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Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

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Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#21

Post by pgeorgi »

FussyZeus wrote: post #18

Serious question for HNers: Does anyone actually buy these for ChromeOS? Every time I hear these discussed it seems to center around what you can do with them that involves a new OS, either Windows or Linux. So is it really the product in demand or just the demand for hardware not bound down with a bundled OS License?

HNers probably replace the OS as soon as possible. Those schools and companies looking for a low maintenance thin client platform won't (or they'd lose the "low maintenance" appeal)

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#22

Post by ekidd »

FussyZeus wrote: post #18

Serious question for HNers: Does anyone actually buy these for ChromeOS? Every time I hear these discussed it seems to center around what you can do with them that involves a new OS, either Windows or Linux. So is it really the product in demand or just the demand for hardware not bound down with a bundled OS License?

Yes! I have a very nice Samsung Chromebook Plus, which folds into a tablet, and which has a pen, but for roughly 1/3rd the price of the new Chromebook Pixel.

I use it as a large format document reader, and as an easy-to-secure, easy-to-wipe, easy-to-restore travel machine. It's also great for sketching out design diagrams on a table in a meeting. The fact that the Chromebook Plus also runs Android apps is a huge plus.

I've never unlocked it to install Linux, because that reduces the security guarantees, which were a major selling point for me when travelling.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#23

Post by pgeorgi »

champagnepapi wrote: post #19
coldtea wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those that value what the Chromebook offers over what a regular laptop with Linux does. For many also $1099 is spare change -- at least when considering what computer they can buy.

Hopefully $1099 will be spare change for me soon! However, why can't someone get a cheaper laptop similar specs, perhaps worse design, just install linux on it?

"Just install Linux on it" means higher return rates due to all those people who didn't bother to read the specs. That might be more expensive to deal with than the $39 OEM Windows 10 Home license.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#25

Post by lllr_finger »

FussyZeus wrote: post #18

Serious question for HNers: Does anyone actually buy these for ChromeOS? Every time I hear these discussed it seems to center around what you can do with them that involves a new OS, either Windows or Linux. So is it really the product in demand or just the demand for hardware not bound down with a bundled OS License?

I buy them for anyone in my family that "just wants a laptop to browse the web", as they are fast, secure, cheap, and easy - with great battery life.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#26

Post by neverminder »

I hope this will be as cutting edge as 2015 Pixel LS (I own one, running vanilla Ubuntu): 16 GB RAM, awesome screen (2560x1700) especially good for coders because of 3:2 ratio, first laptop with USB Type-C charging, first laptop with 2 USB Type-C sockets and last but not least - design and build quality that I would argue is even better than that of Apple laptops.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#27

Post by paulryanrogers »

FussyZeus wrote: post #18

Serious question for HNers: Does anyone actually buy these for ChromeOS? Every time I hear these discussed it seems to center around what you can do with them that involves a new OS, either Windows or Linux. So is it really the product in demand or just the demand for hardware not bound down with a bundled OS License?

A coworker had one. IIRC she used it primarily for writing.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#28

Post by tacomonstrous »

champagnepapi wrote: post #19
coldtea wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those that value what the Chromebook offers over what a regular laptop with Linux does. For many also $1099 is spare change -- at least when considering what computer they can buy.

Hopefully $1099 will be spare change for me soon! However, why can't someone get a cheaper laptop similar specs, perhaps worse design, just install linux on it?

In my experience, 'just install Linux on it' is only enjoyable till the first piece of hardware that fails to work as you expected it to (usually Bluetooth or the touchpad). Crouton on Chrome OS quite literally 'just works' and is at least as easy to install as Linux on a PC.

Also, why would I want worse specs? I'd rather get the best hardware I can, and if it looks good, even better.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#29

Post by tacomonstrous »

colemickens wrote: post #15
miguelrochefort wrote: post #6

Who pays $1,199 for a Chromebook?

I paid $1600 for a Chromebook Pixel LS because I knew it was great HW with Linux support. I have thousands set aside for a replacement laptop and I have problems with every single device, none of which are present on my two and a half years old Chromebook Pixel. It runs a mainline kernel with full hardware support. It's the best for me. Rumor has it, this new "Pixelbook" has a dev friendly keyboard (and checked the l…

I've had exactly the same experience (though I only paid $1300 for mine). People keep asking me why I just didn't get a 'real laptop' for that price, and don't realize that they're asking me why I don't choose a worse experience. It's both amusing and annoying.
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