Just bought a Dell Chromebook 13 secondhand for what I think is a good deal. New in April this year, cost £460 I got it for £290 & it's mint! Initial impressions are that I'm going to like it, have previously used hacked netbooks and the like for Chromebuilds but decided that I should treat myself and take the plunge. Have 128Gb hardrive upgrade to do on it tomorrow.
Nice. Bought my wife a cheap HP 14" one for Christmas, she really likes it.
How fast are they compared to a "normal" laptop generally speaking?
I think it depends on specs, so mine is blazingly fast but it is seriously limited in function. Watching videos is basically a none starter unless I boot up in Linux, but general web browsing, email docs etc it's the quickest I've used.
The Chromebooks are not PCs or netbooks. They are not built to that technical standard.
They are built to boot very fast. They are very secure. They are simple to wipe. Wiping a unit of all data and adding your data back can be done in minutes due to the cloud storage.
Folk often think that they cannot be used off line they can (e.g to write a document off line). Its common to think of these like the netbooks of old they are not. Even the cheapest Chomebooks boot and are operational in seconds, much much faster than mid or even high end laptops. but again they look like laptops but they are not really PCs in that sense.
There is only one source of software the Chrome App store https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions its worth looks to see if all the apps you want are here!
There are lots of Google Apps which are very capable to replace the ones you know, they are all internet apps so allow things not possible with PCs apps like >1 person editng documents at the same time, you actually see the other persons changes update minute by minute https://support.google.com/chromeboo...56325?hl=en-GB
Google Apps Collaboration primer http://www.brighthub.com/internet/go...cles/8236.aspx
Some Chromebooks support some Andriod (not all) Apps https://support.google.com/chromeboo...21273?hl=en-GB
But they are not general purpose PCs. They are great for web (if you need lots of open tabs then go for a mi range or high end model with 4gb RAM)
Don't even think about upgrading the RAM, disk etc as many models are not upgradable (Ram soldered in, "SSD" are often just slow NAND soldered into the unit)
You cannot normally upgrade the storage, install Windows, and in the rare models where you can upgrade the storage you may be able to install Windows but may find you cannot use the on board trackpad or keyboard from Windows, but USB pointing devices and keyboards will work.
It you want there is normally a Crouton route to access Linux for power users.
Video playback is built in and can work from say USb drives etc https://blog.clipchamp.com/2014/how-...-a-chromebook/
If you have content in non supported format VLC and MX Player may be options using the Android App route again not all CB support this so check BEFORE you buy.
As with all things Google the retail experience is pants, they have one store in London (Oxford Street) I visited a PCworld with a Google store inside and they only had a few cheap models and the Google chap said yes we have no demo units of the pixel or they keyboard. As I said pants.
In our house we have the low end 14" HP and the Acer units both several years old, used daily zero issues. Updates are seamless and the units just work. Ideal for travelling due to their bombproof security.
Not a replacement for PCs or Laptops but its a new class of device somewhere between Table and PC.
Take a look at Amazons best seller list https://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Seller...ters/429886031 the CBs are listed there. Often they top the charts though this depends on time of year and offers and other product release cycles. Sales are strong http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/19/11...us-idc-figures and are one reason that MS made Windows Home 10 Free for OEMs
Though not the cheapest this Acer R11 is well regarded as a mid range option http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/lapto...argain-package but the latest round up is here http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/chrom...coring-reviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqx-I_rVLBs
Boot time fast and most model have instant on. Security better than Mac or Winodws (Look at Chromebook's record one Pone to Own at CanSec West) https://cansecwest.com/ (Archive on the right) short version the CB did better thant the others as they are limited devices so harder to attack. All software is signed so security is improved and this is an internet first device and Google are good at security - Pants at retail and customer service.
Apps load fast but the range is limited but the range of apps might be good enough for some (or all) of your needs- Likely the former
If you are buying a CB worth checking when the support for them runs out! Its not that long depending on the model. Google will not update after the defined dates.
Some are already end of Life!! Acer Chrome AC700 Aug 2016
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/.../6220366?hl=en
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