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Original poster

Would a chromebook be any good?

21 replies

Chimichangaz · 28/12/2014 19:00

I already have a laptop (Dell, about 4 years old) and an ipad. My laptop has been great but is slowing down a bit now and isn't that portable compared with a smaller laptop. I use the laptop for outlook, updating my cv, job applications, storing photos, keeping my finances up to date (excel). I use the ipad for web browsing in bed or on the sofa, my son uses it occasionally for games and watching films but it's slowing down too (it's about 2 yrs old and has some keyboard lag). Plus, if I'm composing a long message I prefer a 'proper' keyboard. I'm thinking of getting a more up to date laptop which is a bit less 'clunky' and have seen chrome books advertised. Will one of these be a good replacement for my laptop? Or can anyone suggest another option? My budget is up to £400

TIA

OP posts:

RustyParker · 28/12/2014 21:08

I have a Chromebook but am the least techy person I know but am happy to share my experience...

The main con is you can't use MS Word, Excel etc. Chromebook has its own Google versions but you can open the MS files if they are sent to you. Unfortunately, I've found that hardly anyone can open the Google version if I email or attach any files in that format. Would this be a problem for you?

That isn't too much of a problem for me so I get along with my Chromebook quite nicely. It is very light and compact, starts up within seconds and is easy to use. I like the idea of the cloud storage (don't understand it though!) and it comes with a maximum device storage for free but you can't buy more storage if you want to and I don't think it's massively expensive.

You need a gmail account in order to use Chromebook.

You can't download or use any other browser and some companies don't always support the Chrome browser. I can't pay my council tax online using my Chromebook or access certain parts of my online banking accout.

Because it's so compact, you don't have all the keoyboard buttons you would have one a regular keyboard; there's no caps lock, no right side numerical buttons but I've found it's not so much of a problem and got used to it quite quickly.

Hope you've managed to glean some helpful info!

Original poster

Chimichangaz · 28/12/2014 22:23

That's really helpful, thanks!

I have a gmail account so that's ok, however if it were to replace my laptop it would be a problem not using Word or Excel - well, more a problem for those receiving the info but still a problem! (I'm self employed and send invoices, apply for vacancies etc). I love the fact it's compact, starts quickly etc, but don't think it's going to be suitable

I guess what I should look for is a compact laptop which can still run Office but be as responsive as chromebook?

OP posts:

RustyParker · 28/12/2014 22:44

That's a shame as Chromebooks are so brilliantly priced but there's always a catch...

Hope what you are after isn't a Holy grail!

RedTinsel · 28/12/2014 22:52

I took mine back after a week and bought a windows laptop. Not being compatible with Microsoft was a massive PITA and the google apps didn't work the same way as Office.

Shame really because I liked the price, the fast start up and the cloud storage thing.

Original poster

Chimichangaz · 29/12/2014 10:40

Yes, maybe it's just too good to be true with the speed and the size. Really couldn't do without MS office. Not sure I will find what I'm looking for but will start searching!

If anyone has any suggestions for a suitable compact speedy laptop which runs windows that'd be great!!

OP posts:

SwedishEdith · 29/12/2014 19:03

Haven't Microsoft actually brought out something similar? I've seen adverts for something new and assumed it was their response to the Chromebook.

Siolence · 29/12/2014 19:10

An office 365 subscription would let you use the online version of MS Office. You could use it on your iPad too giving you more flexibility.

Surface Pro 3 is the Microsoft version. Ticks all the boxes but the price is umm not remotely comparable.

yomellamoHelly · 29/12/2014 19:12

We have a couple of chromebooks - cheapest possible for ds1 (about £200 I think) and mine which is a swanky one with a nice keyboard and touchscreen (about £1000). Everything's on the cloud (no backups required) and incredibly easy to get them going. Fast to "boot" when you open the lid. (Used to have a mac laptop and really liked that about them.) Would never go back to microsoft. Each to their own though.

tribpot · 29/12/2014 19:22

You shouldn't have a problem emailing documents to people. You just have to choose the right format when you're sending them.

You choose File -> Email as Attachment and then it will ask you what format you want to send it in. The default is PDF which can be read virtually everywhere.

You should be able to manage quite well without MS Office but if not, Office 365 is good value.

SwedishEdith · 29/12/2014 19:52

Yeah, sorry, just checked the price of the Microsoft ones...

RustyParker · 29/12/2014 20:20

Oh, that's really helpful tribpot thank you!

tribpot · 29/12/2014 21:20

How were you trying to send documents, RustyParker? Happy to be a guinea pig if you want to check you can do this from your Chromebook.

Original poster

Chimichangaz · 29/12/2014 22:48

Had a quick trip to staples tonight and found a couple of compact windows netbooks - an acer one (Aspire E3-111) - it wasn't in stock and if it had been I'd have walked away with it. £219.99. They also had a HP net book which also converted to a tablet, I found one online and I may go for it. It's a HP 360 and it's £329.99. Seems like it might do the trick. And it looks really nice too (red case) - not that that's important of course

OP posts:

NetworkGuy · 29/12/2014 23:54

Trust you have now also seen the posts by tribpot and that a Windows machine really isn't the only option (in any case, with Windows 10 due next year, anything you buy now will quickly be out of date, {and have limited resale value if you decided to upgrad,} but also, as there's not yet a 'launch date', none of the manufacturers will be offering a free upgrade to Windows 10).

I've got a number of Windows (XP and 7) laptops, linux and 5x iMacs but will be getting a Chromebook as pound for pound, I think it would be better value. Add a Microsoft 365 subscription (which gives a person use of the applications, and soon to be unlimited online storage), and you have the best of both world. Admittedly if you want to use MS Access (the database) you would need a Windows system, but for many that's not a requirement.

I have for over 10 years been putting invoices on my website for people to view (and print, should the need arise)... Never had to worry about whether they had compatible word processing software - they have e-mail (my primary means of contact) and a web browser, so they have all they need... Paying me is another matter, however, even if I give them PayPal invoice or option of BACS... some can be a bit slow (and I know from website logs that they have seen the invoice).

paneer · 30/12/2014 00:33

do you have to be online to use office 365?

are the HP stream laptops any good??

Original poster

Chimichangaz · 30/12/2014 12:23

Thanks for all the replies, I didn't realise tech had moved on quite so much since I last bought...

After much looking around on the web (and trying out in staples and currys) I have ordered a Lenovo Yoga 2 from John Lewis Linky

I know it's over my budget, I was looking at the lower spec one for 399 then realised this was £150 off so decided to treat myself. Collecting it tomorrow, very excited!

OP posts:

tribpot · 30/12/2014 15:39

paneer, you don't have to be online to use office 365, if you subscribe (as opposed to just use the free web apps) it comes with offline apps as well, I believe. Whether that would work on a Chromebook I'm not sure. Looking at the small print on this page I think it's PC and Mac only for offline use.

RustyParker · 30/12/2014 16:35

Oh Tribpot Goodness knows what I was doing! I think I was trying to attach files by the attach button on fb and email. Once I read your post, I went into Google Docs to see how I can attach the file as a pdf and it was really straight forward. So much so, I'm wondering if there has been some sort of update since I first tried to send something, probably over a year ago...

I think I might have got the hang of it but might take you up on your kind offer if I find I've buggered it up somewhere along the line (see my disclaimer on my first post upthread; I am seriously untechy!) Thank you very much.

Chimichangaz that Lenovo laptop looks the business. Glad you managed to get something

Original poster

Chimichangaz · 01/01/2015 22:44

Reporting back on new laptop:

It's very portable and responsive. Just what I wanted

It's taken me a bit of time to copy my files across; it comes with OneDrive too so I'm deciding which files I want to keep in the cloud, and will copy them there. Windows 8 takes a bit of getting used to, but I think I'm there now. Signed up with Microsoft for a free 30 day trial of Office 365 too. I'm not that keen on using Gmail, I actually prefer Outlook which comes with 365 so I'm pleased about that.

I think that cloud computing will be a whole new world for me - hopefully it will be a more secure and efficient way to access my files.

Thanks to all for posting your feedback and suggestions

Here's to a more techy 2015!!

OP posts:

RustyParker · 02/01/2015 15:34

Here, here

Glad you got something which suited your needs. It's a minefield out there!

Icimoi · 18/01/2015 00:40

Can you use the open source free Office equivalents, and would that be as good as Office 365?

Having had a quick Google, what seems to be recommended is HP14 and the Toshiba one with a 13" screen. Has anyone had any experience of those?

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