Chromebooks/Chrome OS

Hi Folks,

I would like to get an inexpensive laptop with a screen in the 11"-12" territory and am considering a Chromebook.  It will be used mostly for DFS and other web browsing, e-mail, and simple games like word games, solitaire, and occasional seek and find games.  I want nothing to do with a Microsoft OS.  I simply don't get along with it.  I use both Mac OS and Android and am reasonably comfortable with both.  Where would a Chromebook and Chrome OS fit, as far as my comfort level goes, closer to Microsoft, Mac/Android, or something very different from either?  If there are major negatives, what might they be?  What about advantages?  Can I use my Android apps and bring over my photos that I think Android keeps in the cloud for me?  

If this would be a good match for me, does anyone have suggestions for a specific Chromebook?  I am looking to spend $300.00 or less, though that is not written in stone.  I must say that I am not tech savvy at all.  

Thanks for any help,

Freddy

For a real laptop in that price range you're probably looking at refurbished. Note that if you do find one, some varieties of Linux are not hard to install (Ubuntu or Mint in particular).

As I'm quite tech savvy, my solution to this problem was to buy a refurbished Acer C720 Chromebook, flash the BIOS, replace the puny solid state drive with something bigger, and put an Ubuntu derivative on it. Under 3 lbs, about $275 total. But it's a bit risky & you void the warranty pretty early on.

The Acer is a pretty nice Chromebook, though, if you'd consider a refurb. Decent screen, Intel Core i3 cpu, Integrated Intel HD graphics. Various amounts of RAM & SSD storage. If so, check out the Acer store on ebay.

0. I am extremely tech savvy
1. I would get a Chromebook myself if my requirements were like you.
2. Experience closer to use chrome browser. really.
3. Negatives, you can't do much outside browser without considerable modding and effort. Sometimes, battery life isn't great.
4. Advantages: you can do everything you can do using a browser, lightweight, cheap, not power hungry.
5. you can use a lot of android apps/similar. You can access photos in Google drive.

6. Finally, If you want I can find out what's good on market now, but can't suggest one right of the top of my head. (I usually do that for pretty much everyone I know)

Thanks

Thank you; I would appreciate that.

For a real laptop in that price range you're probably looking at refurbished. Note that if you do find one, some varieties of Linux are not hard to install (Ubuntu or Mint in particular).

As I'm quite tech savvy, my solution to this problem was to buy a refurbished Acer C720 Chromebook, flash the BIOS, replace the puny solid state drive with something bigger, and put an Ubuntu derivative on it. Under 3 lbs, about $275 total. But it's a bit risky & you void the warranty pretty early on.

The Acer is a pretty nice Chromebook, though, if you'd consider a refurb. Decent screen, Intel Core i3 cpu, Integrated Intel HD graphics. Various amounts of RAM & SSD storage. If so, check out the Acer store on ebay.

As I said, I'm not tech savvy and truly didn't understand too much of that, sorry.  I'll give the Acer Store a look Thanks.

Hi,

Last week I bought a Lenovo 100S Chromebook from Best Buy for $150. Great little laptop, just right for travel. Fast loading and browsing the internet.

--
John

Hi,

Last week I bought a Lenovo 100S Chromebook from Best Buy for $150. Great little laptop, just right for travel. Fast loading and browsing the internet.

--
John

Thanks for the tip.

0. I am extremely tech savvy
1. I would get a Chromebook myself if my requirements were like you.
2. Experience closer to use chrome browser. really.
3. Negatives, you can't do much outside browser without considerable modding and effort. Sometimes, battery life isn't great.
4. Advantages: you can do everything you can do using a browser, lightweight, cheap, not power hungry.
5. you can use a lot of android apps/similar. You can access photos in Google drive.

6. Finally, If you want I can find out what's good on market now, but can't suggest one right of the top of my head. (I usually do that for pretty much everyone I know)

Thanks

Just one question: how strict are you about the size? Can it be 13" or it has to be 11-12"?

Thanks,
Sourav

13" might work but I don't want to go much bigger. I'm looking for convenience and don't want anything overly heavy.

All of the following items are capable of doing what you are looking for:

1. http://amzn.to/290W3np
2. http://amzn.to/294V4FS
2. http://amzn.to/2958dy1

Don't be alarmed by the convertible nature of two of these. They pack enough power to do what you are looking for. I would go for 1 > 2 >3 if I were you. (I haven't personally used these, I have used earlier models, but unlike shaving, Electronics are not that subjective)

Thanks

Thank you for this. I am also considering a Dell and am debating between the 11 and 13 inch models.

Thanks for this thread. I am also in the market for a Chromebook. I have a small 8" Windows 10 Dell tablet, but it's just too small, honestly. I am seriously considering one of the Acer 15" Chromebooks, however they're over a year old. I suspect Acer will be releasing a new one soon and I'd rather wait for the newest model. However, I don't know when/if that will happen. I did see this thread over on Reddit that's been very informative, though it may be confusing for non-nerd types: https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/commen...ing_guide/

Thanks for this thread. I am also in the market for a Chromebook. I have a small 8" Windows 10 Dell tablet, but it's just too small, honestly. I am seriously considering one of the Acer 15" Chromebooks, however they're over a year old. I suspect Acer will be releasing a new one soon and I'd rather wait for the newest model. However, I don't know when/if that will happen. I did see this thread over on Reddit that's been very informative, though it may be confusing for non-nerd types: https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/commen...ing_guide/

I decided to get the Dell Chromebook 13 (13-inch screen).  It was a bit more than I budgeted for, as well as a bit bigger.  However, I decided I would prefer the larger screen (I was originally looking at an 11-inch model) since I don't plan on traveling with it.  The specs seem decent for the way I plan to use it, it looks well built, and the reviews are quite good.  Also, from what I have read, it is one of the current models that will be upgradeable to take Google Apps when that becomes available for newer Chromebooks.

I have never had a Chromebook but, from what I have read, I like the simplicity of operation and think I shall be able to do most of the things I do on my desktop.

I decided to get the Dell Chromebook 13 (13-inch screen).  It was a bit more than I budgeted for, as well as a bit bigger.  However, I decided I would prefer the larger screen (I was originally looking at an 11-inch model) since I don't plan on traveling with it.  The specs seem decent for the way I plan to use it, it looks well built, and the reviews are quite good.  Also, from what I have read, it is one of the current models that will be upgradeable to take Google Apps when that becomes available for newer Chromebooks.

I have never had a Chromebook but, from what I have read, I like the simplicity of operation and think I shall be able to do most of the things I do on my desktop.

That's good news. I think I need to go to a store and view laptops with my eyes and feel how large they are with my hands. I'm beginning to think a 15" Chromebook may be too large. Who knows.

Where did you read that Dell will get access to Google Play? That's a very good selling point and I'd like to see what other Chromebooks will be eligible for that upgrade.

I think you're right, you'll be able to do most things on it as you would on a Windows desktop. You'll lose Microsoft Office, if you use it now, but you'll get a capable replacement in Google Apps. It looks like your Dell comes with 4 GB of RAM. That's very good.

Edit: Nevermind, found it. https://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org/...hl=en&rd=1