Quick points:
Yes, it DOES work offline. There are loads of apps and games that do work offline, and offline mode is coming to Gmail, Docs, and Calendar very soon (this summer)
Web apps are nearing the usefulness of actual desktop apps
The vast majority of people don't need Photoshop or Final Cut Pro, or a 4GHz processor
Web apps are the future. They are compatible with any OS that has a browser, which is basically every OS
Seems even more secure against viruses than a Mac
No more paying for OS updates like you do with Mac or Windows
Don't need antivirus software running all the time
Open sourced OS is very technologically ethical, meaning more progress and more transparency in terms of what is going on inside OUR computers
The browser was becoming an OS itself already for while, Google is just separating it
Super fast start up time and long battery life are great pluses
What about music/video offline? It can't do that with a web app RIGHT NOW (it almost certainly will in the future, but you can easily download any kind of media (yes it does have internal storage like some critic say it doesn't), or you can put media on a SD card from another computer and pop it into this when you cant to watch a movie on a plane or something
the price IS very good. some people say it's too expensive for what it offers, citing the processor and the almost comparable price of a Windows PC. They are overlooking the fact that this has a solid state drive, which is a huge plus, that a PC running anti-virus software all the time slows down the processor, that most people don't NEED the desktop OS anymore, and a vast array of other reasons, including far superior build quality.
If you want to try this already extremely functional laptop, and are ready to jump into the future of operating systems, you can expect improvements in leaps and bounds very quickly, as Google will update everything in the background, and everything will get faster and better, and your experience will improve over time.
About a month ago, my husband and I got two chromebooks: one for me and one for my 75 year old mother. I absolutely love it. It has all but replaced my desktop.
Momma is 75 and very nervous of computers. My parents have a Windows desktop, and she is always complaining about how slow it is, how it always wants to install updates, virus warnings, firewall issues, and lots and lots of features she'll NEVER need. All she wants to ever do is deal with their Gmails, check her bank account, read the news, and talk to us across the ocean.
When hubby and I found out about the Chromebook, the first thing he said is "THAT is ideal for your Mom!". It took about 3 minutes to set up from start to finish, and she was off to the races. She LOVES it!! It is just so easy. All she needs to do is flip it open, and 1 second later she can browse all she likes, or chat, or send an email. No updates to worry about. No viruses. No buttons to push or X-es to click, no Start button to click when in fact she wants to Exit, etc...... FLIP open and she is ready to go, FLIP closed when she is done.
All I can say is, this is the BEST gift we could ever have given her. If you want to make a tech challenged person VERY happy, consider a Chromebook nothing could be simpler.
Buy Samsung Series 5 3G 12.1-Inch Chromebook (Titan Silver) Now
I purchased this notebook to evaluate its use for students in a K-12 academic setting, where students and faculty all use Google Apps as their productivity/communication/collaboration tool, so this review will address the Chromebook from that perspective. If you are new to the use of Google Apps suite of tools, this notebook might not be the best fit for you until you've experienced what GA for business, education, or enterprise has to offer. Most folks who are panning this device clearly were looking for something else upon purchase.
We recently have become a Google Apps school, where students in grades 2-12 grade have access to school GA accounts (with graduated privileges as they get older). Being an all-Mac school, we have certainly done our share of pondering the role of iPads in students hands. With the initial swell of popularity, I think that there has been a slight "pressure" to make the them fit as a tool that every student should have in their backpacks; as a textbook replacement AND productivity device. While content publishers have been dragging their feet to jump into creating widespread electronic content for the iPad, we "hear it's coming" and would have already been making plans to put iPads into the hands of our students if they would function better as a PRODUCTIVITY device. Google already has the collaborative environment down with its GA services, yet with Apple locking horns with Google, refuse to allow its iOS to access GA in a fully functional environment without using a crappy, watered down mobile version of the site or with the use of cumbersome 3rd party workarounds to create and share documents.
Enter this Chromebook. As much as I hate to admit it, I would estimate upwards of 85% of student work on the computers at our school is based upon productivity software (word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation) and internet-based activities. From that standpoint, this Chromebook (coupled with their GA accounts) quickly and efficiently addresses the VAST majority of what students need at school and at home, at a very attractive price point. I would have no reservation recommending this device to any parent of a middle school-high school aged child if they use GA at school. Throw in the token 100mb of free 3G Verizon service (with the ability to have similar iPad data pricing plans), now our "commuter" children can spend time in transit to/from school getting a head start on their school work, not to mention take it with them on any trip away from home.
Positives:
* Great screen/keyboard size
* Decent construction
* Lightweight
* Very crisp picture
* Love the function keys replaced with meaningful internet "shortcut" controls
* Love the "instant-on" feature; would really save time in a classroom
* FAST CONNECTION SPEEDS (even with the 3G)
Negatives:
Mostly Verizon-based at this point.
* Verizon still does not have any information listed on its website as to the different data plans explicitly regarding Chromebooks. I know this device is fairly new, but the first two people I spoke with on the phone didn't know what a Chromebook was. It took me 3 different people all-together just to get my 100mb plan rolling, and it was certainly not a 1-2-3 step process (though not too bad). I would think that if Verizon is giving away data, they would want to make it much more convenient for folks to be knowledgeable about how to spend money with them (something Apple is SUPERB at doing).
* I am a little spazzy with the touchpad; you really have to make an effort to remove your "pointing" finger before you click with your thumb (or you end up displaying a right-click action). Apple products seem to be much less "touchy" in this regard.
Read Best Reviews of Samsung Series 5 3G 12.1-Inch Chromebook (Titan Silver) Here
I've had my Chromebook for about a week now, and so here are my initial impressions.
I think the title of my post sums it up pretty well. I do not, in any way, expect Chromebooks to become a significant player in the laptop market. At least not anytime in the foreseeable future. It is simply too limited in its capabilities (in present state, anyway-it will only get better). It will, for obvious reasons, never make your PC or Mac obsolete. Virtualization will help.
But, if you buy it to complement your existing PC/Mac for the right reasons, you won't be disappointed. What are those reasons?
-The internet with no frills.
-Mobility, with its small size and the free or pay as you go 3G.
-Freedom from the leash that ties you to a power outlet.
-The cloud! Music Beta, Picasa, Google Docs, etc
-(Nearly) Endless room for the O/S and experience to develop
What are the downsides I've seen so far?
-Not sure this is a downside for everyone, but I do feel sort of claustrophobic always being in a browser. Not that I am yearning for programs... just a desktop... or something...
-Sort of along that line, I never felt that "wow" factor when I started using this as I did buying new technologies in the past. To me, there's nothing that is stunningly novel, other than the concept. It's a Chrome browser.
-It is slightly underpowered. It stutters a bit when streaming HD video. And in general, if you're doing multiple things at once (streaming music, loading heavy pages), it starts to feel a little sluggish. I really would've liked to see a second core. If handled correctly, that wouldn't even harm battery performance. I'd pay a premium for it, for sure.
-When you see something about Samsung's intelligent charging technology, you should read that as "slow" charging technology. I'm on board, as long as their promise of battery longevity holds true. But it's worth noting that once your battery does finally hit 0%, you'll be tied to the wall for 3+ hours before the 6-cell is back up to full.
-I'd like to see more multitouch gestures for the trackpad.
Ok, I'll touch on the laptop itself quickly: I really like the design. The screen, as advertised, is very bright, and I love that it's matte. The laptop is sturdy, and the keyboard is well executed. Pressing the buttons is decidedly satisfying. The trackpad is big and responsive. I don't like having to click the whole pad down, but enabling "tap to click" remedies that. Uncommonly used ports have covers, nice touch.
To wrap it up-I bought this because most of what I do these days on my laptop is cruise the internet. I didn't like using my bulky laptop for that, especially given its high electron diet. I still keep that PC handy for gaming or streaming video over HDMI through my home theater, but for day to day surfing and for traveling, I expect I will come up with little reason to regret this purchase.
Want Samsung Series 5 3G 12.1-Inch Chromebook (Titan Silver) Discount?
So, I'm writing this review from my new Chromebook in a cozy Inn just above North Lake Tahoe. I have access to all of my music (Google Music), all of my email, documents, calendar... everything. I received my Chromebook yesterday and I'm still running on a 90%+ battery charge.
The Chromebook is almost too easy to travel with. It's lightweight and small, shuts down and starts up quickly and has no problems connecting to wifi when available, or jumping over to 3G when wifi isn't available.
My only gripe, so far? The free 100MB of 3G access per month provided. It does seem a bit scant, considering I've used 3G for about 15 minutes total and I've used about 10% of my allotment for the month. For all intents and purposes, I don't plan to use 3G often it's a backup plan in case I can't find an access point.
For someone who is looking for an easy, lightweight travel computer to gain access to the tubes, the Samsung Series 5 3G CB is perfect. Very happy with this purchase. Can't wait to see how CBs evolve.
Edit: Stupid spelling mistakes. Still love the Chromebook (7/10/2012)
But I'm not impressed with Windows7. Would have given a 5 with XP. At least windows has a site for research for issues that does help. Also wasn't impressed with the packing it came in. Just the cardboard around the styraforam end caps. Maybe that is sufficient, it seems fine. Only had it a couple of months. Still trying to get control of my own computer away from microsoft. XP wasn't this obnoxious. I've almost dumped microsoft several times. I did buy this understanding that Linux would work. My last Fujitsu lasted over 10 years with daily use...all day all night sometimes, constant travel. Did have it on a cooler immediately, as is this one. Amazon is great, & vendors on time. Received case early. I love the full size keyboard & the separate number pad. So far it's wonderful, I'll update later if I can. If you use a wireless mouse...disable touchpad. It's a windows glitch. For the quality I've experienced in the past, you can't beat the price or the machine.
