Chromebook

[Buck]

I was just looking at some of the specs and it seems like its a $400 laptop with a $250 price point. I wonder how the OS is and if its portable enough to carry with you wherever you go.

I'm wondering what it can do that my phone can't. I'm in the market for a new laptop, and this might be an option.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

They already own Office from their last laptop.

It most likely won't work. Just letting you know.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

So let's hear your opinions....

My parents need to get a new laptop. Their current laptop is 5 years old and running XP. Would a Chromebook be better? My Dad has straight up killed some of his past computers because of malware and shit like that. They're in their 60s and really only need to edit documents, check e-mail, browse the web and possibly skype later on. My Mom says that she'll need to use Publisher....but I'm not to sure about that one.

Would a Chromebook be a better purchase?

If they're actually locked into Microsoft Office (and Publisher more specifically), a Chromebook won't do it. Chromebooks are great for what they are, but you're obviously locked into cloud-based software, so primarily Google Docs and that kind of thing. If they only need basic spreadsheets and word processing, that's a great way to go (and you're right that a Chromebook is less prone to malware since everything's online). But if they really need full-blown Office, you're pretty much stuck with a Windows/Mac computer.

That said, you can get a great laptop these days for under $500 without a problem. And, though I won't at all go so far as to say malware isn't an issue, they've put a lot of safeguards in place since Windows XP that make it at least a little more difficult to get into something nasty.

[DaFace]

What are they currently using for email? And if it's not web-based, are they open to changing email addresses?

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by DaFace

What are they currently using for email? And if it's not web-based, are they open to changing email addresses?

Both of them have a Hotmail account.

[Buns]

FWIW, I traded in a POS EEE PC with XP in at Best Buy to get a $25 gift card and a $75 coupon good towards a new laptop of any kind. Got a new Chromebook for $110 after taxes that I'm picking up tomorrow.

For anyone interested in a Chromebook, try using Chrome and only Chrome on your computer for a day or two. If you can accomplish what you need to, it makes a great secondary machine. BTW, Best Buy XP Trade in deal ends this Saturday.

[DaveNull]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

It's not being pissy....it's simply stating that they don't need all of that stuff. It's like asking someone about a $4000 vehicle and them telling you that you should buy a brand new BMW.

She'd LIKE the ability to use Publisher later on. Doesn't have to be now...

Fair enough. Another idea (although also Apple based though) would be to just get them an iPad. My mom has a laptop and and iPad and never uses the laptop. She loves the iPad and it's pretty hard to mess up. Make sure they've got their documents and things stored in iCloud and there you go.

It's more comparable to a Chromebook because if you are considering going with a Chromebook, you're looking at going with an alternative to a traditional computer anyway.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Since I made the switch, I've done far less tech support.

"I'd love to help you but I don't have a Windows machine in front of me so I can't walk you through it. Sorry."

Yeah, those years Mom and Dad had their Mac and didn't know I had one, I claimed the same thing in reverse.

Don't get me wrong, it was nice in a lot of ways, had a great screen, and the touchpad/gesturing was awesome! But it was way too pricey for me to consider buying (it was a work deal), and the support kind of pissed me off. We're getting a new round at work, I might ask for one and see if anything has changed.

But if you've got the coin, go for it..

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Yeah, those years Mom and Dad had their Mac and didn't know I had one, I claimed the same thing in reverse.

Don't get me wrong, it was nice in a lot of ways, had a great screen, and the touchpad/gesturing was awesome! But it was way too pricey for me to consider buying (it was a work deal), and the support kind of pissed me off. We're getting a new round at work, I might ask for one and see if anything has changed.

But if you've got the coin, go for it..

Like I said, I bought mine lightly used for $800. It retailed for more than twice that.

It's rock solid stable and does everything I need it to do. I especially love it for testing software. If I don't like something, I drag the app container and a few pref files to the trash and it's done. No registry, no residue, no hassle.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by DaveNull

To each their own, I suppose. To replace the office apps, iPhoto and iMovie you're looking at adding $250 for Lightroom and Premier Elements plus between $70 and $100 per year for office.

Add that to the fact that my seven year old iMac is still going strong while our mutual friend has a five year old machine that can't be upgraded.

Just for fun I took a machine I bought in the mid-90s, reloaded it from the original Win95 CD, and guess what, it ran just as fast as the day I bought it.

Nothing new about that. But try to load the newest Apple OS and Apps, just like Windows, and I'll bet you can't.

But I get your point, not trying to be an ass.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Like I said, I bought mine lightly used for $800. It retailed for more than twice that.

It's rock solid stable and does everything I need it to do. I especially love it for testing software. If I don't like something, I drag the app container and a few pref files to the trash and it's done. No registry, no residue, no hassle.

If they find a deal like that, that'd be awesome... I'll let work buy mine.

[displacedinMN]

Teacher here

Our district is going to them next year.

Upside-
The district will not have to host server space for each of the 10,000 students.
Many of the staff have been using google docs and have converted our stuff over too.

We have turned our email hosting to google. Again, less for our techs to worry about and it is more reliable than our own servers. I am thinking about moving my weather site off the school server.

There are apps Chrome/chromebooks are offering. Hopefully more in the future.
I noticed the touch pad is tough to work with too.

Downside-
Docs needs a little work for 'publisher' type items.
EVERYTHING needs to be online. No outside programs.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Just for fun I took a machine I bought in the mid-90s, reloaded it from the original Win95 CD, and guess what, it ran just as fast as the day I bought it.

Nothing new about that. But try to load the newest Apple OS and Apps, just like Windows, and I'll bet you can't.

But I get your point, not trying to be an ass.

The thing is, from a system resource standpoint, most Apple stuff will run for a lot longer. OS X is a much more streamlined and efficient operating system than Windows.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The thing is, from a system resource standpoint, most Apple stuff will run for a lot longer. OS X is a much more streamlined and efficient operating system than Windows.

Yup... Too bad they cost so much.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Yup... Too bad they cost so much.

I'm just gonna keep saying it. Buy used. They're out there. Prey on the people that can't handle the switch.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I'm just gonna keep saying it. Buy used. They're out there. Prey on the people that can't handle the switch.

Or the office...