My Toshiba laptop (Win 10 pro) is getting long in the tooth, and although still working well, I'm being proactive by serching for a possible replacement. I;ve noticed chromebook laptops have more attractive prices than Windows or Mac. My concerns are:1. Chromebook can't be used unless tethered to the Internet (although I think I read somewhere that they can be used offline). 2. The operating system is Chrome OS. Should there be any concern with privacy since some folks are afraid of using their browser?3. Are chromebooks inherently less prone to malware attacks?4. Do chromebooks have hard drives, similar to regular computers?5. If you use one, do you have anything to add?Thaks in advance.

Im on my seconde CB.They work like an Android pn, but not as many or good apps.They are not like a tablet.They can have storage for docs and such, and some are expandable.They are good for browsing.Docs can be saved to numerous "Cloud" type storage providers...but docs can be wonky on different ones depending on the programs used to make them.Both the ones I had, have automatic updates for security. Only need to restart and they are in effect.....thats about the only thing I like about them.They suffice. BTW them, tablets and phones, I haven't touched a windows computer in about 8 or 9 years....I do miss them for certain things..

I recently got a CB, initially it was limited in apps, but an update corrected that. I had to go to Google play and do the updates to get it.

1. That's how they're designed to be used2. I have no concerns 4. No5. they boot up real fast.

1. Chromebook can't be used unless tethered to the Internet (although I think I read somewhere that they can be used offline).For the most part they do like to be online yes. But there are some apps you can use off line as well. PLUS many Chromebooks run a limited amount of both android and linux software.2. The operating system is Chrome OS. Should there be any concern with privacy since some folks are afraid of using their browser?I know of nobody afraid of the browser but as with all operating systems security in our criminal laced world is a concern.. I use chrome books a lot and I'll comment more at the end. 3. Are chromebooks inherently less prone to malware attacks? I do not think so but they have a way to deal with it.4. Do chromebooks have hard drives, similar to regular computers?Mine have small SSDs. Plus I have a micro SD card in the slot and if I need I can plug in an external HD (They make 2TB thumb drives now days)5. If you use one, do you have anything to add?When I got my first Chrome book I headed to a nearby Denny's that had a very good high speed WI-FI. I've set up many Windows machines and was expecting to have both breakfast and lunch before i got 'er done.Set up my Windows machine and pressed Power. Took the Chromebook out of the box nd did likewise... I was on line and browsing with the Chrome book before the windows machine was booted up and running. Now: the malware story:ONe restaurant I have eaten at has (usually) customer wi-fi. if that's not working the city has Wi-Fi as well. but it's been hacked, Both of my Chromewbooks got bit. I was able to get to Settings, advanced, power wash and WHAM. just like that (Took abou 1-2 minutes) I was back to "Taking it out of the box" I lost all stored data however. Now I store on the micro SD card.. So if I have to power wash I pop the card first.Also since the card is removable I can pop it into the windows machine with a half TB drive) and store stuff.My only complaint is that I can not easily print directly from the Chromebook but they are workign on that.

Great responses! Thank you, everybody. I like the idea that an external USB device can be used to store data for possible use offline, and even re-used in a Windows machine. Never thought of that.So, maybe there's a chromebook in my future. :)

Chromebook questions | Good Sam Community

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Mar 27, 2020
Dick_B wrote:
I'd stick with HP laptops. Used Chromebooks to do income taxes for AARP this year and it has too many limitations; ports, ability to connect to printers...

agree
bumpy
Naio
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2020
Oh yes, the printer thing is a hassle! Mine can only connect to a printer via wifi, and my (old) printer doesn't do wifi.

What I'm doing for now is putting the files I want to print on my SD card, and then sticking the SD card in my old laptop, which can talk to the printer (but, ironically, can't do wifi!).
AsheGuy
Explorer
Mar 27, 2020
mr. ed wrote:
Appreciate the info about the cheaper speakers. I do have a pair of speakers that I use on my present PC. I could use those if I desire better audio. I could probably get used to the lower screen resolution, or just use my Toshiba laptop for watching videos. I also have a tablet that runs Android that has pretty good resolution for videos on a smaller screen.

Being home alot because of the virus, I'm appreciating youtube videos more and more.:)
One of my favorite purchases is this DOSS Soundbox. I bought it for our RV since it is too old to have a bluetooth connection to its sound system so I used Velcro to mount this speaker to the dash so we could listen to audio books when we travel. It worked so well I bought another one to keep by my computer in place of the old one with lots of wires attached.

Regarding Chromebooks, I bought my wife one to replace her HP laptop because she used the laptop so infrequently that she was always frustrated by the slow startup when she did use it due to Windows updates kicking in when she turned it on. The Chromebook has been a much better laptop for her use, mostly writing letters or creating documents in Google Docs as well as email. Printing is no problem since unless ones's printer is pretty old, it has Bluetooth through which a Chromebook easily connects for printing. Also, no problem with the Chromebook's screen resolution.

I think a lot of people pay too much for a laptop when a Chromebook would meet all their needs. I have a laptop for my needs, but only because I need some applications that are not available for a Chromebook. I am just as much in need for a wi-fi connection when I use my laptop as a Chromebook is. But wi-fi is pretty universal and just gets more so with smart phones with a built-in hotspot.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Mar 27, 2020
Dick_B wrote:
I'd stick with HP laptops. Used Chromebooks to do income taxes for AARP this year and it has too many limitations; ports, ability to connect to printers...

I did my taxes with the Chromebook, Using one of the online tax services which I've been using for years. When done I saved the 1040.PDF to the hard card (The removable card) and copied it to my windows machine for printing and archiving.

Works great.. I can watch grass grow while using that old windoze box
Edd505
Explorer
Mar 27, 2020
Naio wrote:
I've been using a Chromebook as my only computer for several years. You don't have to be connected to the internet.

Most of them have tiny hard drives, like 32gb. Get a 128gb SD card for $20, stick it in, and it is your hard drive. If you need the space you can get more than one. No need to mess with a usb external drive.

Wife loves hers, virus free, it is fast for general surfing, emails, etc. I do business on a Windows computer.
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2020
Edd505 wrote:
Naio wrote:
I've been using a Chromebook as my only computer for several years. You don't have to be connected to the internet.

Most of them have tiny hard drives, like 32gb. Get a 128gb SD card for $20, stick it in, and it is your hard drive. If you need the space you can get more than one. No need to mess with a usb external drive.

Wife loves hers, virus free, it is fast for general surfing, emails, etc. I do business on a Windows computer.

I spent over an hour today trying to get my Windoze computers on line. I went to my Chromebook and was able to go online with a Windows 7 desktop at work, while Windows Remote Desktop Connection wouldn't work.
I was able to see that my controls stuff was ok.

Most comments on this thread have been on the mark. You do not need to be online to make them happy, but online is mostly how I use the Chromebooks. They really are much faster than any Windows machine I have ever seen.
T18skyguy
Explorer
Mar 28, 2020
wa8yxm wrote wrote:
I did my taxes with the Chromebook, Using one of the online tax services which I've been using for years. When done I saved the 1040.PDF to the hard card (The removable card) and copied it to my windows machine for printing and archiving.

Thanks for that tip. The only reason I keep my PC's is I need Turbotax premier for taxes, and I use a Canon high speed scanner, and it's software is critical to my needs. If your method works for me that would be great. I'm a landlord, and the thought of screwing up or not being able to import dozens of depreciation schedules is scary. Edit: If you would like to visit a Chromebook specific site go to https://chromeunboxed.com/
TomG2
Explorer
Mar 28, 2020
Cheap and fast, just like I like my women. Tired of waiting and waiting on my Windows machines for Internet activities. Took me two years too long to get a Chromebook.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Mar 28, 2020
If you are doing taxes professionally using software ON YOUR COMPUTER then a Chromebook won't work,, But if you use an online program like I do so the actual computing is done else where (There is a security risk in that) it does.

When I do my taxes the only thing running on the Chromebook is Chrome OS and Browser.. and perhaps something to play music to sooth.
AsheGuy
Explorer
Mar 28, 2020
wa8yxm wrote:
If you are doing taxes professionally using software ON YOUR COMPUTER then a Chromebook won't work,, But if you use an online program like I do so the actual computing is done else where (There is a security risk in that) it does.

I started using Credit Karma several years ago to easily track my credit scores and began using their online tax filing feature when they added it. I've filed my taxes the last four years with it. I used Turbo Tax for many years but I will never go back. It's all free with Credit Karma including online US and state tax filing. Regarding online security risks, no one quits driving due to the risk of death on the road, odds probably are about the same in both situations.

Here is a quote from a Credit Karma vs Turbo Tax review: "If you have fairly normal taxes that include things like W-2 or 1099 income, investments, a mortgage and property taxes, and common deduction and credit situations, both stand equal. For business owners, it seems that TurboTax has an edge."

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