Chromebook for online schooling

BobMc

Hey All, we're considering getting our two teens some chromebooks, to cover
any home schooling or part time schooling that may occur when school returns.

One is hitting 2nd year the other 5th year, 1st year student did tons of online with google classroom the TY one heading to 5th nothing at all

So due to budget and what is needed we' think chromebooks might suit

any advice you can offer regards spec or pricing or even if we're on right track with a chromebook, should be try save for a cheap laptop instead

we're not huge PC users at best of time at home

thanks in advance

you need to spend min 350 for an ok chromebook really and that will be with a weak cpu and very low quality mmc storage. you get what you pay for. it will run chrome os ok but for 60/70 more you can get a proper windows laptop like this that has a decent cpu and fast ssd drive.

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-14-dk0599sa-14-amd-ryzen-3-laptop-128-gb-ssd-silver-10193335-pdt.html

maybe down the line do a cheap ram upgrade

GarIT

It's worth noting the DCG subject requires a Windows PC. The Chromebook won't be useable on most college courses, they often requires Microsoft word or other windows software.

BobMc

anything else to look for if buying a budget laptop instead ?

what is the budget?

if you are looking to spend under 400 per unit buy second-hand e.g. on adverts from a seller with good rep

or possibly refurbished on dell outlet uk but most items with VAT are above that value (parcel motel etc to deliver)

look for min 6gb ram, ssd, core i3

battery time will be not great on a seond-hand laptop though most likely

BobMc

400 a piece I'm guessing, be bit weary buying second hand, I'll keep eye on dell outlet I've a VAT no.

GarIT

BobMc wrote: »

400 a piece I'm guessing, be bit weary buying second hand, I'll keep eye on dell outlet I've a VAT no.

It would be fraud and stealing from the taxpayer to use those for non business purposes.

you could get this in argos for 340

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/1165298/Trail/searchtext%3ERYZEN+3.htm

then buy 4gb ddr sodimm on amazon - 20. brings it up to 8gb

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT4G4SFS824A-PC4-19200-Single-260-Pin/dp/B019FRDKWI/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=4gb+ddr+sodimm&qid=1591875397&sr=8-4

m.2 ssd and transfer windows over to that so it runs off faster storage (still have the 1tb hdd in there). (google this, easy enough) - 25

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-A400-Solid-State-Drive/dp/B07P22T3VD/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=120gb+ssd+m.2&qid=1591875443&sr=8-3

both click in easily. I have verified this for the model

that is new for under 400

ryzen 3 is a good cpu.

BobMc

Lads the ryzen is out of stock and has been for weeks

this alternative anygood right on the money budget wise

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/7839470/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%2C+PCs+and+phones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7Ccat_50000560%7CLaptops%7C50000564.htm

seems ok.

maybe pick up another 4gb ram on amazon

AndrewJRenko

GarIT wrote: »

It's worth noting the DCG subject requires a Windows PC. The Chromebook won't be useable on most college courses, they often requires Microsoft word or other windows software.

Are the colleges not all using MS Office 365 or Google Apps now?

I think Bob was on the right track with a Chromebook. Not sure why people have been scaring him into Windows laptop territory.

BobMc

Daughter was using Google classroom for online schooling, TY son did nothing, just want something reliable and on budget

Dont mind if Win.10 or google suppose, windows more flexibility for other apps/software

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Are the colleges not all using MS Office 365 or Google Apps now?

I think Bob was on the right track with a Chromebook. Not sure why people have been scaring him into Windows laptop territory.

a reasonable chromebook is currently more expensive than a windows laptop.

a lot of people seem to have the idea that you can get a good chromebook for 300 euros.

which is false

BobMc

very true, just checking prices again this morning

glasso

glasso wrote: »

you need to spend min 350 for an ok chromebook really and that will be with a weak cpu and very low quality mmc storage. you get what you pay for. it will run chrome os ok but for 60/70 more you can get a proper windows laptop like this that has a decent cpu and fast ssd drive.

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-14-dk0599sa-14-amd-ryzen-3-laptop-128-gb-ssd-silver-10193335-pdt.html

maybe down the line do a cheap ram upgrade

this one is still better than the option you posted today for only 20 euro more,

better cpu

in stock in Liffey Valley, Swords etc - check site

BobMc

yeah, I looked at that, Limerick we are located in, in stock here too, whats the benfit the Processor ??

more powerful and better integrated graphics processing

AndrewJRenko

glasso wrote: »

a reasonable chromebook is currently more expensive than a windows laptop.

a lot of people seem to have the idea that you can get a good chromebook for 300 euros.

which is false

Are you comparing against a laptop, or a reasonable laptop?

A basic Chromebook is cheaper than a basic laptop.

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Are you comparing against a laptop, or a reasonable laptop?

A basic Chromebook is cheaper than a basic laptop.

I said a decent chromebook for 300 euro isn't there.

fairly clear I would have thought?



basic sounds like a byword for sh1t to me.

e.g. bad low resolution screen

slow emmc storage vs ssd

rubbish cpu (even tho chrome runs on lower specs it doesn't mean that a crap cpu isn't a crap cpu and slow even on chrome os)

cheaper than cheap plastic build quality of the laptop casing, screen hinges etc.



In fact for equivalent specs Chromebooks are more expensive than the same spec windows laptop as I said. Take a look. For something like a Chromebook with an i3, 128gb ssd and bog standard full hd screen it's 600 euro.

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-15-de0502na-15-6-intel-core-i3-chromebook-128-gb-emmc-white-10194862-pdt.html

you can get that equivalent in a windows laptop for 400 euro. e.g. the laptops linked above. say 450 to allow for the 8gb ram.


that's before you go into the disadvantages of chrome with its very limited app selection (some newer more expensive ones can run android apps now)

AndrewJRenko

I don't claim to be an expert on current models, but here's a couple of examples of current Chromebooks (both under €300) and roughly equivalent Windows laptops, with a bit of a price difference in each case:

Acer Chromebook; https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-cb514-1h-14-intel-celeron-chromebook-32-gb-emmc-10189620-pdt.html
Acer Laptop: https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-3-a314-21-14-amd-a6-laptop-256-gb-ssd-black-10193905-pdt.html

HP Chromebook: https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-14-db0500sa-14-chromebook-amd-a4-32-gb-emmc-blue-10189651-pdt.html
HP Laptop; https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-14-dk0599sa-14-amd-ryzen-3-laptop-128-gb-ssd-silver-10193335-pdt.html


Am I missing something?

Dravokivich

Yeah, the chrome books you linked have the same poor hardware Glasso mentioned.

AndrewJRenko

Dravokivich wrote: »

Yeah, the chrome books you linked have the same poor hardware Glasso mentioned.

As do the laptops, right?

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

As do the laptops, right?

no - this laptop's components are fine

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-14-dk0599sa-14-amd-ryzen-3-laptop-128-gb-ssd-silver-10193335-pdt.html

cpu is way ahead of the chromebook cpus that you listed

screen is full hd resolution vs 720p in the chromebooks

proper fast ssd vs crappy emmc storage in the chromebooks

all the things that I previously mentioned.......

e.g 3200u cpu benchmark in the windows laptop

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Ryzen+3+3200U&id=3431


so well over 3 times the power of the dogsh1t one's in the chromebooks

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+A4-9120&id=3093

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Celeron+N3350+%40+1.10GHz&id=2895

nqtfarmer

As a teacher I would be very cautious forking out close to a grand for 2 laptops which your children may not need. Schools are doing there upmost for students to be back full time and I would wait until September to be certain you will need this equipment.

AndrewJRenko

glasso wrote: »

no - this laptop's components are fine

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-14-dk0599sa-14-amd-ryzen-3-laptop-128-gb-ssd-silver-10193335-pdt.html

cpu is way ahead of the chromebook cpus that you listed

screen is full hd resolution vs 720p in the chromebooks

proper fast ssd vs crappy emmc storage in the chromebooks

all the things that I previously mentioned.......

glasso wrote: »

e.g 3200u cpu benchmark in the windows laptop

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Ryzen+3+3200U&id=3431


so well over 3 times the power of the dogsh1t one's in the chromebooks

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+A4-9120&id=3093

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Celeron+N3350+%40+1.10GHz&id=2895

Thanks for the feedback. The screen resolution would be signficant for sure.

Is the CPU speed really that significant for a Chromebook? The nature of the device is surely that the vast majority of processing is done on the server rather than on the local client, which is really just like an old-fashioned dumb terminal device.

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. The screen resolution would be signficant for sure.

Is the CPU speed really that significant for a Chromebook? The nature of the device is surely that the vast majority of processing is done on the server rather than on the local client, which is really just like an old-fashioned dumb terminal device.

it still has to run the browser well and the apps can be run offline.

the idea that everything has to be online is a misnomer.

you'd want something showing 1,500 on that passmark benchmark cpu-wise

also given that the price differential for quality is not there the flexibility of windows wins imo unless there is some burning need for a chromebook

with ssds being common now your windows laptop is not going to slow to a crawl over time like in the past with spinning hdd's

anton.gall

buy used, top spec and with warranty - u cant go wrong
I got used laptop recently, top spec with office for 250 , all is perfect

anton.gall

anton.gall wrote: »

buy used, top spec and with warranty - u cant go wrong
I got used laptop recently, top spec with office for 250 , all is perfect

that's a bit general to be useful - provide details to the OP to be useful really I would say...

there can be some good deals used but depends on requirements

often older laptops will have very poor quality screens (and with low resolution)

and batteries that may only last an hour or two (figures quoted will be in battery saver mode - will be less than that in reality)

also may be of older chunky design with big bezels if that is an issue.

BobMc

nqtfarmer wrote: »

As a teacher I would be very cautious forking out close to a grand for 2 laptops which your children may not need. Schools are doing there upmost for students to be back full time and I would wait until September to be certain you will need this equipment.

IMO I dont agree I think some form of blended is going to be on the cards

cant see it going anyother way

- the ryzen3 I'm after missin out of stock with Currys too now, I need to move quicker

it was available for months tbf