Chromebook or Laptop?

[jackfaire]

I am in the market for a new computer and have been trying to find one that fits my needs. Now honestly a computer that is primarily used for internet as it's main function seems to me to be a superb fit as that is honestly 90% of what I use computers for.

That being said a Chromebook is designed to essentially be an internet interface. It's built on the theory of Cloud Computing.

A concept which has been around for as long as computers could talk. For example I had a friend whose computer had little in the way of onboard tech and actually dialed into a central database where his games and such were stored in the late 80s.

Anyway I digress. I have upgraded to a smart phone and none of my music is on my computer or on an MP3 player all of it being kept in a Cloud Player that allows me to stream music. When I buy videos now I buy them digitally if possible and can stream them from the website to any computer I wish.

In short I am a huge fan of cloud computing and offsite storage of data.

That being said I could buy the Chromebook or a Laptop.

The laptop is more weighed down than the Chromebook in software, background software and etc.

However the Laptop I would get is 299$ a Chromebook at it's cheapest is 349$.

If you sat down and worked out that the only thing you use your computer for are all web related functions with the price essentially being the only factor. The laptop doing everything the Chromebook does but also more.

Which would you choose?

[Andara Bledin]

Currently I neither trust the cloud, nor do I trust always being able to have a connection. And with a Chromebook, if you don't have a connection, you have a very expensive paperweight.

As much as I love the Internet and many aspects of the cloud, I also always try to have a copy of my data stored somewhere local.

What extra(s) does the Chromebook come with for that $50 premium?

^-.-^

[jackfaire]

What extra(s) does the Chromebook come with for that $50 premium?

^-.-^

Honestly not sure and about anything I hear the "what if you don't have electricity or connection" a lot.

For example when I took my books digital my friends would say, "But what if you don't have power you can't read your books"

My answer to that one was if power is permanently gone I have more important things to worry about than if I can finish my copy of Dead Beat.

However to the connection one I have to admit that in 15 years I have only been lacking an internet connection for the 6 months I was in Basic and then AIT. Other than the times I went to live in the middle of the woods for a job.

I live in a metropolitan area Wi-Fi hotspots are to be had like candy and I always maintain my own personal network at my home. The only times I enter a situation where cloud computing would be a negative I do so on purpose because I am camping somewhere that I had to hike 30 miles in.

Cloud computing would probably not be the best idea if I lived in a rural area where service can be spotty but connectivity issues are rarely ones I have.

However that being said the Chromebook does work with External Drives such as my 2 TB External HD where everything is backed up in onsite storage.

Part of my point is whatever computer I use doesn't need a lot of onboard memory because I don't use it. I keep my data separate from my computer so that if my computer crashes I don't usually lose my data as well. My music collection is also on my external HD not just my Cloud Player but since I don't wish to buy a bigger SD card for my phone it's nice that it can just stream the music.

Also my old laptop still works. The problem with it is that the monitor portion is now only connected by the cords there is no casing that connects the two. It still works as essentially a desktop and if I needed a backup or a function the Chromebook couldn't fulfill I would rely on it.

[HYHYBT]

I'd go with the laptop. Nothing says that just because it *has* storage you have to use it. And it's cheaper for some reason.

Though I do wonder about the combination of streaming music and portability. I assume, if you don't have your music stored on a player, that you don't listen to it in the car or anything like that

[jackfaire]

Though I do wonder about the combination of streaming music and portability. I assume, if you don't have your music stored on a player, that you don't listen to it in the car or anything like that

Right now I can't legally drive and in my car I tend to listen to radio shows more than music when I do. Morning shows are usually funny and help lighten my mood on the way to work and keep me relaxed whereas afternoon shows also lighten my mood and help me cool down on the way home.

I have a high stress job so I strive to keep my mood light. If I am on a road trip then I make specific mixes.

[HYHYBT]

Got it.

I'm the opposite: I listen to podcasts and audiobooks in the car, and get irritated by radio. Especially since, invariably, if I do find something interesting I get where I'm going before it's over. (That happens with the books too, of course, but it doesn't matter.)

[jackfaire]

Got it.

I'm the opposite: I listen to podcasts and audiobooks in the car, and get irritated by radio. Especially since, invariably, if I do find something interesting I get where I'm going before it's over. (That happens with the books too, of course, but it doesn't matter.)

We have an afternoon radio show one of the hosts is openly gay and it's a mainstream radio station so it's nice.

[telecom_goddess]

We have an afternoon radio show one of the hosts is openly gay and it's a mainstream radio station so it's nice.

Oh yeah? who's that? what station?

[jackfaire]

Oh yeah? who's that? what station?

Mitch from Daria and Mitch on 105 the Buzz.

[tropicsgoddess]

The Chromebook does have some great features, especially in terms of security but I want to be able to do more than just surf the web if I don't have internet connection. So I'd go with a laptop.

[jackfaire]

The Chromebook does have some great features, especially in terms of security but I want to be able to do more than just surf the web if I don't have internet connection. So I'd go with a laptop.

One of the reasons I was thinking of it was for portability but realistically I don't need that on my commute so I will probably stick to my laptop turned desktop for now and then when I take a vacation again I will buy a Chrome book for traveling.

[brighteyedkitty]

I'm coming in late here, but I vote for laptop.