Over time I have received emails asking about Chromebooks. I wrote about mine when I got it almost two years ago. Since the emails keep coming there must be interest in them. This is not hard to imagine since they are a very good deal for many people.
Here is a very quick rundown of Chromebooks (CB from here on out). They were created by Google and run the Chrome browser operating system, also by Google as is the Android OS.
Chromebooks are relatively inexpensive usually from $199 to $400. Microsoft OS notebooks (Windows 8.1 now) run from about $350 to $1500. Yes, you can find higher and lower prices on both types. I saw a very nice CB on sale the other day reduced from $199 to $129.
Chromebooks resemble notebook computers. They are slimmer and lighter than a regular windows notebook weighting in at around two pounds. You may perform any online functions the same with either type of computer. One big difference with a CB is that everything is done online. So you do need an internet connection to use it at full efficiency.
You can perform some of the functions without being connected to the internet but for it to operate to the fullest degree you need a web connection. It is a cloud based device meaning that everything it does is stored on or taken from the web.
I can do most personal business work from my CB with only a couple of exceptions. With the free Office Online app Microsoft released a while back (office.live.com) I can work in Office from my CB. OK, for you Google fans, yes, you can also use Google Docs but I find Office to be much better…online and off.
I cannot do all of my corporate work without logging into my business computer; however, for the average users that is fine since you may not work for a large business.
Another difference is they do not have an internal hard drive. They do have a small internal SSD, Solid State Drive. The one I have has a 16 GB drive – the same as my old phone. Well then, where do you put stuff? The Cloud is the answer. I put all of mine on Dropbox (use the following link for more space, "rd.dblclx.com/use-Dropbox"), Copy.com ("rd.dblclx.com/freeCopy" same deal with that link but more space) or Google Drive which you must have to set up your CB. Yes a Gmail account is required to use your Chromebook.
One of the questions I often get has something to do with people hearing that Chromebooks are outselling regular notebook computers – is that correct?
Well, OK, they are selling a lot of them and many people (myself included) promote them at every turn. Still when you consider that over 90% of the world’s PC market is made of the Microsoft operating systems nothing can touch them at this point in time. The remaining 9-10% are split between Apple, Android, Linux, Chrome and others. The current percentage for the Chrome OS is slightly over 1% and expected, by some, to be 2% by 2017.
Chromebooks are not killing the competition but are part of it and I hope their use grows.