Computers Chromebook

See this link instead:
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/chrome-os-devices/XE303C12-A01US-specs

It has a 16GB solid-state drive, which is ridiculously fast, but is obviously not very big. I'd be surprised if you couldn't save content locally on the solid-state drive.

That particular Samsung Chromebook is one of the low-end Chromebooks though. There are newer Samsung Chromebooks, and also other Chromebooks out there. The new Chromebook Pixel has just been released:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/21/chromebook-pixel-google-laptop-market
 
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Indian Summer said:
See this link instead:
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/chrome-os-devices/XE303C12-A01US-specs

It has a 16GB solid-state drive, which is ridiculously fast, but is obviously not very big. I'd be surprised if you couldn't save content locally on the solid-state drive.

That particular Samsung Chromebook is one of the low-end Chromebooks though. There are newer Samsung Chromebooks, and also other Chromebooks out there. The new Chromebook Pixel has just been released:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/21/chromebook-pixel-google-laptop-market
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Thanks, I was having trouble finding specs for this. I noticed the ads on Chrome, but when I clicked on them I couldn't find much about the specs.
 
Here's the $200 Acer -

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+...bolsp-app03-14?id=1218829108571&skuId=7098526

It has a 320 GB hard drive, but that's really irrelevant for a chromebook (unless you're just buying it to turn it into a Linux machine). You can store things on a flashdisk or in the cloud. What they do is provide easy and very secure (malware free) access to the net (emailing, web surfing) which is what most people do with their computers. You can make documents in Google documents or on-line Office.
 
I read about flash drive eventually replacing hard drives a few years back. I'm glad they finally are doing it.

However, I've heard that flash memory has a limited life, which makes me cautious about storing anything on it long term. Sure the new way of doing things is to store everything in the cloud, but I prefer to have full control of my docs under all circumstances.

Don't want to be tied down to Googles spreadsheet, especially since it's not even close to being as robust as Excel.

Most people just use their computers exclusively for web surfing and email? Well, that's pretty sad. Do you have a source?
 
beancounter said:
Most people just use their computers exclusively for web surfing and email? Well, that's pretty sad. Do you have a source?
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Just ask people. The person on here who wanted to buy an Apple said that was her main use her computer. Emailing, websurfing (research, Facebook, going to some favorite sites, buying some things on Amazon, checking a bank account)...I don't see why that's sad though.
 
Ansciess said:
Just ask people. The person on here who wanted to buy an Apple said that was her main use her computer. Emailing, websurfing (research, Facebook, going to some favorite sites, buying some things on Amazon, checking a bank account)...I don't see why that's sad though.
Click to expand...

I spend about half my computer time creating content. It's sad that people just use the PC exclusively as a passive entertainment device.
 
beancounter said:
Most people just use their computers exclusively for web surfing and email? Well, that's pretty sad.
Click to expand...


I need my desktop PC to be able to run iTunes, Facebook Messenger, browse Tumblr, and maybe a Facebook game all at the same time. That's it.
I have a decent size digital music collection, so I do need a good amount of storage space for that, but I back up everything through iTunes Match. If my hard drive fails, I could just re-download everything. I could even skip the download, and just stream from Match, if necessary.

I don't even use my computer to read my email - I do that on my phone. I use my iPad more than I use my computer - I can stream all the music I store in the cloud, watch Netflix, message, etc.

I use my work computer for work, but it stays at (and belongs to) my work.


I really don't think that's sad at all. What else would I need my home computer to do?
 
I use mine for a lot of graphic design and art. I don't think a Chromebook would be able do most of the things I need. It would be nice though, as they are pretty inexpensive and my computer is about to bite the dust.
 
beancounter said:
This is hilarious...What a joke.
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Just want to add...I think you're way underestimating the fact that chromebooks are impervious to most types of malware (they can't open executable files for example). For many people that would make them better than tablets, for the kinds of uses they have. Just saw this about NBC, which you would think would be a safe site to visit...

The website NBC.com was hacked Thursday and security experts warn that visitors to the site may have infected their computers with malicious software.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/nbccom-hacked-experts-war_n_2735545.html
There's a lot of malware out there, getting more sophisticated, and it is very difficult for non-tech people to protect themselves.
 
Ansciess said:
Just want to add...I think you're way underestimating the fact that chromebooks are impervious to most types of malware (they can't open executable files for example). For many people that would make them better than tablets, for the kinds of uses they have. Just saw this about NBC, which you would think would be a safe site to visit...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/nbccom-hacked-experts-war_n_2735545.html
There's a lot of malware out there, getting more sophisticated, and it is very difficult for non-tech people to protect themselves.
Click to expand...

Well if someone can afford a Chromebook, they could also afford to purchase anti-virus software...
 
beancounter said:
I spend about half my computer time creating content. It's sad that people just use the PC exclusively as a passive entertainment device.
Click to expand...


I don't understand why you think this is "sad."

My computer fits my needs, which is email, music, movies, websurfing. Then I go do other stuff. Do you think it's "sad" that not everyone is a content creator?

You've made it abundantly clear here that you dislike tablets, etc, but it's pretty obvious from the market that tablets and small laptops are exactly what a lot of people need/want from a device.
 
beancounter said:
Well if someone can afford a Chromebook, they could also afford to purchase anti-virus software...
Click to expand...

Being a tech person, you must know that no anti virus software catches all malware. In fact, I had anti virus software when I got a trojan several years ago that required a complete reload of my operating system. I think I got it from a visit to VB. But, if someone doesn't need more computing power than a chromebook, why would they even want to continually pay for or download anti virus software, when the chromebook automatically comes with it and updates itself for free?

I know people who aren't computer savvy - especially older people - who get confused with updating their systems (and I'll bet even a lot of people here haven't dealt with the Java issue and have potentially compromised machines). A chromebook seems like a pretty nice way for people to get online more easily, cheaply, and safely than with other machines, if that's all the computer they need.
 
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ledboots - put something like "Java vulnerability," "Java security," or "Java hack" into Google. I recommend just pulling Java off your computer entirely, unless you need it - I did that on my father's computer in January, and it didn't affect his computing. Minimally make sure you have the most updated version. In January, Homeland Security recommended disabling Java in individual browsers
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/...sable-java-unless-it-is-absolutely-necessary/
Chromebooks don't use java, so this is not a problem for them.

beancounter - to me this issue is a big selling point for chromebooks at this time - I know more than average person about computers and computer safety. I've used Windows machines for many years and use good practices. But that didn't keep me from getting that trojan. I've talked to computer "experts" who say that if someone just keeps up with their anti virus and is careful about the sites they visit, they'll be fine, but that is untrue. There are people who have compromised machines and don't even know it. I think a simpler system like a chromebook would be great for a lot of people who don't have high computing needs, or the desire or ability to keep up on the latest computer vulnerabilities. If my parent were in the market for a computer, I'd steer him in that direction.
 
Ansciess said:
Being a tech person, you must know that no anti virus software catches all malware. In fact, I had anti virus software when I got a trojan several years ago that required a complete reload of my operating system. I think I got it from a visit to VB. But, if someone doesn't need more computing power than a chromebook, why would they even want to continually pay for or download anti virus software, when the chromebook automatically comes with it and updates itself for free?

I know people who aren't computer savvy - especially older people - who get confused with updating their systems (and I'll bet even a lot of people here haven't dealt with the Java issue and have potentially compromised machines). A chromebook seems like a pretty nice way for people to get online more easily, cheaply, and safely than with other machines, if that's all the computer they need.
Click to expand...

I've just noticed a dumbing down/over simplification of computer GUI over the past couple of years that concerns me. I want to be able to control/fix things, not just take whatever I'm given. Tablets and chromebooks seem like they are going it that direction.

Google already dumbs down it's search results. It "learns" what you search for, and them filters search results based on your past clicks. That sort of thing limits the information, and dumbs it down in the sense that your only seeing one side of a story. It's kind of like searching for a news story, and only getting search results from Fox news because you clicked on the RNC website once before.

As far as viruses, I've been using the Internet since the early 90's, and I've only gotten 4 viruses. I don't do anything special. I just avoid opening unknown emails, visiting questionable sites, and use an anti virus program to avoid the rest. Smart web surfing isn't hard.
 
ledboots said:
Java issue? :oops:
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Java has had a lot of serious security issues lately, and some people have recommended simply un-installing it unless you know you definitely need it for something. If you definitely need it, then make sure it's kept up-to-date, consider disabling it in the browser you use most regularly, and only use it in a different browser for that specific task.

Java is installed often on MS Windows, Mac and Linux computers. I don't think can pose a threat as long as the browser plugin for it is disabled though.
 
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