Is a Chromebook and same as any other laptop?

melbury

My son would like some form of portable computer to use when he is travelling/away from home and I see that these are cheaper than conventional laptops.

All he needs is internet access and to be able to type up reports. Can you install Microsoft Office onto these?

Are there any disadvantages in buying one?

Many thanks for any advice.


Sorry to have messed up the heading - should be "the" same as any other laptop!

Esqui

It's like a laptop that only runs Google Chrome. You cannot install Microsoft Office, although you can use Office Online or Google Docs.


Also, setting up printers seems to be quite difficult - you need either a Google Cloud compatible printer, or another one connected to an internet-connected PC.


There are an increasing number of similar laptops running Windows at similar prices - the HP Stream 11, for example.

melbury

Esqui wrote: »

It's like a laptop that only runs Google Chrome. You cannot install Microsoft Office, although you can use Office Online or Google Docs.


Also, setting up printers seems to be quite difficult - you need either a Google Cloud compatible printer, or another one connected to an internet-connected PC.


There are an increasing number of similar laptops running Windows at similar prices - the HP Stream 11, for example.

Thank you for the information, don't think I will bother with the Chromebook then.

Will definitely have a look at the HP Stream 11.

paddyrg

Yes and no,

Yes, they have the same components by and large
No, they're not Windows laptops

You certainly could use one to type reports and browse the web very well indeed, but you won't be using Microsoft products. Also, to get the best from a Chromebook, it should be used online - this may be a PITA at hotels whilst travelling, as may be printing on-the-road.

Neil49

melbury wrote: »

Thank you for the information, don't think I will bother with the Chromebook then.

Will definitely have a look at the HP Stream 11.

HP are bringing out a new range of Stream laptops in the UK, supposedly later this month which will include a 13" version. They work in a similar fashion to Chromebooks but also include some offline ability.

Kernel_Sanders

Neil49 wrote: »

HP are bringing out a new range of Stream laptops in the UK, supposedly later this month which will include a 13" version. They work in a similar fashion to Chromebooks but also include some offline ability.

This implies that you can't work on a document in Chrome OS and store it locally without internet access, which I'm pretty sure is not the case.

Esqui wrote: »

It's like a laptop that only runs Google Chrome.

Those (at least) which have Intel architecture are able to dual-boot with Linux, so it would be easy to switch over to perform tasks unsuited to Chrome OS. I think the full blown version of Ubuntu would need a 32GB chromebook though, but there are many much smaller Linux distros some of which will run in RAM and save their data to a USB stick.

puppey

i have found a chrome laptop great for travelling, looking at the net etc. though I don't do work on it.

esuhl

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Those (at least) which have Intel architecture are able to dual-boot with Linux, so it would be easy to switch over to perform tasks unsuited to Chrome OS. I think the full blown version of Ubuntu would need a 32GB chromebook though, but there are many much smaller Linux distros some of which will run in RAM and save their data to a USB stick.

Ohhhh! I had no idea the hardware was compatible with standard "IBM compatible" OSes. That's pretty cool if you want a cheap but functional laptop!

I'm almost tempted to buy one and install Arch on it:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Chromebook

Oh -- and I found these handy tips in case anyone is thinking of replacing (or dual-booting) the Chrome OS: http://www.howtogeek.com/185039/4-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-buying-a-chromebook-for-linux/

almillar

They work in a similar fashion to Chromebooks but also include some offline ability.

Chromebooks have plenty of offline ability these days.