Chromebooks now available in Ireland

Nolimits

I know this isn't Android, and if the mods want to move it then fair enough. I posted this in here as I would have thought that people who have an android phone/tablet are more likely to be interested in a Chromebook.

http://chrome.blogspot.ie/2013/03/bringing-chromebooks-to-new-frontiers.html


I assume Currys will be selling it and have already asked in their Talk to forum.

homer911

Will have to call into PC World and try out one of these for myself.

Gone are the days when a Windows laptop was the only (cost effective) option, and while a tablet is fun, most of us need a keyboard for meaningful use and Windows 8 machines are just too pricey..

Came across this light-weight review just now
http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/TECH%3A+Samsung+Chromebook+review/id/19410615-5218-5148-3c33-cf8cf2996188

shuffles03

Had a go of one over the weekend. My friend's dad works for Google. I really liked it to be honest. It's a bit ahead of it's time in terms of always being connected but it's definitely a trend for the future.

Most people only use their laptops/desktops etc to view Facebook, YouTube etc etc and don't need to pay for all the extras they will never benefit from. I like the way Google is in a race towards the bottom in terms of price.

I had a go of the Samsung Chromebook. A really nice device, although I wasn't mad on the hinge at the back. It turned on in seconds and one thing I really liked is that if you log out of chrome, someone else can log in and all their chrome settings immediately appear.

It's not quite there in terms of apps but it's early days for this type new niche. Storage is also ridiculously small but then again it's not made for that purpose but Google are offering 100GB of free online storage for the first two years if you purchase one.

They've just released the Chromebook Pixel with a display that's better than the Retina MBP. Yeah it's ridiculously overpriced for a device that only works when connected to the net as it's retailing for €1299/€1499 respectively but this new model was not made for the consumer. It has been made to show manufacturers and developers the potential behind a high end type of Chromebook. Once devs start developing apps for it, these devices are going to take off. Imagine if they integrated Android with these as well?

The Chromebook I had a go of only costs €250. I'm in the market for a second device away from my desktop and I think this would be perfect.

Marques Brownlee is a brilliant reviewer and he recently had a look at the Chromebook Pixel in a series of videos:

Chromebook Pixel Explained:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU2fB0pQJkA

Chromebook Pixel Unboxing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP5LB1eQff0

Chromebook Pixel Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d0lEMp8Vtk


This is the Chromebook I had a go of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpBigjzuU4Y

Nolimits

Probably clutching at straws here, but I'm hoping this might mean we're getting devices soon. Google sell these through the Play Store, as of yet they can't be bought through the Irish Play Store but maybe this is a sign that we may be getting it soon.

steve_r

shuffles03 wrote: »

Most people only use their laptops/desktops etc to view Facebook, YouTube etc etc and don't need to pay for all the extras they will never benefit from. I like the way Google is in a race towards the bottom in terms of price.

Agreed, It's great to have this option now. I'd need more functionality myself but it's great to have an affordable, available quality choice.

Nolimits wrote: »

Probably clutching at straws here, but I'm hoping this might mean we're getting devices soon. Google sell these through the Play Store, as of yet they can't be bought through the Irish Play Store but maybe this is a sign that we may be getting it soon.

Let's hope so

irishpancake

steve_r wrote: »

Agreed, It's great to have this option now. I'd need more functionality myself but it's great to have an affordable, available quality choice.



Let's hope so

These can be got from Amazon UK..... Free delivery to Ireland.....

Are they over £25?? Only joking hahaha

http://www.amazon.co.uk/b?ie=UTF8&node=758129031

evolutionqy7

Don't see the point of these. It's a laptop with a browser only. You can pick up nearly an equally priced windows netbook for the same money. I'd imagine the chrome book would run a bit better than windows atom machines, but for all those small Facebook and email tasks you have a smartphone.

Pixel looks like an awesome piece of kit, though would you really pay that much for a browser. I mean you can pick up a pretty awesome laptop or Mac for that money

antodeco

Possibly a silly question, but I cant see the full specs anywhere, but my OH uses facebook and farmville only on the laptop. It runs fine on my macbook pro, but when she uses either of the netbooks, farmville runs painfully slow. I assume the chromebooks will run pretty much the same as the netbooks, with lower RAM and processing ability? Or would this be perfect for her?

EDIT: After a bit more research, I have found that it wont really load, so out of luck on that one. Ah wells, only limited access to my mac now due to her farmville addiction!

shuffles03

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

Pixel looks like an awesome piece of kit, though would you really pay that much for a browser. I mean you can pick up a pretty awesome laptop or Mac for that money

I'd never pay for a Pixel. Not at that price. I'd be interested to see what manufacturers and devs take from the idea of the Pixel though. The next line of devices is the space to watch.

Google even say on their site the Pixel is just to show the future capabilities of where the idea could go:

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromebook-pixel/

irishpancake

antodeco wrote: »

Possibly a silly question, but I cant see the full specs anywhere, but my OH uses facebook and farmville only on the laptop. It runs fine on my macbook pro, but when she uses either of the netbooks, farmville runs painfully slow. I assume the chromebooks will run pretty much the same as the netbooks, with lower RAM and processing ability? Or would this be perfect for her?

EDIT: After a bit more research, I have found that it wont really load, so out of luck on that one. Ah wells, only limited access to my mac now due to her farmville addiction!

Discussion here about farmville 2 on CB....


https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/chromebook-central/

I can't see the attraction of these devices with Cloud OS.

Would a good Android Tablet not be superior..... you can get cheap Chinese quad core devices for much less than a CB.

Flash from Adobe is still available from archive and works on most ICS and JB devices.