Dell, Acer...

I've been using Acer and have been very happy with them. I had upgraded my Old Acer (5742z-4601) Budget laptop from 3gb RAM to 8gb RAM and from a 320gb 5400rpm Hard Drive to a Seagate 500gb SSHD 7200rpm Hard Drive (it currently running Windows 10). My old Acer was around 5-7 years old and still running like a champ (Battery is still holding a charge).

I replaced my old laptop with a Newer Acer (V5 573p-6896) just over a year ago (lots of bells and whistles). I also upgraded my wife's Budget Lenovo Laptop with the same model Acer. I upgraded both of these laptops from 4gb RAM to 12gb RAM and Added a 256gb SSD Drives while keeping the 500gb Hard Drives that came in the computers for storage (these computers came with an empty mSATA Slot for an SSD Drive).

I also have 3 Acer Tablets (2 x Android and 1 x Windows) that I've been very happy with, so happy I bought my Grandson one for Christmas last year! He's a pretty picky guy at 9yrs. old and does love his Acer Tablet!

What do you use it for? Are there specified apps or programs you want to continue using? Does size matter? Does battery life matter?

i mostly use it for web surfing and email, along with writing a few documents. The size and battery life don't matter, although i would like a larger screen. i was thinking about a Chromebook, but i'm not sure i would be able to transfer all of my music from iTunes. That's a major big deal for me -- keeping my music.

Here's one at Walmart online great deal and free shipping, just an example as I said browse online always a good idea, reviews 90% positive.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/ASUS-15.6-X553SA-WS01-RD-Laptop-PC-with-Intel-Celeron-N3050-Processor-4GB-Memory-500GB-Hard-Drive-and-Windows-10/50136424

Have decided on a Chomebook. i got the answers to all my questions, and i think it will be a good fit for me. in order to not myself crazy, i'm going to do it by bit as far as transferring music or photos.

Does anyone else have one? How is it working for you?

There is no iTunes version for the linux operating system (which is what Chromebooks use). Chromebooks can store music as any other kind of file, but the on-board storage space is very limited (like maybe 16 GB). You can supplement that by using a thumb drive, if you're able to figure out how to point the music player to it.

Chromebooks are a good approach for an inexpensive machine intended mostly for internet
browsing. Other uses can involve compromises and unfamiliar
alternatives. If you're not more than a novice user, I'd recommend paying a few hundred dollars more to get a Windows machine with more familiar software AND more available help, when needed. This is a case where making a buying decision solely on price may lead you in the wrong direction.

Thanks! i can store music in the Cloud, and get an app to play it.

Am an experienced user. Loved DOS! so much fun. Looking forward to trying out a new system. Had a job where i had to use google docs, so i'm used to that. Will have to buy a wireless printer.

So there you have it, sounds like it will work well for you. Good luck.

Thanks!

Cacocobird: I've enjoyed my Toshiba Chromebook for 10 months now and, with your attitude ("looking forward to trying out a new system"), I think you'll enjoy yours too. I've attached a link to my comments when I had only used mine for 10 days; I have no negatives to add after 10 months. Let us know what you think after you've had a chance to use yours.

I still have a desktop, but it's so convenient to pick up the Chromebook and use it in the vicinity of other family members rather than being closeted in "the office". I also have a lot less "boil-overs" in the kitchen while surfing and cooking! And soon, Google Play Store apps will function with the Chromebook, opening up more opportunities.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3473337/chomebook-thumbs-up?n=3

I would never have one, small HD, and does not accept Java, which is needed for some websites. In today paper due to all the big back to school sales. Best Buy has a Lenovo laptop ( a very good brand) 16" laptop 4GB RAM, 500GB HD for $199.00. A Chrome Book is more between laptop and a tablet.

Chromebooks are a hybrid of sorts, it's true. I think that's what makes them attractive. I myself have a 10 inch Lenovo Flex10 Idea pad I use for travel. It's also a hybrid of sorts. It's just like a Chromebook in that it's perfect for being smaller, lighter, more portable, and easier to use than most other laptops. Opening up for airport security and lugging through airports is a cinch. It's also similarly mostly not suitable for daily use in a fixed place. I would have gotten a Chromebook for this purpose but for some Win-only apps I use on it.

iPhones also don't support Java. It doesn't seem to hinder its sales.

I removed Java from my Windows computers. Too many vulnerabilities. I get along just fine without it.

I have always run Java on all my PC's and never ever had a problem, I go to many senior chat rooms and help folks there, and some are Java run without Java you can not get in. One senior man 81 yr. old has a Chromebook, so he goes to his library to come in the chat room, why he bought one, I have no idea. (the low price lured him in, I guess?)

This thread triggered my thinking and I decided to check on the Java status on my PCs. I checked - I'd uninstalled it on all of them during one of the Java security incidents some time ago. I haven't put it back on. I would have never known so that says for the things I do on PCs, it's not needed.

Nut, you seem to divide the world into two lists. List #1 is Things You Do, List #2 is Mistakes Other People Make. Be a bit more open, all roads lead to Rome.

Edited to add - Remember that Javascript and Java are two different things. Javascript is a mainstay of many, many websites. It doesn't have the history of so many security problems that Java has had.

Huh? what the H... you talking about
Elmer? LOL

Sorry, which of my comments do you find unclear?

Hit and run comment from Nut?

Elmer, my lists?? my only objective here is to use my PC knowledge to help folks and not to berate them for mistakes but rather to help them correct any mistake or problem they seem to have, this is not the only place I help folks, I am known all over the internet for my Free help. So what's your problem? and things to do?? have no idea what the H... you are referring to. As far as open, ask some of the folks I've helped, my instructions could not be more clear. I have put my e-mail addy out there and even my phone number or I call folks if their phone is not Free. How more open can one person be? Now maybe you understand my clear speaking?

My Acer chromebook got here yesterday. Very easy to set up, and love the larger screen. Keyboard feels good too, and the speakers are better than the ones on my old Mac.

It will take me a while to learn it really well, but so far I like it very much.

Sounds like you made a good choice for your needs.

By open, I meant...open to opinions of others. By repeating the same comments, you imply that anyone who does something differently from what you do is wrong and or making a mistake. When an actual Chromebook owner spoke of having a positive experience, you responded by saying "I would never have one". I'm not sure why you find it necessary to be so contrary but that's YOU berating others.

I think it's nice that you help others. I hope you continue to do so whether here or elsewhere, but that's not a license for being narrow minded with the advice you give.

Sounds like a great start, cacocobird. Have fun with it!

Maybe I should clarify "I would never throw money away on a Chromebook" when I can get a real laptop with plenty of RAM and a nice big HD and a 16" screen, for the same money. Face it most folks go for them simply for the low price, about $199.00

No need for further banter with you, nut, but my reaction to this and your earlier comments is...You're very wrong, and also stubborn about what you don't understand.

Still enjoying my Chromebook -- I've learned a lot about them in the process. Since it arrived, I have been totally in computer geek mode.

Figured out getting my music from iTunes on it -- it's working very well.

Glad to hear you're getting along so well. I'd be totally lost, but I'm sure it wouldn't take long and I'd have it figured out. I work on computers and I've never worked on a Chromebook to date. That might be a good thing, maybe a good sign! Most computers I work on are User Error and not Hardware. Could be that the Chromebooks OS is harder to screw up than Windows? Hope you continue to enjoy your Chromebook!

It's all based on the Chrome browser. I'm sure you would be able to quickly pick it up. I'm enjoying it. Hope you get to play with one.

Doing something new takes being open minded and having the right attitude. You seem to be a good fit for the task.

I've always enjoyed computers -- started with DOS a long time ago. That was really fun -- you could customize so much. Never liked Windows. Loved my Macs -- but I couldn't afford a new one. This is much more fun anyway.

Good Morning, I just had this discussion with some friends who needed some advice (i'm the IT manager where I work) I usually recommend amazon and even factory refurbished when it comes to a laptop. You have 3 months to return it for any reason at all and when they "refurbish" the laptop they wipe it clean and reinstall the OS and all the appropriate drivers for that particular laptop model. Good Luck!