Laptop or Chromebook?

1. 91

   Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

   Hello,
   I am going to travel for three weeks. I use Word for my articles and have a old Gateway. I am interested in purchasing a new laptop but thinking about getting a Chromebook because of costs. With a Chromebook, I am forced to use Google Docs. Any thoughts or advice?

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   1. 93

      carolynkayeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I have an 11.6" HP Chromebook to use as a backup computer and it has been surprising how much you can do on it. They're lightweight and secure. Google Docs isn't bad for writing unless you are trying to edit very long documents (it scrolls slowly through long docs and gets annoying). There are lots of other writing apps in the Google Play store, but I mostly use Docs or Google Keep. I think you can use Microsoft Word online with a Chromebook.

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   2. 82

      peachpurpleposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      can you download king office? It has the exact ms office softwares in there and it is free

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      1. 91

         Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Great! I will check it out. Amazon has a chromebook for 159.00. It's top choice.

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2. 96

   Gregory DeVictorposted 5 years ago

   Kenna, I have a Chromebook and use Google Docs. The Chromebook is perfect for everything except word processing. Google Docs and I just don’t get along very well. I would much rather use Word because I am used to having used it for so long and am so familiar with it.
   
   Maybe Google Docs is fine for a short and uncomplicated project. However, I would much rather use Word to write hubs, etc.

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   1. 91

      Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I am a Word user from way back and hate to change.

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   2. 91

      Natalie Frankposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I'm the same way.  I am largely working on a chromebook, albeit an older one so maybe the newer ones are better (they're bound to be).  It just has certain limitations in terms of Googledocs and windows based apps and programs that I need but can't use on here.  Given the prices nowadays you can get a laptop for much the same amount as a chromebook so I'd go with a laptop.

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      1. 91

         Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Sounds about right.

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3. 91

   Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

   Thanks! I didn't realize Chrome can use Doc. I will check it out.

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4. 96

   Gregory DeVictorposted 5 years ago

   Yes,  Docs does scroll slowly. That has been one of my issues with it.

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   1. 91

      Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I might test it first on my desktop.

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      1. 96

         Gregory DeVictorposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Kenna, now that I think about it, scrolling long documents has been my major issue with Docs. I remember last year when I was writing my hub about Erie, PA. There were lots of long lists to deal with.

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         1. 91

            Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            That's good to know. But, I don't want to invest in a new laptop if Chromebook is better priced.

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            1. 96

               Gregory DeVictorposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Kenna, I bought my Chromebook at Amazon for a great price. I don’t regret it either because of everything that it can do. For example, I listen to smooth jazz on the Chromebook and the sound system is just great.

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               1. 91

                  Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  Okay!

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5. 81

   Kent Adamsposted 5 years ago

   I've had my Chromebook for two years of college and it's great! It's all I've ever needed and you can never lose your data.

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   1. 91

      Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      That's good to know. Thank you!

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6. 73

   Barbara Kayposted 5 years ago

   This question sounds like a great topic for someone to write a hub about. I'm serious.

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   1. 91

      Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Good idea!

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7. 0

   Pip Stoneposted 5 years ago

   I would love to get a Chromebook, as my laptop has all but passed on. The problem is that here in Australia, I can get three new laptops for the price of one Chromebook!

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   1. 91

      Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Truly? Why is that?

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      1. 0

         Pip Stoneposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         The $AU buys about US$0.73. Chromebooks start at around $800 for a basic model in stores. Laptops start for around $230. Plus Australia is being geoblocked by Amazon from July 1, so that means stores can stop worrying about online competition.

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         1. 91

            Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Interesting! I hear your fruit and vegetables taste better, too (seriously).

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