Chromebooks?

tiger61

Cherished Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Posts
544
Media
5
Likes
278
Points
148
Location
Chicago (Illinois, United States)
Sexuality
90% Straight, 10% Gay
Gender
Male
I am looking at a Chromebook for my son for college. Specifically I have been researching this one:
https://play.google.com/store/devic...=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-plas&utm_medium=ha

If you have one then please chime in. I would like to know more about the following:

word Processing--obviously he would need to write papers. Can this be done offline also, or only online through google documents. Also can a finished product be put on a flash drive and taken to someone elses computer for printing.

Printing--I don't see that printers support this platform, or am I just missing something

skype--I saw before that it did not support skype, but does it now?

I know there are other things that would be good to know, but that right now is the short list. Any opinions are appreciated
 

Incocknito

Sexy Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Posts
2,480
Media
0
Likes
67
Points
133
Location
La monde
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
From what I can see that device runs on the Android system. I don't think that would be well supported if at all by a college. Most things these days are in MS Office or Windows format, which requires windows operating system or possibly some sort of conversion or other software.

For ease of use I would just buy a cheapish Windows laptop. And pop an SSD in it. Estimated cost (in GBP, google for USD conversion) would be £250-300 for the laptop and £50 or so for the SSD.

An SSD is a new type of hard drive, very fast with no moving parts so usually will not break if you drop the laptop, which happens quite often on normal laptops.

After popping it in your choices are either:

Reinstall the Operating System by downloading or purchasing a copy of the install disc. Run it and use the CD Key which will be on a sticker on the underside of the laptop.

Use a disk imaging software such as Macrium Reflect (free) to copy the original hard drive's data to the new SSD.

May sound complicated but its not. There are probably tutorial videos all over youtube.

As for Skype on the Chromebook, I believe Skype is owned by Microsoft now so I seriously doubt it would be made available on Android but who knows.

So yeah, basically you want a Windows laptop, or possibly a laptop with no Operating System if you can find it. Then install Windows 7. The problem is the new laptops now will all come with Windows 8...which may be good but it doesn't look it and there may be 'issues' with it yet to be discovered.

Hopefully I haven't confused you or scared you too much.
 

PornForPatric

Superior Member
Joined
May 14, 2007
Posts
3,131
Media
54
Likes
7,308
Points
368
Location
Houston (Texas, United States)
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
I don't think the Chromebook is a good choice for a college student. It doesn't (as of now) support Skype and word processing is pretty much limited to Google Docs, which can be used offline. There is a usb port, so he could hookup a flash drive and take the documents to print or he could print via Cloud Print.

I would recommend just going with a regular laptop. It is more flexible than a Chromebook and there are many in the sub $400 range available online. BestBuy.com has over 200 laptops under $400.

My parents have a Chromebook and it is useful for them to keep in contact via Google Talk while travelling. They also use for emails and online shopping. It is useful, but not particularly powerful and I just see a college student as needing a bit more than it provides.
 

Phil Ayesho

Superior Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Posts
6,189
Media
0
Likes
2,789
Points
333
Location
San Diego
Sexuality
69% Straight, 31% Gay
Gender
Male
From textbooks to note taking, to college campus compatibility, it is foolish to buy any laptop or notebook for a college student who isn't doing engineering or other subjects that require high horsepower processing.

For doing papers, research, note taking and printing, the best and most affordable choice is an iPad.

For his room, add on a wireless keyboard and an Airprint enabled wireless printer.

You will find that $100 or less will cover ALL the software he will need for school. And that many of his textbooks are available thru iBooks or other sources in digital form.

Further... video chat, skype, text messaging, internet, are all built in.

Note taking apps will enable him to write hand written notes... convert handwritten notes to text, and even to take voice notes that are linked to specific pages and entries of his note taking app... like EverNote, Notify.

An iPad will give your college student access to online Video, Cable programing, Netflix, TED talks and more... using your existing cable accounts or any wifi enabled access point.

An iPad with 4G, plus a wireless printer and a keyboard, with the ultra low cost of apps available on this platform will end up far cheaper than any notebook or laptop.
 

balsary

Sexy Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Posts
1,805
Media
4
Likes
66
Points
193
Location
Indianapolis (Indiana, United States)
Gender
Male
From textbooks to note taking, to college campus compatibility, it is foolish to buy any laptop or notebook for a college student who isn't doing engineering or other subjects that require high horsepower processing.

For doing papers, research, note taking and printing, the best and most affordable choice is an iPad.

For his room, add on a wireless keyboard and an Airprint enabled wireless printer.

You will find that $100 or less will cover ALL the software he will need for school. And that many of his textbooks are available thru iBooks or other sources in digital form.

Further... video chat, skype, text messaging, internet, are all built in.

Note taking apps will enable him to write hand written notes... convert handwritten notes to text, and even to take voice notes that are linked to specific pages and entries of his note taking app... like EverNote, Notify.

An iPad will give your college student access to online Video, Cable programing, Netflix, TED talks and more... using your existing cable accounts or any wifi enabled access point.

An iPad with 4G, plus a wireless printer and a keyboard, with the ultra low cost of apps available on this platform will end up far cheaper than any notebook or laptop.

I disagree, though this seems to be a personal preference issue. I would not have done well had I had my iPad while at University. I can't stand it to be honest (mainly because I can't stand Apple and prefer Google). I have the iPad because the apps I need to run my business weren't available at the time that I bought.

I also fail to see how an iPad with 4G plus printer and keyboard would even be comparable in price, let alone far cheaper.

I do think that an iPad or other type of tablet would be a good thing, but if you are thinking about just having just one device to handle everything, I'd personally stick with a notebook or laptop.

I have zero knowledge of the device the OP asked about, but my advice to him would be to ask your son what he thinks would work best for him and at the least consider it.
 

Phil Ayesho

Superior Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Posts
6,189
Media
0
Likes
2,789
Points
333
Location
San Diego
Sexuality
69% Straight, 31% Gay
Gender
Male
Try pricing software for laptops versus software for iPads.

People keep forgetting that software is more than half the cost of any laptop or desktop.
I have run computers since 1985. I have a business that uses computers for a good portion of the creative work we do. I run multiple macs, IBMs, and HPs. Desktops and laptops.

I run windows OS and mac OS... though I have found Windows runs far better on my Macs.


Notebooks are virtually useless. They are Not powerful enough to run something like SolidWorks...
If you need horsepower, then you need a Real Professional laptop... that is gonna run you $2200 and Up. at least... Solidworks education version is still $500.
Photoshop, inDesign, or Microsoft Office are each hundreds more.
Games, even, run $30 and up.

If you don't need that power... if you are doing papers, light video or sound editing, reading textbooks, taking notes... then an iPad is As powerful as any notebook.

And the software is cheap. Pages does everything Word does, and more, for $10.
Numbers, for $10, handles spreadsheets. 3, five dollar apps do everything a professional artist generally needs to do with photoshop.


Further... in the past year and a half, college campuses and courses have become far more iPad interactive. Many professors and entire universities have integrated the iPad into their classes.

Having an animus toward Apple is not a cogent basis on which to make decisions.

If you look into iPad integration at schools across the country you will find that its the best, most usable, and least troubled platform available. And It currently has almost zero Malware issues.

On the other hand, chances are any college student has a smartphone... if its an iPhone, then definitely go with the iPad. They will work better together than any other combo.

If your student's smartphone is an Android phone, then you might want to get an Android tablet... they will generally dovetail better with like devices... although check out how compatible the schools wifi system and services are with Android or other platforms before making that choice.

For a school that is largely iPad enabled... I would go for Apple tablets even if it meant switching your student to an iPhone.

As to the printer...
No matter what type of computer is provided, the student will need a printer and pretty much all inkjet printers can be had for about the same price ranges.
So that cost is the same, either way.

And the only reason for the wireless keyboard is to make writing papers in your room faster and more comfortable. That's actually even optional given the affordability of Voice-To-Text apps that will transcribe dictation.
 
Last edited:

Phil Ayesho

Superior Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Posts
6,189
Media
0
Likes
2,789
Points
333
Location
San Diego
Sexuality
69% Straight, 31% Gay
Gender
Male
Buying a notebook, today, is like someone in 1920 opting to buy a stanley steamer rather than a Ford model T.

Like someone in 1975 buying a BetamaX, rather than a VHS VCR.

Like someone in 1980 buying a turntable rather than a CD player.

Or in 1985, buying a typewriter rather than a personal computer.


regardless of what OS it runs... touch tablets are what personal computing is Going to look like for the next decade or two... any company not moving into that form factor is dying.

Don't prepare your child for the future by harnessing them to the technology of the past.
 

balsary

Sexy Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Posts
1,805
Media
4
Likes
66
Points
193
Location
Indianapolis (Indiana, United States)
Gender
Male
Try pricing software for laptops versus software for iPads.

People keep forgetting that software is more than half the cost of any laptop or desktop.
I have run computers since 1985. I have a business that uses computers for a good portion of the creative work we do. I run multiple macs, IBMs, and HPs. Desktops and laptops.

I run windows OS and mac OS... though I have found it runs far better on my Macs.


Notebooks are virtually useless. They are Not powerful enough to run something like SolidWorks...
If you need horsepower, then you need a Real Professional laptop... that is gonna run you $2200 and Up. at least... Solidworks education version is still $500.
Photoshop, inDesign, or Microsoft Office are each hundreds more.
Games, even, run $30 and up.

If you don't need that power... if you are doing papers, light video or sound editing, reading textbooks, taking notes... then an iPad is As powerful as any notebook.

And the software is cheap. Pages does everything Word does, and more, for $10.
Numbers, for $10, handles spreadsheets. 3, five dollar apps do everything a professional artist generally needs to do with photoshop.


Further... in the past year and a half, college campuses and courses have become far more iPad interactive. Many professors and entire universities have integrated the iPad into their classes.

Having an animus toward Apple is not a cogent basis on which to make decisions.

If you look into iPad integration at schools across the country you will find that its the best, most usable, and least troubled platform available. And It currently has almost zero Malware issues.

On the other hand, chances are any college student has a smartphone... if its an iPhone, then definitely go with the iPad. They will work better together than any other combo.

If your student's smartphone is an Android phone, then you might want to get an Android tablet... they will generally dovetail better with like devices... although check out how compatible the schools wifi system and services are with Android or other platforms before making that choice.

For a school that is largely iPad enabled... I would go for Apple tablets even if it meant switching your student to an iPhone.

As to the printer...
No matter what type of computer is provided, the student will need a printer and pretty much all inkjet printers can be had for about the same price ranges.
So that cost is the same, either way.

And the only reason for the wireless keyboard is to make writing papers in your room faster and more comfortable. That's actually even optional given the affordability of Voice-To-Text apps that will transcribe dictation.

I agree that software in general is more expensive for a laptop than a tablet. When I was going to school (3 years ago) I was able to get all of the software I needed from the school for free. I'm not sure if that is an option at all schools, but of the two that I attended it was. Based on what you're saying, the required iPad apps might be free to students as well.

Having animus toward Apple is a cogent basis on which to make decisions as far as I'm concerned. I didn't say "don't get an IPad because I don't like them". I don't hide the fact that I dislike Apple nor is it the sole basis for my decision. It's not like the iPad does things that can't be done on another device, unless a class calls for a specific app. In that case, the iPad would be necessary and the entire argument is moot.

The laptop I used throughout my time at University was a $300 Acer. Like I said before, I was able to get the software I needed through the school as a free download. In fact, I can still log on as an alumni and download software. If "more horsepower" is needed, then the iPad is likely not enough either.

I stand by my original opinion. I couldn't imagine writing a thirty page paper on an iPad, though for these kids nowadays, it may be easier for them than a traditional keyboard.

The most important thing is for the Op to include his son in the decision IMO.
 

canuck_pa

Admired Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Posts
2,459
Media
0
Likes
794
Points
333
Location
Beautiful Vancouver Canada
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
I'm not very good with computers but I would find what system the college uses. I have a Mac and always have but I took an evening course a few years ago and found it wasn't compatible with the system at the university so I wasn't able to access any of the online material posted by the instructor. I also couldn't submit the assignments as requested. It created a lot of problems for me.
 

balsary

Sexy Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Posts
1,805
Media
4
Likes
66
Points
193
Location
Indianapolis (Indiana, United States)
Gender
Male
I'm not very good with computers but I would find what system the college uses. I have a Mac and always have but I took an evening course a few years ago and found it wasn't compatible with the system at the university so I wasn't able to access any of the online material posted by the instructor. I also couldn't submit the assignments as requested. It created a lot of problems for me.

This is a good point. I'll add that for a few of my online classes, a weekly chat session was required. A handful of students and the instructor would spend an hour discussing that week's material. Several students, including myself, had trouble logging in to the chat that the University used (I can't enter the chat here on my iPad). These chats included voice chatting as well as typing to communicate with others. Not sure that an iPad (or any tablet) would have worked. Like Phil said though, Universities are moving in the direction of the tablet, so this may be a non-issue.

The school should be able to provide the OP with the necessary information regarding whether or not an iPad will work for his son's area of study. Some degree programs may require a specific device, or even multiple devices. The best thing to do would be to ask the school what options will work and then include the son when choosing an option.

Phil, you seem to be far more educated on computers and tablets, and I am in no way saying that you are wrong, just that this seems to be more of a personal preference issue. I agree with your assessment of notebooks. Most of the people that had them when I attended school disliked them for one reason or another.
 

Phil Ayesho

Superior Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Posts
6,189
Media
0
Likes
2,789
Points
333
Location
San Diego
Sexuality
69% Straight, 31% Gay
Gender
Male
I agree that software in general is more expensive for a laptop than a tablet. When I was going to school (3 years ago)

3 years ago the iPad would not have been the best option.
It was brand new and not well integrated.

But, for example, this year, several top tier schools have all their courseware dovetailed with iPads, and even take homework, papers and tests directly on iPads.

There are apps for registering for classes, interactive textbooks and more that are all iPad optimized.


But let's face reality. In my house right now I have 4 laptops. Each of them cost around 2 grand when I bought them. Each of them has about another 2 grand worth of software installed on them.

That's 16 grand worth of hardware that sits in drawers because no one wants to lug them around anymore.

There are also 4 iPads in this house. two minis and two bigger ones... The two big ones cost $700 and $900 respectively, and the Minis each ran about $600.
Collectively, all the software, and I am talking literally hundreds of apps, on all four, cost about $340, total.

The four iPads do everything that was done by the four laptops.... with the exception of the one Laptop I have for running 3D architectural modeling applications... and they do it for less than 1 quarter the cost.

( plus, they will do things that none of the laptops were never able to do... at least not until after iPads were invented... thanks to cloud services being better integrated on iPads. )

Time marches forward. Laptops and notebooks have stagnated and have not gotten any faster nor more powerful in the past 5 years.
And they are not going to.
Sales of laptops, notebooks and even desktops are dropping year on year, because iPads and iPhones running $3 apps can do 95% of what people need a mobile computer to do, and they do it far more mobilely.

The only computing sector getting More powerful, year on year, is the mobile sector of Pads and smartphones.

that is where all the development money is going, and they are the devices that will make best use of networked processing and cloud services.

College is about prepping your child for the future, and it don't take a seer to figure out what the landscape of tomorrow will look like in regards to personal computing.

Don't buy your kid a walkman in a world that HAS iTunes and Pandora on a cellphone.
 

Phil Ayesho

Superior Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Posts
6,189
Media
0
Likes
2,789
Points
333
Location
San Diego
Sexuality
69% Straight, 31% Gay
Gender
Male
PS... even if it takes some problem solving to get an iPad to work for your student... its the kind of problem solving that will be needed in their future life... getting mobile, cloud enabled, multi-networked devices to perform for them.