to the Google Play Store supplements the chromeOS apps with mobile apps. There are quite a few advanced chromeOS apps that would surprise people with how much functionality they provide.

Google has set the hardware requirements for the chromebook platform. That means that there is a certain baseline performance that is expected. The performance of the bottom tier chromebooks is better than the bottom tier of Windows notebooks. Chromebooks aren't for everyone. But for that segment of the consumer market that it IS for, there is nothing better.

 

[Dodgeman]

In the context of this thread, (Samsung tablet vs. chromebook for travel), a chromebook, in particular a 2-in-1 like the Samsung Chromebook Plus/Pro offers all of the benefits of a tablet and most of the benefits of a traditional laptop. While it is true that much of what a chromebook excels at is web-based, there is a lot that it can do offline as well. Access to the Google Play Store supplements the chromeOS apps with mobile apps. There are quite a few advanced chromeOS apps that would surprise people with how much functionality they provide.

Google has set the hardware requirements for the chromebook platform. That means that there is a certain baseline performance that is expected. The performance of the bottom tier chromebooks is better than the bottom tier of Windows notebooks. Chromebooks aren't for everyone. But for that segment of the consumer market that it IS for, there is nothing better.

Is there certain things it can not do? Can I build a power point on one?

 

[sracer]

Is there certain things it can not do? Can I build a power point on one?

Yes you can create a powerpoint presentation on it. Actually, the web version of MS Office is more capable and has more functionality than the ios and android versions.

As for what it can't do, yes there are quite a few things that aren't practical to do on chromebooks. Rudimentary video encoding, audio processing are possible, but anything beyond that isn't really feasible.

 

[Dodgeman]

Yes you can create a powerpoint presentation on it. Actually, the web version of MS Office is more capable and has more functionality than the ios and android versions.

As for what it can't do, yes there are quite a few things that aren't practical to do on chromebooks. Rudimentary video encoding, audio processing are possible, but anything beyond that isn't really feasible.

Which doesn't effect me in the least. I created a power point of my iPad with ease.
I switched to the Note 8 & was considering a chrome book and the Gear s3. Figured the chrome book was a good choice, now I am thinking of a chrome book and going back to the iPhone.

 

[sracer]

Which doesn't effect me in the least. I created a power point of my iPad with ease.
I switched to the Note 8 & was considering a chrome book and the Gear s3. Figured the chrome book was a good choice, now I am thinking of a chrome book and going back to the iPhone.

IMO, it is worth giving a decent chromebook a serious shakedown test and making a decision based on that. For me, the ipad pro has fallen short of what i was hoping for. I'm currently using a Lenovo Yoga Book (android version) in its place, and it's working much better than I expected, but my longer term goal is to get a Samsung chromebook Pro.

 

[Dodgeman]

IMO, it is worth giving a decent chromebook a serious shakedown test and making a decision based on that. For me, the ipad pro has fallen short of what i was hoping for. I'm currently using a Lenovo Yoga Book (android version) in its place, and it's working much better than I expected, but my longer term goal is to get a Samsung chromebook Pro.

Yeah. Samsung is doing it right. Hate to say it but I still miss Apple a bit.