Chromebook advise

Jamesdeer001

Hi,

I was wondering if I could get advise on whether a chromebook would be suitable for my needs as I'm in the market for a new laptop due to hardware faults on my current laptop...

I mainly use my laptop for internet surfing / online media watching. Also a fair bit of offline media watching. I also am a keen music listener and have about 35 gb of music and use my laptop as my main music library / hub. I perform relatively basic word processing/spreadsheet activities. I also have about 10 gb of photos and use my laptop as my main library for those. I don't really transport my laptop around (though that's partly due to the limited 1.5 hour battery).

As far as I can see, as the chromebook comes with minimal offline storage, uploading 35 gb of music to the cloud and then streaming off there feels a bit of an awkward workaround as opposed to practical solution but if I used an SD card to store it all (as most chromebooks comes with that slot) then this would be a practical offline method. Similarly, I believe the app based office tasks would be sufficient for my needs. Uploading all my photos to the cloud would also be sensible as a backup.

I'm therefore struggling to see why a chromebook wouldn't meet my needs, but am equally hesitant to take the plunge from having everything offline and accessible to being cloud based.

Practical feedback from someone using a chromebook as their main device would be appreciated.

Kind regards

NiftyDigits

What's wrong with the current machine?

Are you considering a ChromeBook because of the price point?

You can purchase a laptop for much the same.

Jamesdeer001

The hardware fault on my laptop has previously been discussed here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4844018

The clock battery is extremely difficult to replace due to it's positioning and repair quotes have been ridiculous.

The issue means that at times my laptop won't start and the solution is a power drain (remove battery and mains, hold power for 30+seconds and then try again, sometimes this works, sometimes not)

I believe this issue is also linked to my most recent issue which is my SSD not booting. I have resolved this by removing the SSD and adding my old HD. Once windows has loaded I then connect my SSD by USB to give it the power to "jump start it". I can then use it again as my bootable device.

Either way though I am experiencing significant hardware problems and while I have ways round them, I can't see them being long term fixes.

The chromebook price point is a massive attraction and the laptop you linked will be much slower than my current laptop due to the SSD and quicker processor in my current one, whereas the chromebook will load extremely quickly, be very portable leaving my original question of whether I'll be missing out on anything

boatman

Certainly sounds like a Chromebook would work for you. The Acer C720 for £180 is pretty much the cheapest at the moment, but there are more new ones on the way by Lenovo and Asus, the Toshiba 13" one seems popular and perhaps a better size than 11.6".

zaax

Don't forget you will start paying for storage and music etc takes up quite alot of space

Jamesdeer001

Thanks for the responses. I currently get 65gb cloud storage at google for free for 2 years plus I believe a chromebook comes with 100gb free cloud storage.

Think the 13inch will be better for my needs/what used to

NiftyDigits

You could put your existing SSD into the Medion, after backing up Windows 8 activation.
So cheaper than a Chromebook.

Though of course it is for you to decide what is important to you.

If portability and battery life are not at the top of the list, I would think again.

pepdavies

I'm posting from an Acer C720. I love it. It does have limitations but I have access to an incredibly slow Windows machine if I need to burn a CD or use Adobe software. Have you thought of buying a Chromecast? Presumably you have a smartphone, most of us do. Stream audio through your phone, cast video to the nearest tv. Word processing and spreadsheets can be done on a phone if you only do it occasionally. If you store your photos in the cloud, you can view them on your phone or tv.

NiftyDigits

pepdavies wrote: »

I'm posting from an Acer C720. I love it. It does have limitations but I have access to an incredibly slow Windows machine if I need to burn a CD or use Adobe software. Have you thought of buying a Chromecast? Presumably you have a smartphone, most of us do. Stream audio through your phone, cast video to the nearest tv. Word processing and spreadsheets can be done on a phone if you only do it occasionally. If you store your photos in the cloud, you can view them on your phone or tv.

Why is it slow? My laptop is five years old, with no enhancements since new. It is not slow.
It's not as if Chromebooks have powerful processors.
Just another disposable gadget.

[Deleted User]

I too have the C70, I've only had it 24 hours so still finding my feet with it.
My WiFi printer will only work if my Laptop is switched on which is no good as I am losing the Laptop so I will need to buy a Cloud ready printer.
The only other thing is that SkyGo wont work on a Chromebook as it requires the Silverlight program that you can't install on Chromebooks, they really do need to sort out an APP for this... the other TV services Like BBC Iplayer and ITV player work fine though.

On the whole I am very happy with the Chromebook.

Jamesdeer001

Hi again, thanks for the responses.

Interesting that sky go doesn't work on chrome as I use that a lot