skip to main content

laptop or chromebook

8 years ago

could anyone please help us. we are wanting to get a new computor. we each have our ipads not, but hubby still prefers the laptop. the only requirement we have is that it has usb ports and he can surf. nothing fancy, what is the difference between a chrome book and laptop. any information would be appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

azinoh
8 years ago
A laptop could have either the Mac OS or Windows. A Chromebook has only the Chrome OS.
PRO
Universal Iron Doors & Hardware Inc.
8 years ago
Chrome is just a low end PC running google OS. So you are limited in hardware and software. It can't run Adobe Flash so your net experience will be limited as well. Best bet would be to go with a laptop with Windows 10. Then you're not boxed in by limitation.
Related Discussions
Chromebook!
Q
Comments (13)
It definitely will not replace my tablets, I love them a lot! But I am certainly enjoying learning the many abilities this chromebook has. Everyone has their own preferences but I have never had a problem with an HP product. I have had multiple computers and other HP devices with great performance. I have also had ACER , ASUS, Lenovo also good products. Many of my elderly friends and neighbors are wanting an alternative to windows this is going to be a good option for them since their needs are very simple tasks. The learning curve is minimal especially for those who were already familiar with Chrome browser and have it sync all their settings and bookmarks etc. I am very pleased with it thus far. I did consider one of the flips that folds over to become a touchscreen tablet or a small laptop/notebook. But for now I wanted the bigger screen size and keyboard. My arthritis in my hands was getting bad from holding my tablet and phone in my hands this gives my hands a break and actually typing gives my fingers exercise they need. The touchpad is surprisingly responsive and I am actually liking it. I do have a usb mouse too for when I need it.
...See More
Tablet (and other) people, I could use some guidance.
Q
Comments (26)
I was just reading some Chromebook reviews, and they were not encouraging. One reviewer said it was hard on the eyes! The model was an HP. I'm still interested though. A couple of the reviewers said HP makes crap--but my desktop computer is an HP Envy and I have no complaints. Where are you seeing the good prices, Raven? My eye issue is actually issues (plural). One involves glare, and some of the suggestions here might very well help. Thanks to Lyme disease, I am wildly sensitive to light. A lot of the time I feel as though I live like a bat. This time of year when the sun hits the snow on the ground I prop foam board up against the windows. Sometimes I wear yellow (orange?) glasses at the computer, but I don't really like them. And of course they're not an option when I'm working on photographs. The other issue involves flicker. This is also from Lyme disease—it’s more of a brain issue than an eye issue. I use two monitors, and I suspect I might do a little better with them if they weren’t so big (27”). I chose a model that was said to be flicker-free. But on bad days I get the same thoroughly unpleasant hard-to-describe feeling that fluorescent lighting produces in me. The monitors also have a blue light filter and are supposed to be designed to reduce eye strain. But I’m sure eye strain is something I have right now, and I blame myself for bad habits like staring for long periods with minimal blinking and without a break. So to answer Elmer's question, I'm not certain but I've always felt I do okay with my tablets because there's no flicker. But I don't know if that's true or not. Responding to some other comments: I'm running Win7 on my computer. I didn't like Win10, so we uninstalled it. I kept it on my upstairs computer, but I hardly ever use that one. We don't have an actual computer store around here, and I'm not a fan of BestBuy, so I usually purchase electronics online. I went through Control Panel to get to display but didn't see any settings related to light emission. Maybe I went about it the wrong way. So Winter, if you have some specifics for me I'd be happy to give it a shot. My son suggested I need more ambient light in the vicinity of the computer. That makes sense, as I find it intolerable to use a tablet in a dimly-lit room. It's not a simple matter to add more lights in my computer area, but maybe I should give it some thought. I have an eye appointment next week, and I'll talk to her about it. I had cataract surgery 7 years ago, and after that they put a laser hole in the lenses. That improved my vision a lot, and I wonder if it needs to be done again. I've read that a second hole is almost never necessary, but I'd be happy if that were the easy solution. Whatever I get, all I really want to do is use it for writing--oh, and play Scrabble and Words With Friends on it. For some reason, the games are the hardest for me to look at, and I my Nexus 7 tablet will no longer load them. I don't know why. Well, thank you all again. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
...See More
For those interested in camping!
Q
Comments (46)
I used to really enjoy my version of camping. I went for some comfort and niceties. I'd usually sleep in the back of my pickup, off the ground, who cares if it rained and I'd be up fresh and having coffee while others are wringing their clothes out crawling out of the tents. When in a tent, I'd have a cot. I had a battery TV, not just for entertainment but to check news/weather if there's a weather front coming through. Propane campstoves and lanterns, much better and safer than white gas. Now, I'm more to staying in a hotel. Oh and Lindsey_ca, if you met some of the people I've met in my years, you wouldn't assume most people would know. Just a couple months ago a 6 year old died from a fire in a Walmart parking lot. Her mother left her and her sister sleeping in the vehicle in the parking lot ("but I was only going to be gone a MINUTE!!!!") and a guy who was sleeping in the parking lot had done some cooking on a grill, put the grill into his van, pulled up next to the van with the children, his vehicle caught fire and spread to several adjoining vehicles. Last I heard the other child was in critical condition, not sure if she survived or not. Sad story but shows stupidity on both mother and the guy who caused the fire.
...See More
Anybody have a chromebook?
Q
Comments (15)
I bought a Dell Inspiron Chromebook in 2018--an online Black Friday deal from Best Buy. I never go in Best Buy stores, but my opinion of the chain warmed up after I bought the Chromebook. It was an excellent deal, and I love it. I got a good deal on a wireless mouse at the same time. These days it's my first choice to use for Zooming. The camera seems to be better than those used by some of the people I Zoom with. I don't know if it has a mic or not, because I use a headset. The battery life is impressive. Also impressive is the speed with which it charges. I have a desktop PC that I use for most things, including writing and photo editing. But the Chromebook monitor is easier on my eyes than the big monitors, so I handle much of my email and some web stuff in the living room with it perched on my lap. The rest of the time I have it upstairs, where it serves several functions for me. I also have an android tablet and two Kindle Fires. Not tempted to get an Apple product.
...See More
mike_kaiser_gw
8 years ago
While their low price makes Chromebooks attractive, just make sure you fully understand the limitations of the Chrome operating system before making a purchase. Or ensure that company selling it has a good has a good return policy.

Personally, I think most people would be better off with a traditional laptop running Windows or OS X. It just gives you more flexibility.
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
8 years ago
I'm going to take the other side and advocate for the Chromebook. I have a Windows desktop but bought a Chromebook in October 2015; I wanted a laptop and was curious about the Chromebook. I love it!! It's so easy. No daily or weekly notices to update this or that. I open the lid and it just runs.

I had been using Firefox on the Windows machine but copied all my bookmarks to the Chrome browser on that same machine. My email was already gmail. Turned on the new Chromebook, entered my gmail address, and the bookmarks from the desktop appeared on the Chromebook. That was the setup!! Easy peasy.

Because of the previous comment about Adobe Flash, I googled "sites that require Adobe Flash" to see what I was missing. I tried out a selection on each of the first two that appeared - ebizmba and beautifullife - and there was no problem. They played beautifully on the Chromebook.

The Chromebook will not run a site that uses Microsoft Silverlight, in my case a stock charting site, but I knew this before purchasing the Chromebook and just use another site.

My spouse has an older Windows laptop and is flummoxed by the frequent update requests. He's due for a new one and it will definitely be a Chromebook. We'll both be much happier!
bmelz
8 years ago
Chromebook is kind of in between an iPad and a laptop. If you don't need to install any software, it'll probably work for you.
Steve J
8 years ago
June, the chromebook has just as many updates as the pc, they’re just configured by default to download and install automatically. A pc can be configured the same way for your husband. The only caveat is that if there are apps installed and running, it may require a reboot to start or complete. That said, i’m glad your chromebook is working great for you, but I wouldnt suggest one over the other based on “updates” because they are required and do happen on every device.

Jo, you mentioned you had a requirement for a usb port. What is the purpose for that requirement? Are you transfering files, connecting devices, or other?

as others have mentioned, a laptop/tablet will be full featured, and a chromebook will be stripped down to basic internet/network usage. If you truly just need a device to connect to the internet, this will likely meet your needs, but if you ALSO want to install an application or two, and other pc like functions even later down the road, then a laptop will be a better option.
Jo
Original Author
8 years ago
thank you all for the information. I will take it all into consideration. Steve just so you know why I need the usb port. I transfer audiobooks from the library into overdrive and from there install them on a MP3 player. I know I could listen to them on my phone, but then the library would be able to delete them when needed. this way I have them till I can listen to them.
Elmer J Fudd
8 years ago
Is there a Chrome OS version of the Overdrive desktop program/app?

Related Stories

KIDS’ SPACES How to Sneak In a Study Zone Without Creating Clutter

By Laura Gaskill

When kids do their schoolwork in open living areas, where do you stash the books and supplies? See these clever ideas

MOVING 7 Ways to Prepare for a Less Stressful Move

By Tailorly, Professional Home Organizing

Moving to a new home is considered one of life’s most stressful events. A few tasks done now can ease your burden later

Sponsored