[johnbryanpeters]

Like it? Hate it? Prefer a brand/model?

Thinking about replacing an old desktop at the camp with one - Hilarie uses it, and only uses a browser.

 

[Jm_]

I built a chromium box, but the lack of OS support made it impossible to keep going after a few months. Is the Chrome OS available aftermarket yet? It would be tits if you could make your own.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

What, exactly, do you mean by lack of OS support?

 

[Jm_]

Chromium is similar to Chrome, but not the same thing.

 

[SkaredShtles]

We have two Chromebooks in the house, and if you *really* can get by with just a browser they are perfect.

 

[JustMtnB44]

I wanted to build a new tiny HTPC but I couldn't commit to ChromeOS so I went with an Intel NUC instead. It takes a bit more DIY up front, but I installed Win10 on it and it runs everything I need it to with zero issues. I went with the i3 processor but for mostly web browsing you could probably get away with less.

 

[canadmos]

I have two Asus Chrome boxes sitting at work on a shelf, doing nothing.

Originally purchased them to be a display type thing, but that project got canned. Can't really use them for much else...

If you literally only use a browser, it might be okay. Personally I'd buy a used computer from some business liquidation and find a copy of Win 7, 8 or 10 and go down that road. It probably won't be much more expensive and you'll have a lot more flexibility. My friend's dad found a tower with a Xeon processor and 12gb of ram for what I paid for one Chrome box.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

The only problem with the current Optiplex at the camp is it got slightly funky when upgraded to Windows 10. Reboots itself when it wakes up from sleep mode. Dell BIOS issues, methinks.

 

[syadasti]

Might be a factor soon: http://www.geek.com/apps/chrome-os-devices-will-soon-run-millions-of-android-apps-1653194/

 

[canadmos]

The only problem with the current Optiplex at the camp is it got slightly funky when upgraded to Windows 10. Reboots itself when it wakes up from sleep mode. Dell BIOS issues, methinks.

Spend $60 on an SSD and disable sleep?

 

[SkaredShtles]

Might be a factor soon: http://www.geek.com/apps/chrome-os-devices-will-soon-run-millions-of-android-apps-1653194/

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Spend $60 on an SSD and disable sleep?

Why an SSD? Don't need the performance, and don't need the PITA attendant to installation.

Disable sleep? Maybe...

 

[canadmos]

Why an SSD? Don't need the performance, and don't need the PITA attendant to installation.

Disable sleep? Maybe...

Because an SSD will "refresh" the computer and give it new life. Booting it will be down to a handful of seconds, therefor eliminating the need to put it to sleep...just shut it off.

Use Acronis Disk Director to clone the current drive to the SSD. No need to reinstall anything. Clone and go.

Cheapest but best thing you can do to a computer. I'll never buy another one without a SSD. It was pretty much my only requirement when I took this current job, give me any laptop, but it MUST have a SSD.

 

[SkaredShtles]

He speaks the truth. And way less $$ than even a Chromebox.

 

[binary visions]

Just noticed this thread.

Got my mom a Chromebox because all she uses is a scanner/printer/web browser.

Scanner/printer is okay, but a little tricky - it needs to be Google Cloud Print compatible, which is fine, but if it mysteriously goes offline it can be difficult to walk someone through troubleshooting.

Google Docs does just about everything you'd need for Word/Excel stuff if you're like 99.9% of the population.

The Chromebox is great, though. ~$200 Asus jobbie IIRC, and she's had nary a problem. It's virtually unbreakable, since she can't really accidentally download or install anything, and if it slows down, since everything is in the cloud, you just do the automated wipe that's built in, log back in, and everything is back to normal. Haven't had to do that yet, fortunately.

Similar to that, if something is really broken or requires an upgrade, you just get a new one, log in on the new one, and everything is there. Piece of cake.

Form factor is nice, too, it stops her from having to crawl around under a desk.

I'm a big fan.