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Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

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Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#41

Post by neverminder »

pjmlp wrote: post #35
resoluti0n wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A traditional GNU/Linux distro can also be installed bare metal on it. It's a much better option for your privacy. This eliminate Google's data mining of the whole desktop experience and give you better customization options at the same time.

I can already do that on a 300 euro laptop, which was sold with Ubuntu installed on it.

It's the same like saying "I don't need S class Mercedes, VW Polo has 4 wheels too.". Compare the specs of that 300 euro laptop and Pixel 2015 LS - that's not even the same league. I have Ubuntu installed on mine and with core i7, 16 GB of RAM it blows most of the laptops out of the water.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#42

Post by camus2 »

resoluti0n wrote: post #13
pjmlp wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also don't get it, for that price I can get a nice general purpose laptop, with most likely a much better CPU/GPU combo.

A traditional GNU/Linux distro can also be installed bare metal on it. It's a much better option for your privacy. This eliminate Google's data mining of the whole desktop experience and give you better customization options at the same time.

> A traditional GNU/Linux distro can also be installed bare metal on it

I can do the same on my $200 PC. Surely this isn't the best argument to buy a chrome book. What I don't get is why would people pay a premium for something that basically amount to a web browser? Ease of us? Just install Chrome on whatever PC you have and remove the rest of the apps...

> This eliminate Google's data mining of the whole desktop experience and give you better customization options at the same time.

Yes, by giving more money to Google...

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#43

Post by VLM »

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 use mine the same way I use a windows computer at work; Chrome for the world is on the web now, including office applications. I also install a SSH client and VNC/rdesktop. That's about it.

My main development system is a very beefy virtual image on a vmware cluster, more capable than any laptop I could buy. I VNC into it over a vpn, doesn't matter much if my VNC host is mac/android/chromeos...

Asking what I'd do if the network is down is kinda like asking what I'd do without electricity or water. Locally the odds of failure are about the same, and I'd simply fix it or move where it works.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#44

Post by camus2 »

neverminder wrote: post #41
pjmlp wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can already do that on a 300 euro laptop, which was sold with Ubuntu installed on it.

It's the same like saying "I don't need S class Mercedes, VW Polo has 4 wheels too.". Compare the specs of that 300 euro laptop and Pixel 2015 LS - that's not even the same league. I have Ubuntu installed on mine and with core i7, 16 GB of RAM it blows most of the laptops out of the water.

Now compare the possibilities of any decent OS versus what basically amounts to a browser... any OS can run a browser, why buy a machine that makes you use a browser exclusively and ties you to Google services for everything?

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#45

Post by donquichotte »

neverminder wrote: post #26

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.

Wow, the 2015 Pixel LS still go for >1000$ on ebay!

Nice to hear that it's possible to run Linux - I have a budget Acer C720p Chromebook and it's a real nuisance to set it up with Linux. Bodhi Linux is great, but once the internal battery runs out, the device is bricked and has to be reflashed with ChromeOS.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#46

Post by dgacmu »

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?

Yeah - I bought one for taking out of the country and on a two week family vacation (which included some stretches of camping) so that I could manage things remotely while I was gone. It's not my Macbook Pro. But it worked really well for light-duty tasks. The biggest annoyance was that I can't run my password manager on it, so I was hand-copying long strings of hard-to-type garbage from my phone fairly frequently.

I wondered if I'd switch over to it. I haven't. I like larger laptops, I prefer the MBP keyboard, and I generally need to be able to run more stuff locally. But I'm glad I have it, I use it around the house when my mac is plugged into a monitor in my office, and I'll definitely use it for all future international travel.

(Asus Chromebook Flip, FWIW.)

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#47

Post by yathern »

miguelrochefort wrote: post #6

Who pays $1,199 for a Chromebook?

It is pricey - but that's kinda the point. The value of the Pixel brand is equally about what it supplies the ecosystem with. Having a Chromebook that is high-end with all the new bells and whistles - and very well designed hardware brings attention to Chromebooks as a whole.

It signals that Chromebooks aren't just cheap devices for students - but that they can be performance devices as well. Luxury items even.

People see this good looking device - and if they don't like the price, may be interested in other Chromebooks. I wouldn't be surprised if the Samsung flip and C302CA get a surge of popularity because of this.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#48

Post by neverminder »

donquichotte wrote: post #45
neverminder wrote: post #26

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.

Wow, the 2015 Pixel LS still go for >1000$ on ebay! Nice to hear that it's possible to run Linux - I have a budget Acer C720p Chromebook and it's a real nuisance to set it up with Linux. Bodhi Linux is great, but once the internal battery runs out, the device is bricked and has to be reflashed with ChromeOS.

> Wow, the 2015 Pixel LS still go for >1000$ on ebay!

Might have to do with it being discontinued yet still a great piece of hardware.

> once the internal battery runs out, the device is bricked and has to be reflashed with ChromeOS.

Pixel 2015 does not have this problem (unlike the 1st gen one) - that was confirmed at some point on it's forum by one of the googlers involved in the project.

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#49

Post by camus2 »

coldtea wrote: post #8
miguelrochefort wrote: post #6

Who pays $1,199 for a Chromebook?

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.

> Those that value what the Chromebook offers over what a regular laptop with Linux does.

And what does Chromebook offers?

> For many also $1099 is spare change -- at least when considering what computer they can buy.

You mean it's an expensive gadget for rich hipsters to use as a vulgar display of wealth? that's what Chromebook offers over a regular laptop? then by all means...

Re: Google Pixelbook Is Google’s New Chromebook

#50

Post by camus2 »

To people tempted by the Pixelbook, why not by a Macbook for that price? instead of getting a machine which OS basically amounts to a browser forcing you into google cloud services? You're basically paying a premium to get data-mined... And MacOS runs Chrome so I don't see the big deal here.
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