Quote:
Originally Posted by BadBilly
1. Need for ubiquitous, high-speed connection. Lots of people do not live in a world where they get always-available high-speed Internet. I often have trouble with my Internet connection at home. I find dead spots on my smartphone. I travel underground during my commute. Having to plan ahead and download a document I want to work on before I get into the subway is a nuisance and having to wait until I'm out of the subway to ensure my changes are saved to my Google Drive are serious limitations.
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This is somewhat true, but perhaps not for the example you give. If your documents are in say, Microsoft Office formats, then yes, you'd need to plan ahead and download them in advance of losing your internet connection.
However, it you're working in gMail, or in Google Docs, your recent work will be available offline. The big limitation at present is Google Sheets, which you can't yet edit offline.
However, assuming you have gained access to your documents to work with offline, or have created new ones while offline, you'll find that you can save them to your Google Drive folders while still offline. The changes then sync with your online Google Drive as soon as a connection is re-established.
You can also answer your emails offline, and the messages get sent once you're back online.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BadBilly
2. Money. <snip> If I can only have one tool, I'd rather it have maximum functionality.
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Agreed. As you said, most commentators note that ChromeOS is not yet ready to be your only computing device. If there's functionality you need and you can only have one computer, then clearly a Chromebook is not for you.
However, if money is not completely a restriction, and Chromebooks are pretty cheap, consider that the convenience that comes with them can be an overall benefit.
Yes, I still have to deal with maintaining my Windows 7 machine, but I turn it on far less often nowadays. For most of my tasks the ChromeOS device is quicker, far quieter, and more pleasant to use.
Having all the functionality available from one device doesn't necessarily equate to having a more convenient, pleasant experience if both devices are to hand.
Of course, if there's functionality that you need when away from home, then the equation tips in favour of having the single laptop running Windows, OSX or Linux. This is why much of the conversation around Chromebooks focusses on what you can and can't do. For many, the limitations aren't a big problem when away from the second machine at home.
Graham