Chromebook for £159

macman

I bought one of these from JL back in March and it's a great device if you want something portable, tablet-sized but with a physical keyboard. As it's not my main machine, the restrictions of the Chrome OS are not a real issue-it can do email, web browsing and basic office tasks via Google Drive, which is what I needed it for.
It won't run Skype of course, but then any smartphone can do that instead. In an ideal world I'd like a backlit keyboard, but it's not a deal breaker.
Of course something like a MacBook Air is better, but it's not 5 times better, which is the price differential.

captainhindsight_2

very good device, just be aware that to use all/most of the features available on the chrome book you need an internet connection. As far as I am aware, the device has very limited features with out an internet connection as it uses chrome apps and chorome web browser. If you have access to reliable internet connections wherever you go this shouldn't be a problem. But this is the only reason I didnt get one.

macman

You can compose and read emails offline. You can compose and read Word files offline: not Excel files (as yet, though a fix for that is rumoured). With those limitations, it's fine.

Kernel_Sanders

macman wrote: »

You can compose and read emails offline. You can compose and read Word files offline: not Excel files (as yet, though a fix for that is rumoured). With those limitations, it's fine.

Surely you can view pics/videos offline?
I've read that if you get one with an Intel processor then you can dual boot with the likes of Ubuntu, so Skype and just about everything else is not a problem. Just think how fast a smaller Linux distro would run on that SSD!

John259

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Surely you can view pics/videos offline?

Not by default because all your data is held on a remote server using Google Drive. It might be possible to store some limited amount of data locally but I haven't investigated that yet. Chromebook hard disc drives tend to be small so there wouldn't be room for much video.

[Deleted User]

Update... it is excellent so far except I can't get the cloud ready printer I just bought to work, the printer needs an IP address but I need to connect it to the wifi router to get one but I can't connect it without an IP address... it's the chicken and the egg situation.

Kernel_Sanders

John259 wrote: »

Not by default because all your data is held on a remote server using Google Drive. It might be possible to store some limited amount of data locally but I haven't investigated that yet.

Then maybe you should have done; if there's not enough room on the 16 GB HDD then SD cards or external HDDs are usable just like a regular laptop.

pepdavies

I have a 64Gb USB 3.0 flash drive plugged into my Chromebook most of the time. It gives me all the local storage I need. Apart from the printing, I don't feel limited by the little Acer

paddyrg

Deleted_User wrote: »

Update... it is excellent so far except I can't get the cloud ready printer I just bought to work, the printer needs an IP address but I need to connect it to the wifi router to get one but I can't connect it without an IP address... it's the chicken and the egg situation.

You should be able to - DHCP on the printer should get an IP lease.

What's the model? Probably worth starting a new topic with the model number and query and get someone to point you towards any user guides/manuals?

cinderfella

Old slow netbook + Android for PC operating system =
Brand new chromebook or shiny new tablet (plus money still in pocket):beer: