Chromebook

briantimber replied on 25/05/2017 22:38

Posted on 25/05/2017 22:38

As my steam driven laptop's boiler is furring up on my (no longer manufactured) Toshiba, I'm thinking of trying a Chromebook.
Does anybody have one, or had one? Would appreciate all the pro's and con's, not being an expert, all comments greatly received. I realise that storage is limited on these machines, do you have to buy extra?
What attracts me is the length of time the battery gives you and also the speed of start up. That's about all I know at the moment. Thanks in advance......cool

Randomcamper replied on 26/05/2017 09:51

Posted on 26/05/2017 09:51

Brian, I am not an "IT" person at all, but I wanted/needed mobile internet when away in the van........

I am only interested in websites for weather forecasts, local attractions, Bing Maps, You Tube etc plus emails.

Many years ago I decided that the faff that is the CC Wifi network was not for me.....!!

I bought a Chromebook that takes a data only SIM  (currently using the cheapie recommended by IanH and its great).

Now I can use the internet anywhere, even in a laybye etc....

I appreciate that this is possible using your mobile (screen too small to be any use to me) or by tethering your phone to a tablet etc but again that was too much faff for me and I find the Chromebook with Sim receives a working signal when my phone won't  (bigger aerial inside it....??)  When I open my chromebook it switches on and connects to the internet itself. It is very simple and quick to use....

Obviously the chromebook has no DVD drive or other toys, I purely wanted to browse the internet and emails whilst away.

I am very pleased with mine, it does everything I want to do whilst on the move.....

briantimber replied on 26/05/2017 20:04

Posted on 26/05/2017 20:04

TT, thank you very much for your answer to my question, it's greatly appreciated.

I'm not an "IT" person either, far from it, I require about the same use as you. What is this Data Only Sim? would it be something like Gif-Gaff? Do you need a monthly account, or do you top up like a mobile? These question may seem basic to you, but, I am a novice, self taught, genuine silver surfer. I've never paid for the CC Wi-Fi, nor do I intend to. I simply don't take my steam machine when on a  CC site.

Any more tips would be very helpful ..... Again, thanks.....cool

Randomcamper replied on 26/05/2017 21:12

Posted on 26/05/2017 21:12

Brian,

 

A data only SIM will let you run a tablet or Chromebook that has the facility to take a SIM card (and is data only cos you dont use it for text or phonecalls, only the internet).

Mine is like this.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mobile-Pay-Trio-Data-Preloaded/dp/B01CMD4VKC/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_107_bs_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RH98RZBPZJKN859HPEGM

but they were doing an even better offer over christmas......

There is no contract, when you've used all the data simply buy another, but unless you watch loads of vids 12GB might well last you a while, I expect it would last me more than 6 months.

As said, there are many ways of having internet on the move, and several threads on here and loads on other M/H forums, but this way suits me.....

DougS replied on 27/05/2017 18:26

Posted on 27/05/2017 18:26

One point which may help is that, after June 15, your UK allowance of phone minutes, texts and data should be able to be used Europe wide (if going abroad is your thing)

For the uses the OP describes, a Chromebook may well be fine although for any video, music, documents or other files you create and need to access you do rely on having a reliable Internet connection as I believe the main storage is Cloud based?

dave the rave replied on 01/06/2017 18:30

Posted on 01/06/2017 18:30

Be Aware.......not all chromebooks accept a sim card||||I have had to purchase a 3mobile gadget for £59.99 to use a sim card with my Acer chromebook 11.(I bought the recommended item from Amazon without checking that the chromebook will take a sim card!!(The gadget comes with a 1 gb card which can be topped up or thrown away when you use the Amazon sim card.)

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