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.
