Chromebook buying advice requested

[IHateMyJob2004]

I'm looking to get a lower cost Chrmoebook. I'm eyeing this one up:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/acer-1...p?skuId=5203000#tab=buyingOptions?bof=openbox

Details:
14" Full HD display (1920x1080)
Intel® Celeron® processor N3160 (4 core, 1.60 GHz (2.24 Ghz Turbo))
4GB system memory
32GB eMMC flash memory
Intel® HD Graphics 400

Nice:
HDMI output

I suppose I have afew concerns but I don't know if I am thinking about the correct issues.

This is not a touchscreen. I don't see the need for it to be a touchscreen. Should I reconsider this purchase option? Should I consider a flip book instead? I don't read often so the idea of this being a tablet is not a big deal for me. If anything, my kids would like a flip book because it is essentially a tablet. is 32 GB of storage enough? Is the processor going to give me a snappy web browsing experience?

I've always preferred larger screens. Is a 14" screen appropriate in one of these devices?

 

[Commodus]

I'm looking to get a lower cost Chrmoebook. I'm eyeing this one up:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/acer-1...p?skuId=5203000#tab=buyingOptions?bof=openbox

Details:
14" Full HD display (1920x1080)
Intel® Celeron® processor N3160 (4 core, 1.60 GHz (2.24 Ghz Turbo))
4GB system memory
32GB eMMC flash memory
Intel® HD Graphics 400

Nice:
HDMI output

I suppose I have afew concerns but I don't know if I am thinking about the correct issues.

This is not a touchscreen. I don't see the need for it to be a touchscreen. Should I reconsider this purchase option? Should I consider a flip book instead? I don't read often so the idea of this being a tablet is not a big deal for me. If anything, my kids would like a flip book because it is essentially a tablet. is 32 GB of storage enough? Is the processor going to give me a snappy web browsing experience?

I've always preferred larger screens. Is a 14" screen appropriate in one of these devices?

You'd want a touchscreen if you intend to use Chrome OS' support for running Android apps. If this is just for standard web features, then no, it's not really needed. And 32GB is enough for a Chromebook, since you probably won't be storing more than a handful of files on it.

A Celeron should be okay -- I'd probably lean towards something with a Core i3/i5 in it, but it's all too easy to spend more money than you need to with those.

 

[Kaido]

My buddy went hardcore to Chromebooks & talked me into one. I started out with an 11.6" Acer C720P & am currently using a 13.3" Asus C300M. The Acer had a touchscreen & I regretted buying it...wiping off dust or hair or whatever would register as touch commands. Google is supposed to be have Android apps available for ChromeOS, but has mostly failed to deliver up to this point. If you do plan on using Android apps, a touchscreen & a Core processor is the way to go. Otherwise I'd say just get a regular one - and make sure it has at least 4 gigs of RAM.

I liked the portability of the 11-inch model, but I like the screen & keyboard on the 13-inch better. Really my only complaint is in how I use it...I usually have like five windows open with 20 tabs each and I could really use a model with either 8 or 16 gigs of RAM. HP has a nice model with 16 gigs of memory available, but it's like a grand...a hard pill to swallow for a Chromebook, haha.

As far as the flip goes, depends on how you use it. I find the laptop style convenient because it gives you a solid base for the screen. I'm using my C300M on my laptop right now on my recliner while watching TV. Fits comfortably in my laptop, doesn't get hot, lets me nef while binging shows on Netlfix. Might be handy if your kids watch Netflix on the laptop or if you use it in bed & an eReader-style would be more convenient for you. Pretty much all Chromebooks are thin & light with great battery life...swing by a Best Buy or similar type of store to get a hands-on with one. You can get them in all flavors...Celeron or Core chips, regular or nice 1080p IPS screens, laptop-style & 2-in-1 style, etc.

 

[UNCjigga]

I've been using the same one for a bit now--couldn't go wrong when Costco had it for $230. I recently switched over to the beta channel which allows you to run Android apps--other than Spotify, MS Office 365 (missing PowerPoint for some reason--not compatible?) and a few casual games I haven't really used the Play store much.

Overall I'd say it's great for surfing the web, word processing, and general productivity stuff. Battery life is awesome--I'm getting 10 hours minimum with how I use it. It has an IPS screen but minus the glossy finish you usually find on laptops these days, so it's great for reading text. I only wish the screen was brighter for using outdoors at a coffee shop.

If you're thinking of a flipbook or something with touch support for better Android compatibility, I'd say take a look at the Acer R13. It seems to have similar build quality but swaps out the Intel CPU for an ARM-based SoC instead--not sure if performance would suffer as a result.

 

[whm1974]

Why not get a nice refurbished notebook and install Linux on it instead? That you will have a real computer with a real OS.

 

[kenzz]

I use a desktop for serious stuff but I've happily used an Asus C202SA for some months now around the house as an every-day, rugged, easily portable information browsing source; newspaper reading; entertainment machine. Excellent battery life and almost instant-on means I can use it throughout the day ... pick it up and open the lid and browse etc; later on open the lid in the kitchen to read a recipe; later on plug in the HDMI to the TV and watch a movie etc etc etc.

I like using a compact notebook so 11.6" is fine; the Celeron N3060 and 4GB are fine (I'd advise against 2GB); I'm OK with 16GB and easily supplement with USB and SD drives as necessary. The Chrome apps for file management and media playing are clunky/primitive therefore I advise getting a chromebook that will have access to android apps (e.g. as the C202SA) ... but not necessarily touch screen (I have arthritic fingers and easily use a mouse on a tablet so don't need a touch screen even for android).

I had not expected it to be an advantage but the C202SA opens out to 180 degrees and is ideal for balancing on my knees when lying down on the couch.