Real-world test drive
I picked up one of these units and have been using it since last week. I had been curious about Chromebooks since they launched, but I thought, even at the time, that they had missed their market by keeping the then-standard laptop form. I think I now understand that this was primarily a hardware issue (processor and batter according to
this, if I'm reading it right), and this unit looks more like the Macbook Air I thought they should've targeted form-wise a couple of years ago.
Problem with the Chromebook is that it has no OS, it is running only with an internet connection!
No internet, no working laptop.
First things first, most Google Apps have an offline feature. You'll probably need to know before-hand which apps and files you're likely to need, but with a little preplanning, you're not left with an inert chunk of hardware if you don't have a connection.
...it's one, potentially, fatal flaw is that many of the less savvy consumers will only see "Google Laptop" and "$249". There are still a ton of people that don't really understand what it is and who it's for.
You do need to understand what kind of user you are and whether you have any higher-ability app needs, if this will be a primary machine for you. However, as a secondary machine, it's a champ. I use Google Docs quite a bit for personal stuff; however, we also recently switched to Google Apps at work. So, if I were out of the office, I could accomplish most of what I do at the office with this little piece of hardware.
If you're like my wife, and just prefer a keyboard, despite having a tablet, this would also be a best-use scenario. It's great for couch web-surfing. However, I don't want to detract from it's ability to actually get things done.
So, I can't use Scrivener or Handbrake on it, which means it wouldn't become a primary notebook for me. However, as something to take to the coffeeshop for a change-of-scenery work break, whatever, it's a great little piece of hardware. Log out and it's unlikely anyone is going to breach your work. Add in auto-updating and security from viruses, and it's a nice little computer.
Provided, again, that you understand it's purpose.
I found the Chromebook to be plenty speedy for my needs, but I'm not one of those people who have a million tabs open. However, last night I had probably five or so, with Pandora streaming (Spotify still doesn't have it's web-app together
), and I had no slow-downs or spotty streaming.
So, business-capable, if you use Google Apps and are fairly savvy with your work-flow. Or, a great alternative to a tablet, if you just can't seem to say goodbye to the keyboard.
The only real negative is the hinge. It's very tight; wish it opened more like my 13" Air. Also, because someone might not get it, this is a very inexpensive laptop; it's made of plastic and feels like it. However, it looks like a more expensive unit at first glance. The keyboard is okay (again, admitting that it's a $250 computer), but I was pleasantly surprised by both it and the trackpad, which is actually quite good. The screen's not the highest quality, but it didn't detract from the experience either; I mean, I didn't expect hi-res or Retina, if you know what I mean.
Let me know if I didn't address a specific interest or concern of yours, and I'll try to weigh in on it.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/24/3549368/samsung-chromebook-review-series-3
http://www.cnet.com/laptops/samsung-chromebook-series-3/4505-3121_7-35500150-2.html