Chromebook

[Chrono]

hm... can I put ubuntu on it and call it a day? I've searched and it seems some people have done this. It'd be kinda cool to replace the hdd with something bigger and install ubuntu or maybe dual booting chrome os and ubuntu. Please tell me if you can I'll be all over it!

 

[gus6464]

hm... can I put ubuntu on it and call it a day? I've searched and it seems some people have done this. It'd be kinda cool to replace the hdd with something bigger and install ubuntu or maybe dual booting chrome os and ubuntu. Please tell me if you can I'll be all over it!

SSD is e-MMC so replacing is a no go. You might be able to put more ram in it though as it looks like this is the ram is has:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00591ZYX8

 

[ponyo]

I ordered the WiFi version from Amazon. It's backordered right now but I'm not in any hurry. I'll play with it little bit and then will give the laptop to my 9 yr old daughter as her first computer.

With a new iPad, iPad mini, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Surface, dozens of Windows 8 laptops, tablets, and phones, and other gadgets all coming out at once, I'm libel to run out of money and have to cancel my pre-order. 😛

I feel you. I'm looking to get the new iPad for my wife, Nexus 10 for me, Nexus 4 for me, and this Chromebook for my daughter. Luckily, I don't have much interest in Microsoft Windows 8 stuff. It will be Google and Apple holiday for us.

 

[lothar]

1. A lot of us are connected to wifi most of the time.
2. The small form factor may be a key reason for purchasing this.
3. The low price and keyboard give it some perks over a tablet.
4. The quality is pretty nice for it's price, probably won't find a $250 laptop this light, then, and fanless.
5. You can remote desktop into Windows and Mac OS.

Laptops are great, but I'm just tired of the big chunky heavy laptop with hot and noisy fans. I realize Chrome OS's limitations, but they very low price, the thin, light, fanless, and silent form factor is hugely attractive to me, and I believe I can probably get much of the things I want to do done through the browser or remote desktop. So this sounds pretty awesome to me.

Then get an Ultrabook.

 

[lothar]

The beauty of this chromebook is it's a cheap laptop that doesn't sacrifice size or quality like so many of the budget Windows laptops do.

To me it's the perfect second laptop, something that you can leave in your bag 24/7 so you have a laptop ready when you need it without having to lug your main laptop around all the time.

What use is a laptop if it's not mobile?
You might as well sell your primary laptop.

 

[lothar]

This thing sounds like a classic case of a solution in search of a problem:

- relatively useless without network connection
- small form factor can't compete with laptops for productivity
- 'large' form factor can't compete with tablets/phones for mobility
- no significant price advantage compared to laptop or tablet
- completely cut off from windows, linux, and android software

I literally can't find a niche market tiny enough to pigeon-hole this as "Oh!, that's who this was made for". There is no single purpose for which this thing is 'best' and no combination that wouldn't be better managed with a proper laptop, or *maybe* a tablet.

I'm with you on this.
At first, I thought Chrome books were glorified Androids running in a laptop format.
But it's worse than I even imagined...It's not even Android. It's Chrome web apps and requires internet connection.

 

[cliftonite]

I'm with you on this.
At first, I thought Chrome books were glorified Androids running in a laptop format.
But it's worse than I even imagined...It's not even Android. It's Chrome web apps and requires internet connection.

I don't think it is completely useless. I might get one for my mom who would only use it for youtube/email/news/surfing. She would only use it at home and I dont have to worry about security or any other bs.

 

[lothar]

I don't think it is completely useless. I might get one for my mom who would only use it for youtube/email/news/surfing. She would only use it at home and I dont have to worry about security or any other bs.

Then get her a $200 Android tablet if that's all she needs it for?

It's only recently that Chromebook became cheap.
Before, they used to sell for $400 or so.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Then get an Ultrabook.

Lot more expensive. 🙂

 

[Ravynmagi]

I'm with you on this.
At first, I thought Chrome books were glorified Androids running in a laptop format.
But it's worse than I even imagined...It's not even Android. It's Chrome web apps and requires internet connection.

You can run Chrome OS apps offline.

 

[ThePolarSky]

...

 

[Obsoleet]

Laptops are great, but I'm just tired of the big chunky heavy laptop with hot and noisy fans.

Then get an Ultrabook.

Ultrabooks, the de facto ultrabook at least- the Macbook Air, still has a fan and still heats up.


I for one and also tired of loud, hot and heavy laptops. While ultrabooks solve part of that equation, they also cost a lot more than $250. I'd rather keep Intel out of my laptops going forward.

Chomebook for me, upgradable desktop PC for everything else.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I have a $1,000 Dell E6420 with a Core i5, 240GB SSD drive, and 8GB of RAM. But my main computer is my desktop. And generally my laptop is used for light tasks and remoting into my desktop. A powerful laptop is really overkill for my needs. And I am hopeful this $250 Chromebook can probably replace my need for the expensive heavy laptop. Not trying to be cool, just trying to be practical.

Your laptop is not a comparable system; a $299-399 laptop is.

I bet your laptop isn't stuck at ~720p either. Heck, some of you folks think that's not enough for a cellphone😉

Anyway, it still seems like a really limited device to me.

I think you should recall that most of us (the ordinary users) don't even own a desktop anymore, and haven't for years. Chromebook is not going to cut it as 'top dog' of our computing devices.

It is entering a crowded space, competing with netbooks, low-end laptops (which definitely have it beat for flexibility and productivity), and tablets. BTW (and this is not a loaded question) how does it handle email/calendar?

But at $249, it certainly fits well into the 'impulse purchase' category (much like netbooks) and will probably sell well to multiple-device types.

 

[Obsoleet]

But at $249, it certainly fits well into the 'impulse purchase' category (much like netbooks) and will probably sell well to multiple-device types.

I consider myself the anti- multidevice type. I hate tablets with a passion. I think they are useless (especially without a stylus like the Galaxy Tab has), and deserve to die a violent death.

Tablets to me make sense in niche use (hospitals or similar), but in general I'd rather have a smartphone and a laptop. Smartphones while in a way I hate them due to their battery life, are insanely useful. Laptops? Say what you want about not being cool enough- very useful. Tablets? Not so useful.

For me this Chromebook is going to replace 'laptops' going forward for me.

 

[Balt]

So does anyone have an idea when these will be back in stock (anywhere)?

 

[lothar]

I consider myself the anti- multidevice type. I hate tablets with a passion. I think they are useless (especially without a stylus like the Galaxy Tab has), and deserve to die a violent death.

Tablets to me make sense in niche use (hospitals or similar), but in general I'd rather have a smartphone and a laptop. Smartphones while in a way I hate them due to their battery life, are insanely useful. Laptops? Say what you want about not being cool enough- very useful. Tablets? Not so useful.

For me this Chromebook is going to replace 'laptops' going forward for me.

Do you have a desktop? Just curious.

 

[Crow550]

The people who just want to get online will love this. The non-savvy pc users especially.

There is a market for these. I know many non-tech users who always have issues with there PC (that also ignore updates of like Java and important programs) and all they do is get online. I think everyone knows someone like that.

 

[Mopetar]

The people who just want to get online will love this. The non-savvy pc users especially.

Unfortunately for Google, these are the same people who will end up asking for Windows because that's what they associate PCs with. I've even seen a person running OS X refer to it as Windows before.

 

[Obsy]

I was seriously considering one after I heard that somebody loaded Ubuntu on it, but it's a no go after seeing how washed out the screen is.

 

[Crow550]

I will also add. I know a lot of people with Laptops and Desktops that never clean the fans. So this having no fans is also an added bonus lol!

Unfortunately for Google, these are the same people who will end up asking for Windows because that's what they associate PCs with. I've even seen a person running OS X refer to it as Windows before.

Yeah Chrome OS and devices are still in the early stages but this is a step in the right direction and word of mouth will help. Let people know who just want something to get online with.

Retailers need to do their job too.

Hell before this people who just wanted online only had what? Web TV? LOL! So this is good for those who just want online.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I was seriously considering one after I heard that somebody loaded Ubuntu on it, but it's a no go after seeing how washed out the screen is.

I'm a bit worried about how good or bad the screen quality is. Seems reviewers really don't talk much about it and it's kinda annoying. So I'm kinda in the dark about what to expect.

 

[Crow550]

Viewing this as an average consumer who wants something to get online....

I looked at the Netbooks and Laptops in my local Wal-Mart. They had a Netbook and a Laptop for $228 both like Gateway or Acer (Which Acer owns Gateway). The Laptop had Windows 8 and decent specs for an internet / productivity machine.

I looked more at the Laptop as it was the same price with a 15" screen. The touchpad felt good for the Windows 8 touch stuff.

I am not saying the build quality is better then the Samesung Chromebook or anything like that. Just might be a hard sell for the Chromebook if other Windows 8 Netbooks and Laptops are a bit cheaper. The average consumer will look at the Samsung Chrome and then that Windows 8 machine.

Maybe the Samsung Chromebook needs to drop to $200? I don't know.

I also think they should work on a smaller $100 Chromebook. The quality may suffer a bit but people would be more likely to snag it up. I also think people would snag a bigger screen Chromebook too.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the $249 Samsung Chromebook will sell like hotcakes. I'd hope so. I will still recommend it to people don't know much about PCs and just wanna log online.

 

[ponyo]

After thinking about it, I changed my order on Amazon from the WiFi model to the 3G model. It's only $79 more for the 3G model and 2 years of Verizon 3G service works out to little over $3 a month. Granted it's limited to 100 mb a month and slow 3G Verizon service but at least the coverage will be good. This laptop was built for the internet and buying WiFi only is same as buying a smartphone and using on WiFi only. 3G completes this device.

 

[Obsoleet]

After thinking about it, I changed my order on Amazon from the WiFi model to the 3G model. It's only $79 more for the 3G model and 2 years of Verizon 3G service works out to little over $3 a month. Granted it's limited to 100 mb a month and slow 3G Verizon service but at least the coverage will be good. This laptop was built for the internet and buying WiFi only is same as buying a smartphone and using on WiFi only. 3G completes this device.

I agree completely. I've been waiting for an alternative to the iPad's no contract cellular coverage. That was a killer feature in my book, and is what in my mind gave it the #1 spot no matter all other Apple pitfalls.

Now, and since I think tablets are trash (and they truly are)- this is a better option across the board.
A laptop, with cellular. Huge win.

 

[Red Storm]

After thinking about it, I changed my order on Amazon from the WiFi model to the 3G model. It's only $79 more for the 3G model and 2 years of Verizon 3G service works out to little over $3 a month. Granted it's limited to 100 mb a month and slow 3G Verizon service but at least the coverage will be good. This laptop was built for the internet and buying WiFi only is same as buying a smartphone and using on WiFi only. 3G completes this device.

Considering that 100MB is nothing, and that tethering is the easiest thing in the world from any modern smartphone, I think it's a huge waste to spend on the 3G version.

I'll take the wifi model and tether to my LTE when I want/need mobile wireless. To me the 3G version only makes sense if you either don't have a smartphone or can't tether for some reason.