Chromebook vs Budget Laptop - Thoughts?

ChilliBob

Hey everyone, my son, age 7, as unfortunately totalled his Chromebook - turns out running downstairs with it open wasn't such a good idea after all - who'd have thought eh?

So, now a replacement is required, I'm tossing up between:

1. Chromebook - around £150-200 for the sort of spec required, will be something he's used to, touch screen, and will work for what he needs
2. Laptop - For example Asus Vivobook Go - It'll be more expensive, £250 or so, but I figure it's a 'proper' laptop.

I'm aware that comparing the spec isn't especially useful as Chromebooks are made to run on lower spec machines, so, it could be that a more expensive laptop, with better spec, may actually run slower in reality.

For example, considering:

VivoGo 14, £250
https://www.asus.com/uk/laptops/for-home/vivobook/asus-vivobook-go-14-e1404g/

Chromebook
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-Chromebook-CX1500-Laptop-Celeron/dp/B09XBRZFGX?ref_=ast_sto_dp

I guess being robust is quite important, as I've found out the hard way! And my son does seem quite used to touch screen, although I'd be keen on him developing his keyboard and mouse skills instead!

Thoughts much appreciated

Neil_Jones

Well before you look at all that do you have accidental damage on your contents insurance?

born_again

Instead of a Chromebook or laptop, what about a tablet. Far less risk of damage.

ChilliBob

Neil_Jones said:

Well before you look at all that do you have accidental damage on your contents insurance?

Cheers, I'd have thought for something costing £150 off ebay it wasn't worth the grief, probably excess and probable increase in premiums! I may well be wrong thou.

ChilliBob

born_again said:

Instead of a Chromebook or laptop, what about a tablet. Far less risk of damage.

Yeah, I did consider that, especially as I have a new tablet myself I'm not really using much, however, he does type quite a bit on this Chromebook, (well he did!) bit of a budding author writing his own (quite long and funny!) stories! 

QrizB

It's not sexy, but I've always bought my kids ex-corporate PCs. At first when they were in primary school, but they're now both well into their late teens.

You can get a well-made laptop that will have cost some faceless corporation £1000 or more, 3-4 years ago, for about 1/10th of that price.

Something like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375826773643?_skw=dell+latitude+5490

I don't know exactly what spec you're looking for but that should knock the socks off a Chromebook or budget new laptop. And replacement batteries are about £20 if battery life is important.

GDB2222

ChilliBob said:

born_again said:

Instead of a Chromebook or laptop, what about a tablet. Far less risk of damage.

Yeah, I did consider that, especially as I have a new tablet myself I'm not really using much, however, he does type quite a bit on this Chromebook, (well he did!) bit of a budding author writing his own (quite long and funny!) stories! 

A tablet plus a separate BT keyboard? 

Eyeful

Would a cheap new Amazon Fire Tablet do?

ChilliBob

QrizB said:

It's not sexy, but I've always bought my kids ex-corporate PCs. At first when they were in primary school, but they're now both well into their late teens.

You can get a well-made laptop that will have cost some faceless corporation £1000 or more, 3-4 years ago, for about 1/10th of that price.

Something like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375826773643?_skw=dell+latitude+5490

I don't know exactly what spec you're looking for but that should knock the socks off a Chromebook or budget new laptop. And replacement batteries are about £20 if battery life is important.

Yeah, that's not a bad shout actually, as somebody who used to work in this sector I'm aware how it works and how corporate stuff is (often) far superior 

ChilliBob

GDB2222 said:

ChilliBob said:

born_again said:

Instead of a Chromebook or laptop, what about a tablet. Far less risk of damage.

Yeah, I did consider that, especially as I have a new tablet myself I'm not really using much, however, he does type quite a bit on this Chromebook, (well he did!) bit of a budding author writing his own (quite long and funny!) stories! 

A tablet plus a separate BT keyboard? 

In a pinch perhaps, however, I sense the size and handling might cause issues. 

jshm2

Depends, as it seems you're looking for something with a good keyboard, rather than outright power or screen. 

Chromebooks tend to be good all round usage machines at a fair price. But you can get decent second hand laptops with a full keyboard, made for typists. Asus and HP aren't too good in keyboard reliability. Maybe see if you can get a Lenovo or Dell instead.