Last time we looked at some of the neat features in Google’s newer device called "Chromecast." I liked the column so much I went out and bought one for my household. (Wow, I am easily persuaded.) It works as described with new features and applications being added all the time. I did have several reader questions about it and the main one was, "I want one but how hard is it to install?" I have to tell you it was very simple. All you do is follow the 4-5 steps in the installation paper which comes in the box. It worked flawlessly for me.
After the install completed (which took less than ten minutes with the longest portion being the update of the device itself) we were watching streamed shows immediately.
Unfortunately when I went to the local big-box store to purchase it another, "Chrome" item struck my eye. More unfortunately, I bought that also.
This item is another Google product named, "Chromebook." Are you starting to get the picture with Google and their naming conventions? By-the-way, their browser is named "Chrome." I guess they like chrome since it is bright and shiny. The Chromebook runs the Chrome browser as its operating system hence the name.
The Chromebook looks a lot like a notebook computer. It is slimmer and lighter (about 2 pounds) than a regular windows notebook and mine has an 11" monitor. So it is basically smaller all around.
With it I can surf the internet, use email, play some games and do many other things online. One big difference with a Chromebook is that one word in the last sentence, "online." You can perform some of the functions without being connected to the internet; however, for everything to operate properly you need the net. It is a cloud based device meaning that everything it does is stored on or taken from the web.
Another difference is they do not have an internal hard drive. They do have a small internal SSD, solid state drive. The one I bought has only a 16 GB drive – the same as my phone. Well then, where do you put stuff? The storage for documents you create is in the cloud.
Since Google created the Chromebook they also have the storage. Called Google Drive, where you get 15 GB of storage. To give you an idea, all of the columns I have written since January, 2002 (OVER 1,100) take up only 109 MB of room. That is less than 1% of 15 gb, so there is really plenty of room for documentation. You can also store photographs and any other types of files. Google now offers a deal where for two years you get 100 gb of free cloud storage. After that you get to purchase it at $4.99/month, currently. I can also plug in a thumb drive and store files there. I would not choose to buy the online storage but I could save a lot of documents on the SSD provided very easily.
Since the Chromebook runs on the Chrome browser it has a very, "internet feel" to it which most everyone is familiar with so it is easy to use. Google Docs is your online replacement for Microsoft Office and does a pretty good job of emulating all of its features and capabilities, especially for normal, non-geek types of people.
I will be writing most of my columns on it for the foreseeable future — like this one. Since I usual write while not at home and "on the road" I will be using it for quite a while. As long as I have wi-fi I can do most everything I need to do. However, for my business use I have to stick with a "real" computer due to the programs specific to my job which will not run in the Chrome browser.
