Chromebook fake-out?

I can't imagine why that opinion is a thing.

With computers it's really hit and miss unless you know what you're looking for. For the most part people spend far too much on laptops for what they actually need from the product they're purchasing.

The same is true for PC tower units. I've seen $1000 towers I could have built for $600.

I run IT across two schools. The primary (elementary) has over 120 Chromebooks and the high school has 27 (which will increase over the next few months). I believe it's one for every child in Years 3-6. The reason behind this is to encourage computer skills as well as the whole technology in education fad that's been going on for the last few years.

As far as Chromebooks go, they're great for this purpose; they can be managed through the Google Admin console, they're inexpensive (AUD $350ish) and they do the things that most students need (i.e. word processing and web browsing). The fact that Google Docs is also cloud-based means if the Chromebook dies or they need to use another computer - it's there.

Our accounts are also setup through head office and managed through Google so it makes sense to use a device that is designed around such an account.

From a financial and practicality sense, this makes sense for the most part. I personally prefer dealing with Windows based stuff - and I know they're trying to convince the other schools in the region to move away from typical network shares to Google Drive - but as far as this plan goes it seems mostly reasonable.

As for "a Chromebook is something you sell to people who don't know what they're doing"; yes and no. They're great and (again) inexpensive portable devices, and you can get them in a wide variety (such as ones with tablet mode). They also have good battery life.

The fact of the matter is, if it's someone who doesn't know what they're doing, they need some sort of training. Therefore, you can sit them in front of Windows, OSX or Ubuntu and give them just enough training for what they do need. One isn't inherently easier than the other (that said, I would never suggest a Mac to someone who just needs a computer for web browsing).

However, if someone knows how to use a Windows computer and you can justify the extra expense, they're better off using a Windows computer. Viruses are also an issue for Chromebooks (but mostly in the form of dodgy extensions, so less of a huge deal to remove, but they can be just as bad).

Vince53 said:

Folks, the last I heard, a Chromebook is something you sell to people who don't know what they're doing.

A few days ago, I learned that this isn't true. Does anyone out there use a Chromebook? Could you post your opinions and experiences?

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HP sells a Chromebook for $229; it only has 2GB ram and a 16GB hard drive; with a 14" screen. You are saddled with Chrome OS which means you live inside Google; everything you do and all your browsing is filtered through Google. For $50 more HP sells a 15.6" LT with 4GB ram, 500GB HD, and a genuine Windows 10 operating system; a much more usable machine.

I'm not sure how easy it is to do by accident, but I've removed a few dodgy extensions of student Chromebooks that have been causing redirects and other such things. Basically any spyware/malware that creates an extension in the Windows version of Chrome has the capability of doing it inside Chrome OS.

I don't know of anything that would break Chrome OS, but it's hypothetically possible.

Vince53 said:

Another article ran a fair series of tests of Windows 10 vs. Chromebook. 10 won most of the tests, and I agree that for a tech-savvy person, Win 10 (which I love, by the way) is better than Chrome. But for a cheaper, better laptop, I feel that the tests show that Chromebooks are better.

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What exactly were these tests? Do you have a link to the article handy?

Just as I suspected, they ended up comparing a heap of features Chrome OS is not designed, and never will be, for (e.g. games and Photoshop). I mean, it's not exactly a fair comparison using apps and games as a point when it's designed to be a lightweight word processor and web browser.

"Despite the new OS, Windows-device prices remain the same — you'll find a number of Windows-powered laptops that cost less than $200 each, and many under $400 offer touch displays."

Another point they failed to mention is a Windows device at that price point will probably run terribly out of the box; and if it doesn't, it likely will be within a few months (although in all fairness this is only coming from experience with 7/8 and not 10). Chrome OS will tend to run consistently well until the hardware fails (unless it gets overloaded with dodgy extensions).

Vince53 said:

In my humble opinion, Wookiee, if I could only have one, I would choose Windows. But I had a laptop die on me that we used for kids in our church, and Chromebook seems to be what I need at a lower price.

Plus, I want to geek around with a new operating system.

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Oh certainly, it's definitely preferential, especially if it's within a feasible price range. I'm merely pointing out that articles that are harsh on Chromebooks don't tend to appreciate what they're actually designed for.

It's like if I bought a cheap 7" Android tablet to use as a screen to just run a calendar (or something to that effect) and then got upset when Angry Birds 27 lagged.

Well, look at its name: Chrome. It's meant for browsing and cloud-based computing, and not much else. If that is indeed your intent for the machine, I find that it works just fine. However, as mentioned above, don't install extensions you don't trust. I use only a few, which may well get me warned if I mention them so I won't, but the idea is to run slim and fast. Just like with any other computer purchase, you need to know what you plan to do with it, or you'll either buy too much computer for your needs or not enough.

Vince53 said:

It seems that you CAN foul up a Chromebook by installing third-party apps. It is better to stick with apps from the Chrome Store only, at least until you know your way around.

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Indeed. And honestly, I'm not sure why any average user would need an extension that couldn't be found in the Chrome Store. Unless you really know what you're doing, you're playing with fire installing third-party stuff. It rarely ends well, what with how easy it is to slip malicious code into these things without anyone noticing.

Battery time is, of course, affected by load. I'm assuming the "worst" case was seven hours under load... not bad at all, considering many laptops can't manage three, even brand new. Unfortunately, Chrome is not the most lean browser out there, and the more extensions you use, the more of a resource-hog it becomes. (Not that I'm calling Chrome a resource-hog!) Ten tabs for most people isn't bad; I know people who keep over a hundred open on their lean mean desktop machines, but why? I don't think the human brain has the capacity to recall all of that stuff. That's what bookmarks are for! And given that ChromeOS and Android both use the Linux kernel, I am happy.

Vince53 said:

A tech writer ought to know better than to set up an unfamiliar operating system on an airplane.

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Unless ... that was a part of the point of the article. Which, then, in my journalistic opinion should be applied to other operating systems and a comparison made.

My son's middle school rolled out Chromebooks. They worked fine for their intended use.