Chromebooks - latest news and discussion

[slainte]

http://chromebookratings.com/2011/app-reviews/music-audio-editor-chromebook-review/

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/search/audio editor

A few up there but there is others... depends on what you want to do I have quite a few decent HTML5 synth programs and such like.

 

[slainte]

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/audiotool/bkgoccjhfjgjedhkiefaclppgbmoobnk

http://chromebookratings.com/2011/app-reviews/audio-tool-music-production-chromebook/

A few more in the chrome store I have a few really good Analogue Synth programs and stuff from there..

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/twistedwave/lhjkhabkkillndljkhedpfldghbpljij

 

[rutabowa]

sounds good. lost my £9 snip on an Acer ha, might need to go a bit higher.

 

[editor]

Interesting: streaming Photoshop on to Chromebooks
http://edex.adobe.com/projectphotoshopstreaming

 

[spudulike]

I've been using a Samsung ARM Chromebook for the past 15 months. First off I installed Crouton alongside ChromeOS but then I grew a pair, wiped the internal drive and installed Arch Linux.

I have a light, cool, quiet Chromebook with a full OS (e.g. running with 3G and GPS dongles). I went for an ARM processor because I wanted to find out what it was like, and the Samsung also has a USB3.0 port for my external terabyte drive.

 

[editor]

I'd still love to give one a proper go, but in the States they are making big inroads in the education market:

Google is proud of the progress it has made with Chromebook, especially in the education space. Noting that Chromebook has been a big hit in schools, Google bragged that the latest IDC numbers show that Chromebook is the best-selling device for education in the U.S. among laptops and tablets, with adoption rates still to increase with more institutional purchases from school districts.

http://www.androidcentral.com/chromebook-top-selling-device-among-laptops-tablets-education

 

[slainte]

hmm I must be mad or stupid or both but I had the opportunity to lower my tax bill by buying another chromebook...i have bought the Pixel.. . the 1TB storage is great but the laptop itself is absolutely beautiful to use and look at etc. Not much inroads here in Germany (Chromebooks ) but as effectively I am spending so much time on the road anyway moving for most things to the cloud has been easy for me and I dont regret buying it at all.
Hmm what to do with the Samsung now Im not sure .... two apps which help me a lot are zip extractor and hellosign for documents.
Still wish overall you could print directly from Chromebooks without needing a google cloud print printer as I have this at home rather than being able to get something portable and for use on the road..however a lovely machine was cheaper and new on amazon so i bought it ..I don't regret it at all.
Yes I have a proper laptop for heavy end mobile stuff and once setup again at the new home a full ESX workstation running VM for stuff so the pixel is quiet well built fast lovely display and the trackpad is better than the macbook as well as its keyboard for typing which surprised me.
If microsoft could come down from their stance and open Office 365 with full functionality on the chromebook then Im sure it would help sell more of the chromebooks and more licences for Office 365.
I found and tried IP Vanish for VPN but found it didn't work and a bit crap but stealthy works just fine for bbc iplayer etc.
The chrome store apps are definitely getting better but its a while til I think it can do all things for everyone ..but its getting there
I still have the chrome store Open Office app which is no longer available but it works however...come on Microsoft ..if you could start to accommodate Apple iPad open this further as in full functionality and extend to chromebooks.
They are not going away and getting better

 

[slainte]

Interesting developments in the Chromebook world. Apart from Office (most of the functions not all unfortunately ) being available now . Photoshop are adding to this and VMWare are launching another service called DaaS (Desktop as a Service ) a bit like Citrix for chromebooks as well so that any legacy windows apps can run from a chromebook remoting to it..

Or you setup a machine to be a remote machine if you really need this...

This app is an excellent simple remote desktop..I think I will have my own family members add this if I ever need to access or remote to any of their machines. Just launch chrome the web app and bang... with a bit of talking on the phone of course...

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-remote-desktop/gbchcmhmhahfdphkhkmpfmihenigjmpp

http://www.cnet.com/news/now-running-on-a-chromebook-near-you-windows/
http://www.vmware.com/products/horizon-air-desktops

http://www.cnet.com/news/checking-out-photoshop-for-chromebooks-network-computing-revived/
http://www.computerworld.com/articl...oft-concedes-chromebooks-are-work-worthy.html
http://www.omgchrome.com/microsoft-brings-office-online-chrome-web-store/



Hmm not bad... no I don't feel as bad buying that pixel.

 

[slainte]

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/12/01/google-chromebooks-overtake-ipads-us-education/

Hmm....

 

[editor]

Outselling iPads in US education now

It looks like Google is winning the war in classrooms, as we now have word that Chromebooks happen to be the most popular devices shipped to US schools. This would mean Chromebooks have knocked off iPads from its lofty perch as the market leader in this particular segment, going to show how Google has managed to work their way up the hierarchy which has been dominated by both Apple and Microsoft for quite some time already. According to the Financial Times, Google has shipped more than 715,500 Chromebooks to US schools in the third quarter of 2014, narrowly overtaking the iPad with a 702,000 units shipped count.


The Chromebooks would cost at least $199 each, and have managed to make their way to various schools in a matter of just two years - starting off with a 0% market share to boot. In that amount of time, Chromebooks have managed to garner a whopping quarter market share, now how about that?

http://nr.news-republic.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=4&articleid=32620408

*edit - just noticed slainte's earlier link. Oops.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I'm guessing that price point massively helps?

 

[editor]

I'm guessing that price point massively helps?

Well that is the whole point! You're getting the tech that's good enough for the job rather than shelling out for things you don't need - and the OS/cloud storage makes it cheaper too.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Well that is the whole point! You're getting the tech that's good enough for the job rather than shelling out for things you don't need - and the OS/cloud storage makes it cheaper too.

Sure. I've actually been working in education recently in half arsed accidental way recently and kids have been bought ipads. Total overpriced overkill if you ask me. Absolutely no need if you ask me.

Not sure your point on OS/Cloud Storage...they're not even being used for "real" work. It's desirable to get them of the tablet for that anyway to teach keyboard skills.

 

[editor]

Sure. I've actually been working in education recently in half arsed accidental way recently and kids have been bought ipads. Total overpriced overkill if you ask me. Absolutely no need if you ask me.

Not sure your point on OS/Cloud Storage...they're not even being used for "real" work. It's desirable to get them of the tablet for that anyway to teach keyboard skills.

Cloud means no expensive SSD or hard drives to install.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Cloud means no expensive SSD or hard drives to install.

I guess you're talking about running a network with local storage? I assume there will have to be something like that anyway, no matter what you run.

No idea how a small Nas to store word documents compares to cloud storage, but it's pretty tiny compared to the cost of the devices. Tbf I've been working in primary.

 

[Throbbing Angel]

I'm considering a Chromebook as my laptop is on the fritz.

How hobbled is the access to MS Office? I'd be accessing Word docs via google drive and an Outlook.com account (but I don't have a 365 account).
My main worries are for job applications - the creative writing stuff will be fine in the cloud - and Dropbox access. Oh, and accessing my favourite Scrabble site - I don't suppose I'd be able to download isc.ro 's java interface would I?

 

[slainte]

In answer to your access to MS Office..not very hobbled at all tbh.I would take out the Office 365 subscription. Okay you loose the ability of multi embedded documents within documents but for most people even for quite high end documentation it will cover your needs. Open Office used to have a chrome app for that but it has been removed however its still working on mine as I had it and have it installed in chrome. Libra Office have chrome apps now. Google docs is okay but apart from basic document creation it doesn't cut it at all.
If you setup the 2 factor authentication then this spreads to you Google drive account ..personally I avoid Dropbox now after Ms. Rice has become involved. Also remember..depending on your preference and linux skills there is a chromebook version of Ubuntu which you can install.Also your Google Drive can now play movies and do the conversion online for you within your drive just like dropbox.

 

[BigTom]

Posting from the new asus chromebox I've bought to replace my nearly dead mac mini. Seems decent, annoying that you can't install apps on the guest account so I'll have to sign in to play music or films, but other than that, seems like it'll do what I want nicely (internet, video streaming, music and film playing from local drive)

 

[editor]

I'm horribly tempted by the Chromebook Pixel even though I know it's a daft buy.

The new Chromebook Pixel isn’t meant to outsell other laptops or even to expand Chrome OS' marketshare. It's a development platform, one that will eventually make all other Chromebooks better. It’s also a premium laptop for people who can afford to spend a lot of money on the best thing, even if they don’t use it as their main machine.

The new Chromebook Pixel is slightly cheaper than its predecessor, at $999, but it’s still wildly more expensive than other Chromebooks. It has almost the exact same design as the original, and thus is a beautiful machine. It still runs Chrome OS, which has advanced significantly in the past two years, but not enough to be a real replacement for what you can do on a Mac or a PC.

But the improvements in battery life and speed are both huge. When you use it, the dichotomy between what your heart wants and what your brain says is almost bittersweet. It’s an amazing laptop that I want to use all the time, but when I really need to do more intensive "computer" things, it’s not quite enough.

They should have called it the Chromebook Paradox.
http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/11/8190513/chromebook-pixel-2015-review

The Chromebook Pixel is clearly not for everyone, any more than any flagship is. It’s expensive. It pumps much more power than most people need. But as a Chromebook, it’s the best you can get. As a flagship, it’s as avant-garde as it should be--and it gives other flagships a run for their overpriced money, too.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2908...-excels-as-both-a-machine-and-as-an-idea.html

 

[Throbbing Angel]

looks nice 'eh

 

[editor]

looks nice 'eh

I love the fact that you can tap the lid to check the battery. And a 12+ hour battery life is pretty damn good too.

 

[Throbbing Angel]

I love the fact that you can tap the lid to check the battery. And a 12+ hour battery life is pretty damn good too.

Ooooooh, that's sweet - not $999 sweet - but still pretty nifty

 

[BoxRoom]

If anyone would like to buy me one I would say thank you a lot.

 

[Throbbing Angel]

FYI. John Lewis have £50 off a lot of their Chromebooks ATM
http://www.johnlewis.com/browse/electricals/laptops-netbooks/laptops/chrome-os/_/N-a8fZ1z0wpwt

Including the one I bought not so long ago

 

[editor]

This looks a decent tablet convertible for around £200-250 (UK pricing yet to be set).

http://www.wirefresh.com/asus-serve...0-convertible-laptop-specs-videos-and-photos/

 

[Throbbing Angel]

Looks good. Like the aluminium body. Screen's smaller than I'd prefer but that's by the by.

Nice throw it in your bag for the weekend/train/coffee shop/iplayer-in-bed kind of machine

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Looks good. Like the aluminium body. Screen's smaller than I'd prefer but that's by the by.

Nice throw it in your bag for the weekend/train/coffee shop/iplayer-in-bed kind of machine

Heh yeah nice rip off of Apples laptops.[emoji23]

 

[editor]

It seems that the rise of affordable and capable Chromebooks is proving unstoppable in the education market.

It looks like Chromebooks are becoming the popular choice for the education sector, with a new report indicating that sales for Windows-based devices and Apple devices in the school sector are beginning to fall behind.

During the first half of this year, about 2.4 million Chromebooks have been shipped to schools in the US, senior IDC research analyst Rajani Singh told theNew York Times.

In comparison, only 2.2 million Windows-based desktops and notebook computers have been shipped this year so far.

While the difference isn't significant just yet, it does show a significant growth for Chromebook devices, as during 2014, 4.9 million Windows devices, including notebooks and desktops, were shipped to US schools, while only 3.9 million Chromebooks were shipped in the same period.

Though we don't have a number of how many Apple devices have been shipped to the education sector so far this year, IDC believes that Chromebooks will catch up to Apple devices as well.

"Even if Microsoft is No. 1 in volume and Apple is No. 1 in revenue, from the growth perspective, nobody can beat Chromebook," Rajani told the publication.

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobil...-of-class-in-schools-1302210?src=rss&attr=all

 

[editor]

Heh yeah nice rip off of Apples laptops.[emoji23]

Do Apple do touchscreen convertible laptops for £250 then?

 

[Chz]

I'm trying to decide if a Chromebook will be acceptable for a 1st year bio-chem student. I suspect it is, but I don't want/need a spare laptop if I'm incorrect. The problem is mainly just how unbearable Atom-powered Windows would be on a sub-£300 laptop. At least I know the Chromebooks perform pretty well. And with Office 365 apps available, I can't think of a reason why getting that nice Toshiba with the full HD screen wouldn't be a great idea.

Anyone have an opinion to share on that?