[Official] Chromebook SG

[lunarsong]

it's good enough for my mother to surf net and watching youtube

productivity aspect damn cui, primarily lacking the MS word prog

 

[Rock-kun]

Chrome OS is basically a gimped version of Gentoo with Coreboot instead of UEFI, soldered down components and a special build of the Chrome browser.

I get more productivity and the same kind of security out of my existing notebook running Fedora than Chrome OS.

 

[lordlad0]

Chrome OS is basically a gimped version of Gentoo with Coreboot instead of UEFI, soldered down components and a special build of the Chrome browser.

I get more productivity and the same kind of security out of my existing notebook running Fedora than Chrome OS.

the general users have no interest in running sudo or apt-get just to install stuff or keep the system up to date.

 

[soupgoblin]

As someone has pointed out above, the lenovo thinkpad 11e chromebook is for sale in SG!
I am currently using one as a secondary laptop and it's pretty usable for education or even as an entertainment device. It replaced my lenovo 100s (windows 2gb ram) which was laggy and has a bad tn panel. This has a IPS screen and great keyboard!
I agree with the pros and cons that was pointed out, especially the part where you can't use microsoft office. It wasn't a deal breaker for me as I adapted quite quickly to the google's own suite of apps. Personally I feel chrome OS will definitely be better once the play market is out for all chromebook. Thinking of replacing my surface pro 3 with the samsung chromebook as I take loads of handwritten notes.

<3 chromebooks

 

[generalwu]

@techidiot Thank you for the information, i did a quick google and those company does not seems to be bringing the latest Chromebook maybe due to cost or demand.
I highly doubt that Chromebook for consumer in SG will be seeing their lights anytime soon meaning getting from Amazon is still the most direct way.


@lordlad0 Same here, my Chromebooks (ASUS & Dell) had to be imported from Amazon because there's just no place selling them in SG.
2017 looks to be the year of Chromebook. Finger cross.
There's Office 365 if one needs the full power of MS suite.

Initial preview of MS Windows "Cloud" looks to be something similar to their previously shelf-ed Windows RT with upgraded features. I also hear that they aren't allowed to run any exe programs so if that's true then it's going to be a failure again just like RT.
They're banging heavily on their UWP (Universal Windows Platform) to compete with Chromebook.


@Ed.YEO Thank you for the link, I did came across that awhile ago but forgot about it.
The specs for this is not appealing to me at all, with that price I probably could get a better spec Chromebook from Amazon.


@G4 Agree with you that without any internet connection Chromebook would be quite useless outside of Wifi areas.
Hence comes need for Mifi, I personally use one of those and it's convenient to bring around (I bought extra SIM card from my mobile).
I recommend this, it has a huge battery enough to charge a phone and it's not pricey as Huawei. (Link: here)


@lunarsong You can use Google Suite for productivity but YMMY. Else there's Office 365 if you want to pay for something better.
TBH I find Google Suite just good enough for me to ditch Office all together.


@Rock-kun True that it's not as productive as other Linux distro but you can actually dual boot your Chromebook with Ubuntu.
It's called Crouton and it's quite interesting but I have no interest as of now to do it. (Link: here
ChromeOS alone is enough for me now.


@soupgoblin Great to hear your experiences with Chromebook. I actually use Chromebook more often than my rig. Usually once I reached home I'm too tired to play games (Old man liao) so I just watch youtube.

Personally I fear the build quality of ASUS as I have a ASUS C200MA that broke down only 6 months after I purchase it (Battery died on me). There's a reddit thread on ASUS build quality awhile ago if many people sharing their bad experiences with their Chromebook.

It shook my confidences with them. Good thing is that local service centre can do a repair for me at a unreasonable cost.

I find that I have less reasons to buy any "cheap" laptop now with Chromebooks around.

 

[Sauron]

I have been using the Toshiba Chromebook 2 since late 2014 and just recently switched to the HP Chromebook 13.

ChromeOS is really fantastic for everyday use. Really using it everyday.

I only turn on my windows PC once per month.

 

[Wyvern8]

I have been using the Toshiba Chromebook 2 since late 2014 and just recently switched to the HP Chromebook 13.

ChromeOS is really fantastic for everyday use. Really using it everyday.

I only turn on my windows PC once per month.

Wow.. just curious, where do you purchase your Chromebook...? Tks...

 

[Sauron]

Wow.. just curious, where do you purchase your Chromebook...? Tks...

the first one was from amazon (and with free shipping)

the second one using comgateway concierge service (had to pay 5% service and sucky exchange rates all because hp.com usa won't accept overseas credit card)

 

[Sauron]

Hi all,

Im looking for a portable minimalistic device for web surfing, Google drive and web messengers (telegram whatsapp). Heard about chromebooks, did some research an it's the kind of device I'm looking for.

However it seems like it's not available in Singapore. Where should I be looking at to get one for myself or to at least to get a hands on feel.

Models I'm looking at :
Dell chromebook 13 and Acer chromebook 14.

read on the [official] chromebook thread that lenovo chromebooks are available locally. Never seen them myself, I got mine online - amazon and hp.com through comgateway

 

[generalwu]

You can use Amazon Global to ship Chromebook directly, just that the selection might be a little.
(Link: here)

FYI, Both ASUS C302 and Samsung Chromebook plus is on Amazon Global now.

 

[yusoffb01]

I bought Toshiba Chromebook 2014 in 2015 to use for university. Back then it was the only sub sgd $300 laptop with 1080p screen.

When I used it in school, everyone will comment
1) What notebook is it?
2) Google HAS AN OPERATING SYSTEM? SO COOL!
3) The screen looks nice!
4) You don't need charger meh?

... More prestigious owning a Mac!

What I liked about it is 10h battery life
Back then most people crouton + Wine to run windows program alongside chromeOS

If your chromebook is more powerful model, can also play games! For me only text based games (or guild wars 1)

adjusting crouton to look like Mac

In 2016 gallium OS was released! It is more stable than crouton and makes running windows 7 easy

I'm no longer updated about chromebooks. Some models support native windows 10. Eg acer 14/15 toshiba chromebook 2015, acer 720 etc
Just check here and see if Full Rom is available
https://johnlewis.ie/custom-chromebook-firmware/rom-download/


If you are new and just want to use office, the microsoft office online works well. You can edit office documents by uploading to your dropbox, and selecting edit from chrome browser dropbox page.

Now the toshiba still working, I just use it to watch videos because of the nice 13 inch 1080p IPS LG screen

1080p video playback not a problem! It was an issue back then before hardware decoder existed

 

[Rock-kun]

If you're buying a Chromebook to run Crouton + Wine, might as well just go for a generic notebook and slap a full-fledged Linux distribution on it.

And Nepgear <3

 

[yusoffb01]

If you're buying a Chromebook to run Crouton + Wine, might as well just go for a generic notebook and slap a full-fledged Linux distribution on it.

And Nepgear <3

can you get a 1080p laptop for under $300? back then you cant. even if you can now it wont have ips screen

 

[Intrinion]

As someone has pointed out above, the lenovo thinkpad 11e chromebook is for sale in SG!
I am currently using one as a secondary laptop and it's pretty usable for education or even as an entertainment device. It replaced my lenovo 100s (windows 2gb ram) which was laggy and has a bad tn panel. This has a IPS screen and great keyboard!
I agree with the pros and cons that was pointed out, especially the part where you can't use microsoft office. It wasn't a deal breaker for me as I adapted quite quickly to the google's own suite of apps. Personally I feel chrome OS will definitely be better once the play market is out for all chromebook. Thinking of replacing my surface pro 3 with the samsung chromebook as I take loads of handwritten notes.

<3 chromebooks

Does the Thinkpad 11e support any stylus inputs?

 

[generalwu]

@yusoffb01 You're right, but you might have a hit on Carousell if you search and bargain.

@Intrinion According to this Lenovo site (Link: here), There's a stylus for it.

 

[soupgoblin]

@intrinion @generalwu Mine came without the stylus but As what generalwu pointed out (and I just found out) there seem to be a stylus available for it, not sure if its good enough to jot notes on though. The touch screen is quite accurate!

Also to all owners, do check if your chromebook have the newest developer channel available, I just updated mine to that and playstore is available! Downloaded a few apps and made my chromebook even more useful

 

[generalwu]

@soupgoblin Nah, mine didn't make it into the list of Play Store support. I'm using Dell Chromebook 11 (2014 Version). Hence I'm looking into purchasing a new one.

Tempted to get C302 or Samsung Chromebook plus but the cost puts me down.
Now but next best option would be Acer C740 which has Play Store supported.

 

[xolatw]

I have a habit where I keep more than 20 tabs open in chrome browser. Would Chromebook be able to handle that? I used to have an old i5 2nd gen laptop with 4gb ram I think which would slow down quite a bit when I do that.

 

[yusoffb01]

I have a habit where I keep more than 20 tabs open in chrome browser. Would Chromebook be able to handle that? I used to have an old i5 2nd gen laptop with 4gb ram I think which would slow down quite a bit when I do that.

You need to change your habit first

 

[Swordsman]

I bought Toshiba Chromebook 2014 in 2015 to use for university. Back then it was the only sub sgd $300 laptop with 1080p screen.

When I used it in school, everyone will comment
1) What notebook is it?
2) Google HAS AN OPERATING SYSTEM? SO COOL!
3) The screen looks nice!
4) You don't need charger meh?

... More prestigious owning a Mac!

What I liked about it is 10h battery life
Back then most people crouton + Wine to run windows program alongside chromeOS

If your chromebook is more powerful model, can also play games! For me only text based games (or guild wars 1)

adjusting crouton to look like Mac

In 2016 gallium OS was released! It is more stable than crouton and makes running windows 7 easy

I'm no longer updated about chromebooks. Some models support native windows 10. Eg acer 14/15 toshiba chromebook 2015, acer 720 etc
Just check here and see if Full Rom is available
https://johnlewis.ie/custom-chromebook-firmware/rom-download/


If you are new and just want to use office, the microsoft office online works well. You can edit office documents by uploading to your dropbox, and selecting edit from chrome browser dropbox page.

Now the toshiba still working, I just use it to watch videos because of the nice 13 inch 1080p IPS LG screen

1080p video playback not a problem! It was an issue back then before hardware decoder existed

so watching 1080P movies not an issue ?

need special software ?