chromebooks are they ok ?

radu_

John259 wrote: »

The other obvious problem is small screen sizes, mostly 11" with a few 13" but AFAIK nothing bigger.

We just got a HP 14" Chromebook from Currys and love it. I would not buy another computer for web browsing.
Haven't tried printing yet so can't talk about that. But speaking of limitations the obvious one and the only reason I don't buy my parents a Chromebook is the fact that you cannot get Skype on it.

Let us know if you are getting one and if you enjoy it.

John259

radu_ wrote: »

you cannot get Skype on it.

It might be worth trying Google Voice:
http://www.google.com/chat/voice
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Voice

John259

radu_ wrote: »

We just got a HP 14" Chromebook from Currys and love it

That's rather tempting. What's the build quality?

ohbilly

Can you install a different browser on a chromebook or are you stuck using chrome?

They seem like what I am after for simple browsing but I am not a fan of chrome.

TheSaint_2

In a word no.


They do have great hardware, but needing a constant net connection tends to be a deal breaker. For the money go for something like this http://www.ebuyer.com/579702-asus-t100ta-tablet-pc-t100ta-dk002h or just a cheap windows 8 laptop.

almillar

They do have great hardware, but needing a constant net connection tends to be a deal breaker.

Please read post #7. They actually have pretty low end hardware (with the exception of that £1000+ one they made), but the OS is very easy to run. Constant net connection is not required, and therefore not a deal breaker.

[Deleted User]

terra_ferma wrote: »

The main issues is that you are totally in the hands of Google and without internet access they are useless. No choice of software either.
At least the last time I looked at them.

That has changed somewhat. There is a growing list of offline apps, Google Docs, Gmail, Picture editors and such.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/collection/offline_enabled

I picked up a Acer C720 Chromebook from Argos a few days back, and REALLY pleased with it. It's a really well focused product, and is perfect for what I want to do with it. I still have a Windows desktop PC, but the Chromebook is perfect for couch browsing and casual webby stuff. It fills that void between the phone and desktop.

I already had a cloud-print enabled printer (Infact a few months back, I cloud print enabled my existing laser printer, using a RaspberryPI I had knocking about that was looking for a task). The cloud printing is really useful and worth looking into. The ability to print from anything, anywhere and even share the printer with other people is really useful. Only the other month, I needed something posting whilst I was out the country on work, I booked a MyHermes drop off, paid via PayPal and printed the label on the home printer. THe missus just had to switch the printer on, and out came the shipping label, print job generated remotely from Romania!!!

John259

mgillespie wrote: »

I picked up a Acer C720 Chromebook from Argos a few days back

Can I ask what the screen quality is like on that model please? I've read conflicting reports.

[Deleted User]

John259 wrote: »

Can I ask what the screen quality is like on that model please? I've read conflicting reports.

Very impressed. It's a £179 laptop, and I'm overjoyed with it. They do a touchscreen model, so perhaps that's where the problems are? (or people's expectations of what £179 can buy you are out of kilter with reality).

It's lightening quick, instant book up, light, and great battery life 6+ hours without problem. Totally silent, no fans.

Touchpad takes a little getting used to, but otherwise it's great device. My only decision was is 11.1in display too small, for some it might be. THe keyboard size however is what matters IMHO, and this is fine, even for my large hands.

If you look for one, make sure it's the 720, NOT the 710, which is a previous generation model. (and again may account for the mixed reviews)

The Amazon reviews speak for themselves,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B00GX9HSKM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1