I've been thinking for a long time to buy a Chromebook because it promises big battery capacity, low weight and responsiveness (which I assume due to its "thin client"). All of those are important for me because I'm a student. I prefer to be mobile with my working platform, and smartphones or tablets are too small and impose using non-physical keyboard by default, which is a big turn-off for me, given that I use my laptops to type a lot.
Now that the opportunity to buy a Chromebook is present, I've started to doubt its worth. It's a cheap, lightweight platform that would allow me not to worry about its usability. Sounds very good for me; but, maybe, it's too good a story. I care very much about what I work with, and unless it's highly comfortable, I simply couldn't use it properly. Feeling averse to working with the laptop, even a little, is the last thing I need.
I realize that there are drawbacks with a Chromebook compared to one's typical Windows laptop: I can't play most games there (I know people have been playing Dota 2 using Chromebooks), I can't work with memory-heavy stuff (like music editing) and there's only a handful of apps I can use without tinkering with the system (or installing a new one on top/instead). That's all fine for me. A Chromebook I mean to use mainly for:
- typing (lots of);
- listening to music (lots of);
- saving necessary study material, notes and stories locally (not much);
- playing simple games (sudoku, crosswords, Zuma-level stuff etc.);
- watching movies (preferably in 1080p);
- ideally, image editing (not too heavy).
Are Chromebooks good for all of that? Are they enough? Would I be better off with a Windows-clad laptop instead? Which Chromebook model is best fit for my needs?
If you like sudoku, here's a couple alternative sites: http://www.conceptispuzzles.com/index.aspx or http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/puzzles/
I too have been looking into getting a Chromebook, perhaps with a windows machine at home I could remote desktop into for any of the heavy lifting. While it sounds good for your needs, you need to consider what apps you'd be using, they're literally just Google Chrome extensions/web-apps so it could be a good idea to trial some now (try opening study material and assignments in Docs, try out the image editors etc) and see if that work flow suits you. Ultimately, go in stores and try typing for some time on the Chromebooks as the keyboards vary a lot and some just are awful to use, though it would always be possible to get a proper mechanical keyboard and keep that at home for the extended typing sessions.
That's a great idea. Here's the deal: they barely sell any in Russia; I'm not sure whether I can find any in a reasonably-big area around me. Hence, all I can rely on are photographs (that show texture) and others' reviews on the matter. Indeed. Thank you. They're probably going to be slower than they'll be on a Chromebook. Would you like my review after I'm done with them?Ultimately, go in stores and try typing for some time on the Chromebooks
you need to consider what apps you'd be using, they're literally just Google Chrome extensions/web-apps so it could be a good idea to trial some now
Availability is definitely going to be a problem for trying the keyboards hands on, I guess you can always check what the returns policy is and just buy and try some that you are very confident about? Absolutely post your impressions here, I've had some experience with several Chrome apps and found that it stumbles on some basic things like handling zips and converting complex Word documents. Don't forget you might have access to stuff like Office 365 which may give you a better experience... :)