"Why Chromebook Pundits Are Out of Touch"

[eschwartz]

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.

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

That's just the default. You can always activate it in the upper left corner of the editing interface. (If editing a previous post, you obviously must go to "Go Advanced".)

Enclosed is a screenshot of me editing this very post and highlighting the option.

Using Firefox also... Chrome doesn't have this option, on linux either.

Edit: I added an arrow too, for fun. (GIMP is newly exciting for me once I found out how to do this.)

[forsooth]

Originally Posted by 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.
.

Acer 200USD 710:
VGA, ethernet port included
3 USB2

[frahse]

The HP 11 is now back on sale with a newly engineered charger.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by frahse

The HP 11 is now back on sale with a newly engineered charger.

Negatives - ugly Samsung white, ARM chip, 2GB RAM, no card slot, no USB 3, shorter battery life, and $80 more expensive

Positives - better display and build quality

Personally, the Acer C720 is a better device

[Graham]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Negatives - ugly Samsung white, ARM chip, 2GB RAM, no card slot, no USB 3, shorter battery life, and $80 more expensive

Positives - better display and build quality

Personally, the Acer C720 is a better device

Add weight and fanless, so silent, to the positives, but agreed, the Acer C720 will be a better deal for many.

Graham

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Graham

Add weight and fanless, so silent, to the positives, but agreed, the Acer C720 will be a better deal for many.

Graham

I forgot there's a fan. I've yet to hear it.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I forgot there's a fan. I've yet to hear it.

That's good to know. My next Chromebook might well be a Haswell chip one, in that case.

Graham

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Graham

That's good to know. My next Chromebook might well be a Haswell chip one, in that case.

Graham

I think Haswell is the best thing to happen to Chromebooks.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I think Haswell is the best thing to happen to Chromebooks.

Haswell is the best thing for all devices since "sliced bread!"

Hey, how about "sliced bananas?"

[frahse]

Originally Posted by forsooth

Acer 200USD 710:
VGA, ethernet port included
3 USB2

Also
HDMI
SD

[jj2me]

Originally Posted by frahse

Also
HDMI
SD

Not to pile on, but also
Delete and arrow keys
Expandable memory
320 GB hard drive (a benefit if you dual boot or chroot Linux and use it enough to need the space)

[Graham]

Different ChromeOS devices have different strengths, which is great as there's choice. But some are incompatible at today's price points: 320 GB hard drive for storage vs 16 GB SSD for boot speed and quiet, for example. In a few years time, let's hope we see bigger SSDs.

Note above that Tubemonkey was designing an ideal Chromebox/base rather than comparing existing laptop designs.

With a box/base device you get a separate full size keyboard, so you do have proper arrow and delete keys, and can easily add external storage connected permanently.

Graham

[tubemonkey]

I made some changes:

• I got a new Windows PC today
• I'm giving the netbook back
• I'm moving the Chromebook to the living room

As much as I wanted to make Chrome my primary PC, I couldn't. For me, it's not ready for prime time. Library books and WYSIWYG editing were the deal breakers. Other than that, I had no other major issues with Chrome.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by Graham

Different ChromeOS devices have different strengths, which is great as there's choice. But some are incompatible at today's price points: 320 GB hard drive for storage vs 16 GB SSD for boot speed and quiet, for example. In a few years time, let's hope we see bigger SSDs.

Note above that Tubemonkey was designing an ideal Chromebox/base rather than comparing existing laptop designs.

With a box/base device you get a separate full size keyboard, so you do have proper arrow and delete keys, and can easily add external storage connected permanently.

Graham

The 720P has a 32GB SSD.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by jj2me

Not to pile on, but also
Delete and arrow keys
Expandable memory
320 GB hard drive (a benefit if you dual boot or chroot Linux and use it enough to need the space)

I got my wife one of those 710s with a 320GB plus 4GB Ram for $219 at Amazon.

There are actually several 710 models. The second number after the 710 makes the difference.