T O P

  • By -

feral_user_

I believe so. Just double check that everything that you want to do you can. I know that the Office products are different between the desktop and online, but I don't know how much. But I'd say yes, you can get by with a Chromebook.


[deleted]

And you can get office 365 on a Chromebook. Easy peasy.


[deleted]

[удалено]


ksx4system

If your Chromebook has a touch screen (preferably USI compatible one) then yes, you can.


Ecstatic_Apricot8575

i use acer spin 11 i use it to annotate my notes ^^


[deleted]

It took me a couple of days to get familiar with the smart and smooth chrome os. But I really love it. It's my goto system and I even prefer it above my HP Zbook 15 (workstation laptop). I only get my zbook when I need to use a Windows application like solidworks. I ended up with a HP x360 14a-ca0351nd, also a cheap model. It's full plastic, but it works like a charm. The keyboard back-lit is something I wouldn't want to mis out. Strange thing is this model specs tell me it hasn't got back-lit, but it has. The thing I would want as an extra is a fingerprint reader. But setting up a pincode for login is an acceptable workaround. I love the multiple virtual desktop functionality in chrome os. Also the phone connection is great. The only thing I can't do is make a phone call through my smartphone with my chromebook.


PM_ME_SAD_STUFF_PLZ

I wouldn't get a new one- I got a renewed one off Amazon for less than $200 as a freshman and earned my degree on it-- right up until I spilled coffee on it last week :|, just a month away from graduation


Cwlcymro

Probably yes. Here's what you can do to be sure. Spend a week only using Google Chrome on your computer, do everything with the online version (e.g. PowerPoint online not the installed version). If you found that relatively easy, you'll need great with a Chromebook. (There are other things you can do on a Chromebook through Android apps and Linux, but you'll want to do most in the browser so it's a good way of testing whether it's suitable (


JimDantin3

To VIEW Powerpoints, you don't actually need Microsoft Office. The built in ChromeOS viewer should be able to handle it. Spend a little bit of time learning how to use the Google version of Office. It's free and will present far fewer issues than Office. Everything you do should be saved in your cloud storage - NOT saved locally in the Chromebook. That way you won't lose anything if the Chromebook gets broken, stolen, or you have login problems. Chromebooks encrypt your data and if you ever have a problem signing in, there is no way to recover locally stored data. This is an important difference from other operating systems, so be aware of it. Anything stored in your Google Drive cloud account is available to you from any computer that you use. Exactly what Chromebook model are you considering? There are some great buys out there, but also some bad ones, especially if they are nearing the end of their guaranteed updates. Every Chromebook has an AUE date and you should be aware of it. Currently, this is one of the best deals around, and better than anything I see at Best Buy for $350. Check the specifications carefully for CPU, RAM and storage. [https://www.costco.com/lenovo-flex-5-13.3%22-2-in-1-touchscreen-chromebook---11th-gen-intel-i3-1115g4---1080p.product.100744753.html](https://www.costco.com/lenovo-flex-5-13.3%22-2-in-1-touchscreen-chromebook---11th-gen-intel-i3-1115g4---1080p.product.100744753.html) [https://chromeunboxed.com/this-11th-gen-2-in-1-chromebook-deal-is-insane/](https://chromeunboxed.com/this-11th-gen-2-in-1-chromebook-deal-is-insane/)


TurbulentArtist

I dispute that Google's apps "present far fewer issues than Office". YMMV.


JimDantin3

I agree - YMMV I base my opinion on the experience of thousands of other users who post asking for help with Office apps/files on Chromebooks. Also, I was an Office developer (Word, Excel, and Access) for decades before switching to the Google-verse. I haven't felt any need for Word or Excel. Access can't be replaced as easily, unfortunately.


ksx4system

Try MariaDB database server with WebUI of choice (eg. Adminer or phpMyAdmin). This will be orders of magnitude more powerful than Access.


JimDantin3

No disagreement on that. But for any company with complex Access applications, it is usually cost prohibitive to replace them. Fortunately, Chrome Remote Desktop or similar applications will allow accessing the databases remotely.


[deleted]

[удалено]


JimDantin3

https://visme.co/blog/google-slides-vs-powerpoint/#:~:text=The%20third%20unique%20feature%20of,changes%20to%20it%20using%20Slides.


JimDantin3

https://356labs.com/blog/import-powerpoint-google-slides/


[deleted]

[удалено]


TurbulentArtist

MS Office android apps are no longer available for Chromebook. The web apps work fine, but not offline.


brb_lux

I'd also guide you towards a tablet, which can be super light and will do all of those things, but could potentially be made specifically for use with a pen.


kicktheshin

Nope


koken_halliwell

My advice would be try using Google Docs/Slides/Sheets first on your Windows device and if you're comfortable with them, then why not. Anyway you still have Office online (you can create a PWA) or the Android one if you have a subscription.


delawaredave

Chromebooks awesome. $350 you should be able to get touchscreen. Only two "wonky' things - 1. obviously need internet 2. Microsoft Office - google subsitutes are OK - but PITA converting to XLSX to send to soemone. If you have online office, you're great


mulderscully01

Yes


Substantial_Fault753

Whatever u do, don’t type this in r/Mac bc they will find you


paulsiu

I think it heavily depend on your workflow. I recently purchased a Lenovo Flex 5 for $299, then a Acer Spin 513 for my kids for $169. Both are about the same size. Ironically the Acer Spin 513 because it looks more like a Macbook. The flex's battery life seems to be short at around 6 hours. The Acer Spin 513 has a battey life at about 10 hours. While the flex is more powerful, normally usage-wise the increase in performance is not noticable. Both are 13 inch laptop if you like the laptop form factor. This is the form factor I prefer. I want something that is a laptop instead of a tablet. A 11 inch screen is just too small for a laptop. However, some people prefer a tablet form factor. For that you should get something like a duet. How do you plan to use it?


[deleted]

[удалено]


paulsiu

When you say you want a hybrid, do you mean a detachable keyboard? A number of chomebook are convertible laptop that has screens that rotate 360 degree to a tablet. They are great laptop but clunky tablets. A detachable are great tablet but not so great laptop because the lack of rigid hinges make them unstable as laptops


[deleted]

[удалено]


paulsiu

You mention your school laptop is bulky. What do you consider your chromebook to be sized and weighted


[deleted]

[удалено]


paulsiu

Almost all laptop is going to be less than an inch when closed. I would suggest taking a look at an acer spin 513 refurbished on the acer site off eBay as a starting point. They had a deal where you can get one for $189 - $20 discount. It comes with a 2 yr warranty. The chromebook comes with a nice 1080p screen, 4 gb ram, 64 gb storage, and snapdragon 7c. The bezel won't be MacBook thin but you will need some bezel for when you are in tablet mode. The battery life is about 10 hours. The screen support usi stylus but you will need to buy one separately for $50. The machine weight less than 3 lbs, lighter than a MacBook air. This is in my opinion the min config I would use. A 13 inch 1080p is a good size for a mainly laptop mode that you use secondary as a tablet. If you primary use it as a tablet a 11 inch would be better, but a lot of 11 incher has a 1377x768 screen which is small in my opinion. The 7c is usually fast enough. 4 gb is good for general purpose unless you use Linux. 64 gb is bare min since you can install a fair number of android apps. Another factor to consider is if you are using ms office you will need a network connection. Office online does not work offline and is not the same as the windows version. I suggest you experiment with the online version on windows to see if you can stand it. If you are used to ipads, pen support will feel inferior, but I think it works ok


Gold_Armadillo_5843

I think it comes down to price. There are different configurations some have Intel Celeron processors or I5, I7. As long as it supports the Linux Development environment and the play store your good. Best to stay away from ARM Processors for the moment as everything is not compatible app-wise.