Chromebook for Business?

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roseby

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#224011 28-Oct-2017 17:05

I'm considering on buying a chromebook for business - anyone had any experience with this?

Almost everything I do is via the browser . .

I'm keen to hear from other people who use(d) Chromebooks for business use

Cheers

1101

3083 posts

Uber Geek

#1898218 9-Nov-2017 12:00

Just why ?

You may have real issues with printing . (and scanning docs)
Some websites dont work as expected with Chrome (not an issue usually) .
Very little usuable HD space , you'll need to store most docs, photos etc in the Cloud

"Almost everything" . Sounds like you'll have a few things that you wont be able to do in a Chromebook.

Ive helped setup a new Chromebook for a business. I was less than impressed, he was not happy with printing (on his particular printer)

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ArcticSilver

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1898273 9-Nov-2017 12:42

I have used a Acer Chrombook 14 for work and it works very well at being a web browser.

If your after a laptop just for the web they do work well and have a great battery too. You also don't need to spend money for a more powerful one as they are far more efficient on processing power.

Printing can work well, but you need to ensure you get the right printer for it.

outdoorsnz

485 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1898318 9-Nov-2017 14:07

We use a couple of acer chromebooks for data entry out in the field. Bullet proof machines. They even have drain holes for spilling drinks on the keyboard!

They range from cheap to more expensive for a decent display / speed. You want at least 4gb of ram. Hard drive size is not important as to work best, it is 100% cloud all the way.

I highly recommend chromebooks. If you need more staff, a very cost effective way of adding hardware.

If you already use google apps etc, then perfect fit.

roseby

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1898329 9-Nov-2017 14:21

1101:

Just why ?

You may have real issues with printing . (and scanning docs)
Some websites dont work as expected with Chrome (not an issue usually) .
Very little usuable HD space , you'll need to store most docs, photos etc in the Cloud

"Almost everything" . Sounds like you'll have a few things that you wont be able to do in a Chromebook.

Ive helped setup a new Chromebook for a business. I was less than impressed, he was not happy with printing (on his particular printer)

I don't need a printer or scanner - though that's good to know there can be issues,

I've found that moving everything to the cloud and using Google docs/sheets etc took a bit of getting used to, but it works quite well, and renders the need for lots of HD space unnecessary.

What can't I do via a Chromebook?

Still unsure on that - taking and editing screen grabs is important, but I found a plugin for that.

Skype works via a browser

Slack - there's no app, but I can still use the browser based version (the experience is not quite as good though)

From what I understand Android apps can work on the latest chromebooks which opens up the ability to use many more apps etc.

outdoorsnz

485 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1898345 9-Nov-2017 14:33

roseby:

I don't need a printer or scanner - though that's good to know there can be issues,

I've found that moving everything to the cloud and using Google docs/sheets etc took a bit of getting used to, but it works quite well, and renders the need for lots of HD space unnecessary.

What can't I do via a Chromebook?

Still unsure on that - taking and editing screen grabs is important, but I found a plugin for that.

Skype works via a browser

Slack - there's no app, but I can still use the browser based version (the experience is not quite as good though)

From what I understand Android apps can work on the latest chromebooks which opens up the ability to use many more apps etc.

If you are happy with google apps based approach, then perfect.

You can take screen grabs and edit the images. Also additional apps in chrome app store.

Looks like android apps are now in the stable releases. https://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/chrome-os-systems-supporting-android-apps

Also maybe defeats the point, but you can side load linux.

One thing I like for the end user for of view. You can't modify the OS and to my knowledge, can't get a virus etc.

martyyn

1843 posts

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#1913791 6-Dec-2017 11:06

1101: Just why ?

If you're in the Google Apps space, use Gmail, Drive and Chrome then I would ask why you would want to buy anything else ?

I've run my web development business using a Dell Chromebook 13 for over a year now and it's fantastic. It's light, has an incredible battery life, a great 1080p screen and the keyboard is excellent when out and about. I have a Dell 4K dock at home which runs a 27" 4K and 2x24 1080p screens. A hotspot on my phone takes care of any places where I cant, or don't want, to use a clients wifi and I can access the online Office products if I need to edit a .doc or .xls.

Oh, and it cost me $400 in a sale, although Dell had one for $550 recently on their outlet store.

I can honestly say it's one of the best pieces of tech I've ever bought.

I have a desktop at home if I need to do anything taxing but it's not even been turned on in the last 6 weeks. I also bought a 64GB SD card for it two months ago (just in case) but I still don't think there is anything on it.

So would I recommend it for everyone ? Absolutely not !

4GB of ram is a must.

I prefer at least a 13' screen at 1080p as anything smaller at 720p looks Mickey Mouse.

I prefer the older U based CPU's to the newer N based ones because they typically have better CPU scores. Mine is an i3-5005U and it's more than enough for basic office tasks.

I've found Chromebooks have been going up in price this last year with everything creeping up to $500. I don't think too many of them are worth that kind of money though.

You need to have a certain mindset to using a Chromebook. My kids have grown up with them and use them every day but my wife, who couldn't care less about tech, struggles with the concept of it being browser/cloud based and just wants a windows laptop where 'the files are right there'. If you want to do more than basic office tasks then you sometimes have to think outside the box for a solution but I've not come stuck yet.

Yes, printing can make things tricky but I rarely print anything so I don't bother.

My biggest client is asking me to work from their site more and more at the moment which is becoming a pain because they have had no clear plan on how to do anything so docs can be in OneDrive, GDrive and DropBox. They struggle with iphones and certainly couldn't use Chromebooks so I may end up just buying a windows laptop to take care of their immediate issues.

roseby

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1914142 6-Dec-2017 22:00

I've been using one for work now for a few week. I do digital marketing consultancy, and using the chromebook is working well.

I started with an Acer machine with 4GB of ram. It's touch screen and also opens back on it self to become a tablet. It's one that kids use at primary school!

It runs Android apps as well, so stuff like spotify/slack work nicely. Battery life is far better than my mac. Mine is small 11inches, but it's very light, and because it was so cheap I'm not as precious about it, as I am with the mac.

Google Drive takes some getting used to but it's not difficult.

I'm going to give this to one of my kids as a BYOD for next year, then upgrade, as the track pad sux on this model.

All in all, I can't see myself going back to a macbook anytime soon.

I'd say that business use of chromebooks will increase a lot over the coming years.

michaelmurfy

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12218 posts

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#1914174 7-Dec-2017 00:18

1101:

Just why ?

You may have real issues with printing . (and scanning docs)

Untrue - Chromebooks now support CUPS and can print to most printers fine. Scanning? Just use Scan to Email.

Some websites dont work as expected with Chrome (not an issue usually).

If it works on Chrome on a PC then it'll work on a Chromebook almost just as well.

Very little usuable HD space , you'll need to store most docs, photos etc in the Cloud

SD card expansion is cheap if you need local storage - I've got a 256gb card in my Chromebook and honestly don't use it though as you literally don't really need to use local space for anything apart from Android apps. 32gb of space is plenty for 99% of people who have a Chromebook.

Really - these are untrue statements and I would be careful about spreading such things in a public domain. I've use Chromebooks for years and this reply is even written on a Samsung Chromebook Pro. It is my main (and only) laptop and I find it totally fine for everything I do.

To the OP: If you're considering a Macbook killer I would strongly suggest a Samsung Chromebook Pro for its absurd screen resolution and stylus but good on you for giving it a go (and liking it). I personally feel Chromebooks are very underrated.

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MurrayM

2319 posts

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#1914277 7-Dec-2017 08:15

martyyn:

I've run my web development business using a Dell Chromebook 13 for over a year now and it's fantastic.

I'm in web dev too and have been thinking about getting a Chromebook. What websites/apps/whatever do you use for code editing, image manipulation, etc? Is it possible to run a web server on a Chromebook (for dev purposes only of course)?

NorthernZone

68 posts

Master Geek

#1914362 7-Dec-2017 09:01

Please excuse this slight digression but this thread gives me the opportunity to thank most warmly yet again CYaBro for selling me his HP Chromebook a few months ago - I love it! Sure, it isn't being used for real business and I bought it mainly as a "spare" and to see what Chromebooks are all about, but I've been most impressed. Way to go!

martyyn

1843 posts

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#1914402 7-Dec-2017 10:10

MurrayM:

I'm in web dev too and have been thinking about getting a Chromebook. What websites/apps/whatever do you use for code editing, image manipulation, etc? Is it possible to run a web server on a Chromebook (for dev purposes only of course)?

It's far from technical !

I have a couple of html sites but the rest are Wordpress with some PHP and MySql extras thrown in to one or two. I have a couple of servers on Vutlr for dev and prod with some legacy sites on shared hosting in the US. I use pixlr for basic photo editing, a text editor and a browser.

IMO we forget how simple it can be to do some tasks and we don't need to spend $$$$'s on laptops with powerful CPU's and gigs of RAM. There are compromises at times but it's a price I'm prepared to pay for my own work.