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Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

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Re: Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

#2
The power of marketing campaigns. It's a bit disturbing to see Google push so hard for this - and still majority of ordinary of customers just want a cheap Windows laptop. The Best Buy guy gave pretty reasonable advice. Also confirming my suspicion that actually hardly anyone wants that expensive Pixelbook. But as long as one can install Linux it should be fine - but I'd rather pick a slick Surface Laptop.

Re: Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

#3
post #2

The power of marketing campaigns. It's a bit disturbing to see Google push so hard for this - and still majority of ordinary of customers just want a cheap Windows laptop. The Best Buy guy gave pretty reasonable advice. Also confirming my suspicion that actually hardly anyone wants that expensive Pixelbook. But as long as one can install Linux it should be fine - but I'd rather pick a slick Surface Laptop.

Pixelbooks can run most Debian packages, so I've heard, and container work seems to be in the code base. I'm planning to try one out to see if it makes sense for the non devs at my company. Not allowing windows machines because security.

Re: Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

#4
I've wondered about this a while ago: Is it possible to do real work on an android or chromebook device.

I'm on trains, busses, ... a lot, in general without internet. And I just take a laptop. Dont care about mac win or linux. I do some bookkeeping in a spreadsheet, or some programming, I write some text.

I hate to do anything productive on this (cheap) smartphone. No keyboard or mouse, basic software is missing,... It's great for consuming content, for a quick search or checking a map. But as soon as I want to do something, it all falls apart experience-wise. So I waste time in a game or HN when im on a bus, instead of doing something I like or have to.

So how do you people do it?

Re: Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

#5
I am usually anti-google and I would never use a chrome book. But man! I had to edit a pdf a while ago and it was such a horrible experience on windows. A free app on adroid did it easy-peasy.

I would still prefer windows over a chromebook but I don't think people who prefer a chromebook are clueless either.

Re: Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

#6
Why is a Best Buy employee's opinion relevant? They hire teenagers off the street who don't know anything but are willing to talk all day like they do.

I used to work there, albeit years ago, but the amount of misinformation spewed by "product specialists" rivaled politics.

Re: Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

#7
post #6

Why is a Best Buy employee's opinion relevant? They hire teenagers off the street who don't know anything but are willing to talk all day like they do. I used to work there, albeit years ago, but the amount of misinformation spewed by "product specialists" rivaled politics.

Exactly, why is this person putting so much stock into what is said by a floor salesperson and a spokesperson?

Re: Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

#8
post #6

Why is a Best Buy employee's opinion relevant? They hire teenagers off the street who don't know anything but are willing to talk all day like they do. I used to work there, albeit years ago, but the amount of misinformation spewed by "product specialists" rivaled politics.

Is Bill Nye's opinion relevant in this either?

Re: Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close

#9
post #6

Why is a Best Buy employee's opinion relevant? They hire teenagers off the street who don't know anything but are willing to talk all day like they do. I used to work there, albeit years ago, but the amount of misinformation spewed by "product specialists" rivaled politics.

At some level, they understand what people who go into best buy look for and buy. But those who work there usually have big personal preferences, so it may wash out. They are rarely the super casual user. At the very least they're not on commission (though they DO have sales targets, and sometimes those can be for specific brands). Best buy built their business on taking the commission model and not paying anyone commission.
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