"Why Chromebook Pundits Are Out of Touch"

[Graham]

One of the less than stellar aspects of the ChromeOS offering so far has been Google Sheets. It's great for lists and small spreadsheets but it doesn't work offline and really struggles with complex, large workbooks.

I just saw this announcement from Google:

http://googledrive.blogspot.co.uk/20...newsheets.html

You can now get more done by switching to the new version of Google Sheets. It’s faster, supports larger spreadsheets, has a number of new features, and works offline.

The new Sheets supports millions of cells and kicks many of the old size and complexity limits to the curb. Scrolling, loading and calculation are all snappier, even in more complex spreadsheets.

I've not tried it out yet, but this sounds very promising. I'm sure I'll still need to switch back to Windows and Excel for the really heavy stuff, as I've noted above, but if it can handle thousands of rows and lookups better than the current version that will be another whole chunk of my work that can happen in ChromeOS.

I'll report back when I've given the new version a good workout.

Graham

[Graham]

There's a really well written comment on an article about Chromebooks being chosen for schools in NSW, which I thought was worth adding to this thread to support why they're a great choice in education, along with a note on where a Windows machine would still be preferable:

Originally Posted by SPM

There are two main reasons why schools have been adopting Chromebooks in the US.

The first is that the total cost of using Chromebooks is about 30% of the cost of using Windows - and the savings are increasing because hardware is dirt cheap nowadays whereas in developed countries IT labour costs are exorbitant. This is mainly down to the fact that there are massive labour cost savings on provisioning, maintenance, configuration, user authentication and user data management, updates and support. This is because Chromebooks are Zero Maintenance client devices - all device maintenance and updates are done automatically by Google and all applications are web apps and maintenance is done automatically by the app provider. Google provides the authentication server, and server back end services at zero cost in terms of hardware or labour. On top of that, Chromebooks are Zero Touch Administration Devices - which means that a system administrator never has to touch or log into a Chromebook - all management can be done centrally simply by using a website to set device and user configuration policies remotely. There is no need to ever image disks, log into the device to install applications and update its settings, or reinstall the OS - all these are done by setting device and user policies centrally. If the OS on the device ever gets corrupted or infected, the device automatically detects this on boot up and downloads an uncorrupted signed copy of the OS from Google HQ automatically and installs it. With a Chromebook, no preparation of the device is necessary - so you can have a Chromebook mailed to a school, and they can simply be handed out to students who would plug it into the charger and start working - all the settings configuration and configuration is downloaded and the user data is sitting there on the cloud. When one breaks down, you just get a new new one and plug it in.

The second reason is that it results in higher productivity for students and teachers. This is because it is simple to use, requiring little support, and requires little or no user maintenance or configuration functions. Teachers call it the "invisible operating system" because it stays out of the way, and simply lets teachers teach and students learn. It allows access to Google Apps for education, Youtube educational videos, and teacher/student, and group interaction within the school domain. It also allows students to access their work at home on other Internet connected computers if they are required to leave their computers at school, they have access to all school resources at home, and their work is always safe even if they lose their computer.

The Internet is the biggest repository of knowledge there is, so for knowledge and skills teaching in schools and universities, there is no better environment than a Chromebook. However if you are teaching low level technical skills in specific applications rather than knowledge skills - eg. courses like: Intermediate touch typing and MS Word skills, or Advanced AutoCAD drafting certification - then you really do need the applications you are teaching, and a Windows computer may be a better bet.

[kennyc]

Yep, out of touch.

[QuantumIguana]

Microsoft has ads attacking the Chromebook, so they must be feeling some pressure. The ads show the people from a pawn shop reality show telling someone they won't get much money for a Chromebook. Not surprising, since it didn't cost much in the first place. I'm not planning on pawning my Chromebook, I usually use computers until they fall apart.

You more often see ads promoting a product vs attacking a competing product, but on the other hand, there was the Mac vs. PC ads.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

You more often see ads promoting a product vs attacking a competing product, but on the other hand, there was the Mac vs. PC ads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hnOCUkbix0

[ApK]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hnOCUkbix0

You might want to watch this first for maximum effect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E98Eyl5Et0w

(For those of you, like me, who don't watch commercials much.)

[afv011]

LG has taken the wraps off their latest project, and announced the Chromebase. It's a 21-inch desktop with a twist. This all-in-one runs ChromeOS instead of a more traditional desktop operating system.

Inside the HD 1920 x 1080 IPS display, you'll find basically the same internals as the existing Samsung Chromebox. The 16GB SSD, 2 GB of RAM and Intel CPU provide more than enough power to run Chrome, and should offer the user a decent experience.

Source

Interesting, but I'm not into all-in-one devices, the monitor for one can outlive the rest of the device for quite some time. What I'd like to see is a "Chromebook in a box", basically a box running Chrome OS (maybe with an external power supply, ala Chromebook laptops) that you can plug a keyboard, mouse and monitor to and get up and running. Given that Chromebook laptops sell for $199 or so, such a box could be sold for maybe $99.

Edit: turns out such a thing already exists, Samsung Chromebox.

[kennyc]

Not at $99 though.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by afv011

Source

Interesting, but I'm not into all-in-one devices, the monitor for one can outlive the rest of the device for quite some time. What I'd like to see is a "Chromebook in a box", basically a box running Chrome OS (maybe with an external power supply, ala Chromebook laptops) that you can plug a keyboard, mouse and monitor to and get up and running. Given that Chromebook laptops sell for $199 or so, such a box could be sold for maybe $99.

Edit: turns out such a thing already exists, Samsung Chromebox.

Yet, oddly, Chromeboxes cost hundreds more. I don't know why.
Seems like you could get a $199 Chromebook and plug a keyboard mouse and monitor into it. Then you have a Chromebox that doubles as a Chromebook when needed. Or something like that.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by afv011

Source

Interesting, but I'm not into all-in-one devices, the monitor for one can outlive the rest of the device for quite some time. What I'd like to see is a "Chromebook in a box", basically a box running Chrome OS (maybe with an external power supply, ala Chromebook laptops) that you can plug a keyboard, mouse and monitor to and get up and running. Given that Chromebook laptops sell for $199 or so, such a box could be sold for maybe $99.

Edit: turns out such a thing already exists, Samsung Chromebox.

I was racking my Christmas Cheer season stressed mind exacerbated further with pressure from projects to finish up Christmas and by New Year for the name of that box, but I see you found it!



On the specs for the LG Chromebase Desktop.
Again that common 2GB Ram, 16GB SSD along with a nice 21.5 inch screen.

Why do they keep pushing 2GB and 16GB as adequate without ability to upgrade without difficulty. Are they planning for the next sales season where they will (OMG) present 4GB Rams and 32GB SSDs?

[tubemonkey]

The current Chromebox is in need of upgrading and way overpriced. If Acer can deliver a device with 2GB RAM, 16GB SSD, Haswell CPU, and a monitor for $199, then a box without a monitor should sell for less - maybe $149 for 2GB and $199 for 4GB.

Asus has promised a Chromebox (and Chromebook), but has yet to deliver. Projected release is pegged at Q1 2014. It'll be interesting to see how they price it.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by frahse

Why do they keep pushing 2GB and 16GB as adequate without ability to upgrade without difficulty. Are they planning for the next sales season where they will (OMG) present 4GB Rams and 32GB SSDs?

Exactly! Minimum should be 4GB RAM and 32GB SSD with the ability to easily upgrade both.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

The current Chromebox is in need of upgrading and way overpriced. If Acer can deliver a device with 2GB RAM, 16GB SSD, Haswell CPU, and a monitor for $199, then a box without a monitor should sell for less - maybe $149 for 2GB and $199 for 4GB.

Exactly. The price of that Samsung box is outrageous.

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by afv011

Exactly. The price of that Samsung box is outrageous.

It is, and it is also surprisingly similar to an iMac Mini. Without a monitor it should be priced at $99.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

The current Chromebox is in need of upgrading and way overpriced. If Acer can deliver a device with 2GB RAM, 16GB SSD, Haswell CPU, and a monitor for $199, then a box without a monitor should sell for less - maybe $149 for 2GB and $199 for 4GB.

I have one of these white Samsung Chromeboxes, and it's great. With its beefier processor and 4GB of RAM, it's considerably more powerful than the Samsung Chromebook, and makes light work of driving my 1900 x 1200 monitor.

In the UK, John Lewis was selling them last week for £199, the same price as the cheapest Chromebooks, though they seem to have gone back up to £249 today. I expect Asus's upcoming box will undercut that price.

You expect better performance from a desktop than a laptop, and I think LG might come unstuck delivering the Chromebase with just the 2GB of RAM. While ChromeOS doesn't need a lot of room, on a big monitor you naturally open more tabs, and 4GB makes ChromeOS fly.

Graham