Chromebooks?

Geeze wrote:
So I assume they wouldn't run windows based software? Is there anything like Word or Excel that would work on them?

Ever hear of Google Docs?

So I assume they wouldn't run windows based software? Is there anything like Word or Excel that would work on them?

My main concern is being locked into Google things, like Chrome browser.

Your not trapped with the Chrome browser. You can also download the Brave browser from the play store. Brave was built for privacy. There might be even more options. Ever since I bought this Pixelbook, it's like it never leaves my lap. It's light, speedy, has very long battery life cause it needs no fan. I love the thing and hope they come out with a Pixelbook 2. One thing to know, is don't get a cheapie and expect good performance. Get a middle to higher end model and I think you'll like it. I have a lot of computers but the Pixelbook is my daily driver.

mr. ed wrote:

TenOC wrote:
They do NOT have a hard drive. All data in on the cloud.. . :S . . :h

Sounds like a positive thing as there's one less component to wear out if it was a mechanical HD.

A hard drive no. A slot in the side that takes hard cards (Micro SD) yes I think one of mine is 64 Gigs I've seen cards up to 128 I have assorted SD cards here Which reminds me I need to store a video.
Thanks

1492 wrote:

RayJayco wrote:
Has anyone read the EULA for cloud storage? I have't read chromes, however I don't allow any cloud storage as most will say that all data, pics, etc., are the property of the cloud.

Where does it say that for Google Cloud Storage? From what I read, "As between the parties, Customer owns all Intellectual Property Rights in Customer Data and Customer Applications, and Google owns all Intellectual Property Rights in the Services and Software." Basically, you own what's yours and they own what's theirs.

If you're using sites such as YouTube or photo gallery sites, then TOS may include allowing the platform the license to host your content for others to view where applicable. They don't claim ownership of your content. No organization would use cloud storage if that was the case.

I recall reading it in a few of them. As I said I haven't read Chromes as I have stayed away from clouds after reading some of them when they first came out.

All I am saying is ALWAYS read ALL of the EULA's very carefully...

RayJayco wrote:
Has anyone read the EULA for cloud storage? I have't read chromes, however I don't allow any cloud storage as most will say that all data, pics, etc., are the property of the cloud.

Where does it say that for Google Cloud Storage? From what I read, "As between the parties, Customer owns all Intellectual Property Rights in Customer Data and Customer Applications, and Google owns all Intellectual Property Rights in the Services and Software." Basically, you own what's yours and they own what's theirs.

If you're using sites such as YouTube or photo gallery sites, then TOS may include allowing the platform the license to host your content for others to view where applicable. They don't claim ownership of your content. No organization would use cloud storage if that was the case.

mr. ed wrote:

TenOC wrote:
They do NOT have a hard drive. All data in on the cloud.. . :S . . :h

Sounds like a positive thing as there's one less component to wear out if it was a mechanical HD.

A "Chromebook" is in reality nothing more than a Android OS installed on a small "laptop" form instead of a tablet so it is more than "just a browser" but far, far less than a real Laptop.

Because Android OS is used, the hardware requirements are much lower and typically are "ARM" processors which are not Intel or AMD and are far slower along with very little amount of memory compared to a traditional laptop. Android works surprisingly well with those processors but it isn't going to win any races by any means.

As such it has a lot of the limitations of a Android tablet, has very little on board storage (solid state) depending on the version of Android but typically about 32GB. About half the storage will be the OS, the recovery (the "power wash") files. The remaining storage is for your OFFLINE Apps and some OFFLINE data.

If you have software or "Aps" (Paid or free)for your current laptop PC running any flavor of "Windows", you will not be able to install or transfer those on to a Chromebook. You will have to find "generic" equivalents and that is the rub.. From dealing with Android phones and Tablets many "Aps" available for Android tend to be clunky and buggy and the "free Apps" are loaded to the hilt with continually serving up "Ads" trying to upsell the product or other sponsors.

If your looking at Chromebooks because they are cheap, you GET CHEAP.

As far as folks "thinking" their data is 100% safe, private and protected, think again.. Absolutely NOTHING on the "cloud" is 100% safe, secure or guaranteed to be "private".

Once it leaves YOUR control it is no longer YOURS.

If you can accept any and all of those limitations A Chromebook could be useful as long as you don't mind the limitations and don't expect a lot out of it.

mr. ed wrote:
There is much information on the Web about Google using your personal info for advertising purposes.

Actually, I kind of like that. It's amazing how I can be searching google for something or talking about it on here, and then I start seeing ads for those products. I don't have a problem with that.

2oldman wrote:

mr. ed wrote:
I know it's a good browser, but there are so many reports about privacy issues.

I don't know what that would be.

There is much information on the Web about Google using your personal info for advertising purposes. Because there’ s so much info, I tend to believe some of it may be true. Of course, other browsers may do the same thing, so there’s nothing much that can be done about it. I won’t stop using the Internet because of it. Just look at it as a necessary evil. :R

TenOC wrote:
They do NOT have a hard drive.

They don't have a 'hard drive', i.e. traditional spinning drive.

They *do* have local onboard solid-state storage.

Older and/or less expensive models tend to have not very much room to spare, but it's still there. Newer and/or more expensive models have more. Depending on what all you're trying to store on there, it may be more than enough for casual use.

One of the nice things about Chromebooks is that if you break it, lose it, want to upgrade and re-home the one you have... it's very simple to 'power wash' the device, which wipes it and resets to factory defaults. Depending on the speed of your internet connection, 15 minutes later you can have an entirely new one set up just like your old one, with all your bookmarks and settings. Very nice. The downside is... anything stored locally is usually in the 'Downloads' folder... and gets wiped out as part of the 'power wash'. Not really any different than if you wipe and restore any other laptop, but occasionally it catches people off-guard.

Most, if not all, have at least one external USB type 'A' port, so plugging in a thumb drive for storing other things is not a big deal. Get one of the slim/flush fit drives that sticks out maybe a 1/4 inch, and just leave it plugged in. Problem solved.

We have a nicer one (well, it was a couple years ago anyway) - Asus C434 'Flip'. Metal case, touch screen, works as a laptop, can be folded over in 'tent' mode for watching videos, or folded completely over and used as a big Android tablet (not really it's best feature, in my experience). For traveling, where we want some level of connectivity without bringing the primary home laptops with potentially sensitive information along... works great. I think it's the third one we've had over the years. Used it as a 'daily driver' for a while, including running Linux on it directly (a beta feature). The loooooong battery life is a nice plus. Some of the better Windows laptops nowadays can probably match it in that regard... but they typically cost a lot more.