87Warrior Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 I have been in need of tablet/netbook/laptop to use for general web browsing and viewing PDFs (FSMs in the garage) for quite some time. My desktop PC is in my cold basement and using my small droid to browse was getting old. I was all geared up to spend a good chunk of cash on a tablet when I came across these cheap (relatively) Chromebooks: Acer C7 Chromebook https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromebooks.html#ac-c7 http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/26/acer-c7-chromebook-review/ Samsung Chromebook https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromebooks.html#ss-cb http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/07/samsung-chromebook-review-2012/ It seems all operating systems these days are starting to use the 'cloud' concept. These little netbooks just rely on it. What I could tell from my research: Acer - Cheap shell - Glossy Screen - 320 GB hard drive with upgradable memory - Possible to dual boot with Ubuntu on partitioned existing hard drive - Poor battery life, possible to upgrade battery for $50 http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Sanyo-AL12X32-notebook-battery-Li-Ion-5000-mAh/2910487.aspx Samsung - Comfortable keyboard - Solid shell construction - Higher quality matte screen - 16GB solid state hard drive - Good battery life I was torn between the two. The Samsung is appealing since it has sturdy construction, would run cool and has a higher quality display. However, the Acer is appealing with its large hard drive, ability to run Ubuntu and ability to upgrade the memory. I decided to head to my nearest Best Buy to try out the two devices. The choice was very easy to make after using the Samsung and Acer display units. I bought the Samsung. It works well and it boots really fast. It also runs very cool which will be a plus when out in the garage this summer. I am still learning the ins and outs of the Chrome OS and is certainly a learning curve from using Windows machines all my life. With that, I have been trying out what this little rig offers. It does fantastic browsing through the internet, after all, that is what it was built to do. Of course we can leave well enough alone and have to really see what it will do. Thus far, my favorite application is "Chrome Remote Desktop". With this handy application you can remotely connect to a Windows/Mac/Linux PC. Having this capability turns this little Chromebook into a real powerhouse with unlimited potential. I elected to connect the Chromebook to my XP desktop that I used in school for drafting, 3D modeling and photo editing. To my surprise the display was quite legible and there was very little lag, even when orbiting around a 3D model. When you connect to a PC via the Chromebook, it is done within the Chrome browser as that is how the Chromebook works. Here you can see the Windows desktop within Chrome: Image Not Found Luckily you can do a full screen view. It is almost like you are using Windows machine! Image Not Found I just wanted to share my experience with CC and to see if anybody else has one of these computing devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Talk about timing. I been thinking about getting something like that for the same reasons you did. Tnx for the post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
54bobby Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 i have a first gen i pad and couldn't be happier. does every thing i need and does it fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 Jim, glad I could help! Even photobucket works well on this thing. All you need to get going is a gmail email account and wireless internet access. If you have any specific questions let me know. i have a first gen i pad and couldn't be happier. does every thing i need and does it fast. My wife has an iPad. It is a neat device and is why I was looking at tablets (although I am a fan of Android). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Why a gmail acct? Won't AOL or any of the others work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 The Chromebook runs on a Google Chrome operating system, not your typical WIndows. It is directly linked to a google (gmail) account and is how you log into the computer. Gmail is free to sign up for. You can still use other email providers, but not to log into the computer. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea, but it works pretty slick once you get into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 I prefer my regulation hard copy FSMs when working on the MJ. When I make mods from the standard (especially wiring changes), I make changes on a notepad then when completed do a finished .dwg in CAD, print it out, and stick it in my FSM at the appropriate schematic page. I hate working from .pdf files on a display. Guess I'm a dinosaur........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Heh, I agree with you. Especially when doing things that require multiple pages/pdfs. It's nice to be able to have them all open in front of you and visible, and not have to sort through a stack of windows. Also, for car things, and such, it's less hassle to bring the books or papers over to the car than a computer (even a laptop or tablet) and there's less concern about getting them dirty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86customanche Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 This sure is some good timing. My laptop is almost 6 years old and is sure starting to show signs of going through the college days. Been through multiple batteries and keyboards on it. I saw the Chromebook and wondered how the OS worked. I was planning on going to Best Buy or somewhere that sold them to check them out, and certainly will now that you give a good review of your short time with it. Keep us posted on similarites and differences when converting from Windows to Chrome OS if you don't mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyrambler Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 JIC any chrome users missed the google personal info gathering change - When using google search & signed in to drive, gMail, etc 2 small windows will appear to the right - - - !st has a person icon - 2nd a world/globe - 1st gives google the right to use your personal info - Selecting the 2nd denies it - Guess which is the default - - Google made the announcement approx 3 weeks ago - here's a link about cleaning your google web history - https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/02/how-remove-your-google-search-history-googles-new-privacy-policy-takes-effect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Guess I'm a dinosaur........... So what's wrong with being a dinosaur? You're in some great company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 So what's wrong with being a dinosaur? You're in some great company. Not a dang thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knever3 Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Great thread! My parents are retired and travel most winters. They continue to use the Microsoft Outlook for their mail even though I created them a Gmail account. They borrowed my sister's laptop and the real trouble is when they stop to their local McDonald's to use the wifi the battery is most always dead or close to it. That's the trouble with laptops, you need to be plugged in continously to use them on a day to day basis. I would love to buy them a Chromebook but the only question is once the 16gb of internal flash memory is used up you rely on the cloud. The cloud is great but you only get a limited useage and amount to use. After the "Trail" period is over do you have to continuously pay for more storage space on the net? If so it's like you are paying per month. I love the instant on and checking mail is faster than any laptop. It reminds me of our pricy iPad's but with a built in keyboard. Let me know how the cloud thing works. And did you buy it from Best Buy or order it online? I am asking because I used to work for Best Buy as a car stereo supervisor and a install supervisor and they are loosing TONS of business because people are using their store to touch and feel the item then going home to buy it online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepComanche89 Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 I'm typing this on my samsung chromebook right now, I love it. Its just the right size, super fast, and battery lasts a long time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Kevin, I do not have much experience with the Google Drive (cloud) yet. As I understand it, each gmail account is allotted 5gig of storage space for free. To sweeten the pot, any documents (documents, spreadsheet, slides) in a google format do not count against your storage limit. I actually had documents already stored in the Google Drive since they were documents I edited years ago with google. The 'trial' period allows you to store up to 100gig for 2 years on Google Drive, after that there is a monthly fee. I choose not to activate the trail since I would forget about it and end up paying the fee down the road. While the hard drive on the Samsung is small, it does have a SD card slot built in as well as USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports that support the use of flash drives. The Chromebook is certainly not a replacement for a desktop powerhouse computer, but it is exactly what most people need as far as computing power. I have been getting a solid 7hrs of battery life from this thing. Far better than my 9 year old Dell laptop that would last 1hr on a good day, if it decided to actually charge. I bought the Chromebook at the Best Buy. Heck, I was there and ready to buy so why not? Prices online where the same as the store as well. It takes about 6 seconds for this thing to turn on, boot up and start browsing online. Unbelievably fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knever3 Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Cool thanks for the info! It doesn't sound like my parents would need the extra Cloud storage for their needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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