Lots of things have been said before and after Google rolled out the polemical Chromebook this past June 15th. There are huge controversials between people who like and find this very useful and persons who don’t like this at all and don’t agree on the idea of paying between $350 and $500 usd for the benefits of Google Laptop.
On the one hand, we have people who criticize Google saying that Chromebook is going to fail because of two main reasons: Price and Functionality.
They keep saying that the Google Laptop doesn’t offer any different function than a traidional laptop (even less functions) and that for that price (between $350 and $500 usd) they would probably buy a netbook with Windows 7. Others say that when you don’t have internet connection the Chromebook turns into a great paperweight because you can’t work (This is actually a big myth, you will read about it below).
On the other hand, we find people for whom the Google Laptop is totally convenient. Let’s see the following examples:
Students/Schools: Students can take notes in class and do their schoolwork. When they go back home, they can finish their homework too.
Regular Users: All the productivity suites you need as an average user (Check emails, Calendar, Facebook/Twitter, Music/Media services, Banking accounts, searching for Airline tickets, Google Docs/Office). Remember that no one cares about anything but getting online because internet is computing.
Enterprise business environment: You can take Chromebooks with Citrix or VMware to run the necessary business apps any day. Then, you won’t have your employees costing you hundreds or thousands every quarter due to virus/malware/trojan infections. It maintains the business cheap and easy to manage.
The Google Laptop is indeed not aimed to high tech users and gamers who could also make their own Chromebook on a cheap by installing Chromium OS on any Netbook.
Does the Chromebook work offline? Ending with the myth.
Most people seem to believe that the Chrome Laptop only runs with internet access, however, they’re wrong. Google Chromebook is perfectly functional without internet because Gmail/Google Docs, as well as other apps, run on HTML5 which allows Offline mode.
Ok, up to now we have read about functionality aspects but what about price? Is the Chromebook really as expensive as many people believe? Let’s figure it out:
When regular users buy a $300~$500 usd Netbook based on MS Windows not only will they be spending that amount, but they will also have to keep in mind the following extra costs:
- Anti-Virus software subscription averaging $70 usd a year.
- $200 usd a year just to keep your PC safe from threats with a good Backup cloud system.
- Updating MS Windows OS to the lastest version ($100 to $400 usd, it depends on your version).
- MS Office Suite and its updated packages ($100 to $400 usd – depending on the version you choose).
- Total Average: $670 usd.
So, the total amount you will pay for the cheapest MS Windows Netbook option is: $300 (Netbook) + $670 (External needed soft and services) = $970 usd in average.
To sum up the price matter, you need to know that by using a Chrome Laptop you won’t have to worry about backups, buying any anti-virus software, OS and Office Package Updates.
What do you think now? Is the Chromebook still too expensive and lacks functionality?
Please let’s us know your feedback about this passionate topic below.
