The delivery guy dropped off my new Samsung Google Chrome Laptop a few days ago, and it’s teaching this old dog a few new tricks. My new Chromebook is different from any PC I’ve ever had. In fact, it’s not a PC at all; but I’m okay with that.
My old laptop was ailing from one too many struggles with the “blue screen of death.” I needed a new, affordable computer, so I was hooked the moment I saw a commercial advertising a shiny new one for $249. The Chromebook site listed these great features.
They call it a Laptop, but…
I checked out the Google Chromebook online and ordered mine a few days later. I already knew that they operated web-based apps… sort of like an Ipad— and that they could be shared by multiple users. I planned to figure out the rest of the story after my computer arrived; but they were on back order, so I used the wait time to do more research, and read online user reviews.
I learned that I couldn’t use any traditional PC programs at all, and that the apps I could use would not be stored on my computer. They would be installed in the Google Chrome browser and run from there. That meant that I’d have to be online most of the time. Hmmm…
It also meant I would have to find an app to edit videos and photos. I’d have to use Google Docs instead of the free writing program I’d used for years. Also my stuff would be stored on Google Drive, a Cloud-like, online storage space. Apps? Google Docs? Cloud? I almost cancelled my order, but I decided to learn the Chromebook way of doing things.
Out of the box
My new Samsung Google Chromebook looks and feels like a sleek and shiny traditional ‘laptop.’ It’s lightweight and small— a little smaller than a piece of notebook paper, not even a thick as the height of a quarter. I was concerned that it would feel flimsy and frail, but it’s sturdy and solid. The keyboard is a Mac/PC hybrid that’s responsive to my touch.
It comes to life the moment I open the lid. I input my Gmail/Chrome sign-in information the first time. Now I simply enter my password into the little box that pops up. In seconds I’m in my very own Google Chrome, browser-based world.
Youtube, G+, Gmail, Apps, and Chrome browser icons live at the bottom left of the screen. One click on the Apps icon shows me a list of pre-loaded apps. I’ve already added a few myself.
Using my Chromebook
Google Drive instead of a hard drive
My biggest adjustment is using Google Drive the way I used to use a PC hard drive. My files are stored online in “My Drive.” They are accessible anywhere, by anyone or on any device I choose. There’s usually a fee for Google Drive space, but Chromebook comes with 100 GB of drive space free for 2 years.
Photo and video editing
I easily view and edit photos with the pre-loaded editing app. I can’t view my videos though, possibly because of my camera’s odd MOD format. A Chrome Store video editing app cost $5 a month, but I can try Youtube online editing for free.
Documents
I’m typing this review on Google Docs in a Google Chrome tab. It’s like a traditional word processing program, except my documents are automatically saved to My Drive, and synced for offline editing.
Games
The touchpad is a single block instead of the three sectioned left-mouse/right-mouse I’m used to. It’s great for navigating web pages, but I don’t like it for online games. I tried it with Bejeweled Blitz, and it was nearly impossible to make my little gems slide into place. Flash info kept popping up. I’m not sure if there’s a Chromebook compatible mouse yet.
Online all the time
My Chromebook is lightweight enough to carry in a tote bag or even a large purse, which makes it easy to take anywhere. To get the most out of my new computer though, I’ll have to find an online connection when I’m away from home. So far I’ve tried it out at Starbucks and it connected just fine.
I like my Chromebook
It’s only been a few days, but I I’m growing attached to like my shiny little Chromebook. Of course it could have been love at first sight, except the same day the delivery man brought my $249. Samsung to my door, Google released a $199. Acer Chromebook Model.
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