acer c7 chromebook for $199 y/n

[MonKENy]

ex gf's cousin wants a laptop/netbook for...

"I want something that I can use for school and for pics and videos of my daughter "

and do you need any special programs?

"I don't think so ill just be using it for school but I'm not sure what programs ill need for that"

considering all google docs can be converted to .docx and .xlc she doesnt need MSoffice

What do you think of https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=chromebook_acer_c710

what else do you guys recommend for <600

 

[Tushaar]

$199 and 600 is a big range, you should be a bit more specific.

C7 will probably not be great with battery life unless Acer releases a 6 cell. However, an upgraded version of the C7 has already been announced, with a 6 cell and better specs at $299 (http://www.gizbot.com/tablet-pc-lap...dated-4gbram-500gbhdd-newfeatures-009444.html) - so that might be a better choice.

I imagine it wouldn't be hard to install Windows 8 or Linux on this machine if Chrome isn't your thing.

 

[cbn]

I imagine it wouldn't be hard to install Windows 8 or Linux on this machine if Chrome isn't your thing.

Some info I found:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/12/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-acers-199-c7-chromebook/

Because Chromebooks use a special BIOS and bootloader that is distinct from the ones used in standard Windows laptops, you can't use them to boot just any operating system. This is where ChrUbuntu comes in—it's a version of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS modified to work with Chrome OS hardware.

Whither Windows?

We noted in the original review that the C7 Chromebook was just a lightly modified version of one of Acer's Windows laptops, the Aspire One 756. Using some BIOS files intended for that model, I spent some time trying to replace the Chromebook BIOS with the standard one to allow for booting of Windows and other operating systems not supported by the Chromebooks' boot loader.

Unfortunately, such an operation is more complicated than it seems. Standard Acer laptops have a "crisis boot" mode that allows for emergency re-flashing of the BIOS, but that doesn't work on a Chromebook. The Linux flashrom utility used in Chrome OS doesn't support flashing the BIOS ROMs you can download from Acer's support site.

Finally, even if you could find a BIOS file compatible with flashrom, the C7's BIOS appears to be hardware-locked, which is standard for Chromebooks. The original Cr-48 Chromebook prototype had BIOS protection that could be bypassed by applying some electrical tape to the motherboard, but the C7 doesn't have any such quick fix that I could find. It's probable that more enterprising minds will be able to figure out how to convert the C7 into a cheap run-anything laptop, but in the hours I spent trying to unlock the laptop I was unable to do so easily. If you'd like to run Windows apps on the C7, the most feasible solution is probably going to be a virtualization program like VirtualBox, which installs and runs without issue on the C7 once Ubuntu is up and running.

 

[DaveSimmons]

No, eventually school is going to need them to run some Windows program, or they'll want to use something at home that isn't just a browser app.

You can get Windows dual-core Pentium laptops as Hot Deal for under $300, i3s for under $400, and an i5 for under $600. Look for one with 4 GB of RAM for better performance than just 2 GB.

Most people would be fine with the Pentium.

 

[JWade]

you can get a dual core atom netbook from geeks.com for the same price.

 

[crab0]

If you think a Chromebook is good for here spend the extra $50 and get the Samsung. Lighter, no fan, better battery life and nicer screen.

 

[MonKENy]

I would prefer to spend less but she can go up to 6 so I guess the best 399 and 599 laptops one each for options

 

[DaveSimmons]

I would prefer to spend less but she can go up to 6 so I guess the best 399 and 599 laptops one each for options

This is going to change from day to day, especially during holiday sales.

When exactly would the purchase be made, and does it need to be from a local store or are Amazon, NewEgg, Circuit City / TigerDirect OK?

Are mail-in rebates OK?

Screen size? 15.6" at 13x7 is common, but for $600 she could possibly get something lighter with a smaller display at the same resolution (13 - 14").

Refurbs OK? Dell Financial Services has some cheap off-lease laptops.

In general, any recent intel with 4 GB RAM should be fast enough, so the screen, keyboard and build quality could be what you would focus on.

 

[MonKENy]

Yes online is fine.

I think it would be purchased in less than a week of my referral.

I would say a good screen would be 13-15 inch then its large enough to be easy to use but small enough not to be TOO heavy.

I would stay away from refurbs for her.

 

[RU482]

Chromebooks are to laptops as Windows Phones are to Smartphones

 

[ultimatebob]

Chromebooks are to laptops as Windows Phones are to Smartphones

Heh. Nice analogy. Another would be comparing Surface to the iPad.

Sure... they look cool and are fun to use, until you find some commonly used application that you need and isn't available for your chosen platform yet.

Besides, you basically need Office in most colleges. You don't want him to be THAT GUY... the one who screws up the team presentation because their "Office Like" program has different templates and formats text differently than Microsoft Office does. I hate cleaning up after that guy.

 

[MonKENy]

ok so the next would be a $300 and a $600 alternative