Chromebooks

Nice! have always considered picking up a Pixel from ebay, but would need to be the right price.
How are you finding the most recent ChromeOS build? Since going back to m-itx set-up, I've not fired up the ChromeBox... :(
 
My dad is thinking of getting a Chromebook. If my dad bought a Acer C720 how long would he get updates for? I mean is it like Android tablet were after 18 months any further updates are stopped?

He is looking for something to replace an XP netbook and likes the look of these Chromebooks due to simplicity of use.
 
warren_1979 said:
My dad is thinking of getting a Chromebook. If my dad bought a Acer C720 how long would he get updates for? I mean is it like Android tablet were after 18 months any further updates are stopped?

He is looking for something to replace an XP netbook and likes the look of these Chromebooks due to simplicity of use.
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It should (theoretically) be forever - the laptop itself doesn't run much of the software, it simply opens a browser. Almost everything else runs server side. He'll start to struggle down the line when webapps require significantly more memory, or if he starts running a few Youtube videos simultaneously, but aside from that really shouldn't have issues.
 
Emlyn_Dewar said:
Nice! have always considered picking up a Pixel from ebay, but would need to be the right price.
How are you finding the most recent ChromeOS build? Since going back to m-itx set-up, I've not fired up the ChromeBox... :(
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Yeh, for the price I got it you could get a pretty decent Windows laptop, but the build quality wouldn't come close. It was a bit of an impulse buy - probably not very sensible :p US keyboard layout is the only annoyance.

ChromeOS is coming along fairly steadily, albeit not on the same level as Android. External monitor support is now good. My main issue now is that you can't disable mouse acceleration forever.

Apparently they are being adopted quickly in schools and now account for 21% of all notebook sales.

warren_1979 said:
My dad is thinking of getting a Chromebook. If my dad bought a Acer C720 how long would he get updates for? I mean is it like Android tablet were after 18 months any further updates are stopped?

He is looking for something to replace an XP netbook and likes the look of these Chromebooks due to simplicity of use.
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As manic111 said, in theory ChromeOS shouldn't 'slow down' as traditional laptops do. I suppose as time goes on and websites become more HTML5 intensive, they will use more resources but the Chrome team seem to put a lot of effort into making the browser load pages efficiently.

I would recommend the Acer C720 because it seems great value. My second option would be the Toshiba 13 inch Chromebook - better screen and build quality, although it's £50 more. The HP 11 is the nice but that ARM processor lets it down.
 
just got an HP chromebook 11 for writing my dissertation on the move for the next couple months, will probably sell after, but I got it brand new and boxed for £180 on avforums so not bad, its pretty nice actually and perfect for what I need it for
 
manic111 said:
It should (theoretically) be forever - the laptop itself doesn't run much of the software, it simply opens a browser. Almost everything else runs server side. He'll start to struggle down the line when webapps require significantly more memory, or if he starts running a few Youtube videos simultaneously, but aside from that really shouldn't have issues.
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Ok cool thanks.

So if he bought say a Acer C720 it would still be safe to use (but maybe slow) in say 3 or 4 years time and the OS would be safe and secure?

My dad wants a laptop soon and he is not a big power user, he just wants Chrome browser, youtube and to play some tunes.

Its between a chomebook or a cheap Win 7 laptop.

What do you think would be the best best?
 
love love love my chromebook, I got the 13 inch toshiba for £200 quid in a daily sale of the day.

I've got it dual booting into ubuntu at the press of a button, it even runs sky go and outputs via HDMI! Great for watching footy on.

I've not hit a "windows" task that I can't solve between jumping between chrome or ubuntu.

Brilliant laptop, 8 hour or so battery, near silent running. Looks good too, I'd highly recommend one, I'll do a detailed review if anyone is interested.
 
da_mic_1530 said:
love love love my chromebook, I got the 13 inch toshiba for £200 quid in a daily sale of the day.

I've got it dual booting into ubuntu at the press of a button, it even runs sky go and outputs via HDMI! Great for watching footy on.

I've not hit a "windows" task that I can't solve between jumping between chrome or ubuntu.

Brilliant laptop, 8 hour or so battery, near silent running. Looks good too, I'd highly recommend one, I'll do a detailed review if anyone is interested.
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Yes please.

I need something cheapish to replace this 2ghz single core laptop...(I know :eek: )

I need something that'll play 720p films, down scaling 1080p would be nice too. This laptop struggles with 720p, and 1080p is a no go. Not enough CPU grunt.
 
Really hoping for ChromeOS to pick up support for triple monitors one day, sooner rather than later.
Have went back to the Chromebox recently, it's made me realise that I just don't need Windows.

Really want a Chromebook Pixel, but... I just can't justify it!
 
'Harry said:
Yes please.

I need something cheapish to replace this 2ghz single core laptop...(I know :eek: )

I need something that'll play 720p films, down scaling 1080p would be nice too. This laptop struggles with 720p, and 1080p is a no go. Not enough CPU grunt.
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IF you can wait till the weekend I'll try and do some dodgy youtube review to show the things I like about it etc (Sky go, quick boot, ubuntu etc)
 
KIA said:
Yes. Go for a Chromebook. It'll receive at least 4 years of support.
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Cool.

My dad has got £200 to spend on a Chrome book. He likes the look of the HP Chromebook 11 but I have read some positive reviews of the C720 and told him to get that instead.

Is there anything better than the C720 for £200?
 
Get the c720 its got an intel chipset should you want to run Linux for additional support.

If the 13 inch toshiba is no longer on offer for 200 then defo go for the acer. Looks terrible but its the better choice
 
Ok cheers.

I am sure the Tosh is £230 now. I don't think my dad wants to go over £200 plus he wants a Chromecast dongle as well.

I do like the look of the HP Chromebook 11 but I have my reservations about the Exynos processor. I have a Nexus 10 myself and the chipset is starting to show its age now. Complex web pages like The Verge take a while to render and it has always been a little laggy with the launcher. I much prefer the power of the Haswell chip but at the same time I would love the Chomebook 11's sceen and speaker placement. But at the end of the day its all about compromises and the C720 for me wins out so I shall try and persuade my dad to get that.

Cheers.
 
Emlyn_Dewar said:
Really want a Chromebook Pixel, but... I just can't justify it!
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If you can get one second hand, do it! I did and it's a joy to use.

warren_1979 said:
But at the end of the day its all about compromises and the C720 for me wins out so I shall try and persuade my dad to get that.
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Agree that the C720 is a good choice for you. The Dell Chromebook 11 has some good reviews but it will probably be over £200. If the HP had the Intel chip it would be the ultimate Chromebook for the price.
 
Am I right in thinking Chromebooks are basically limited to cloud services?

Not necesarilly a bad thing, they are getting very good.
 
Yes, or rather, limited to web apps and apps from the Chrome store. Chrome apps can now run outside the browser IIRC.

Has anyone tried the Chromecast app from a Chromebook? I can see the two complementing each other quite well...
 
Well I've just bought an Acer C720 and am very impressed just how speedy it is. All I needed was a web browsing / email / media machine and it fits the bill perfectly.

Much friendlier than a tablet and more flexible too. The free 100gb of Google Drive will come in handy too.
 
Support has been extended to five years from release!

With that, i've just ordered a 14" HP Chromebook - not for my use - so i'll see how I find it - rather interested in the upcoming HP Chromebox. Excellent value laptop at £235. :)
 
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