"Why Chromebook Pundits Are Out of Touch"

[tubemonkey]

How would you design a Chromebox?

Chromebox vs Acer C720 4GB -->(blue= shared / black= designed / red= Acer)

• RAM - 4GB, 2 slots (consumer upgradable)
• SSD - 16GB or 32GB (consumer upgradable)
• CPU - Haswell
• USB - 6 x 3.0 (2 front, 4 rear) --- 1 x 2.0, 1 x 3.0
• SD - SDXC (fits flush with device)
• Bluetooth - BT 4.0
• WiFi - dual band n --- single band n
• Ethernet - gigabit (RJ-45) --- none
• HDMI - full size
• VGA - VGA (most monitors still use it) --- none
• Audio - 3.5mm I/O rear mount (front mounts are unsightly w/ speaker cord attached)
• Speaker - built-in stereo
• Power - external (similar to Chromebooks)
• Display - none --- yes
• Webcam - none --- yes
• Mic - none --- yes

Bear in mind that for $250, the Acer C720 has all of those shared specs plus a display, webcam, and mic. There's no reason to charge more than $250 for the above Chromebox. Sure it has more connectivity, but it also lacks a display and webcam.
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[Graham]

I agree the Chromeboxes could probably come in cheaper. Having said that, for me at least, the price wasn't too dear to pay.

Nice spec list above. That beats the existing Samsung box by having an SD slot, but I resolved that with a very cheap SD to USD adapter. I don't think having the card flush is as important on a desktop device as on a laptop. In fact, it might be a negative as you're more likely to be fishing around under your desk for it.

For the same reason, although having the 3mm audio socket on the front is unsightly, it makes more sense than the back for the Chromebox. You want to be able to plug headphones in and out easily. The box is so easy to tuck away, that I'd be surprised if many people wanted it to actually sit taking up space on their tabletop. (Mine's under the desk, sitting on top of my Windows tower case.)

No need, for the same reason, for built-in stereo. The box is small and would rarely be placed right in front of you on the table, so stereo separation would be minimal. The mono speaker in the Samsung is adequate. For better sound you'd need to drive satellite speakers. I do this currently running from the front audio output to a powered speaker set. I also have a Plantronics USB headset plugged in, which works very well.

I think VGA isn't really necessary, while DVI is (along with HDMI or DisplayPort). If you do have a much older monitor which only has VGA, a cheap adapter would solve the problem.

Graham

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Graham

Nice spec list above. That beats the existing Samsung box by having an SD slot, but I resolved that with a very cheap SD to USD adapter. I don't think having the card flush is as important on a desktop device as on a laptop. In fact, it might be a negative as you're more likely to be fishing around under your desk for it.

But then, wouldn't you want it front mounted like the audio port? A front mount hidden by a hinged cover solves the accessibility issue.

For the same reason, although having the 3mm audio socket on the front is unsightly, it makes more sense than the back for the Chromebox. You want to be able to plug headphones in and out easily. The box is so easy to tuck away, that I'd be surprised if many people wanted it to actually sit taking up space on their tabletop. (Mine's under the desk, sitting on top of my Windows tower case.)

A cheap Y-adapter and a short extension cord solves that.

I want the box to be clean and sitting in front of me on a shelf. That means all cords (speakers, headphones, monitor, hard drive, DVD, etc) need to be rear mounted.

No need, for the same reason, for built-in stereo. The box is small and would rarely be placed right in front of you on the table, so stereo separation would be minimal. The mono speaker in the Samsung is adequate. For better sound you'd need to drive satellite speakers. I do this currently running from the front audio output to a powered speaker set. I also have a Plantronics USB headset plugged in, which works very well.

About the same separation as a 7" tablet. Still, not a feature to quibble over as long as the sound is loud and distortion free. I always attach powered speakers to my PC anyway, but don't always turn them on. Built-ins would be handy.

I think VGA isn't really necessary, while DVI is (along with HDMI or DisplayPort). If you do have a much older monitor which only has VGA, a cheap adapter would solve the problem.

During Black Friday, I monitored all of the sales on displays checking them for connectivity. The only port they all had in common was VGA. Some had HDMI and others DVI; but they all had VGA. I don't want to spend extra money on an adapter. I want VGA.

[Graham]

What we need is a range of Chromeboxes with different options.

Graham

[tubemonkey]

BTW, I've gone back to Windows for posting. I haven't found a way to do advanced editing on this message board with my Chromebook; and since there are a few threads I edit frequently, this feature is an absolute must!

It's ironic too. My biggest complaint against Chrome OS is its lack of support for WMA audiobooks and the one thread I need advanced editing on the most, is the audiobook thread. Someone or something must have it in for me

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Graham

What we need is a range of Chromeboxes with different options.

Graham

Agreed; desktops and laptops do it

[Graham]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

BTW, I've gone back to Windows for posting. I haven't found a way to do advanced editing on this message board with my Chromebook

What do you mean by 'advanced editing'?

The 'Go Advanced' button on the Mobileread edit box works fine for me on both the Samsung Chromebook (ARM) and on the Chromebox (Intel).

I wonder if you installed some sort of pop-up blocker extension?

Graham

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Graham

What do you mean by 'advanced editing'?

The 'Go Advanced' button on the Mobileread edit box works fine for me on both the Samsung Chromebook (ARM) and on the Chromebox (Intel).

I wonder if you installed some sort of pop-up blocker extension?

Graham

Let's say I want to edit that Chromebox spec post above, with all of its colors, bullets, and bolding. If I simply hit edit, I get all of the "code" - the brackets, asterisks, color=x, full URLs, no color, etc. But if I first click on the post number in the upper right and then hit the edit, all of that "code" stuff disappears and I get the same image you see in the actual post - full color, bold, hidden URLs, etc. That's what I mean by advanced. It's cleaner and vastly easier to edit detailed posts.

No matter which method I try with Chrome, I get the "code" method. I can't edit the audiobook OP that way, because it's so cluttered; it becomes a very time consuming nightmare to deal with.

I don't recall installing a pop-up blocker. How can I tell?

[Graham]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

But if I first click on the post number in the upper right and then hit the edit, all of that "code" stuff disappears and I get the same image you see in the actual post - full color, bold, hidden URLs, etc.

Interesting, I didn't know that was possible.

I've experimented and it depends on the browser. It doesn't work in Chrome on either ChromeOS or Windows. It does work in Internet Explorer in Windows. Which browser are you using on Windows?

I'm very used now to editing with the codes turned on, so its absence doesn't bother me too much, but I can see how it would be startling to lose it if you previously had it.

For those like me who were unaware of the feature, you switch this on in your Mobileread User CP, under Options. It's down the bottom in Miscellaneous Options. You set the Message Editor Interface to "Full WYSIWYG".

Graham

[Graham]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I don't recall installing a pop-up blocker. How can I tell?

Go to Settings > Extensions (or browse to chrome://extensions/). This lists the installed extensions and whether they're enabled.

Graham

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Graham

Interesting, I didn't know that was possible.

I've experimented and it depends on the browser. It doesn't work in Chrome on either ChromeOS or Windows. It does work in Internet Explorer in Windows. Which browser are you using on Windows?

I'm very used now to editing with the codes turned on, so its absence doesn't bother me too much, but I can see how it would be startling to lose it if you previously had it.

FireFox on Windows 7.

I don't mind it for simple posts, but it's a nightmare for detailed posts.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

During Black Friday, I monitored all of the sales on displays checking them for connectivity. The only port they all had in common was VGA. Some had HDMI and others DVI; but they all had VGA. I don't want to spend extra money on an adapter. I want VGA.

VGA is legacy. The sooner it dies, the better. I haven't seen a PC without DVI, or HDMI or DisplayPort in years, and same goes for monitors. VGA is only there for legacy reasons.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by afv011

VGA is legacy. The sooner it dies, the better. I haven't seen a PC without DVI, or HDMI or DisplayPort in years, and same goes for monitors. It's only there for legacy reasons.

True; but in the mean time, it's the standard. It's kinda like ditching flash too early.

My Chromebook only has HDMI.

Now if computer and monitor manufacturers would include ALL of the newer video interfaces to avoid having to buy adapters, then I'm on board with ditching VGA now.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

True; but in the mean time, it's the standard. It's kinda like ditching flash too early.

My Chromebook only has HDMI.

Now if computer and monitor manufacturers would include ALL of the newer video interfaces to avoid having to buy adapters, then I'm on board with ditching VGA now.

I was not aware until I got my new used Macbook that the DVI connector can contain an analog VGA function as well, with an inexpensive connector (as apposed to requiring an active converter of some sort. It's a nice arraignment, I think. Newer tech, Legacy support if needed, not too much space required for ports.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ApK

I was not aware until I got my new used Macbook that the DVI connector can contain an analog VGA function as well, with an inexpensive connector (as apposed to requiring an active converter of some sort. It's a nice arraignment, I think. Newer tech, Legacy support if needed, not too much space required for ports.

And DisplayPorts were designed to replace DVI. I wish they'd settle on one standard.