Post: #1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009LL9...os_product

Seems like a legit new gadget for an unbeatable price ($249). Just ordered a couple, one as a gift. Not ready to be shipped yet but should ship soon. Available in either 3G or Wifi.

Here's a review: http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-chromeb...-20252951/

Post: #2

I hope this could finish the horrendous reign of Microsoft. Please, make a review of it as soon as you get it.

Post: #3

Damn, just spent 250 on a new travel netbook. I would have waited for this if I'd known.

Post: #4

Looks very interesting (and the price! OMG), although I'm still leery of the web-only aspect. What happens if I want to open a file in a format that doesn't have a web-only service available? Can I unzip files or view PDF documents on this?

Post: #5

(10-20-2012 12:56 PM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  Looks very interesting (and the price! OMG), although I'm still leery of the web-only aspect. What happens if I want to open a file in a format that doesn't have a web-only service available? Can I unzip files or view PDF documents on this?

The Chrome browser has a built in PDF viewer.

I'd never buy this, because your use of applications is so limited. You can get decent Windows laptops on sale for $300-400. If I just wanted to browse the internet, I might prefer a tablet, though a built-in keyboard has its advantages (for posting on the forum, .

Post: #6

If it doesn't have the ability to download or have a media card reader for pulling photos from an sd card, that would be a deal breaker for me. I prefer a netbook with an actual hard drive, just for practicality. Even if it does significantly reduce battery life.

Post: #7

no skype either which is my dealbreaker.

Post: #8

Looks nice and smooth, and great price too.

Post: #9

(10-20-2012 01:38 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  If it doesn't have the ability to download or have a media card reader for pulling photos from an sd card, that would be a deal breaker for me. I prefer a netbook with an actual hard drive, just for practicality. Even if it does significantly reduce battery life.

The SD card reader is a convenience but you can upload and transfer photos from a camera to a computer via USB no problem. As for the hard drive, I have a western digital 500gb external one that I connect via USB as well. I would imagine this chromebook is compatible with that. I think it has cloud storage as well.

Post: #10

i was gonna buy one of these, but you also have to look at the hardware.
no Ethernet port.it has to run wirelessly and the 3g could get expensive. even as an extremely tech savvy person. unless you are always on Wi-Fi. You might not even be able to use this.


if you are in the road. travelling, no Wi-Fi
out of country..no possibly no 3g

Post: #11

Have one, its like a tablet with a keyboard. Works best if all of your work exists with google apps already, I use skydrive if I have to work with more complex microsoft spreadsheets.

Super fast boot up and shut down, biggest pain in the ass is no Skype though. I have to run that through my phone on wifi.

Without wifi or 3g its just like a giant usb drive that you can do text editing on.

Not for everyone, a netbook would be more versatile.

Post: #12

Looks legit. Gonna check out. Thanks for tip.

Post: #13

Damn I didn't even know about all these drawbacks. I might cancel. Do you guys know of any reputable netbooks then? Something that can download applications like skype and, if possible, has an integrated camera? I know it will probably run for a bit more than the chromebook but it's cool if it has the right specs and reputation.

Post: #14

I was using my friend's lenovo netbook and fell in love with the device.

Just saw the drawbacks, too.

So I'm probably gonna get one of these:

http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/laptop...ries/s206/

Post: #15

I should mention another good thing, well that I like about chromebooks is that they can be set up to be shared/relatively anonymous if someone swipes it and turns it on.

I have mine setup that if someone turns it on they get to a screen where they can either login with their google account or as a guest. They have to know my specific google account to get into my stuff, there's no dropdown list of users or password hints like on a windows login. If they know that, they can get into my email and I'm fucked anyway. Second because everything is online/cloud based it doesn't matter if its broken or stolen. None of my data exists on it or dies with it...

Thats appealing to me, like if someone says 'hey can I check my email' one click and I'm out of mine and they can sign into theirs and everything is separated. Not like on a PC where they would open a new browser but still be able to see your history or snoop around your hard drive for pictures.

Post: #16

the current chromebooks are at the 300-450 range anyway.
the ones posted havent been released yet.
Notice they still dont have ethernet ports.

and its only got 16 gigs.
They assume you will always been on wifi an be able to access the "cloud"

Unless youre in a major place..wifi speeds arent always up to par in availability or speed

I bought one of these
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-TimelineX-AS3...005J2J9TM/

I sprung for one with a little more capability.
but to me..its worth it to have a little extra power at this small size. i use it as my desktop and hook it up to a 26 inch tv. but I can also slip it into a bag and walk off.

I was all down for google and would be the first to use a chromebook. but right now..i feel its slightly ahead of its time because the infrastructure it needs isnt widespread and reliable enough

Post: #17

these were the same drawbacks that I saw when the ipad first came out. Decided to hold off cos I use my pc for a lot more than just browsing. I found the limitations too much and I felt that the lack of an ethernet port was an icebreaker for me too.

Post: #18

(10-20-2012 01:26 PM)basilransom Wrote:  

(10-20-2012 12:56 PM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  Looks very interesting (and the price! OMG), although I'm still leery of the web-only aspect. What happens if I want to open a file in a format that doesn't have a web-only service available? Can I unzip files or view PDF documents on this?

The Chrome browser has a built in PDF viewer.

I'd never buy this, because your use of applications is so limited. You can get decent Windows laptops on sale for $300-400. If I just wanted to browse the internet, I might prefer a tablet, though a built-in keyboard has its advantages (for posting on the forum, .

Yeah. I'm just going to get this one now: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series-NP-...g_bs_pc_16

Post: #19

(10-20-2012 10:11 PM)Moma Wrote:  these were the same drawbacks that I saw when the ipad first came out. Decided to hold off cos I use my pc for a lot more than just browsing. I found the limitations too much and I felt that the lack of an ethernet port was an icebreaker for me too.

Thats a good point, no way could I have a chromebook as my only computer. I still have a desktop as well, mainly for photoshop etc.

Post: #20

I think this is the first experiment in the next "wave" of computers. Yes, right now, you can't always access wifi.... but with stuff like Optimum hotspots, near-universal coverage in urban areas will be here soon. I think this works best as a mobile word processor/internet browser. This would be useful for me as a student, where I could take notes on it and use it purely for research/writing without distractions. I'm sure writers will be using these in coffee shops within a year or two.

Post: #21

I had an Asus eeepc 901 (LINUX) that a powerhose. Turned it into a desktop replacement and it held up. Check out all the major sites like cnet.com and cross reference all the reviews.

I think netbooks have taken backseat to tablets.

Post: #22

(10-20-2012 12:48 PM)iop890 Wrote:  Damn, just spent 250 on a new travel netbook. I would have waited for this if I'd known.

Actually, I take that back. Now that I've actually checked it out, this would be a terrible travel laptop.

Post: #23

(10-20-2012 03:56 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  I was using my friend's lenovo netbook and fell in love with the device.

Just saw the drawbacks, too.

So I'm probably gonna get one of these:

http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/laptop...ries/s206/

I have the lenovo s12 netbook that came out a few years ago with the nvidia ion chip. I really like it aside from the weak cpu processor. Not sure if they've fixed the cpu bottleneck in the newer ones.

Post: #24

If I had to pull the trigger and buy one right now it would be this:

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/...410/review

Imho, Asus always led the market, with Dell and HP on their heels in the market. For short 2-3 day trips I am fine with just a tablet. Buying tickets, checking emails, games, books and better battery life.

Post: #25

I like the concept of cloud based computing but the connectivity and coverage just ain't there yet. I'm good with my iPhone and my i7 work laptop. If they get to making a 5-6" iPhone it'll be the perfect portable computing device. The Samsung Galaxy Note is pretty sweet too. I may end up buying a 7" android tablet in the $100 dollar range just for ebooks and light web browsing. Tethered to my iPhone of course.