Chromebook vs PC laptop - RV-Dreams Community Forum

galtgirl · RV-Dreams Family Member

Chromebook vs PC laptop

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just see Office Depot has a Toshiba Notebook, w/optical drive, 15.6 inch screen,500 GB HD for 219.99, also a Lenovo tablet w/10 in.screen.

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

A ChromeBook would not be suitable for storing your photos and recipes - you need some on-board storage for that. With the prices of entry-level notebooks such as the one mentioned above, I think that would be your best choice.

Rob

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Chromebooks work best when you have unlimited or near unlimited internet since most of your storage is in the cloud. Mobile internet is not anywhere near unlimited and expensive, so I can't see a Chromebook being a good choice for an RVer.
As has been pointed out, there are low cost Windows laptops out there, so the price is really not much different than a Chromebook.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Going beyond the above, if you even thought that you want to do more photo editing in the future, you might want a more powerful computer with regards to RAM memory and processing speed. The wife has said that to get as close as possible to a quad-core processor and 8 gig of RAM memory.

At any rate, I'd venture that the laptop would give you a lot more flexibility for the future than a Chromebook. While others may disagree, we've dealt A LOT with HP desktops and laptops over the years and have been very happy. What adds a bit of "relevance" to that statement is that Jo spent close to 20 years in the IT field.

Terry

cheryls-other-half · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mitch Snips (and agrees)..

Terry and Jo wrote:
...snip......The wife has said that to get as close as possible to a quad-core processor and 8 gig of RAM memory.
What adds a bit of "relevance" to that statement is that Jo spent close to 20 years in the IT field.
Terry

Agree totally (even if I have closer to 15 more years in the business then Jo...)

I started telling my customers about 6 years ago, that unless they were DEDICATED gamers that a laptop was always much better then a desktop...

also, Chromebooks will NOT cut it for RVers becuause of the need to store everything ONLINE.

Yes, get a quad (or 8 core) cpu, and as MUCH ram as you can afford. It will make the PC run forever and ever.

I am only NOW getting ready to retire (to my truck for work) my old IBM/Lenovo laptop X60 after about 6 years.

(of course cheryl does also have one...)

and if it's possible, get one with the same power as your husbands. it will make swapping power supplies and life a teeny bit easier.

cheers.

Reminder to all.

You DONT need to buy Microsoft office.

there are two FREE alternatives (both originally the same software, that SPLIT).

OPEN Office (now owned by Oracle (formerly SUN) and Libre-office which split after oracle bought them...

Do expect to download this when you have a good connection, or are at a McDonalds for afternoon, as they are about 500-700 mb to install.

BOTH of these programs read/write Microsoft Office file formats, as well as Google doc formats (aka odf).

highly recommened!

HabDaddy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Depends on what you want to use it for. If you mostly do email and internet browsing, Chromebook is best. They are light, great screen, great sound, lightweight, and easy on the batteries (again, depends on what model). Most have at least 16GB of storage for photos, etc that you need to store locally until you can get an internet connection. Also, having to keep the windows software up-to-date, viruses, etc are no longer an issue with a Chromebook. And lastly, since they are so heavily based on the cloud, you do not lose anything since they are backed up to the cloud. You really do not need any other software as Google Docs, etc have everything you would need (no need to buy MS Office, etc).

I have an Android phone (Droid) so I can access everything either on my phone or my Chromebook. They are also very quick to start like an Apple. I have all types of computers at my house. I have found for the kids, the Chromebook is great. I cannot use it since my work requires lots of software.

Now if internet access is a problem, this could be limiting but how do you send email or look on the internet without it. The decision is always going to come down to one factor, how do you use your computer today? When I am not working, the Chromebook is great. When I am working, the Windows laptop and/or desktop is best.

I can tell you that the maintenance on the Chromebook is almost non-existent whereas on the Windows computers, I am doing updates, backing up software, virus scanning, etc. I like them both. When traveling, I take the Chromebook or Tablet for ease of use, size, battery life, and weight. When working, I have to lug around the windows laptop.

cheryls-other-half · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mitch Replies (one at a time), and remember we're talking about people in RV's... NOT STICKS and BRICKS houses here.

I TOTALLY disagree.

On the Road, without a WIFI signal a CHROMEBOOK is TOTALLY useless!

We are talking about (mostly full-timers or Future FTers. Having been on the road for a TOTAL of 6 months now, I can say the WiFi Signals at most campgrounds DO suck big time!

REMEMBER, my comments below take A RVer/FTer or Potential FTer into account.

Buying a Chromebook now, is fine if you aren't currently a full-timer, but it will become a 3-4 lb brick without WIFI.. when you're on the road...

HabDaddy wrote:
Depends on what you want to use it for.
---->Agreed.
If you mostly do email and internet browsing, Chromebook is best. They are light, great screen, great sound, lightweight, and easy on the batteries (again, depends on what model). Most have at least 16GB of storage for photos, etc that you need to store locally until you can get an internet connection.
---->Totally True. But if you have NO S&B connection, still useless, if you have a poor signal and don't love McDonalds.
Also, having to keep the windows software up-to-date, viruses, etc are no longer an issue with a Chromebook. And lastly, since they are so heavily based on the cloud, you do not lose anything since they are backed up to the cloud. You really do not need any other software as Google Docs, etc have everything you would need (no need to buy MS Office, etc).
----> Still True... and if you have a S&B, makes a compelling arguement.

I have an Android phone (Droid) so I can access everything either on my phone or my Chromebook.
----> Me too. As a matter of fact, I can't get my darned phone (a Samsung Galaxy 2) to DIE, so I can finally upgrade it... Cheryl and I also have 2 android tablets.
They are also very quick to start like an Apple.
----> Sure. Boots from RAM, or SSD instead of a Hard disk.
I have all types of computers at my house. I have found for the kids, the Chromebook is great. I cannot use it since my work requires lots of software.

Now if internet access is a problem, this could be limiting but how do you send email or look on the internet without it. The decision is always going to come down to one factor, how do you use your computer today? When I am not working, the Chromebook is great. When I am working, the Windows laptop and/or desktop is best.

I can tell you that the maintenance on the Chromebook is almost non-existent whereas on the Windows computers, I am doing updates, backing up software, virus scanning, etc. I like them both. When traveling, I take the Chromebook or Tablet for ease of use, size, battery life, and weight. When working, I have to lug around the windows laptop.

OK. So reading this post, I just wasted my time.

NO. if you are either a Full timer, a Future Full-timer, or even someone who just camps on the weekend and wants to make sure that you are CONNECTED, DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT buy a Chromebook.

PS: A chromebook, is really just a android tablet with a keyboard.

Chrome and android were two different projects within Google, that have been merged in the past 18 months, and will become more and more similar.

I can also use MY android tablets offline, but without dropbox and syncing to my laptops, I'd be lost. Literally!

Please lets take this offline. Private message me if you really have problems with recommending a laptop

instead of Chrome/android tablets/chromebooks.

And yes, both windows and apple laptops (or even ubuntu/linux laptops will need to be updated REGULARLY...)

It just doesn't work for the on-the-road lifestyle we have.

Mitch B. (being extremely PASSIONATE about the reply...)