Quote:
Originally Posted by leaston
Even after reading the article and this thread, I'm baffled as to what benefit I'd get with a Chromebook that I can't get from even an entry level Windows lappy. Have I missed the point somewhere along the way?
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When viewed with a Spock-like adherence to strict rationality it can seem confusing.
A primary benefit of a Chromebook is the simplicity and security. There are huge swathes of people for whom even an entry level Windows laptop provides a level of functionality far beyond any requirements that they have ever had, have now, or will have. The Chromebook provides the basic functionality that they need, encapsulated in a familiar form factor and at a reasonable price, without 98% of the fuss of a busy and complicated Windows, OS X, or traditional GNU/Linux platform.
Another huge benefit is the cloud itself. Because everything is synced (including the apps on your Chromebook, your settings, layout, documents, and EVERYTHING not stored locally in Downloads) you can have your Chromebook experience back up and running in mere moments after purchasing a new one or even using someone else's Chrome OS device. No fiddling, no worries. And if you sign in to a Chrome browser on any machine, you get a near approximation of the Chrome OS experience, so you won't be completely lost even though you are on an unfamiliar platform. "Chrome" becomes the platform, what it is running on becomes largely inconsequential.
Finally, coming at it from a rational perspective just isn't the correct way to do it. In the end, people will use what appeals to them even when the justification for doing so is thin or nonexistent. My primary computer is a Mac. But I could do the stuff that I do on it with a far cheaper Windows computer, and I could do most of the things that I do these days (outside of work) with just a Chromebook or a tablet. But I still like my Mac and chose it for the irrational reason of loving Macs and having always loved Macs and simply preferring them without any earth shattering justification. At the end of the day, people like what they like. And it is hard to argue with that, because it is essentially irrational by nature, and reason can only go so far.