Windows Computer or Chromebook?

ZDNet has an article called "Windows or Chromebook? A Best Buy salesman told me it isn't even close".  I really want to call it dumb but I guess it's just your usual clickbait.  If the Best Buy salesman was someone that really knew anything, he wouldn't have answered the question that way.  The only thing a Window's computer at an entry-level price is good for is proprietary software that is low on system resources.  That's it.  If you're a gamer, if you use Adobe Creative Suite or a CAD program, you're going to buy a high-end Windows computer with lots of memory and a high-end CPU and graphic's card.  If you are smart you'll have one built to match your needs.  That's the only reason to buy a Window's computer.  I wanted to scream when my step sister-in-law made my mother-in-law buy an HP Windows computer.  Now it doesn't work from her visiting kids and grand children's abuse.  I bought her an Amazon Fire HD8 and she's a happy camper.

For people that need Windows, it's a tool.  That's all.  Yes, gamers use them but I still call it a tool.

My 9-year-old Window's laptop still runs perfectly.  I've got Linux on it.  Now is Linux for everybody?  No.  See the reasons I listed above for buying a Windows computer.  My 10-month-old Chromebook still runs great.  It does everything I need it to do and it cost $200 less than a comparable Windows computer.  My 2-year-old AmazonFire HD10 still runs great.  I use it daily.

Buy what you need, and don't listen to a salesperson that just wants to push a product.  Shop around and get what suits your needs.  Remember in the article what the salesman said when asked about updates and freezing?  Then explain it to someone that just wants to read what on the internet, check their email or God forbid, Facebook.  Tell that to the person that only has a few minutes for a presentation and has to wait for Windows to update.  The only other product like that are Android phones, and that's only 3 or 4 times a year, not monthly.

I don't know about Apple, but I LOVE watching Loius Rossmann on YouTube.  Watching him is entertaining. I know nothing about the repairs he does or electronics but I learn about business and enjoy his points of view, whether I agree with him or not.  So no Apple for me.  Is Apple better than Windows?  I don't know how updates are on Apple but if you buy a high-end Apple and compare this to the specs on a similar priced Windows box and Windows will come out on top.  

Now, put two-thirds of that money on a Linux computer and you got a supercomputer.  Just remember gaming is getting better on Linux. Valve has Steam and Proton now for lots of games you can play in.  Add to the fact that if Google Stadia really takes off then it sounds like Linux will have more games since stadia is probably going to be supported.  It even looks like Linux is going to get NVidia support, kinda maybe(?).  But right now Windows is top dog on gaming right now.  But is Windows on life support right now?

Cut and Paste News On Chrome OS 73

A Cut and Paste From Softpedia News

Google has promoted today the Chrome OS 73 operating system to the stable channel for Chromebook devices, a release that adds several new features, improvements, bug fixes, and security updates

Coming hot on the heels of the Chrome 73 web browser, which Google released last week for desktops, including GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows systems, as well as Android mobile devices, the Chrome OS 73 operating system is here to add a number of enhancements to further enrich your Chromebook experience.

New features include support for sharing files and folders with Linux apps, improved native Google Drive integration in the Files app thanks to the addition of support for the Drive > Computers root, better out-of-memory management, native media controls for the video player, and audio focus support on CrOS.

Chrome OS now reports additional telemetry data

With the Chrome OS 73 release, Google also implemented support for reporting additional telemetry data from Chromebook devices, alerts for notifying users of the upcoming removal of the remaining Chrome Supervised Users, Demo Mode offline enrollment, language settings, and setup functionality, and new printer maximum cap.

"For managed devices, the remotely configured 20 printer maximum cap will be raised to allow for several thousand native printers for each organizational unit in the Google Admin console," said Cindy Bayless in today's announcement. "If you’re interested in testing the new feature, please join our trusted tester program."

Google kicked off the rollout of Chrome OS 73.0.3683.88 (Platform version: 11647.104.0/1/2/3) release to most Chrome OS users around the globe, saying that users will receive the software update over the next several days. To update, simply navigate to the About Chrome OS section in the Settings panel and apply the new software version.

Another cut and paste on Chrome OS 73
From Chrome Releases

https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2019/03/stable-channel-update-for-chrome-os_25.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+GoogleChromeReleases+(Google+Chrome+Releases)

 Chrome Releases
Release updates from the Chrome team

Stable Channel Update for Chrome OS

Monday, March 25, 2019

The Stable channel has been updated to 73.0.3683.88 (Platform version: 11647.104.0/1/2/3) for most Chrome OS devices. This build contains a number of bug fixes and security updates. Systems will be receiving updates over the next several days.

New Features

• Better Chrome OS out-of-memory management
• Report additional telemetry data for Chrome OS devices
• Alerts regarding upcoming removal of remaining Chrome Supervised Users
• Video Player: switch to native media controls
• Demo Mode: Switch language setting 
• Audio Focus on CrOS
• Developers can share files/folders with Linux apps.
• Improved native Drive integration with added support for the Drive->Computers root in Files app
• Demo Mode: Offline enrollment and setup functionality
• For managed devices, the remotely configured 20 printer maximum cap will be raised to allow for several thousand native printers for each organizational unit in the Google Admin console. If you’re interested in testing the new feature, please join our trusted tester program.

If you find new issues, please let us know by visiting our forum or filing a bug. Interested in switching channels? Find out how. You can submit feedback using ‘Report an issue...’ in the Chrome menu (3 vertical dots in the upper right corner of the browser).

Cindy Bayless

Google Chrome

Chromebook and Chrome OS

Last November I purchased a Dell INSPIRON 3181 11 inch 2 in 1 Chromebook and in January I started a wish list for the operating system.  Probably the inability to drill into the file system and for programs to read my micro SD card that I store all my books and audiobooks on, just like on my Amazon Fire HD10, which I like a lot.  I did have before that a Nook and a couple of Samsung tablets, with my son being the beneficiary of each upgrade.  While losing some freedom after switching to the Fire HD10 I came to realize that anything I could do on my Samsung I could do it with my Fire HD.  Not that the Fire HD could do all that the Samsung could do, but what I did could be done with either.

I did not publish my blog because even though I loved my new Chromebook it had one problem, which was that the blue tooth would drop out, going from my earbuds to playing out of the Dell speakers.  Not a problem at home, but I really didn't want to be at work and have my book or movie sound bothering other people in the lunchroom.  Not that they could care about that because my co-workers would just turn on YouTube and turn the volume up so everyone could share.  I guess they think if it's good enough for them it's good enough for you. 

I sent my Chromebook back twice to Dell and I think with the third motherboard (counting the original) they fixed my problem.

The problem with pre 72 build OS's is that programs that I use to read, like Moon+Reader Pro and Smart AudioBook Player could not find my micro SD card, so all files had to be copied to my downloads file, the only file you can actually use with ease on Chrome OS.  Now with Chome OS build 72 these programs find my micro SD card and work just like my other tablets worked.  No need to move files.  I guess file syncing was made available with build 72, along with the chrome browser being better optimized for my touchscreen in tablet mode, and Google Assistant gets more functionality.

Now any day, hopefully, we upgrade to Chrome OS 73, which from my understanding will run Linux apps better, and with sound.  One reason I chose the Chromebook was hopefully turning it into a 2 in 1 Ubuntu notebook but after a couple of months with Chrome OS and Play Store, do I really need Gimp.  The only thing I really miss is not getting the .srt files to work with VLC, and I usually use my Ubuntu laptop for VLC anyway.  I keep it connected to my TV, which makes it a very smart TV when I watch Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix.

*** I just read audio support for Linux is pushed back to Chrome OS 74, which I think is to be released April 30th ***

Speaking of release dates I don't know who pushes the releases through, Google or Dell.  Chromium.org shows Chrome OS 73 release date as March 19th but no update for me yet,

Either way, for a computer this Chromebook has been my best and cheapest investment in a real computer.  Get used to the idea, all OS's are going to be doing this, and while you are at it look at Stadia coming up from Google.  They call it the future of gaming.

Sorry if some of this doesn't make sense, I'll check it tomorrow, it's past my bedtime.