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Chromebook -- Highly recommend (1 Viewer)

walnutz said:
SIDA! said:
AcerFC said:
Kraft... said:
AcerFC said:
If anyone can answer this quick, I would be grateful. I dont want to lose this price and I think it will work fine

My 7.5 year old has become obsessed with watching youtube videos. We have a laptop that is fine for us, but the battery died so it can not be moved

Is this something a 7.5 year old could get by with as a gift from Santa. I just want to make sure its not junk

I think I read somewhere that this is a great model for the cost

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-C720-Chromebook-11-6-Inch-2GB/dp/B00FNPD1VW/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Click to expand...
Going to get two of these for my middle schoolers. Web surfing and homework on google docs is al they will use it for, solid deal.
Click to expand...
it showed up today. Ill fire it up when she goes to sleep and let you know my thoughts
Click to expand...
FYI You will not be able to play any games on it. If your kid is into Minecraft...this is not an option for you.
Click to expand...
Can you please splain this a little more for me. Considering a chrome book for my 8 year old -- he plays a lot of roblox and Minecraft.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
These boxes run a proprietary tweak of Linux. You can't think of this like you would a normal PC.

Think of it more as a gigantic smartphone with a keyboard that doesn't make phone calls. All you can install on it (without some OS level hacks) is what's available in the google play store. It's great for surfing, email, videos, etc.

Not an option if installing games or other programs is a requirement.

 
To be clear, some games are available on it. It's not that you can't game at all. But you won't be playing Halo or the like.

 
AhrnCityPahnder said:
walnutz said:
SIDA! said:
AcerFC said:
Kraft... said:
AcerFC said:
If anyone can answer this quick, I would be grateful. I dont want to lose this price and I think it will work fine

My 7.5 year old has become obsessed with watching youtube videos. We have a laptop that is fine for us, but the battery died so it can not be moved

Is this something a 7.5 year old could get by with as a gift from Santa. I just want to make sure its not junk

I think I read somewhere that this is a great model for the cost

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-C720-Chromebook-11-6-Inch-2GB/dp/B00FNPD1VW/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Click to expand...
Going to get two of these for my middle schoolers. Web surfing and homework on google docs is al they will use it for, solid deal.
Click to expand...
it showed up today. Ill fire it up when she goes to sleep and let you know my thoughts
Click to expand...
FYI You will not be able to play any games on it. If your kid is into Minecraft...this is not an option for you.
Click to expand...
Can you please splain this a little more for me. Considering a chrome book for my 8 year old -- he plays a lot of roblox and Minecraft.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
These boxes run a proprietary tweak of Linux. You can't think of this like you would a normal PC.

Think of it more as a gigantic smartphone with a keyboard that doesn't make phone calls. All you can install on it (without some OS level hacks) is what's available in the google play store. It's great for surfing, email, videos, etc.

Not an option if installing games or other programs is a requirement.
Click to expand...
Okay thanks -- makes sense. Definitely need to be able to get to roblox -- these are flash games mostly. Minecraft we have on the Xbox so this might work. Going to need to do some additional thinking on these now.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have the Samsung Chromebook XE303c12 (from about 2.5 years ago).

It will not charge at all. I can only use it when it's plugged in. Looked online and this appears to be a relatively common problem. Out of warranty.

Anyone else experience this? Really irritates the hell out of me.

 
After 2 separate Toshiba Chromebook 2's, and using it for 1 month, I am going to return this things. First one I got, I brought it home and the screen was totally black. Would boot up, but nothing would show up. Went back to Best Buy and exchanged for another one. This one, the sound goes out about half way through a show or movie every single time. Needs to be rebooted. It also struggle to play videos at times.

So, all in all, not too happy with this 4GB device. Seems slow and jumpy, and has too many issues with simple web browsing and media consumption.

Probably gonna go with a refurbished Asus laptop for about twice the money, unfortunately.

 
Jaysus said:
Bogart said:
Decided on the ASUS 13" Chromebook for both of my kids. Got the iPearl mCover Hard Case for both (pink for daughter, red for son) and these sleeve cases (pink and black). Added 2 years of spills and drops protection because my kids typical kids. Grand total under $500.
Click to expand...
Any particular reason you chose that sleeve over the others? How about the case - jut for color, or is that for protection?
Click to expand...
The sleeve rated high on Amazon and was pretty cheap. I have it and while I haven't used it yet, it looks sturdy.

The case was for protection and to easily color code the two machines so I know who to yell at when their computer is in the bathtub.

 
I went to buy the Toshiba CB with 4gb and the skull candy speakers but none were in stock at Best Buy. They said it would take 10 days to get them in. Almost grabbed the white HP CB but wasn't sure about the screen and build. The Toshiba looked much nicer/sturdier and appeared to have a better screen. Any of you own either of these? Any recommendations?

 
chauncey said:
I went to buy the Toshiba CB with 4gb and the skull candy speakers but none were in stock at Best Buy. They said it would take 10 days to get them in. Almost grabbed the white HP CB but wasn't sure about the screen and build. The Toshiba looked much nicer/sturdier and appeared to have a better screen. Any of you own either of these? Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
This the one you want?

 
Just got an Acer C720p for work (the touchscreen version). So far I really like it. Battery holds a charge well. Lack of caps lock is weird though.

 
Im not sure what to search the internet for on this one.

I want to see the names of people and their quoted posts. What setting does that fall into

Right now it is just blank. I see the quote box but no names

 
chauncey said:
I went to buy the Toshiba CB with 4gb and the skull candy speakers but none were in stock at Best Buy. They said it would take 10 days to get them in. Almost grabbed the white HP CB but wasn't sure about the screen and build. The Toshiba looked much nicer/sturdier and appeared to have a better screen. Any of you own either of these? Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
I have the Toshiba. Best Buy was having a sale a couple weeks back, I think the 4GB one was going for 279, that's why they are out of stock now.

If you read up a few posts, you will read that I am not so happy with mine. Seems slow to load pages. Audio drops out about 1/4 time I am watching something.

I had an Acer chromebook a while back that seemed way faster and I like a lot more, besides the ####ty screen on that.

 
Buddy Ball 2K3 said:
chauncey said:
I went to buy the Toshiba CB with 4gb and the skull candy speakers but none were in stock at Best Buy. They said it would take 10 days to get them in. Almost grabbed the white HP CB but wasn't sure about the screen and build. The Toshiba looked much nicer/sturdier and appeared to have a better screen. Any of you own either of these? Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
This the one you want?
Click to expand...
Looks like it, but it was only $299 at Best Buy, so I'm not certain.

 
chauncey said:
Buddy Ball 2K3 said:
chauncey said:
I went to buy the Toshiba CB with 4gb and the skull candy speakers but none were in stock at Best Buy. They said it would take 10 days to get them in. Almost grabbed the white HP CB but wasn't sure about the screen and build. The Toshiba looked much nicer/sturdier and appeared to have a better screen. Any of you own either of these? Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
This the one you want?
Click to expand...
Looks like it, but it was only $299 at Best Buy, so I'm not certain.
Click to expand...
BB has the above one I linked for $299 online.

 
Chromebook Pixel Update:

I found an article online this week talking about loading up Linux (Ubuntu) alongside the Chrome OS on these Chromebooks, and decided to take the plunge. The primary reason for me doing this -- maybe the only reason -- is so I could run Citrix on Linux to connect to my office. I was sort of starting to reach the point of feeling like this Pixel was a cool novelty but not practical enough to justify the spend, and I was thinking about selling it and just buying some crappy HP desktop or something for my home office to connect to work.

As I started venturing down the Linux path, I spent some good hours troubleshooting, having errors, reading online forums here and there to resolve them. This version of Linux doesn't work with that version of Citrix. Vice versa. I was starting to wonder if it would ever work out.

Last night I struck gold. I got Citrix working on my Chromebook Pixel. And I'm a keystroke away at anytime from toggling back and forth between Chrome OS and this Linux setup. So today I pick up an external monitor to get the kind of desktop real estate I'm used to at work. Get it all hooked up. Do some customizing, some tweaking, and boom. I finally have a sweet dual screen setup from my Pixel, via Linux or Chrome, and started editing some briefs tonight. Connection is great, speed is great. I use Chrome browser in both environments, and all of my bookmarks and logins and stuff are there on both. If I need to work, I toggle to the Linux setup. (I'm actually starting to get used to, and like, the Linux setup even more! More complicated, but more geeky stuff to do in terms of customizing, setup, etc.).

I need to add an external mouse to this setup; I'm contemplating a keyboard as well. Bottom line, this Chromebook Pixel is an awesome machine, and now it does the last thing I need it to do (Citrix), and does that thing exceptionally well.

No longer considering returning it; now I'll be keeping this full time.

 
Otis said:
Chromebook Pixel Update:

I found an article online this week talking about loading up Linux (Ubuntu) alongside the Chrome OS on these Chromebooks, and decided to take the plunge. The primary reason for me doing this -- maybe the only reason -- is so I could run Citrix on Linux to connect to my office. I was sort of starting to reach the point of feeling like this Pixel was a cool novelty but not practical enough to justify the spend, and I was thinking about selling it and just buying some crappy HP desktop or something for my home office to connect to work.

As I started venturing down the Linux path, I spent some good hours troubleshooting, having errors, reading online forums here and there to resolve them. This version of Linux doesn't work with that version of Citrix. Vice versa. I was starting to wonder if it would ever work out.

Last night I struck gold. I got Citrix working on my Chromebook Pixel. And I'm a keystroke away at anytime from toggling back and forth between Chrome OS and this Linux setup. So today I pick up an external monitor to get the kind of desktop real estate I'm used to at work. Get it all hooked up. Do some customizing, some tweaking, and boom. I finally have a sweet dual screen setup from my Pixel, via Linux or Chrome, and started editing some briefs tonight. Connection is great, speed is great. I use Chrome browser in both environments, and all of my bookmarks and logins and stuff are there on both. If I need to work, I toggle to the Linux setup. (I'm actually starting to get used to, and like, the Linux setup even more! More complicated, but more geeky stuff to do in terms of customizing, setup, etc.).

I need to add an external mouse to this setup; I'm contemplating a keyboard as well. Bottom line, this Chromebook Pixel is an awesome machine, and now it does the last thing I need it to do (Citrix), and does that thing exceptionally well.

No longer considering returning it; now I'll be keeping this full time.
Click to expand...
Not happy for you. I was hoping you were going to sell it to me. Oh well, I guess I should be happy for you and glad it worked out. I will have to wait and see if a new pixel is released or a different high end chromebook.

 
Sadly, parted with my Pixel today via eBay. I started having trouble a couple of days about with the Linux install giving me all sorts of errors. I'd already invested a boatload of time just getting it all set up and troubleshooting, and I don't know crap about it. The setup was sweet and I was loving it, but then the errors start hitting. I started devoting more time online to figuring out what to do about the errors. They got particularly bad yesterday when I needed to login and do some work -- couldn't even get the Linux KDE GUI up and running, and so couldn't connect via Citrix. Tried doing a reinstall, no luck. So I just powerwashed the thing back to Chrome OS and put it up on eBay, Sold it quickly, shipped it this morning.

I've now got my Macbook Air hooked up to the big monitor I bought. It's fine. It's loud as hell and running hotter than I can remember, I wonder if in part that's because the graphics card has to do tons more work to power this external monitor? In any event, once I get the external mouse and keyboard setup, so that I can close the cover and just tuck this thing away, I'll be fine.

Pixel experiment was fun. It's a great machine and awesome design, and the best Chromebook and browsing experience there is. But until certain things, like Citrix, are supported by Google/my office, it's just a toy for someone like me. And I'm not adept enough at Linux, and don't have time enough, to make that work reliably. Rip on Mac OSX all you like, the thing is a trooper. I have zero problems, it always works when I need it, and it's a pleasure to use. I'll break my old Samsung Chromebook out for couch surfing, but for work, I'll be sticking with my old (read: free) 2011 Air for the time being.

NB: I was at the Apple store today and those huge 17" (or was it 15"? I can't tell anymore) Pros are gorgeous and fast as hell. Of course they cost a fortune. I may consider popping for a Mac Mini one of these days as a desktop computer.

 
Otis said:
Sadly, parted with my Pixel today via eBay. I started having trouble a couple of days about with the Linux install giving me all sorts of errors. I'd already invested a boatload of time just getting it all set up and troubleshooting, and I don't know crap about it. The setup was sweet and I was loving it, but then the errors start hitting. I started devoting more time online to figuring out what to do about the errors. They got particularly bad yesterday when I needed to login and do some work -- couldn't even get the Linux KDE GUI up and running, and so couldn't connect via Citrix. Tried doing a reinstall, no luck. So I just powerwashed the thing back to Chrome OS and put it up on eBay, Sold it quickly, shipped it this morning.

I've now got my Macbook Air hooked up to the big monitor I bought. It's fine. It's loud as hell and running hotter than I can remember, I wonder if in part that's because the graphics card has to do tons more work to power this external monitor? In any event, once I get the external mouse and keyboard setup, so that I can close the cover and just tuck this thing away, I'll be fine.

Pixel experiment was fun. It's a great machine and awesome design, and the best Chromebook and browsing experience there is. But until certain things, like Citrix, are supported by Google/my office, it's just a toy for someone like me. And I'm not adept enough at Linux, and don't have time enough, to make that work reliably. Rip on Mac OSX all you like, the thing is a trooper. I have zero problems, it always works when I need it, and it's a pleasure to use. I'll break my old Samsung Chromebook out for couch surfing, but for work, I'll be sticking with my old (read: free) 2011 Air for the time being.

NB: I was at the Apple store today and those huge 17" (or was it 15"? I can't tell anymore) Pros are gorgeous and fast as hell. Of course they cost a fortune. I may consider popping for a Mac Mini one of these days as a desktop computer.
Click to expand...
I recently got a Mac mini. Slower than the old 2003 or 2004 iMac that it replaced, which bothers me. I did get the cheapest (slowest) one, but still. Obviously a million times better than any PC I've ever had, though.

 
I am using an Asus C300 right now... the screen pretty much sucks, am I missing a setting or something?

For the price point, this is still going to be perfect for my daughter to use, but the screen is going to bother me every time I pick it up.

 
Otis said:
Sadly, parted with my Pixel today via eBay. I started having trouble a couple of days about with the Linux install giving me all sorts of errors. I'd already invested a boatload of time just getting it all set up and troubleshooting, and I don't know crap about it. The setup was sweet and I was loving it, but then the errors start hitting. I started devoting more time online to figuring out what to do about the errors. They got particularly bad yesterday when I needed to login and do some work -- couldn't even get the Linux KDE GUI up and running, and so couldn't connect via Citrix. Tried doing a reinstall, no luck. So I just powerwashed the thing back to Chrome OS and put it up on eBay, Sold it quickly, shipped it this morning.

I've now got my Macbook Air hooked up to the big monitor I bought. It's fine. It's loud as hell and running hotter than I can remember, I wonder if in part that's because the graphics card has to do tons more work to power this external monitor? In any event, once I get the external mouse and keyboard setup, so that I can close the cover and just tuck this thing away, I'll be fine.

Pixel experiment was fun. It's a great machine and awesome design, and the best Chromebook and browsing experience there is. But until certain things, like Citrix, are supported by Google/my office, it's just a toy for someone like me. And I'm not adept enough at Linux, and don't have time enough, to make that work reliably. Rip on Mac OSX all you like, the thing is a trooper. I have zero problems, it always works when I need it, and it's a pleasure to use. I'll break my old Samsung Chromebook out for couch surfing, but for work, I'll be sticking with my old (read: free) 2011 Air for the time being.

NB: I was at the Apple store today and those huge 17" (or was it 15"? I can't tell anymore) Pros are gorgeous and fast as hell. Of course they cost a fortune. I may consider popping for a Mac Mini one of these days as a desktop computer.
Click to expand...
No heads up? F U!

 
Bogart said:
Decided on the ASUS 13" Chromebook for both of my kids. Got the iPearl mCover Hard Case for both (pink for daughter, red for son) and these sleeve cases (pink and black). Added 2 years of spills and drops protection because my kids typical kids. Grand total under $500.
Click to expand...
Pretty much Dad Of The Year on the purchase. Kids love these more than the electric scooters that their mom bought them.

Have no issues with them the little bit the kids let me see them, love how quick they are, how clean and simple. The kids have yet to find anything they can't do on them.

 
Bogart said:
Bogart said:
Decided on the ASUS 13" Chromebook for both of my kids. Got the iPearl mCover Hard Case for both (pink for daughter, red for son) and these sleeve cases (pink and black). Added 2 years of spills and drops protection because my kids typical kids. Grand total under $500.
Click to expand...
Pretty much Dad Of The Year on the purchase. Kids love these more than the electric scooters that their mom bought them.

Have no issues with them the little bit the kids let me see them, love how quick they are, how clean and simple. The kids have yet to find anything they can't do on them.
Click to expand...
Have you messed around on it much? Thoughts on the screen?

P.S. I picked up one of the sleeve cases you linked for the one I got for my daughter.

 
Jaysus said:
Bogart said:
Bogart said:
Decided on the ASUS 13" Chromebook for both of my kids. Got the iPearl mCover Hard Case for both (pink for daughter, red for son) and these sleeve cases (pink and black). Added 2 years of spills and drops protection because my kids typical kids. Grand total under $500.
Click to expand...
Pretty much Dad Of The Year on the purchase. Kids love these more than the electric scooters that their mom bought them.

Have no issues with them the little bit the kids let me see them, love how quick they are, how clean and simple. The kids have yet to find anything they can't do on them.
Click to expand...
Have you messed around on it much? Thoughts on the screen?

P.S. I picked up one of the sleeve cases you linked for the one I got for my daughter.
Click to expand...
Surfed some Internet, played some You Tube videos, spent the most time with them setting them up. Tried to see if I could bog down the machine with multiple tabs, multiple refreshes, nothing beyond what a kid would do and it worked perfectly. Love how quickly they just run after you start. At one point after the kids opened them, I was trying to show them how we could use Google Hangout to video conference with each other. We waited forever it seemed for my $500 Samsung to get booted up just so I could have a camera to be on as well.

The screen isn't going to win any awards, but for normal browsing it is more than adequate. I was using them in mostly low light, and my son watches a ton of You Tube in a dark room. No issues either way.

Overall, if you have accepted Google as your alien robot overlord, this is a great machine for day to day use.

 
For security and ad blocking purposes I highly recommend adding the free extension "Adblock Plus" (AdblockPlus.org). They do take donations if you are so inclined.

On the advice of our IT Managed Services I added it to all our machines at work for all browsers. The best thing is it protects against Trojans that can infiltrate through the ad networks even if you don't click on the ads.

I added it to my kids' Chromebook's. Works great.

 
Anyone know anything about the HP Stream PCs? I just saw them today for the first time and they look like Microsoft's version of Chromebook. Super light weight, minimal storage, $200-300 versions. Biggest difference is they offer 1TB of OneDrive storage vs the 100GB Google Drive storage. And they include windows 8.1. Looks awesome, curious if any of you have tried one out.

 
chauncey said:
Anyone know anything about the HP Stream PCs? I just saw them today for the first time and they look like Microsoft's version of Chromebook. Super light weight, minimal storage, $200-300 versions. Biggest difference is they offer 1TB of OneDrive storage vs the 100GB Google Drive storage. And they include windows 8.1. Looks awesome, curious if any of you have tried one out.
Click to expand...
No experience with them, but the 13" blue one is my recommendation for my tech impaired FIL

 
chauncey said:
Anyone know anything about the HP Stream PCs? I just saw them today for the first time and they look like Microsoft's version of Chromebook. Super light weight, minimal storage, $200-300 versions. Biggest difference is they offer 1TB of OneDrive storage vs the 100GB Google Drive storage. And they include windows 8.1. Looks awesome, curious if any of you have tried one out.
Click to expand...
I may be getting one of these instead of a CB. I have a few minimal-memory windows programs that I use a lot that this would be able to handle. I can still use my Google drive on it and expand via SD if need be. Plus it has full Office functionality.

 
chauncey said:
Anyone know anything about the HP Stream PCs? I just saw them today for the first time and they look like Microsoft's version of Chromebook. Super light weight, minimal storage, $200-300 versions. Biggest difference is they offer 1TB of OneDrive storage vs the 100GB Google Drive storage. And they include windows 8.1. Looks awesome, curious if any of you have tried one out.
Click to expand...
I think for the money these are great little machines. I had these in my shopping cart for weeks before Christmas, for my kids. (Really wanted to get the blue and the pink for my boy and girl). Decided at the last min to go Chromebook, because I wanted something a little less "breakable" for them. Having Windows vs Chrome OS was going to be more than they needed, and I like all of the automatic updates and closed environment of Chrome OS.

 
I ended up picking up the blue Stream 11.6" a few days ago for $199. I needed windows for a work app, which will be phased out in March. I really like the size, the build isn't very luxurious but overall it seems worth the low cost. The hotel I've been in has crappy wifi so I can't tell if the poor streaming is due to the laptop or the hotel. We'll see if it is better when I get home. If they had the Toshiba CB 2 I would have gone with that, but the selection was very limited in this little oil town. These Stream laptops seem like a good choice if you need windows/office for specific tasks and don't need a lot of onboard storage. I haven't figured out how to redeem the 1TB of onedrive storage. The 1 yr free Office 365 for this device plus a tablet is nice.

 
Busted the screen on my HP this morning. Being I can't live without my Chromebook I must get one today. Anyone have thoughts on these:

Dell Chromebook 11

Toshiba Chromebook 2

Samsung Chromebook 2

 
Buddy Ball 2K3 said:
Busted the screen on my HP this morning. Being I can't live without my Chromebook I must get one today. Anyone have thoughts on these:

Dell Chromebook 11

Toshiba Chromebook 2

Samsung Chromebook 2
Click to expand...
Buddy Ball 2K3 said:
Busted the screen on my HP this morning. Being I can't live without my Chromebook I must get one today. Anyone have thoughts on these:

Dell Chromebook 11

Toshiba Chromebook 2

Samsung Chromebook 2
Click to expand...
Not personally, but recently I've seen several recommendations for the Toshiba Chromebook 2

 
Jaysus said:
Buddy Ball 2K3 said:
Busted the screen on my HP this morning. Being I can't live without my Chromebook I must get one today. Anyone have thoughts on these:

Dell Chromebook 11

Toshiba Chromebook 2

Samsung Chromebook 2
Click to expand...
Buddy Ball 2K3 said:
Busted the screen on my HP this morning. Being I can't live without my Chromebook I must get one today. Anyone have thoughts on these:

Dell Chromebook 11

Toshiba Chromebook 2

Samsung Chromebook 2
Click to expand...
Not personally, but recently I've seen several recommendations for the Toshiba Chromebook 2
Click to expand...
You know of anything new thats coming out soon other than the Pixel 2?

 
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