[FlappyPaddles]

Let's get the formalities out of the way shall we? I'm Frank, and I hail from Lehigh Valley Pa. Well, now that that is done, what did I just buy? I was shopping for an inexpensive laptop, something I could use to surf the web and connect to my tv's HDMI to play family movies, when I came across this 200$ Chromebook. I've never herd of the Chromebook before, and I'm usually not impulsive, but I'm a huge fan of Android and Google. Couple that with it's price tag and the fact Best Buy will let me return it as late as January 24th, I figured what the heck. I've been using my Acer for a little over a week now and I can't tell if I love or hate this thing. For starters, it's dirt cheap and super fast, but I'm sure use know that already so lets get to the down sides, and subsequently the reason for my post. I feel lost, I just can't come to grips with the idea of everything requiring an internet connection. It's really not a problem, my phone is a 4g wifi hotspot and my primary use for it is at home. But why can't I find any real apps. Why am I adding an app when all I'm really doing is creating a bookmark? It would be awesome to actually download an app for a cool looking golf game and not be drug to some spammy website. To me that feels cheesy like it's just an ad banner in disguise, adding apps seems pointless. It also bothers me that nothing beyond a few kb of documents and photos are saved to the HDD. So whats the need for such a sizable hard drive, not that having one is a bad thing, but why? I'm also not huge fan of it's ease of use. Admittedly I have been spoiled by Android. For example, I want my phone to control my computer, or stream media, or act as a flash light, all I have to do is install an app and my dreams have come to fruition. I was expecting the same from Chrome to an extent, while I understand this doesn't have all the hardware (gps, shock sensor, radio, etc) or price tag of an Android, I was expecting it to be easier to use. A simple task like streaming media from my PC to my CB doesn't seem even possible at this point. I guess what I'm getting at is, do I even want this bad boy. The good's versus the bads are almost perfectly weighted, I guess I'm just hoping maybe use can help me find the solutions and instill upon me knowledge and desire to keep my Acer.

Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my rant and for any future questions you may be answering for me. I'm looking forward to the future of Google chrome.

 

[krwebb]

I totally understand you, FlappyPaddles. I am also rather ambivalent about the ChromeBook I purchased but am glad for the extended return period. My primary reason for purchasing was to use as an e-reader and video storage. Amazon Cloud does work when you are offline, making it doable. You can also store movies and watch them or pipe them to your TV via the hdmi cable. I wish there were more apps available, like a good e-pub reader. Haven't decided if I am going to keep it or not, but it has come in handy around the house for quick internet access. I look forward to hearing the opinions and recommendations of others.

 

[jconti123]

i cant speak for everyone but i use a chromebook as a university student. I need internet access everywhere to study, write and connect with everything going on in my life and a chromebook is the perfect solution for me. With battery-life that lasts me two days and zero bloat-ware the chromebook for me is internet access everywhere i go, instantly. I could see your fustration that 'apps' are just glorified bookmarks but that is because this is an cloud-based internet device, its not meant to run apps and download other programs. For me its the internet in a 1kg book and if you delve into the google-ecosystem you can do anything the internet has to offer in this little book. Id agree that this device isnt for everyone but i emphasize that this device is different for everyone; its a device that fits me (which is the opposite of an iphone thats designed to try and fit everyone)

 

[FlappyPaddles]

I finally realized why a lot of the apps I install from the market don't work. Silly me thinking everything in there is will work with my chromebook just because it works with chrome. Nope, most apps in there are for a chrome browser installed on a Windows devise, and aren't supported by Chrome OS itself. Another big fail for the chromebook unfortunately. I'm desperately trying to like this thing, but truth is I only half like it. I love it's speed, screen clarity, weight, and easy of use (now that i know 99% of the problem is lack of support for chrome OS). But try Googling a solution for chrome, I bet you'll find in the answer in the first link, I also bet it wont apply to our devises. There is essentially no support out there for chromebook that I could find, again another major fail from Google.... There is soooo much potential here, I really hope google takes this thing a step further, perhaps a merger with Android and java support.