Chromebooks. Are They Worth It?

Chromebooks

I've just got a chromebook. It's a HP Chromebook 11. I'm kind of annoyed that I bought it when i did because not more than a week after purchase a new model has been announced. Nevermind. It's still a really nice gadget and I'm really glad i've got it. I'll just have a quick review from what I've found out in the 3/4 weeks i've owned and used it.

Set The Scene

I'm not really into my PC/ Laptop anymore. It's horrendously slow now as I got it for University and I only use it to update my ipod on the odd occasion. Because of this I was always against from using it very often as I'd have to plug it in (forgot to mention that I needed to replace the battery as it was, in other words, fucked) and there was always a load of updates to install once i'd finish. I needed about 30 minutes just to use the damn thing for about 5. I bought my partner a laptop about 18 months ago so in the mean time I was always using hers to get me through if  i needed to get on a laptop. This wasnt very often and even less often with all the connectivity and "smart" functions that everything has. She, in return bought me a Nexus 7 tablet which was great for a long time. It was quick, responsive and great for on the move. Over time i got frustrated with the on screen keyboard and would just about use my iPhone for when I was on the couch. 

Having to have both devices charged was frustrating and I would always forget to do it. #FirstWorldProblems.

Which Chromebook?

I was now in the position that looking for laptops was getting to the stage where I didnt want to spend £300+ on a laptop that wasnt as portable as my Nexus or was going to be really slow after a while. I pondered the idea of getting a bluetooth keyboard for it but thought this would be too limiting, especially when trying to type on a 7" screen. So I remembered the story about some chromebooks having to have their chargers recalled because they were a fire risk. (who says bad publicity is actually bad?)

Immediately I loved it. It looked like a smaller version of the Macbooks from years gone by. Having read reviews of it online, furiously, for about 2 weeks, I decided to take the plunge. Other chromebooks didnt have the wow "look" factor that others did, even though they had more RAM and maybe a better battery and hard drive. No I wanted the Chromebook for its looks.

I mulled over the limitations of the chromebook for a while. The lack of iTunes was going to be a problem for me as that's where I keep ALL my music. Not being able to install all windows programs was also going to be an issue as some programs are really useful.

Both these problems were solved as my lovely mrs still has her laptop for me to use.

For me the advantages I wanted for the chromebook was the speed. I wanted something that was going to load up fast so I could use it for watching a quick episode on Netflix or Wuaki. I wanted something that meant I could buy something on amazon fast without having to load it up for 20 minutes and leave it on for half an hour for updates.

Did it Solve the Problems?

It did! I agree, the problems I have are awful and really superficial. They're nothing that should be a deal breaker, but it was. I was able to transfer my iTunes to "Google Music" and now they're available from the cloud, at anytime, using my Chromebook or the app on my iPhone. Great!

The speed of the machine is phenomenal. I'm currently typing this on the thing right now and it's so fluid and responsive. It took about 6 seconds to be ready to go and it's made the blogging thing so much easier.

The screen is also worth noting. Its really gorgeous and got a great contrast to it.

Maybe I should also say it only cost me £179. bargain.

Destiny- GOTY

Destiny - The Final Frontier

GOTY. Yes I said it. It will ship the most units and it will also be the game of the year. (maybe)

Right so Destiny has launched on PS4, PS3, Xbox One and the Xbox 360. I'm currently a massive sony fanboy (I have played some Xbox stuff) , but my PS4 is definitely my main console. It's build quality is great and I love it. 

Anyway back to Destiny. For anyone who has played the Alpha or the Beta you get what Destiny is. It's a FPS RPG MMO. Except it's not really these- only in small doses. I guess the only thing that is definite is the FPS side. It's definitely an FPS, except when you ride on your sparrow or dance, then it becomes a very small 3rd Person View. 

I love the game. I'm currently not sure about the longevity of the game as i'm not even as far as I got with the Beta but i'm pretty concerned it may become a bit like Titanfall. I really hope it doesn't and my pre order for the game was worth the money (included a free headset from Tesco) but it's a bit to early to say at the moment.

I'm currently a Titan and it's the only class I didnt use for the Beta or the Alpha so it's a new game-ish for me. Onwards and upwards anyway!

HTC, Singing Sams and Fruit

So mobile phones pretty much dominate everyone's lives at the moment. Whether it's for social media, keeping in touch with friends or playing annoying addictive Simpson's tapping games. God how I love that game! With the tapping and the cash and the oh gawdd donuts.

Anyway, I've been a massive fan of phones since a young age. Always looking at the new features, what phones don't have and who's the big players at the moment. Thankfully there seems to be two major players nowadays and a combat battle for third. As i'm slightly biased to HTC, I'm going to say they take third spot though.

Smart phones nowadays fall into three categories in my opinion; Android, Windows and some crappy expensive iOS. The apple bubble has soured for me. Expensive phones which are expertly made, but released too frequently without great upgrades. Lets cover the 3 biggest phones anyway:

HTC One X

Newest update of the HTC range. This phone looks lovely and I cant believe it's taken so long to get front facing speakers on a mobile phone. I've spent so many occasions cupping my rear speaker on my HTC Sensation XE to try and project the sound to someone's ear, but alas, it barely works, even with the Beats sound included. A great update from someone in the market who was losing ground to the competitors in it's range. I wouldn't be surprised if this phone sells millions in the UK and it's frequently seen with people. The problem is Samsung and Apple have the market pretty covered and people like to stay with the same phones Galaxy II, III, 3GS, 4, 4S etc...

I personally would go for HTC again, although I had a problem with the customer service team which made me question the company, but the ONE X is a really nice phone. I want one!

Samsung Galaxy IV

I don't know how they do it but every year they sell a butt-load of phones in their galaxy S range. Time and time again they add great new features and gorgeous looking phones. They use plastic instead of a more premium looking aluminium but the phones themselves are big bright phones. My partner has an SII and it's a great phone, pretty much the same specs as my phone but runs games smoother and faster. They have the market covered and I can't see it stopping anytime soon, only if they decide to venture away from the Android operating system- something which I think is in the pipeline. They make great products though- my samsung TV is just wonderful so I would certainly consider the samsung brand of phones in the near future!

Apple

Apple, Apple, Apple. What has thy done... They make phone after phone, iPad after iPad and still manage to shift LOADS of them. People taking photos of each other with their current Apple products in line to buy the next Apple product. It's a monopoly! But they do make lovely looking phones and great products. Most people you see using phones seem to have an iPhone, or know someone with an iPhone and there must be a reason for this. It's not the fashion accessory that the iPod was back in the day with the white headphones but more of a premium item that people see as something to show off with. I personally wouldn't get an Apple product because I find the whole thing very pretentious. I understand people love them, but for the money it's extortionate. Take the iPad mini, retailing for £350 yet the google nexus retails for £200 for the same storage. I find the whole thing a bit crazy!

N.B. Blackberry God I used to hate these phones. Once a great tool of a businessman, now a teenager sexting/ rioting tool, Blackberry has lost it and I wouldn't be surprised to see RIM go bankrupt soon.The phones used to be a premium item but now they are plastic, cheap and tacky. Not to worry, it's easy to stay clear of them now!

I know this has been a bit of an Apple bash (crumble) but I find Android have the market nicely covered with phone companies such as Samsung and HTC releasing premium phones. Who knows what features we'll see soon?! I'd love a phone with mini-DJ decks in them (Barley)

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