Google Chromebook - what's the catch?

[passedgo]

www.google.co.uk/intl/en/chrome/devices/

Very tempted to get one for teen for school. Obviously you have to store data elsewhere but would that ever be a problem?

www.google.co.uk/intl/en/chrome/devices/

Got one for our 15yo last Xmas because he just doesn't take care of his tech and it's great. Only really any good on wifi so by default it keeps him from using anywhere but home which is an unintended benefit. Recommend!

www.engadget.com/2013/10/09/hp-chromebook-11-review/

"It's not a stretch, though, to say such a device is great for some casual users who need a smooth-running machine for surfing the web, responding to email and watching Netflix."

Thanks for the input, I'm getting sick of reading reviews online with comments like this:

"The USB ports are on the sides - one on the left, two on the right - which makes them less awkward to reach when compared to Samsung’s device. The Series 3 places them on the rear edge, forcing you to rise from your seat and reach over the screen to access them."

In other words, not for people with extremely short arms.

I'd love to get an all singing all dancing mac system, but in our it's bound to end up with coffee spilled on it or dropped from a table, or sat on. We've go through two kindles (one lost, one crunched), a lost camera, a packed up laptop and a packed up netbook. I'd like to do the long term investment but we need something that is semi-disposable.

I got ds one last Christmas and it is great. He has an external hd for school stuff.

Would definitely recommend.

I just got one, it works fine, we are usually online anyway. Under £200 and smaller than an A4 folder. I think next time I will get one with a bigger screen though.