Hi all. My 11yo needs a chromebook for first year at intermediate. Can anyone suggest some good ones? Certainly don’t need the best but don’t want to by overpriced junk as well. Or if anyone has a used one for sale.
Middle range specs, but the form factor (keyboard foldable out of the way) makes it a multipurpose PC, e-reader, and Youtube/Netflix platform for our kids.
14" FHD touchscreen, 8gb Ram, 64gb SSD, runs Android apps via Play Store, USB-C, full size USB, mSD slot
its only potential drawback is that it folds flat but doesn't do a full 360 deg flip if wanting to use as a tablet, other than that feature wise it is nearer the the top end of affordable chromebooks
Daughter loves it, it looks and feels like a proper laptop unlike some the cheap nasty 11in budget jobbies that seem to be all the rage in the stores :P
Obviously had to get a robust device as it has to survive the rigours of school life, and my son was really keen on a 360 model (in that its keyboard folds over to provide a 'tablet mode', as well as a 'tent' mode) I've got a Asus C302 which he likes, but that's too expensive and fragile for his needs); had been looking at one of the Acer models, but then found the Lenovo 500e, which comes with a built-in stylus. He loves drawing, including on his iPad, and this seemed a perfect way to encourage that.
There's also the Lenovo 300e (about $478, https://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?q=300e&p=4913002) - while also a 360, it has a different processor to the 500e plus doesn't come with a stylus; that said, apparently you can use anything as a stylus on this model. Given it's a passive stylus technology, buying a stylus for this (or a replacement for the 500e) isn't that expensive either (I think they're around $30).
The big draw-back with all these cheaper models is they have fairly entry-level specs, especially screen resolution (768s); similarly, they usually have pretty basic processors, 32 (and even sometimes 16GB) storage. You definitely have to go more expensive to get the ideal combo of ruggedness and decent storage, RAM and processor - the HP linked to above is one of the few that match these criteria, but that's $671.
In our case, the $583 of the 500e is as much as we're willing to pay, given we'll have to buy him a Windows-powered laptop for high school in only two years.
I'm not sure how much you know about Chromebooks (in case I'm teaching my grandmother....), but there have been a number of advances in the OS in the last year or so, and some of the older models may not support these - my favourite is that many models will support the Play Store, and many Android apps are compatible with Chromebooks (another advantage of getting at least a touch-screen version, if not a 360, as these will be far superior if not necessary for running the Android apps). There's a list on Google's website of the devices that do support the Play Store (and I think the list is growing). Google is also adding the ability to run Linux and Linux apps on the Chromebook, if that floats your boat.
I'm in the market for a Chromebook also so timing of this thread is perfect and I might look at the HP above thanks.
Slightly off topic though, but has anyone opted to put a keyboard (and maybe an Apple Pencil) on a 9.5inch iPad for their kids to use instead of a Chromebook?
I suspect that they will face disadvantages to Chromebooks in areas where a touchpad is better suited for accuracy and also even in getting teacher assistance in the classroom as I don't think there is anyone in my sons intermediate class that uses and iPad.
Still just curios to know if others have made this work ok?
Now it's arrived and I've had a chance to play with it, I'd happily recommend the Lenovo 500e we got my son - well-built, a decent screen (especially given it's only 768) and nice to use.
In response to the iPad question above - my younger boy takes a 9.7" iPad to school, and our intent is for him to take it with an unused Logitech folio keyboard case we have - but my concern is that I think using that will make him more likely to drop or damage the iPad. Without a keyboard, we've been able to stick the iPad in one of those substantial bumper cases, which is ideal for school usage.
I think iPads - even if with a keyboard and pencil - are good enough for primary-aged kids, but I can see why most schools seem to go onto a laptop-type device by intermediate. I thought it was somewhat crazy that my son in year six last year had to do so much writing on an iPad Mini!
I had to replace my daughters chrome book yesterday (trackpad died), we got a her a acer c732 form noel leemings, this model had a more rugged design, which i thought was important for something that is carried about in a school bag five days a week
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