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Love my Chromebook but....

9216 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  danieldebest, 
G
Hi. I love my Acer C720 Chromebook with the build quality, long battery life, user-friendly & smooth & fluid OS and more than average speakers. But its not perfect. As someone coming from a Macbook and a Windows laptop there are lots of space for improvements:
I'm very aware that some enhancements are OEM-dependent or Google-dependent but here are my top software & hardware enhancements suggestions for our beloved Chromebook:
1. Bluetooth
Improvements with connecting and compatibility to multiple devices. Adding ability to send files to any device via bluetooth is essential.
2. Keypad
Added pinch-to-zoom functionality must be added especially on websites or photos. More gestures are needed.
3. Speakers
Would be nice if all Chromebooks have a front-facing or side-firing enhanced, solid & natural-sounding amplified stereo speakers with strong bass and treble. My C720 sounded just a bit muffled.
4. Screen
A higher-resolution 1080p IPS or AMOLED full touchscreen would be an inevitable evolution in screen quality. Should also be shatterproof and scratchproof for that extra confidence
5. SSD
Ability to partition the SSD or create folders from within and on-the-fly should be added. Also, as demands and tasks increase and as more people buy Chromeboks the need for bigger, faster and better SSD capacity is inevitable.
6. Google Now
Full “OK Google” voice commands (like Android OS) on the Search screen option
7. App Tray
Ability to arrange apps by alphabetical and by category
8. SD card
A time indication of how fast is the file transfer to & from an SD card to the Chromebook
9. Keyboard
A Caps lock button and a full backlit keyboard should be a must (when working at night or in the dark)
10. Media
Improved media playability and format support in music and video e.g. a standalone window when a media is being played with total time or time left when playing
11. Webcam
A 720p 5MP true widescreen webcam with noise-cancelling feature must be put in place.
12. RAM & Proocessor
Again, as more and more people buy Chromebooks plus with more demands for needs & tasks at home and at work a faster and a more updated Chromebook is a must. 4GB RAM and a 2.0Ghz of the latest-gen Intel, Qualcomm, Samsung quad-core chips et all of processors must be put in place as the new standard/minimum specs.

BUG???? When i close and turned-off my CB the tabs on my Chrome browser seems to have disappeared. Is this normal? Or is it a bug?

Anything else i missed? Any comments please?
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Robbie Dalziel
Too big a shift...

Sorry to disagree with you Gino, but I have reservations about your idealistic CB... Might it not be too big a shift????

I could take on board your suggestions, if there was nothing else on the market that corresponded to your requirements, although in it's entirety, I doubt there is anything that would match such a demanding spec...

To embed such specifications into what there is at the moment, would push the price to a phenomenal level, bringing it in line with a standard top of the range laptop and no doubt: beyond the purchasing powers of the average user...

As I see it, the CB was designed and produced as an lightweight, efficient, price conscious (so to speak) piece of equipment, that will cover most ~ if not all ~ daily tasks, without so much as a whimper... To increase the specifications to such high levels, would eradicate the CB's personality, charm, elegance and (above all) its quirkiness: the latter being one of its 'go getting' features ~ as far as I'm concerned...

As for perfection; one might pose the question: "against what could/should any item be judged ~ to claim such flawlessness????"

Naturally, these are my personal considerations, that are offered with due respect to the thoughts, ideas and ideals of any other person or persons taking part in this discussion...
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Robbie Dalziel
P.S.


Normally, when a CB's operating system is shut down and the lid closed the screen will/should go blank and all on-line tabs will/should close...

Hope that answers the final question in the opening post...
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C
Hi Gino, I agree with Robbie here, the specs you would like would up the price of the CB. To address a couple of your points, there might be workarounds that could help.
2. Keypad
Added pinch-to-zoom functionality...
ctrl+plus to enlarge web page.
9. Keyboard
A Caps lock button...
Settings/device/keyboard settings and change the search key to Caps Lock
Hope this helps.
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Robbie Dalziel
Keyboard functions...

I thought Ctrl plus + did expand a web page ~ or am I looking in the wrong direction...
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C
Yes, it does, I was explaining a workaround for a pinch-to-zoom functionality.

Colin
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Robbie Dalziel
I get yah meaning Callin... That would suit a good number of people...
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C
Strange thing... Pinch-to-zoom works in google maps.
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Robbie Dalziel
Pinch and zoom isn't consistent on my CB... It's as though the machine isn't quite sure what I want it to do and it whizzes in and out at its leisure...

But if I use the two fingered scroll option, the map image zooms in and out perfectly, as it does when I use the scroll button on the mouse...

This CB is a strange little beast... But that's all part of its charm... You never know what you're going to encounter around the corner...
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helpme96
Champagne dreams and Pixel wishes

If only Pixel could be such a capable Chromebook:
  • 2560 x 1700 @ 239 PPI
  • Intel CORE i5 Ivy Bridge with Panther Point PCH
  • 4GB DDR3 RAM
  • Integrated 720p HD camera
  • Backlit Chrome keyboard
  • Two built-in microphones for noise cancellation
  • Pinch open / Pinch close: Zooms in or out on supported web pages.
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T
Hi Callin. Many thanks for your tip about changing the search key to Caps Lock - never realised you could do this. Thanks again. Tim
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Robbie Dalziel
It might have been mentioned before, but if not, press 'Ctrl + Alt + the forward slash' key to bring up the full compliment of keyboard changes...

Once open, the variants can be seen by pressing the Alt, Ctrl or shift keys on their own, or, combinations of those three keys... To clear the keyboard layout plans: press the escape - Esc ~ key: top left of the keyboard...

Robbie...
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A
I just want to say how much I like my CB, yes it took a little getting used too and I have to get a cloud ready printer but I've learned how to use it and I'm very happy with it.
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Robbie Dalziel
Yes Argonot, cloud ready printing is first class... I've three printers working through cloud... One is a basic Inkjet, which need the computer to be on, another is wireless, but appears to need the computer running, to get it to print... The last one is again wireless, but completely stand alone... That can be used from any location, any distance, some of my friends and trainees, who don't have printers, can use mine and call in for the printed documents... It can also be used as a scanner/fax machine... It all helps make the world go around...

Robbie....
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D
gino76ph said:
Hi. I love my Acer C720 Chromebook with the build quality, long battery life, user-friendly & smooth & fluid OS and more than average speakers. But its not perfect. As someone coming from a Macbook and a Windows laptop there are lots of space for improvements:
I'm very aware that some enhancements are OEM-dependent or Google-dependent but here are my top software & hardware enhancements suggestions for our beloved Chromebook:
1. Bluetooth
Improvements with connecting and compatibility to multiple devices. Adding ability to send files to any device via bluetooth is essential.
2. Keypad
Added pinch-to-zoom functionality must be added especially on websites or photos. More gestures are needed.
3. Speakers
Would be nice if all Chromebooks have a front-facing or side-firing enhanced, solid & natural-sounding amplified stereo speakers with strong bass and treble. My C720 sounded just a bit muffled.
4. Screen
A higher-resolution 1080p IPS or AMOLED full touchscreen would be an inevitable evolution in screen quality. Should also be shatterproof and scratchproof for that extra confidence
5. SSD
Ability to partition the SSD or create folders from within and on-the-fly should be added. Also, as demands and tasks increase and as more people buy Chromeboks the need for bigger, faster and better SSD capacity is inevitable.
6. Google Now
Full “OK Google” voice commands (like Android OS) on the Search screen option
7. App Tray
Ability to arrange apps by alphabetical and by category
8. SD card
A time indication of how fast is the file transfer to & from an SD card to the Chromebook
9. Keyboard
A Caps lock button and a full backlit keyboard should be a must (when working at night or in the dark)
10. Media
Improved media playability and format support in music and video e.g. a standalone window when a media is being played with total time or time left when playing
11. Webcam
A 720p 5MP true widescreen webcam with noise-cancelling feature must be put in place.
12. RAM & Proocessor
Again, as more and more people buy Chromebooks plus with more demands for needs & tasks at home and at work a faster and a more updated Chromebook is a must. 4GB RAM and a 2.0Ghz of the latest-gen Intel, Qualcomm, Samsung quad-core chips et all of processors must be put in place as the new standard/minimum specs.

BUG???? When i close and turned-off my CB the tabs on my Chrome browser seems to have disappeared. Is this normal? Or is it a bug?

Anything else i missed? Any comments please?
Click to expand...
The Google voice options have been added. As for the mentioned suggestions, I would have to agree with Robbie, not all these additions will be beneficial to the Chromebook, as what makes it so superior is the fact that no other laptop is able to perform so smoothly in this price range. And I can already guarantee you that if you are coming from a Windows laptop in a similar price range, the Chromebook will be astoundingly fast.
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