I like the notion of the Chromebook, but I worry about being too dependent on Internet access. Do they come with 4G? I know you can get offline Google Docs, but still.
I did a piece when the Chromebooks first came out about a couple of specific use cases for having all the information stored on the cloud -- specifically, attorneys, particularly ones crossing the border, and people checking out laptops from work. How many times have we read about companies losing access to thousands of client records because someone had a laptop get lost or stolen?
As far as the 40 tabs situation -- my brother! I have probably close to 50 tabs open now, in two browser windows -- one for my standard tabs that I check throughout the day, plus ones I've opened up because I might refer to them over the next couple of days, and the other for a bunch of graphics associated with an article I'm writing that I'll need to send to an editor. I just can't work if I can't have a lot of tabs open at once.
I would have to agree with how little it intergrates with other software it has its niche in the I.T. field simply becuase how verse it is with connecting to the internet. How it backs up everything and is so inexspensive compared to most and even most tablets cost more then that. With the ability to have a full keyboard that is whay sets it up higher then a tablet.
I agree that schools are an excellent market for Chromebooks because of the devices' low cost, ease of setup and use and low IT requirements. Also, schools can establish cloud printing, which many students might not be able to do at home.
As long as students realize what can and cannot be done with Chrombooks, they should be fine.
Even if enterprises are not quite ready to adopt the Google Chromebook, schools are definitely taking advantage of it. According to another article I was reading, Chromebooks are easier to install, maintain and support compared to the traditional laptop which makes for a better solution for schools. I actually went to a school's open house last month which they issue Chromebooks to all high school students. And as a computer class elective, the students are the one who installs and fixes the Chromebooks. So the students pick up a new skill set and the school does not have to pay for additional IT staff. Seems like a win win situation.
The way I work actually is not conducive to using the new Sansung Chromebook. As I wrote, if too many tabs are open and too many processes are running, the Chromebook bogs down. I'd say that about a dozen open browser tabs is a good limit.
There is another, older Samsung Chromebook that has double the RAM (4GB versus 2GB) and a faster processor that performs better. But it's $449. For that price, though, you might as well purchase a Windows laptop for $450 to $500.
Definitely curious (or is the right word for it intrigued?) with the new Google Chromebook, but like many others, I have still yet to find it available so I can get some alone, one-on-one time with it.
What got me most interested was that thing you mentioned about multi-tasking. How I work sounds a lot like how you work (although I seldom reach 40 tabs at once! Maybe 10 or so tabs in 2 to 3 separate browser windows.)
Chromebooks are sold by at least three retailers in addition to the Google Play store. There's Amazon, Tiger Direct and Best Buy. I think Newegg also sells or sold them. If you really want one, put your name on a list. Amazon worked for me.
As for Linux on Chromebooks, here's an article in Liliputing and ExtremeTech that discusses this somewhat.
At BestBuy what I found out is, they will get a few in in dribs and drabs.
For example, a few days after my first trip, I looked up the store, and it said "available". I was almost going to go, but I figured the web site was wrong.
However, on my second trip I asked about it, and the rep said, no that it was accurate, he got about five in, and they all sold quickly!
It's good to know that it supports "real apps". I wonder if that includes a programming development environment like Eclipse...and what the performance would be!
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