Temptation to Buy a Chromebook

[mr__ed]

The last thing I need is another computer. I already have a Toshiba laptop (Windows 10), a fairly new iPad with keyboard & mouse plus an RCA Viking pro tablet with detachable keyboard (android), all in excellent operating condition. So, obviously I’m all set as far as digital equipment goes.

Since I like experimenting with technology, I’ve been considering picking up an inexpensive Chromebook just because it’s a new operating system to “play” with. If I actually did so, I’d look at devices between $100-200, very cheap compared to regular PC's. I’m normally pretty conservative, and try not to spend money needlessly. Although a few hundred $$ wouldn’t break me, I’ve been resisting the urge to by a Chromebook for a few weeks (in fact, I almost ordered one today). But I then come to my senses, realizing that might be foolish. I know I’m not the only one who has been tempted to buy a device that is totally unneeded. 😉

[srdeane]

When my HP laptop died, I checked out Chromebooks. I realized I didn't need a lot of onboard memory because I have a limited range of functions I need. For less than $200 I got a Lenovo Chromeook. I pay $1.99 a month for cloud storage and am nowhere close to maxing out the lowest level of storage. It works fast, is small enough to be convenient and large enough for my old(er) eyes. The only frustration is that I had gotten used to Windows commands and functions. I'm still not fully conversant with the Chrome equivalents, but it's my own laziness.

[fj12ryder]

If you have a laptop with decent memory and an SSD, you will have many of the same benefits of a Chromebook, with few of the negatives. My new HP laptop with a 512 gig SSD boots up in less than 30 seconds and shuts down in 5. It operates very quickly, and is fairly light. Those spinning platter drives are pretty heavy compared to an SSD. I can't argue with the fact the Chromebooks are cheap, but my new 17.3 inch HP laptop with a 512 gig SSD and 1960 x 1080 resolution was less than $550.

My eyes aren't what they used to be and that large screen, for a laptop, makes it a lot easier to work with. 🙂

[dieseltruckdriv]

I should have added that I am in our 5er right now, using a cell phone hotspot and that is all you need for a Chromebook.

[jdc1]

This Chromebook never fails me.

[dieseltruckdriv]

I am on a 4 year old Chromebook right now. Some people who don't understand them will say they are useless without an internet connection, but you can do word processing, spreadsheets etc. offline if you choose to. They do not have much storage space, but they are very fast. It is my computer of choice anymore, but I still have to use Win 10 at work or for video processing, ham radio logging etc. at home.

In defense of the Windows 10 computers, the one at work reminds me why I dislike Windows almost daily, but the one at home has a hybrid drive with the OS on the SSD, and it boots almost as fast as a Chromebook.

We even carry a spare Chromebook in our 5er in case something happens to one of our Chromebooks. I just boot it up a couple times a year to update the thing.

[mr__ed]

I’m not concerned with startup speed since I’m never in that much of a rush.

One thing that had concerned me is that after about 5 years the CB stops getting updated. That’s not too important since CB’s are cheap enough to replace every 5 years.. Everything else I’ve read about them is pretty positive.

[Horsedoc]

My Windows 10 ASUS had an issue a while back and on a whim, I bought a Chromebook. Now I am pretty illiterate when it comes to operating systems and that sort of stuff, but I just could not figure out how to make it work or how to save anything of importance. My son has a Chromebook and loves it. I guess that is the biggest reason I bought it. Now it sits on a drawer on my desk doing nothing and useless to me.

[wa8yxm]

I used to have a toshiba laptop (It's since died of old age) and when I got my first Chromebook I took both to a Denny's with high speed (5 gig router, cable internet) wi-fi. A one hour video downloads so fast at that eatery that you almost have time to get your finger off the mouse button (ok not quite that fast)

Well I hit the power button on both comptuers almost the same time. Now remember the CB has just been unwarpped so I need to connect to the router. then to my GOOGLE account. and I'm on line and browsing while the Tosh is still in POST. (Power On Self Test for those who do not know).

Advantage Windows machine> Lots of storage and application/programs that mangle er, manage information, word processor, spread sheet log books data bases and the like. also printer drivers.

Advantage Chromebook Clean, fast and well nearly every chroebook I've had at one time or another (I sometimes use them in places where I do not trust) has caught a virus or other mal-program.

POWER WASH and I'm back to new and in about 2 minutes (By new I mean re-connect to a DIFFERENT Wi-fi and Re-enter your GOOGLE credentials) then give it a few minutes to restore all your apps and bookmarks and stuff from the cloud.

So I am typing on a Windows box.... My own trusted wi-fi, firewalled, anti-viraled, and backed up like....well backed up.

To my right.. 2 chromebooks I sometimes go dine about with one of 'em

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Have been using a Chromebook now for 2 years. Instant on an super easy to use. Very light weight. Highly recommend that you get one.

[trb46]

I’m on my second or third Chromebook. They are fast to boot up, easy to use, lightweight, and perfect for email and web surfing. Although I’ve read and watched dozens of tutorials, I still have not been able to connect mine to a network printer. It can be done, but apparently not by me. I bought my first one just to play with, but now I’m hooked. Go for it!

[Acampingwewillg]

The days of sitting in my chair with a laptop have been over for several years now. It's either a tablet or the trusty Chrome book and I've become fairly fond of the later. I went cheap too on the Chrome...but it's held up well.

[Lwiddis]

Life is short..get the Chromebook!