Chromebook questions

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.

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...

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Biggest strike against Chromebooks, in general, is they tend to have smaller screens (11"-13") and lower resolution (not as good for watching videos). Also they have cheaper speakers.

HP has some good pries on their Pavilion 15z and 17z. Lots of upgrades available, but the best upgrade (IMHO) is the Full HD IPS screen (IPS is the same technology used in by Apple in their Retina displays).

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.:)

Well, I did what I should have done originally. I did a Google search on chromebooks and found quite a bit of info. However, I always appreciate interaction with fellow forum members and the assistance you provide.

Biggest strike against Chromebooks, in general, is they tend to have smaller screens (11"-13") and lower resolution (not as good for watching videos). Also they have cheaper speakers.

HP has some good pries on their Pavilion 15z and 17z. Lots of upgrades available, but the best upgrade (IMHO) is the Full HD IPS screen (IPS is the same technology used in by Apple in their Retina displays).

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. :)

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.

1. That's how they're designed to be used

2. I have no concerns

4. No
5. they boot up real fast.

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.

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..