Living with Chromebook: Giving Google's OS a second chance

[Rockntractor]

by Dan Ackerman
April 22, 2013 3:47 PM PDT
Prologue: How long can I survive with only a cloud-based Chrome OS laptop?

Anyone needing proof that the post-PC era is real need only consult the recent sales figures: traditional PC sales are down 14 percent year over year, even as sales of tablets and smartphones -- mostly using Apple's iOS and Google's Android -- become more ubiquitous.

But even as Android adoption continues to flourish, Google has another horse in the race: Chrome OS. Chrome's mission statement is simple: With everything moving to "the cloud," why have a heavy, expensive Windows or Mac operating system acting as a middleman? Why not just have the browser be the OS? And that's precisely the reason it shares a name with Google's increasingly popular Web browser.

It's a clever enough idea, and one that plays to Google's strength: search, Gmail, Google Docs, Maps, Picasa, and nearly all of the company's other products don't require traditional software -- just a browser and a live Web connection. Still, when we last looked at it in the fall of 2012, we found Chrome OS to be promising, but ultimately not up to the level of a full-time OS. In other words, it was generally fine for a "second computer," but not quite ready to run your one and only go-to PC for every task.
Read More>https://www.google.com/search?q=goog...firefox-aurora

I bought the Samsung version of one of these for my step dad from Amazon for 200.00 in an open box special. He is very happy with it, he's not tech savvy but this is one of the most basic easy to use computers I have ever used, this is especially suited for elderly or anyone for that matter that doesn't put heavy software demands on a computer.
The keyboard is extremely smooth,one of the best I have used, touch pad is equally good although I'm a ball mouse person.
It weighs nothing, is very thin and has a 6.5 hr battery life.

Absolutely zero heat output because it has no hard drive and uses all solid state memory.
I may have to get one to play with.

[RobJohnson]

What is the model number for the Samsung? I'm always buying computers for family members.

[Rockntractor]

What is the model number for the Samsung? I'm always buying computers for family members.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2L77EE7U53NWQ

[RobJohnson]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2L77EE7U53NWQ

Thank you

[Rockntractor]

Thank you

They keep getting good owners reviews, they have good apps besides just web browsing but they are internet dependent, you have to have a live connection. Like tablets and iPads these things are terminals and rely on a server for software and storage, that said the system works well and they are fast.

[RobJohnson]

Speaking of tablets.......

I was at one of the rebranded and new Casinos in Las Vegas and noticed the cocktail waitresses were using mini tablets (might of been iPads, not sure) to take drink orders. Within a couple minutes another waitress would show up with the beverage for the patron. It was very efficient. Of course, not everyone drinks, some order coffee, tea, etc...so people from other stations were able to respond as soon as the order showed up.

I've been in places where the server had to take several orders, then the server had to go manually turn in the order.....meanwhile you had to wait a long time for a beverage, that was not the case at this place. My ice cold bottle of water came quick!

It's also a great idea for restaurants. The server is able to simply enter the guest's order into the tablet, bypassing the POS system.