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Old 11-20-2020, 11:04 AM
 
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How do these worK? I have a Windows 10 laptop and an android tablet which they both are getting old and slow. I use the tablet mainly to play games plus as my GPS when traveling in my rv.

Would this replace them?
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Old 11-20-2020, 01:38 PM
 
Location: McAllen, TX
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There are no GPS radios on Chromebooks but it can run most of the apps the Tablet can. This is assuming you get a Chromebook that can use the play store.

You can always use a smartphone for GPS and leave the rest for the Chromebook.

The rest depends on what apps you use on the laptop?
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Old 11-20-2020, 05:29 PM
 
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Their primary characteristic is simple: Take things which where once possible to do locally on your own hardware without an internet connection and move its functionality off to servers which the user must now access through their "dumb terminal" (the Chromebook, in this model).

Google sell it on the notion that it is convenient and cheap, which is true that it can be but also consider that you travel in an RV. What kind of internet access do you have and how consistent is it?
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Old 11-20-2020, 06:51 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yelling_at_Birds View Post
Their primary characteristic is simple: Take things which where once possible to do locally on your own hardware without an internet connection and move its functionality off to servers which the user must now access through their "dumb terminal" (the Chromebook, in this model).

Google sell it on the notion that it is convenient and cheap, which is true that it can be but also consider that you travel in an RV. What kind of internet access do you have and how consistent is it?
I have a very dependable hotspot with unlimited data.
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Old 11-20-2020, 07:09 PM
 
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You didn't say what you use your windows 10 laptop for, but for just about anything internet based, a chromebook works pretty good. You can "surf the internet", watch videos, do social media stuff, online banking, zoom meetings, etc... Not sure what type of android games you are planning to play on it, but most are too big for the holding them like a cell phone and using your thumbs on the touch-screen type of games. Besides, most chromebooks don't even have touch-screens (but of course some do, if that's important to you).

If you are going to get a chromebook, I would highly recommend not getting the cheapest one you can find. Look at the specs and try to find one with slightly better specs than the rest of them, and you will be much happier.
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Old 11-21-2020, 04:58 AM
 
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I would want a touchscreen to play my casino slot games which is all I play on my tablet. My laptop has it, but I very seldom use it. Will the keyboard disconnect from the screen on Chromebooks? I am looking for an all-in-one if there is such a thing.

I use my laptop to keep up with my banking/bill paying and my retirement plans. It is easier to surf the net using my laptop than my tablet. I plan trips for my rv, do online shopping, read up on forums and general keep up with what is going on in the world without watching the news. I do watch an occasional video on my laptop and use bluetooth for listening.

How are the screens with Chromebooks? It is easier to read on my tablet (eye issues with letters being bolder) than my laptop. Do they have bluetooth capabilities? But I don't know if I want to be locked with Google more than what I am now.
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Old 11-21-2020, 06:32 AM
 
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Most Chromebooks do not have a detachable keyboard. Most of the ones with a touch screen have a screen that can be folded open a complete 180° in order to turn it into "tablet" mode. So then it's like a thick, heavy tablet with the keyboard underneath.

I think a Chromebook would work fine to replace your computer for the tasks that you mentioned. Some have bigger screens/better resolution than others. I'm pretty sure there are settings to make stuff bigger, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Yes, Google does try hard to "lock" you into them in order to use it. I suppose you could set up a fake name/login info and then use a different browser app other than Chrome to get onto the internet with. Then if you stay away from youtube, Gmail and google.com, you might be able to sleep better at night. You might need the help of the "Google Play Store" in order to find the other apps to use though, which speaking of that, MOST Chromebooks have access to, but some do not. When Chromebooks were a new thing, they couldn't use most of the apps that were designed for cell phones, so they weren't allowed into the "play store" and were stuck with a different "chromebook app store" which didn't/doesn't have much to offer. I'm pretty sure almost all of the Chormbooks built within the last couple of years are able to use the normal app store and can run the vast majority of apps that are available to cellphones/tablets.

I really like my Chromebook. I switch back and forth between using a Windows 10 desktop, and my Chromebook laptop. For all intents and purposes, the internet works exactly the same on both of them.
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Old 11-21-2020, 07:08 AM
 
Location: Boydton, VA
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Since I retired and no longer needed a Windows based PC, I have used Chromebooks. I love the security associated with using a server farm to store my data, I have no virus worries, no hacking worries. I get refurb chromebooks from tigerdirect, the last one, a barely used touchscreen HP was $169.

Regards
Gemstone1
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Old 11-21-2020, 07:46 AM
 
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Here is a technical question? On a Windows system the Celeron cpu is way down on the bottom for better systems. Before I got my laptop I use to build my own desktop pc's.

What are the better cpu Chromebook systems?

I just had a thought that a chromebook would be perfect for my wife for Christmas. All she has is a tablet and sometimes she wants more when looking for recipes, info on our Yorkie, etc. Plus this will have a bigger screen.

But some more questions I hate the built-in mouse part of my laptop. I usea usb mouse instead, so what do Chromebooks have? What type of connections do they have? I know they do not have an optical drive which she will not need.

Last edited by reubenray; 11-21-2020 at 08:42 AM..
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Old 11-21-2020, 09:16 AM
 
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I'm not too familiar with the processor differences, other than of course generally more GHz is better than less GHz. Just like more RAM is better than less. Keep in mind Chromebooks don't need much processing power compared to a Windows computer, so a processor that might be a complete piece of crap on a normal computer might work OK in a Chromebook. I guess you'll have to do a little more research and read some reviews to find out which one might be the best fit for you.

I'm pretty sure all Chromebooks come with a track-pad underneath the keyboard, just like almost any laptop would. I'm also pretty sure all have at least 2 USB ports for connectivity. The majority of USB devices that work with a Windows computer would also work with a Chromebook. I've used a USB mouse with mine, and it worked just fine. Of course if you get a touch screen, you can also use your finger to select stuff and to scroll.
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