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Original poster

Laptop or chromebook

23 replies

ifonly4 · 11/02/2021 18:35

Need to replace my laptop. DH reckons a chromebook would suit me and thinks they're faster.

Basically all I want it for is looking at the news, weather, mumsnet and anything I'm generally interested on. At the moment, I'm using for zoom about once a week but as soon as we're allowed I'll be meeting my friends in our gardens (distanced). Occasionally I type a few thoughts which I transfer to our main computer for adding to a document/letter.

Laptop or chromebook? Also, if anyone has any recommendations that would be great.

OP posts:

PlanDeRaccordement · 11/02/2021 18:37

iPad. 100% prefer an iPad mini for those things. Also good for sneaky tv shows while travelling.

Bunnybigears · 11/02/2021 18:37

In my opinion Laptop, I've used a Chromebook a few times and didn't get on with them at all didnt find it any faster and felt limited by everything having to be cloud based I hate the cloud.

HilaryBriss · 11/02/2021 18:51

I've got both and use them for different things, laptop mainly for work purposes. For what you will be using it for, I would prefer my Chromebook.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 11/02/2021 19:05

Laptop - I've recently had a chrome book for work and absolutely hate it! Tiny screen, weird keyboard layout and having to link everything up via Google is a complete and utter pain. Don't go near one! You've been warned

TodayNoMore · 11/02/2021 19:14

Since getting Chromebook, my Windows 10 laptop has barely seen the light of day, certainly not used it this side of Christmas.

I use it mainly for Zoom, web, email, Youtube, plus the occasional document.

boredwiththeoldname · 11/02/2021 19:35

I have a chromebook and they are a pain in the arse. You can't download or store things on it, you can't 'right-click' on the mouse to do anything, and it doesn't seem compatible with basic things like normal Word documents and the like.

The only reason I've got one is that PC World made a monumental fuckup of my laptop and I had to buy something quick that you could plug and go. That's probably the only plus point.

Tumblebugsjump · 11/02/2021 19:57

For those things chromebook is ideal, if you want to do any work on it, PC.

knitpicker · 11/02/2021 20:05

I have a chromebook, there is nothing good to say about it from my POV, definitely pc

DavidsSchitt · 11/02/2021 20:27

Chrome book

TwoZeroTwoZero · 11/02/2021 20:36

We have both. The chromebook is a pain in the arse to type on or to see anything on the tiny screen. The track pad is abysmal. There is no left click. You can't store anything on it. It's so slow. Either use your phone or get a laptop.

CatsAndDogsAndHorses · 11/02/2021 21:28

Laptop

VodkaSlimline · 11/02/2021 21:29

I have a Chromebook (one of these) and I really like it! The screen is great - excellent visual quality and it's a rouchscreen which I LOVE). You can right-click with alt+click or clicking with 2 fingers. And I can download and store files on it! Maybe everyone moaning about Chromebooks just doesn't know how to use them?

StillMedusa · 11/02/2021 21:29

Chromebook..and yes you can right click.. it's just alt+ right click

I have an ancient macbook used rarely with the (non wifi) printer but for everything else it's the chromebook... very fast. Not sure why storage would be a problem as they come with google drive storage.. all my photos and documents are there,, instantly available like a laptop..and you CAN download stuff.
I've had an Asus chromebook which was excellent til I killed it with wine. 13 inch (I agree 11 inch ones are too small) fab screen and keyboard.

I now have a shiny new Google pixelbook which is beautiful.. better keyboard than my mac, superfast and touch screen (tho I rarely use that function) I use it for work and leisure, google docs etc works fine.

I wouldn't touch Windows with a bargepole and even macs, which I love are too expensive for what I need.

Reallybadidea · 11/02/2021 21:30

@boredwiththeoldname

The only reason I've got one is that PC World made a monumental fuckup of my laptop and I had to buy something quick that you could plug and go. That's probably the only plus point.

I can do all those things on mine

HilaryBriss · 11/02/2021 21:33

For those saying that the screen is tiny on their Chromebook, you can get bigger ones! And the keyboard is no different to the one on my laptop for typing on. Mine also has a right click, and left click, and you can store stuff on it although admittedly not much.

FatCatThinCat · 11/02/2021 21:38

I bought a chromebook a couple of months ago and I love it. I got a HP one tbat folds over completely so can be used like tablet too.

starfish4 · 12/02/2021 08:08

Following with interest as I'm trying to make the same decision

I read some people had problems with zoom in their Chromebooks. Has anyone had problems?

YoniAndGuy · 12/02/2021 09:48

Yes zoom is a bit off. I wouldn’t buy one- we’re sorry we did! Hard to explain but I’d say if you’re used to a windows machine, you’ll feel that you’re on something just less clever and less functional. So you might as well get a laptop

BidensWingWoman · 12/02/2021 09:51

There's as known issue with Chromebook and zoom. It doesn't work well on mine at all, I should like a have s really bad internet connection (I don't).

Other than that, it's great

VodkaSlimline · 12/02/2021 21:08

Had no problem with Zoom on mine.

bluedomino · 12/02/2021 21:33

Laptop. We have both and the Chromebook is frustrating. It is clunky; zoom is odd only working sporadically, the right click is annoying as you have to remember to press ALT (I think), mouse tracing is jerky. We have tried streaming but its awful, can't remove the Pause button from the middle of the screen and adverts always flashing on rightside. There may be a way to change this but we were all too annoyed and resorted to a tablet. Most annoying I find that I can't use it to transfer library books to my Kobo e-reader as no USB port. It really dislikes Zoom. We have had to borrow another laptop from school as it would not operate on the school HWB system. Wont open Word or allow amendments for school work. So, yes the Chromebook is quick to start up and marginally quicker whilst using Google, but its very frustrating if you want to do anything slightly more adventurous. I would only buy a Chromebook if you have access to a laptop too.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 12/02/2021 21:34

Laptop. I've never had a good experience with Chromebooks - I don't know why they're so well-rated on here!

Ruth5678 · 23/12/2021 20:43

i have had a chromebook for a couple of months. I really like it. I use it for things like facebook, goodreads, browsing web etc. Also I do some documents too. My main gripe, though, is it isn;'t compatible with our printer (which is only 2 yr old). I use a mouse, so don't have a problem with right click. I've just discovered you can get kindle cloud on it, so if I wanted to, I could read on it, highlight, make notes etc. (I don't very often though). I have an android phone, so am used to google chrome etc anyway.

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