Chromebook: pros and cons

You forgot the biggest pro: you can throw it in a river and not lose a shred of data, it's all in the cloud.
 
Method said:
And that's kinda a big con if you ask me.
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I find it almost impossible to work without an internet connection on any computer now so would feel this is a small con.
pros would include.
automatic backup.
no antivirus required
all ones data is immediately available on another computer if stolen (in SA this is NB)
maintenance is automatic
as google upgrades cloud software one always uses latest software and tools
 
If it has 3G then I don't see many situations where you would not have connectivity.
 
Garyvdh said:
If it has 3G then I don't see many situations where you would not have connectivity.
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it does not really need 3g just wifi.
most smartphones - android and nokia have wifi hotspot capabilities so one can always remain connected.
 
Well I dont think connectivity is such a big issue, as HTML5 have ways to work off-line. you can see it in the new Chrome Gmail app as well as Angry birds.

Early days but I am sure by the time it becomes to norm, most things would be ironed out. I see the future market splinter in regard to computers.

We going to have the Creative side of computing, Photographers, Artists, Developers (Servers would probably also fall in this group) and the Consumer side of computing, the people that just work on pc's be it spreadsheets to word to surfing the net. \

Gamers might be the market that will have an issue. Its not there yet but playing http://www.quakelive.com/ and http://www.onlive.com/ as well as consoles for gaming might be the answer. Yes I know about the input lag but like I say its early days and we are in the wrong country to test them.
 
does that monthly rental cost not include internet? then it would be more appealing from a price perspective..
 
Elimentals said:
Well I dont think connectivity is such a big issue, as HTML5 have ways to work off-line. you can see it in the new Chrome Gmail app as well as Angry birds.

Early days but I am sure by the time it becomes to norm, most things would be ironed out. I see the future market splinter in regard to computers.

We going to have the Creative side of computing, Photographers, Artists, Developers (Servers would probably also fall in this group) and the Consumer side of computing, the people that just work on pc's be it spreadsheets to word to surfing the net. \

Gamers might be the market that will have an issue. Its not there yet but playing http://www.quakelive.com/ and http://www.onlive.com/ as well as consoles for gaming might be the answer. Yes I know about the input lag but like I say its early days and we are in the wrong country to test them.
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I used OnLive in Poland and while there was noticable lag... it's worth noting that 1) it can only get better and 2) everyone has the same "lag" (only bad in MP games). I have to say though... it's a worthwhile trade off to be able to play UT3 MP on a netbook (connected to a decent sized monitor is preferable ;))
 
smokey said:
I used OnLive in Poland and while there was noticable lag... it's worth noting that 1) it can only get better and 2) everyone has the same "lag" (only bad in MP games). I have to say though... it's a worthwhile trade off to be able to play UT3 MP on a netbook (connected to a decent sized monitor is preferable ;))
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I used Onlive in the US when I was in New York and with 10 ms pings it was grate, moving back to SA.... not so grate. If they start rolling out servers worldwide or have deals with SP's it could become a grate idea.

Have you tried http://www.streammygame.com/ for playing your PC games on your netbook?
 
Its more of an Apple killer. They both go after the same trendy/easy-to-use market.
 
Well the connectivity is only a con if you ever considered "not being able to use phone without a network" as a con . It is kinda like buying a device to read email with, and then listing "require internet connectivity" as a con, kinda silly if you think about it?

But yea, considering what Google wants you to do with it [business activities / documents etc] this is not going to go down very well in South Africa. I've been smack in the middle of Johannesburg and couldn't get MTN or Vodacom 3G to connect , imagine trying to give a presentation and that happening.

Our 3G prices are not exactly cheap enough to do all this online. So it will come down to PRICE. At R200 a month, no way, then i can buy a Windows Laptop and pay it off monthly for the same price...
 
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To all journalists: Please don't use the word "killer"... you're just making an idiot of yourself. Show of true ignorance of the way the world works.

Clearly this won't kill windows. Windows will not disappear because of Chromebooks. The question is will it it take 3% marketshare or 7% marketshare in the next few years.

This is aimed very much at the educational market, where Apple are very strong, it will probably do more damage to osx as Inferno said.

http://chrome.angrybirds.com works on all browsers, by the way. Ironically, it works best on IE9. Way to go with the awesome showcase, Google :) They should have at least got Rovio to limit it artificiall for non-Chrome browsers!
 
So why Chromebook? when we have iPads and tablets? that do more or less the same things? both do not offer local installation of apps (all in cloud)--so for specialised services like document editing (MS office mainly) and offline data crunching, both these options are not ideal.
Nevertheless, it is a good option for those who just want cloud based apps and can do ALL their work on the cloud
 
I don't like the idea of only monthly rental's. Why are they not being flexible so these can be bought outright ? Would be more of a consideration, then.

Reminds me of renting-to-own a TV from Teljoy.
 
With HTML5 and Google Gears, any app can be available offline when you don’t have connectivity.
 
It IS available as a purchase as well. Around $500 I think I read somewhere.
 
elvis_presley said:
To all journalists: Please don't use the word "killer"... you're just making an idiot of yourself. Show of true ignorance of the way the world works.

Clearly this won't kill windows. Windows will not disappear because of Chromebooks. The question is will it it take 3% marketshare or 7% marketshare in the next few years.
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+1, I don't get that this is not obvious to the journo's by now.

I also don't like the idea of monthly rental. If I can buy this once-off for the price of a typical netbook, I will consider it.
 
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