[TriLUG] Chromebook recommendation.

Sun Sep 4 05:11:11 EDT 2016

Thank you, Ken, for this impressively comprehensive Chromebook advice!

The Costco member-only price for the Acer R11 w/ 4 GB RAM, 32 GB SSD, and
Intel Celeron N3150 (passmark 1704) is down to $290 (+tax), now:
http://www.costco.com/Acer-Chromebook-R11-Touchscreen-2-in-1-Convertible-Bundle---Intel-Celeron---Bonus-Acer-Wireless-Mouse.product.100240634.html

That N3150 is probably the fastest CPU in any Chromebook. It appears that
the best ARM-based machines have CPUs which are about half that fast, but
that's similar to most Intel-based Chromebooks. This article compares a
Rockchip-ARM Chromebook to a typical Chromebook with an Intel N2830
(passmark 980), and finds that the Intel machine is only very slightly
faster:
http://www.omgchrome.com/asus-c201-chromebook-rockchip-benchmark-processor-benchmarks/

Dave

On Sat, Sep 3, 2016 at 11:47 AM, Ken MacKenzie via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org
> wrote:

> I am on my second chromebook now, first was the hp14 4g and this is the
> acer r11 with 4gd ram and 32gb ssd.  Both chromebooks are still good I just
> passed the hp14 down to be more of a family computer.
>
> The first two questions that you must answer are the following:
>
> 1.  Do you plan to use crouton or chrubuntu for running a full linux on the
> chromebook?
> 2.  Do you plan to run android apps on the chromebook?
>
> If the answer to 1 is yes then I recommend you want to look for a
> chromebook with an x86 processor instead of ARM.  I actually consider that
> an in general preference but it is even more important for running linux.
> Also I recommend getting a chromebook with at least 4 gb of ram.
>
> If the answer to 2 is yes then I recommend getting a model with at least a
> touch screen if not a convertible form factor.
>
> If the answer is both is yes then combine lists.  And I will say if the
> answer to either is yes then a 32gb SSD internal is a minimum requirement
> as the space needed for the chroot and/or android apps will start eating
> into local storage and installing them to a usb drive or sd card will
> potentially be a performance issue.
>
> So that being said, and let's just say I forget specific prices I will list
> the more popular models top of my head and suggest the google+ chromebook
> channel for more discussions.
>
> 1.  Asus Flip - 2gb and 4gb options, touch screen convertible, ARM
> processor.  I think the base is $249.  This one has play store support now
> in beta channel and will be supported in stable channel soon.
>
> 2.  R11 - 2gb and 4gb options x86 processor, touch screen convertible.  I
>  think base is like $289, the model I got was $320 at costco.  Same as flip
> above for play store support.
>
> 3.  Dell chromebook - intel processor, well reviewed, forget options, but I
> think pricier
>
> 4.  Second gen toshiba chromebook 2 (yes there is a second gen of the 2
> model)  2 and 4gb option, intel architecture, non touchscreen.
>
> 5.  Lenovo chromebook, touchscreen, intel
>
> 6.  Hisens and hawai chromebooks - arm, low spec, but from amazon or
> walmart they are like $140.  Considered a good value so why I list them
> here.
>
> I will also mention Acer is coming out with an R13 soon and although that
> might be pricier it looks like it will be good.  Also lenovo has a new
> yogabook with the touch keyboard thingy that should also be a chrombook
> version.  That will probably rival pixel pricing but it again looks like it
> might be hot.
>
> Ken
>
> On Sat, Sep 3, 2016 at 11:15 AM, Matt Pusateri via TriLUG <
> trilug at trilug.org
> > wrote:
>
> > All,
> >
> > Been thinking of getting a Chromebook, probably under $250 but could
> spend
> > more if required.  I don’t want to buy a cheap one and then wish I would
> > have spent X dollars more. Also don’t want to buy too barebones, as I’d
> > like to get 2 years out of.
> >
> > Feel free to share suggestions or experiences.  What to look for or stay
> > aways from, etc.
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Matt P.
> >
> > --
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> --
> This message was sent to: Dave Burton <ncdave4life at gmail.com>
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