Is a Chromebook good enough for typing notes and essays in class?

[Trewser]

Dds sixth form recommends thst they have a small light laptop. They recommend the Surface pro or go - both are expensive.

Dd has a laptop, but its big and bulky. She says she doesn't need it to be pen enabled like the Pro, just soemthing she can run office 365 on and type notes and write essays. I was thinking a cheap Chromebook might do the job but i am a bit clueless and don't want to waste my money!

I only use a chrome book for online shopping etc but don’t see why it wouldn’t be suitable. It won’t run Microsoft office etc (chrome books use an android OS) but as long as she can get online she can use google docs for word, excel type programs and there are probably ones she can download from the play store anyway.

If she will need any specialist programmes for any classes make sure they will work in an android system, a lot probably won’t, but if it’s literally just note taking it should be fine.

We also have a chrome book but it's a PITA when trying to email docs to another pc and then trying to print it off... I get a bit frustrated. Dc use it to watch videos etc

Chromebooks are OK by themselves (using one now) but they really only talk to other chromebooks. Emails and printing to anything windows based is a real pain. Plus they don't like Word.

A netbook would be better as you can have office on there and use word etc

Something like this: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-stream-11-ak0500sa-11-6-intel-celeron-laptop-32-gb-emmc-pink-10189380-pdt.html?store=2393&&istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istFeedId=2928af81-b29b-476c-a180-ac5de265a98e&istItemId=wmwqtrqwm&istBid=t&srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~1011+(PLA)+Windows+Laptops+and+Convertibles+-+Adaptive~1011+(PLA)+Windows+Laptops+And+Convertibles+ad+group~Exact&mctag=gggoogg7904&kwid=GOOGLE&device=m&dskids=92700045338267787&tgtid=1011+(PLA)+Windows+Laptops+and+Convertibles+-+Adaptive&gclsrc=aw.ds&&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4uuy7Lrb5AIVh4jVCh34CgaPEAQYASABEgJXzfD_BwE

I have a Lenovo Miix which is cheaper than a Surface Pro. Have a look at that or the Yoga.

Chromebooks use Sheets and Docs rather than Office 365 don't they?

They will do the job but are a bit crap so personally I wouldn't buy one for this unless I was skint.

I'm an OU student and initially bought a Chromebook. I lasted about a month before I got fed up with printing and email issues (I honestly wanted to throw it out the window) and invested in a proper laptop

It was really cheap so it might've been the model I bought rather than because it was a Chromebook though.

Thanks all. Im thinking that the surface Go might be a good shout.

I've got a Chromebook. It won't run Office, so if your daughter absolutely needs that then it isn't suitable. I do use it for notes and essays though - and have had no problems sending stuff to other devices (including my Windows pc), or printing or using email. It's also incredibly light.

School here has issued chromebooks to all pupils so they must be ok

Definitely need Office! So a chromebook is no good.

I got the pro. Have been slightly disappointed but I've never really got to grips with all it does. My sister raves about hers. The pen was crap. The mouse that folds flat broke fairly soon

My other dd has the pro and loves it! Does her homework with the pen. You do need the proper Microsoft pen thoigh

Surprised to see people say chromebooks are rubbish. Mine is there most used piece of technology I own. I use it for exactly that- you can download the office app on the chrome store and also use MS word o line and excel, as well as document share and sync very easily. Mine is linked to my phone so can access documents interchangeably and I've not had problems printing. Its compact and light and starts up within seconds of opening. I had/have the ASUS flip (one of the cheaper versions of)

I always took that to uni over my macbook as it was more than adequate, easier to carry, and less expensive if broken. If anything it's the macbook I regretted buying as I almost never use it.

I have a Chromebook and I will be honest, I don't like it. I hate that it has no software and yes, you can save stuff to the cloud etc but I'd rather not. And I find it runs really, really slowly to the point that I now never use it to browse online because it's so clunky.

We have a bottom of the range lenovos and it's light and pretty good, but if all the others will have surface go's personally I'd spend a few extra quid though once you include a keyboard it is quite a few extra quid!!

Also when comparing weight include the keyboard if you're looking at surface go

I have one given from my Msc and it's shit.

Nearly threw it out the window too. Less than a year old and it doesn't even charge up any more. Plus IT didn't support them. Useless.

If it's less than a year old surely it's still under warranty. You should take it back and have it looked at because it sounds like you got a dodgy one.