Chromebook: A Windows Fan Perspective
Anybody
who knows me personally or reads my columns across the Web knows my
preference for Windows - since Windows 3.1 to Windows 8.1. Unlike biased
fanboy arguments, I've had several rational discussions about my
preference and my passionate evangelism of the Windows ecosystem.
Also, as a SkyDrive and Office 365 customer and a Windows Phone and Surface user, I'm pretty much tied into the Microsoft ecosystem. I don't use any Google services (except YouTube for my daily videos fix). Therefore, it was interesting as I spent a few weeks with the latest Chromebook, or as Google puts it - A new type of computer with everything built in.
It's taken three years for Google and the OEMs to launch the Chromebooks in India. Maybe it's because the initial generation was just a concept showcase and not a viable consumer product, or because of India's low Internet penetration.
Without comparing to Windows machines in purpose and functionality, Acer Chromebook C720 is a decent one. The 11.6-inch notebook is like one of the many no-frills, economy netbooks that got popular briefly a few years back, and died a quick, deserving death.
Yes, it boots under 10 seconds but that's an old metric to compare since all my devices - Windows 8 convertible, Surface, Nexus 7, and the iPad - are in always on state, with reboots done only for updates and maintenance. The marketing gimmick compares boot time of a light-powered Chromebook to desktops from the previous generation.
The Chromebook is powered by Google's Chrome OS and features a desktop and Windows 7-like taskbar that works as an app launcher with indicators and toggles for common settings. While this gives the perception of a traditional operating system, essentially, it's just a freaking browser with multiple tabs!
While there are some native apps like the calculator and music player, all other services run as a Web app with some show stopping limitations. Although you can open documents, spreadsheets, and presentations if the Chromebook is offline, most apps work only if you are connected to the internet. If any service doesn't have a Web app, it's a dead end. So, yes, you cannot have services like Skype or an app like iTunes on a Chromebook.
As a Windows user, it's an awkward transition. The 'desktop' on Chromebook is only a background image. Similarly, the pinning to 'taskbar' is very limited, and I wasn't able to pin any random website, but only Web apps from their store. There's no 'Windows' key obviously, and several keyboard shortcuts and function keys that I'm used to wouldn't work.
Chromebooks are, in a way, 'forever alone' devices since connectivity with peripherals is sloppy. A Chromebook only works with Google Cloud Print-ready printers, and also cannot connect to several scanners and other peripheral devices you might already have. Also, most 3G dongles/data cards, the primary mode of internet connectivity on the go in India, don't work with the Chromebook.
While I dismissed Chromebooks at first, they might fit the needs of a few people. If you're deeply invested in Google's ecosystem, and only move between your home and office where WiFi is available (Public WiFi is still not ubiquitous in India), it's a fine buy for basic users. For power users though, it's at best a secondary computing device or one that you'd buy for your kid or parents. Again, you could buy a tablet or a cheap Windows 8 notebook where you have a broad app ecosystem and the ability to work outside the browser when offline.
At a price of ₹22,999, the Acer Chromebook C720, is an affordable secondary device, but nowhere close to a full-fledged computing experience for most users. These devices might be hitting the bottom-line of the PC market abroad, but would have a tough ride in India.
I'll go back to Windows again, thank you. What are your thoughts?
Also, as a SkyDrive and Office 365 customer and a Windows Phone and Surface user, I'm pretty much tied into the Microsoft ecosystem. I don't use any Google services (except YouTube for my daily videos fix). Therefore, it was interesting as I spent a few weeks with the latest Chromebook, or as Google puts it - A new type of computer with everything built in.
It's taken three years for Google and the OEMs to launch the Chromebooks in India. Maybe it's because the initial generation was just a concept showcase and not a viable consumer product, or because of India's low Internet penetration.
Without comparing to Windows machines in purpose and functionality, Acer Chromebook C720 is a decent one. The 11.6-inch notebook is like one of the many no-frills, economy netbooks that got popular briefly a few years back, and died a quick, deserving death.
Yes, it boots under 10 seconds but that's an old metric to compare since all my devices - Windows 8 convertible, Surface, Nexus 7, and the iPad - are in always on state, with reboots done only for updates and maintenance. The marketing gimmick compares boot time of a light-powered Chromebook to desktops from the previous generation.
The Chromebook is powered by Google's Chrome OS and features a desktop and Windows 7-like taskbar that works as an app launcher with indicators and toggles for common settings. While this gives the perception of a traditional operating system, essentially, it's just a freaking browser with multiple tabs!
While there are some native apps like the calculator and music player, all other services run as a Web app with some show stopping limitations. Although you can open documents, spreadsheets, and presentations if the Chromebook is offline, most apps work only if you are connected to the internet. If any service doesn't have a Web app, it's a dead end. So, yes, you cannot have services like Skype or an app like iTunes on a Chromebook.
As a Windows user, it's an awkward transition. The 'desktop' on Chromebook is only a background image. Similarly, the pinning to 'taskbar' is very limited, and I wasn't able to pin any random website, but only Web apps from their store. There's no 'Windows' key obviously, and several keyboard shortcuts and function keys that I'm used to wouldn't work.
Chromebooks are, in a way, 'forever alone' devices since connectivity with peripherals is sloppy. A Chromebook only works with Google Cloud Print-ready printers, and also cannot connect to several scanners and other peripheral devices you might already have. Also, most 3G dongles/data cards, the primary mode of internet connectivity on the go in India, don't work with the Chromebook.
While I dismissed Chromebooks at first, they might fit the needs of a few people. If you're deeply invested in Google's ecosystem, and only move between your home and office where WiFi is available (Public WiFi is still not ubiquitous in India), it's a fine buy for basic users. For power users though, it's at best a secondary computing device or one that you'd buy for your kid or parents. Again, you could buy a tablet or a cheap Windows 8 notebook where you have a broad app ecosystem and the ability to work outside the browser when offline.
At a price of ₹22,999, the Acer Chromebook C720, is an affordable secondary device, but nowhere close to a full-fledged computing experience for most users. These devices might be hitting the bottom-line of the PC market abroad, but would have a tough ride in India.
I'll go back to Windows again, thank you. What are your thoughts?
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