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Thoughts on Chromebooks

MEC-777
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Seriously thinking about picking up a chromebook, specifically the Acer C7 as it's the only one with a removable/replaceable battery, upgradable RAM and swappable storage (can add a large SSD). 

 

I think it would suite my needs well for anything but gaming (that's what the desktop rig is for anyways). I have a business I run part-time that relies heavily on online utilities and could really use something inexpensive yet functional. I don't want anything with windows as windows is too big and too much of a resource hog on these smaller, lower-powered chromebook/netbook devices. It's Linux only for this. (chrome OS is based on a version of Linux).

 

I don't want a tablet either. I have a 1st gen Asus Transformer TF101 that I'm currently trying to sell (it's in perfect condition). It works fine for most things, but doesn't work with some of the online utilities and doesn't load some websites correctly. That and I find I just don't have much use for it anymore when my phone (nexus 4) can do everything that tablet does only better and faster. For things I need a laptop for, I'd rather have an actual "laptop" device. 

 

 

So, any of you have any experience with chromebooks? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? 

My Systems:

Main - Work + Gaming:

Spoiler

Woodland Raven: Ryzen 2700X // AMD Wraith RGB // Asus Prime X570-P // G.Skill 2x 8GB 3600MHz DDR4 // Radeon RX Vega 56 // Crucial P1 NVMe 1TB M.2 SSD // Deepcool DQ650-M // chassis build in progress // Windows 10 // Thrustmaster TMX + G27 pedals & shifter

F@H Rig:

Spoiler

FX-8350 // Deepcool Neptwin // MSI 970 Gaming // AData 2x 4GB 1600 DDR3 // 2x Gigabyte RX-570 4G's // Samsung 840 120GB SSD // Cooler Master V650 // Windows 10

 

HTPC:

Spoiler

SNES PC (HTPC): i3-4150 @3.5 // Gigabyte GA-H87N-Wifi // G.Skill 2x 4GB DDR3 1600 // Asus Dual GTX 1050Ti 4GB OC // AData SP600 128GB SSD // Pico 160XT PSU // Custom SNES Enclosure // 55" LG LED 1080p TV  // Logitech wireless touchpad-keyboard // Windows 10 // Build Log

Laptops:

Spoiler

MY DAILY: Lenovo ThinkPad T410 // 14" 1440x900 // i5-540M 2.5GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD iGPU + Quadro NVS 3100M 512MB dGPU // 2x4GB DDR3L 1066 // Mushkin Triactor 480GB SSD // Windows 10

 

WIFE'S: Dell Latitude E5450 // 14" 1366x768 // i5-5300U 2.3GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD5500 // 2x4GB RAM DDR3L 1600 // 500GB 7200 HDD // Linux Mint 19.3 Cinnamon

 

EXPERIMENTAL: Pinebook // 11.6" 1080p // Manjaro KDE (ARM)

NAS:

Spoiler

Home NAS: Pentium G4400 @3.3 // Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 // 2x 4GB DDR4 2400 // Intel HD Graphics // Kingston A400 120GB SSD // 3x Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200 HDDs in RAID-Z // Cooler Master Silent Pro M 1000w PSU // Antec Performance Plus 1080AMG // FreeNAS OS

 

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I used them at school. I loved them because they took 20 minutes(half the period) to boot up.        

Life is pain. Anyone who says any different is either selling something or the government.

 

----CPU: FX-6300 @ 4.2ghz----COOLER: Hyper 212 EVO----MOBO: MSI 970A-G46----PSU: OCZ 600watt----CASE: Black Corsair C70----GPU: Sapphire 7870 dual fan ghz edtion----2 random HDD'S----A couple fans here and there. Mouse: Gigabyte M6900-------Keyboard: Logitech G105-----Mousepad: Steel series something something.

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I hate them because they can't run steam

My n00Build http://pcpartpicker.com/user/NameOfNoInterest/saved/ 


Do you really expect me to know things? 


$25.67/$~2500 (Price changes hourly..) I'm 1/100th of the way there!

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They're a bit ahead of the game.

 

I'm expecting Cloud computing to be mainstream in the future - everyone will have a Chromebook-like device (or a thin client) accessing the Cloud-based operating system and software through a remote desktop connection (all that's required on the device is a remote desktop software). Hopefully internet services catch up to the point where Wifi is available globally with a fixed subscription. Only that can make Chromebooks and equivalent devices truly viable. 

 

Can always dream. 

Interested in Linux, SteamOS and Open-source applications? Go here

Gaming Rig - CPU: i5 3570k @ Stock | GPU: EVGA Geforce 560Ti 448 Core Classified Ultra | RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB DDR3 1600 | SSD: Crucial M4 128GB | HDD: 3TB Seagate Barracuda, 1TB WD Caviar Black, 1TB Seagate Barracuda | Case: Antec Lanboy Air | KB: Corsair Vengeance K70 Cherry MX Blue | Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M95 | Headset: Steelseries Siberia V2

 

 

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I hate them because they can't run steam

You can install various distros of Linux on these and thus, install Steam. Some distros have steamOS build in (Sabayon is one of them, I believe).

 

They're a bit ahead of the game.

 

I'm expecting Cloud computing to be mainstream in the future - everyone will have a Chromebook-like device (or a thin client) accessing the Cloud-based operating system and software through a remote desktop connection (all that's required on the device is a remote desktop software). Hopefully internet services catch up to the point where Wifi is available globally with a fixed subscription. Only that can make Chromebooks and equivalent devices truly viable. 

 

Can always dream. 

I agree and that's actually what a lot of reviewers have said. They are somewhat ahead of the curve in terms of cloud-based computing. I don't mind though. I'd rather be ahead and ready when the wave comes, then end up behind. ;)

 

Those of you claiming the boot time is slow, I don't know which chromebooks you're using or what has been done to them, but the Samsung chromebook with 16GB SSD boots in about 8-10 seconds and the Acer C7 with 320GB HDD boots in about 18-20 seconds. The HDD in the Acer can be replaced with any 2.5" SSD for nice and snappy operation.

My Systems:

Main - Work + Gaming:

Spoiler

Woodland Raven: Ryzen 2700X // AMD Wraith RGB // Asus Prime X570-P // G.Skill 2x 8GB 3600MHz DDR4 // Radeon RX Vega 56 // Crucial P1 NVMe 1TB M.2 SSD // Deepcool DQ650-M // chassis build in progress // Windows 10 // Thrustmaster TMX + G27 pedals & shifter

F@H Rig:

Spoiler

FX-8350 // Deepcool Neptwin // MSI 970 Gaming // AData 2x 4GB 1600 DDR3 // 2x Gigabyte RX-570 4G's // Samsung 840 120GB SSD // Cooler Master V650 // Windows 10

 

HTPC:

Spoiler

SNES PC (HTPC): i3-4150 @3.5 // Gigabyte GA-H87N-Wifi // G.Skill 2x 4GB DDR3 1600 // Asus Dual GTX 1050Ti 4GB OC // AData SP600 128GB SSD // Pico 160XT PSU // Custom SNES Enclosure // 55" LG LED 1080p TV  // Logitech wireless touchpad-keyboard // Windows 10 // Build Log

Laptops:

Spoiler

MY DAILY: Lenovo ThinkPad T410 // 14" 1440x900 // i5-540M 2.5GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD iGPU + Quadro NVS 3100M 512MB dGPU // 2x4GB DDR3L 1066 // Mushkin Triactor 480GB SSD // Windows 10

 

WIFE'S: Dell Latitude E5450 // 14" 1366x768 // i5-5300U 2.3GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD5500 // 2x4GB RAM DDR3L 1600 // 500GB 7200 HDD // Linux Mint 19.3 Cinnamon

 

EXPERIMENTAL: Pinebook // 11.6" 1080p // Manjaro KDE (ARM)

NAS:

Spoiler

Home NAS: Pentium G4400 @3.3 // Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 // 2x 4GB DDR4 2400 // Intel HD Graphics // Kingston A400 120GB SSD // 3x Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200 HDDs in RAID-Z // Cooler Master Silent Pro M 1000w PSU // Antec Performance Plus 1080AMG // FreeNAS OS

 

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You can install various distros of Linux on these and thus, install Steam. Some distros have steamOS build in (Sabayon is one of them, I believe).

 

I agree and that's actually what a lot of reviewers have said. They are somewhat ahead of the curve in terms of cloud-based computing. I don't mind though. I'd rather be ahead and ready when the wave comes, then end up behind. ;)

 

Those of you claiming the boot time is slow, I don't know which chromebooks you're using or what has been done to them, but the Samsung chromebook with 16GB SSD boots in about 8-10 seconds and the Acer C7 with 320GB HDD boots in about 18-20 seconds. The HDD in the Acer can be replaced with any 2.5" SSD for nice and snappy operation.

Yeah but it'd be better not to have to add on Linux

My n00Build http://pcpartpicker.com/user/NameOfNoInterest/saved/ 


Do you really expect me to know things? 


$25.67/$~2500 (Price changes hourly..) I'm 1/100th of the way there!

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Yeah but it'd be better not to have to add on Linux

Well chromebooks aren't suitable for everyone and neither is Linux. ;)

 

To each his/her own. 

My Systems:

Main - Work + Gaming:

Spoiler

Woodland Raven: Ryzen 2700X // AMD Wraith RGB // Asus Prime X570-P // G.Skill 2x 8GB 3600MHz DDR4 // Radeon RX Vega 56 // Crucial P1 NVMe 1TB M.2 SSD // Deepcool DQ650-M // chassis build in progress // Windows 10 // Thrustmaster TMX + G27 pedals & shifter

F@H Rig:

Spoiler

FX-8350 // Deepcool Neptwin // MSI 970 Gaming // AData 2x 4GB 1600 DDR3 // 2x Gigabyte RX-570 4G's // Samsung 840 120GB SSD // Cooler Master V650 // Windows 10

 

HTPC:

Spoiler

SNES PC (HTPC): i3-4150 @3.5 // Gigabyte GA-H87N-Wifi // G.Skill 2x 4GB DDR3 1600 // Asus Dual GTX 1050Ti 4GB OC // AData SP600 128GB SSD // Pico 160XT PSU // Custom SNES Enclosure // 55" LG LED 1080p TV  // Logitech wireless touchpad-keyboard // Windows 10 // Build Log

Laptops:

Spoiler

MY DAILY: Lenovo ThinkPad T410 // 14" 1440x900 // i5-540M 2.5GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD iGPU + Quadro NVS 3100M 512MB dGPU // 2x4GB DDR3L 1066 // Mushkin Triactor 480GB SSD // Windows 10

 

WIFE'S: Dell Latitude E5450 // 14" 1366x768 // i5-5300U 2.3GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD5500 // 2x4GB RAM DDR3L 1600 // 500GB 7200 HDD // Linux Mint 19.3 Cinnamon

 

EXPERIMENTAL: Pinebook // 11.6" 1080p // Manjaro KDE (ARM)

NAS:

Spoiler

Home NAS: Pentium G4400 @3.3 // Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 // 2x 4GB DDR4 2400 // Intel HD Graphics // Kingston A400 120GB SSD // 3x Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200 HDDs in RAID-Z // Cooler Master Silent Pro M 1000w PSU // Antec Performance Plus 1080AMG // FreeNAS OS

 

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