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"Samsung Chromebook (wifi)"
on by RayPowellPros + Keyboard is comfortable
+ Mousepad is large, comfortable, and very easy to use
+ Battery life is amazing
+ Start up time is also fast
+ OS updates faster than a reboot of any other netbook OSCons - Chromebook does not support Java
- Sound volume is extremely low making it useless to watch Hulu, Netflix, Etc... without headphonesSummary I love my Samsung Chromebook, and it is because it is the quickest way to get onto the internet. I have read reviews saying that people do not like it since it does not have a dvd/cdrom or because it is not like a laptop. I just want to say to those people, DUH! This Chromebook is strictly for going on the internet. If you like listening to cds or watching dvds on a laptop type of computer, then this is NOT the item for you. If you want to go on the internet, do research, or chat online, then this is the item for you.
It is simple, sleek, lightweight, and something that you can easily toss into your bag for travel. I have the Wifi version, and I absolutely love it. I can use it at home, or I can go to the coffee shop around the corner and connect there without having to worry about someone stealing my info or having to worry about getting a virus from using an open Wifi connection.
The keyboard is comfortable, and I haven't even noticed that the CAPS key has been replaced by a search key. If you want or need CAPS, then just hold down the shift key, its that simple. The mousepad is large, comfortable, and very easy to use. It is very sensitive, and the lightest touch will have the curson/arrow moving on the screen. It moves with the pad of your finger, or even with your knuckle.
For those who like to play games on the internet, like pogo.com, there is a bit of a problem and that is that the Chromebook does not support Java, and I dont know if it ever will. That is the only downfall I have had with the Chromebook.
I use this for hours while sitting in bed, or sitting on the couch and it is amazing how cool is stays. I had a laptop and it got so hot on my legs I couldnt stand it. Even sitting with a pillow on my lap, the heat from the laptop would go through the pillow and still bother my legs. So this Chromebook is wonderfully built, it gets a tiny bit warm, but nothing that is uncomfortable, and this is over the period of hours.
The battery life is amazing, I only have to charge it every other day, if that often. Depending on how much I use it, it is absolutely amazing! I don't know how they did it, but this battery is what people wish for on their laptops. 8+ hours in a single charge? Its amazing!
Now, for the speed of things on the Chromebook, I have been using my Chromebook for about 2 weeks now and it does searches fast, pages open faster than they do on my Dell desktop, and I think that is because there is no virus software that slows down this type of computer. On a desktop there are so many different programs running in the background that NEED to be running in the background, and it really messes up the speed of things. On any Chromebook there is no need for virus software, or any of that other junk, and it makes a world of difference.
The start up time is also as fast as they say. Each time I turn it on, I time it, and its always 8 seconds, how cool is that?!?!
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who likes something that is portable, lightweight, and easily connects to the internet. If you do not need a big computer or a heavy laptop, then this would be the option for you. If you have kids heading off to college and you don't want them to have an expensive computer/laptop that someone might steal or they might lose, then this would be the perfect option for them. And if it does gets lost, all their info is stored online, not on the hard drive. Older people can connect to the internet with no problem, and this is also good for people who like lounging around their house.
Do you ever want to be on the internet, but not stuck behind the desktop all day? Or want to enjoy the beautiful weather outside, but need to get some work done on the internet? Or travel alot and don't want to carry around a heavy laptop that is expensive and might get lost or stolen? Then this is the option for you, a Chromebook. I absolutely love mine, wish I had gotten it earlier.
For cheap price of this Chromebook Wi-Fi, suggest check before you will buy it at -> Laptopscheap1.blogspot.com/2012/01/samsung-series-5-wi-fi.html
Enjoy! -
"It exactly does what is says... but nothing more"
on by rielnPros Sleek, well designed, good screen, awesome screen (also outside), portable, high 'gadget' level, looks cool, feels cool, long battery duration (8 hours is easy)
Cons Speed. It' s fast enough but heavy sites just won't be nice to work at. Try chrome-experiments, you see that that' s not what Google wants you to do ;)
Summary It's a browser you can take with you and it's nothing more. For me it is a Pro, because I only want to have a browser. Not being annoyed with an underlying OS, it's very handy to just browse and work online. I get annoyed by a netbook running windows because it will need your attention now and then and after 3 months, just starting a browser takes more time than a compleet reboot of this system :)
If you think of that, it's a nice device which makes your online experience better than any tablet. But, nothing to see outside the browser. So decide for yourself. -
"Big Dissapointment..."
on by kpk54Pros Loads up fast and comes on quickly when taken out of sleep mode.
Cons Definately need improvement with the Chrome O.S. Also many problems with the touch pad....
Summary Had nothing but problems since I got this over the weekend. Was having a very "very slight" problem with the sign in procedures. Called Samsung for help. Tech. Rep. didn't seem to be very knowledgable with this new Chromebook. She had me eventually reset the netbook to Factory Settings and said that we would start from the beginning. As I said she didn't seem to know what she was doing. After resetting the computer I found out that "EVERYTHING" had been deleted from the Chromebook, including the entire Chrome O.S. Program! She then immediately transferred me to another Support Tech, He said that before resetting the computer all data should be removed from the unit via a Flash Drive before attempting to resetting anything. This is something the first Tech should have known but didn't ! The second Tech. tried helping me but with no luck. He transferred me to a third "specialist" and he told me that I would have to go to the Samsung "Recovery" Website to redown the entire system on a flash drive and then download it back into the chromebook. This took a while, but it did work! And I was back to square one... Thank God!!! Was afraid to use the the Chromebook for a while, but went back to working with it. Found a serious problem though... The touch pad is not very responsive at all. Turned the settings all the way to "sensitive " Touch and it still takes five or six clicks to finally be able to advance to a new webpage.You have an option to switch to a touch rather then a tap on the touch pad, but that still does not work very well!!! Thinkiing of taking this back for a refund...
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"An admirable performer, especially for the price!"
on by ZentheoutcastPros - Light-ish weight
- High res screen
- Instant-on
- Great battery life
- Very comfortable keyboard
- Simple, clean OS
- Multi-touch scrolling works like a charmCons - Touchpad is occasionally irritating
- Won't work well (if at all) for more complex tasks
- No ethernet port/no built-in video-outSummary The first thing anyone looking at a chromebook should recognize is that this isn't meant for everyone; In fact, it's almost a niche-market machine.
The chromebook is designed for web browsing and light productivity work, making it very similar in purpose to a netbook. In a practical sense, however, it finds its place somewhere between a netbook and a laptop in both features and price.
The screen is high-resolution for its size and price, and looks absolutely lovely. The sturdily-built keyboard doesn't feel at all cramped and the smooth "chiclet" keys are very pleasant to type on (but seriously, no home/end keys??); I am actually in fact typing this review on mine right now.
The main draws to this machine are the stellar boot times (8 seconds from off to usable, instant on if it's asleep), the fantastic battery life (~8 hrs of use, almost a week in sleep!), and the chrome OS (which is where most users will be divided).
The Chrome OS takes virtually no time to get used to if you've ever used the Chrome browser, since that browser is nearly the entire OS. The OS is extremely responsive, even when running several tabs at once; in fact I have never been able to make the machine feel slow under load. However the fact that the OS is only a browser means any .exe or .zip files you get will be virtually useless (there are some web utilities for opening zips, but it is a pain). Also the machine is nearly bricked without an internet connection. You can opt for the 3G version if that seems appealing to you, but I grabbed the wifi version since I'm mainly using it at work and school (I can also tether to my phone in a pinch).
What it comes down to is what you plan on using this machine for: If you want a laptop for doing all around computer-y things, this is not for you. However if you just want a ultra-portable, convenient web platform that feels closer in size and picture to a traditional computer, consider a chromebook.
The most important thing is that if you know what to expect, you will NOT be disappointed. -
"High quality package which functions as advertised."
on by reddogcoPros Compact and light, good battery life, good screen, fast startup.
You can setup multiple accounts (+guest account).
The Chromebook made me discover many features of Chrome, I did not know about.Cons Trackpad seems sluggish/inaccurate at times.
Experiencing WIFI connection issues with the Apple Airport Extreme - it does not pickup a gateway IP address. Works OK on other Wifi routers.
No ethernet port.
Little bit on the pricy side.Summary If price is not an object, then this is certainly worth getting.
The multiple accounts feature (which the IOS and Android devices don't have), instant-on and a good battery life make it well suited as a shared unit in a home environment.
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