Chrome book

[cuffs054]

We could use a couple of new confusers. About the only thing we do is go to the forums, email and look at on line "art".
Everybody is selling the laptops that use "Chrome Book" cheap, cheap, cheap. I understand that it is a new (different) OS but that's all I know. Can anybody give me some learnin' on the issue?

 

[davey7]

I thought Chrome was a browser, shows what I know about the intertubes.

 

[kb0nes]

The Chromebook is basically a low end laptop/netbook that runs a Google operating system called Chrome OS. They tend to be quite affordable and generally quite user friendly. For Internet browsing, emailing and an occasional document they may be just fine if you aren't a power user.

The biggest single rub is that they are only really usable when you have an active Internet connection. The applications and most of the data storage is "in-the-cloud" so without the connection they don't do much.

For many users the Cloud storage is actually a good thing as you are FAR less likely to lose your data then if you had a stand alone PC. Google, Amazon or any other Cloud service has much better data reliability then the average home user that never runs a backup etc.

You will need to decide if a Chromebook fits into what you need. Here are a couple links for further enlightenment:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromebook

http://blog.laptopmag.com/chromebook-buying-advice

http://www.zdnet.com/why-there-are-at-least-two-great-reasons-to-buy-a-chromebook-7000023050/

 

[cuffs054]

Thanks Guys! Davey, "Intertube" made me blow tea out of my nose!

 

[davey7]

hahaha, but I can't take credit for the term!

 

[maytagbear]

I used a Chromebook for a while

my only gripe was that the keyboard, though comfortable in action, was also smallish. I have largeish hands.

Seulment mes deux centimes.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[whirlcool]

Do these Chrome books have outputs for using an external keyboard and monitor like most laptops do?

 

[cuffs054]

Whirlcool, they look very similar to a regular laptop. Keyboard, the whole deal.

 

[passatdoc]

One of my employees was looking at them, as an inexpensive laptop replacement option, after a six year old laptop died on her. She is taking an adult education class in MS Office. Are there Office-compatible free programs (word processor, spreadsheet) that can be used on Chromebooks? Can the files be saved in .doc .xls formats in the event she has to submit files as part of her class assignments?

 

[whirlcool]

I know of so many people who use their computers only for web browsing and e-mailing. They use it for nothing else. In fact I know of one woman who really needs a new computer and this would fit nicely, but she only wants a desktop PC as she doesn't like the small screens and keyboard of a laptop. That's why I was asking about external connectivity.

Why spend money on something you'll never use?

 

[kb0nes]

All of the Chromebooks will have USB ports and Bluetooth so external keyboards and input devices are no problem. Not all of the models have video outputs, I see the Samsung offering has an HDMI port so you could use an external monitor with that one.

The primary "Office" program suite will be to use the Google Docs tools associated with Google Drive cloud service. Their web apps are functionally equivalent to Word, Excel and Access etc. and they can import and output in the MS formats. They may not have all the features of the true MS programs so advanced users may miss some features though. Years ago I dabbled with the Open Office suite and I wasn't very pleased with it. I do use the Google Docs web apps and I am generally pleased with them. I'd bet Open Office has improved in the years since I tried it. I'm not sure if there are any Office like apps that can actually be installed on the Chromebook (as opposed to using the cloud apps) though.

Typically these devices sell for less then $300. For someone that only needs basic web interactivity these may be a slam dunk. If you are an Android phone user even more so since they both use the Google Play store.

 

[DADoES]

 
OpenOffice is now split into two offerings.

Apache OpenOffice

LibreOffice