witzend Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 Hi anyone use a Chrome Book wonder how they compare with a laptop for web & emails + mapping/navigating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec176 Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 Don't get viruses and much cheaper to buy, good bits of kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted March 18, 2021 Author Share Posted March 18, 2021 Thanks to Stevec 176 for your reply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 Plainly a subject for the Chatterbox forum not Motorhome Matters... However, as Chatterbox is swamped by incessant puerile drivel that is even recognised by the prime offenders https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/General-Chat/Chatterbox/The-Fun-Forum-Keeps-On-Giving-/57790/ there’s little point initiating anything there (other than political/EU/Brexit claptrap) and expecting any sort of relevant response. These links go into detail about the pros and cons of Chromebooks https://www.techbout.com/advantages-of-chromebooks-45/ https://www.techbout.com/disadvantages-of-chromebooks-69/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 Derek Uzzell - 2021-03-19 7:08 AM Plainly a subject for the Chatterbox forum not Motorhome Matters... / You may think so but I asked here mainly for any comments on mapping or Navigating hopeing to get some comments from some one who uses one for this purpose so surely of interest to anyone using a Motor Home Thanks for the link Now wondering if they have a spell checker as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 I'm using one now. Its just an internet browser, and does little else. But its all the better for that because it works so much better faster and lower power consumption than a laptop - which is slowed down by a lot of Microsoft crap you don't use. Ideal for the van and strongly recommended. Depending on wifi connection, its lightning fast - even on google maps. You can upload all your files to google cloud - free, so you don't need to transfer them between computers - any pc problems and you haven't lost your files. PS: and its got USB sockets so you can plug it into a wifi roof antenna - which it automatically recognises and uses - reverting to its internal antenna when you unplug it. I use the 'rocket' (so called because of its shape) antenna widely available on ebay, cost about £15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 What about mapping/navigating (presumably in a moving vehicle) which evidently was of prime importance to witzend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Its not a substitute for a sat nat because there is no GPS on it. Nothing you can do with it you couldn't do with a laptop. Just think of a laptop with the crap that slows it down and wastes battery power stripped out. Its great for internet browsing and Google mail. Has a 32gb hard drive so you can upload and view photos, upload and edit documents etc. Has a HDMI socket I use to plug it into my large screen TV at home, through a 5 metre lead I got off ebay. Haven't used my PC for months. PS: only thing I missed was the delete button, but you soon get used to doing the same thing with the backspace button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 John got one to try over the weekend and as you say looks to be just what I need signed into my Google acc and its all fine can even access my phone from it. There are several navigation apps available on the app store all I've used for a couple of years is my phone and google maps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 witzend - 2021-03-20 5:42 PM There are several navigation apps available on the app store Maybe I'm wrong and you can use it as a sat nav then :$ - I haven't seen the apps you pay for. I already have a sat nav so the free stuff that comes preinstalled with the chromebook does everything I want Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted March 23, 2021 Author Share Posted March 23, 2021 John52 - 2021-03-20 10:02 PM Maybe I'm wrong and you can use it as a sat nav then No Your correct I've tried several of the apps even using a usb gps dongle but none worked. Although linking it to my phone Its possible to plan your route easier on a larger screen then transfer it to your phone to navigate. Still pleased with it ordered one yesterday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 There are many versions of Chromebook from the sensibly up to the ridicu;lously priced and from 10" to 16" screens. Apart from easier to see is there any advantage for simple surfing, social and email use in paying any more than you need to as any should be easier to type on than a tablet or phone? I've never used the Cloud for photo storage but maybe that too is worth considering as a memory saver? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 Tracker - 2021-03-23 2:04 PM There are many versions of Chromebook from the sensibly up to the ridicu;lously priced and from 10" to 16" screens. Apart from easier to see is there any advantage for simple surfing, social and email use in paying any more than you need to as any should be easier to type on than a tablet or phone? I've never used the Cloud for photo storage but maybe that too is worth considering as a memory saver? Well 3 days now and it suits me 11.5" screen and easy to resize and set individual web pages so although smaller still easy to read with good sized keyboard so easier than the iPad mini. I've not set it to save to the Cloud but just thinking about that my camera saves pics to the cloud bought it January 20 and been no where to use it yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 witzend - 2021-03-24 10:25 PM Well 3 days now and it suits me 11.5" screen and easy to resize and set individual web pages so although smaller still easy to read with good sized keyboard so easier than the iPad mini. I've not set it to save to the Cloud but just thinking about that my camera saves pics to the cloud bought it January 20 and been no where to use it yet Thanks, that's about the size we had in mind, we find that a laptop is too big and heavy (and hot) for comfort for recreational use and a Chromebook does seem to fit the bill - not that I am any admirer of Google who are like MS for secretive intrusive behaviour and data harvesting. But they all do it and I am not clever enough to work out how to fool them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 I haven't used the cloud (Google drive) for photos as I keep them on DVD which I have found safer than USB sticks which can suddenly become unusable. I just use Google drive for stuff that is constantly updating - so I don't have to remember to update it on my PC and remember whether I have done so. I loaded my microsoft excel spreadsheet - which google converts to google sheets, and will update share prices automatically. You can also choose to share a file with another google drive user. An easy and free way of sending them a large file. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyS Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 John52 - 2021-03-20 1:41 PM Its just an internet browser, and does little else. It does EVERYTHING that you can do in a browser; - Google maps and Streetview - Google word processor, spreadsheet, slides - Google calendar which two or more people can share - Google email client for gmail accounts - BBC Sounds so you can listen to radio and pause and replay - BBC iPlayer to watch TV programs and films - Spotify - Facebook - Amazon In fact the list is too long to complete here. I use a Chromebook in the motorhome and it is excellent. The screen is much bigger than a phone so easier to plan routes etc. And it folds down really small. Thoroughly recommend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Just measured the power consumption of my chromebook = 6 watts Wheras my old HP windows laptop = 40 watts - and its not charging the battery because I have taken the battery off. Plus the laptop is on for longer because its slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 Well been a few weeks now and haven't found anything negative battery life is great have charged it from a usb plug so ok for in the van. Just tried using the cloud and have received via wifi pictures and video files direct from camera although any google enabled device could do that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyRiser Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 I know this is not about navigation but it may be of some interest. We've just bought a motorhome and didn't fancy getting another hole drilled in for a TV ariel. I was planning to download some programmes from BBC iPlayer and Netflix and play them through the hdmi on the TV. BBC don't support this unless you have Windows. Netflix allow you to download from the app, but the picture is blank if you send it to the TV. Netflix will show on the TV if you play if through the web browser, but this does not allow downloads. We'll try a set top ariel and use mobile data to watch on the TV and programmes we've downloaded from Netflix will have to be watched on the smaller tablet screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted May 4, 2021 Author Share Posted May 4, 2021 BarleyRiser - 2021-05-04 10:14 AM I know this is not about navigation but it may be of some interest. Thanks for the tip Regards TV in the van we now have a mobile unlimited sim contract with Vodafone in a Huawei B311 router with a phone connected to it which we used at home from a 240 to 12 v adaptor and just off the vans 12v while away with a Amazon Fire stik in the TV so far 4 yrs haven't needed a Ariel outside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted August 22, 2021 Author Share Posted August 22, 2021 Well 5 mths on and am very pleased with it for what I need it for its excellent Navigation is planned on it easy to adjust the route just like you could with Auto Route then the phone paired to it takes over in place of a satnav. For internet browsing it does all I need can take it with me where ever I go with no battery worries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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