topic Re: Chromebook Opinions in Electronics

Chromebook Opinions

Ainhisg — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:40:58 GMT

I am considering purchasing a Chromebook during the upcoming Black Friday sales. @SilleeMee and anyone else who would care to comment, what is your opinion of Chromebooks and what recommendations for brands/what to look for do you have for me? I have looked back at old threads but thought I would get more current info by starting a new one. I have also read reviews on CNET, Tom's Guide, PC Mag and so forth but would like to read average users' opinions. TIA!

Re: Chromebook Opinions

SilleeMee — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:49:06 GMT

@Ainhisg

Seriously consider a CB PLUS . You can google the differences between a regular CB vs a CB PLUS and see for yourself. I've used both kinds and the differences are unmatched. The PLUS devices are better hands down.

I'm using this top-rated Acer Chromebook Plus. If you want to take a look at it on amazon then copy this:

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Laptop with Google AI – 14" Full HD 1920 x 1080 IPS Touch Display | Intel Core i3-N305 | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB SSD | Wi-Fi 6E | FHD Camera | Chrome OS | CB514-4HT-375Z

Re: Chromebook Opinions

Ainhisg — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:10:53 GMT

@SilleeMee thank you. Do you use the touch display a lot? Costco has a similar model with similar specs for $265 including shipping, but it does not have the touch display. Have you been happy using Chromebooks?

Re: Chromebook Opinions

jackthebear — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:33:54 GMT

@Ainhisg wrote:
@SilleeMee thank you. Do you use the touch display a lot? Costco has a similar model with similar specs for $265 including shipping, but it does not have the touch display. Have you been happy using Chromebooks?

I have not used a chromebook, but the ergonomics of the touchscreen are not good; you would be reaching constantly

i can't reach my screen sitting here on the couch
just a thought

Re: Chromebook Opinions

SilleeMee — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:54:37 GMT

@Ainhisg wrote:
@SilleeMee thank you. Do you use the touch display a lot? Costco has a similar model with similar specs for $265 including shipping, but it does not have the touch display. Have you been happy using Chromebooks?

@Ainhisg

Yes. I use the touchscreen sometimes. I wanted a touchscreen device b/c sometimes it comes in handy for me. Makes for a more enjoyable interactive experience but really I could live w/o it. Not sure if I'd miss though b/c all of my laptops have had touchscreens.

I'm super happy with my CB Plus. It's the best one so far and I have owned three CBs, all Acer. I use my CB 90% of the time with the other 10% on my PC desktop (HP All-in-One).

Re: Chromebook Opinions

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 07:01:45 GMT

Isn't a chromebook basically a laptop computer? 🤔

Re: Chromebook Opinions

SilleeMee — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 12:01:00 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
Isn't a chromebook basically a laptop computer? 🤔

@Tinkrbl44

No. Not the same.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

gardenman — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 13:24:13 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
Isn't a chromebook basically a laptop computer? 🤔

Yes and no. It looks like one and more or less performs like one, but it doesn't use Windows or MAC OS. Because it doesn't have a lot of the "stuff" the other operating systems have, a Chromebook doesn't need "state-of-the-art" processors or hardware keeping the cost lower.

A Chromebook is great for browsing the web, some word processing, YouTube watching, etc. Not great if you're into high-end videogaming, or complex calculations/simulations. For probably 90% of the population, a Chromebook is fine for what they use a computer for.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

Sunshine Kate — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 13:41:06 GMT

@gardenman wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
Isn't a chromebook basically a laptop computer? 🤔
Yes and no. It looks like one and more or less performs like one, but it doesn't use Windows or MAC OS. Because it doesn't have a lot of the "stuff" the other operating systems have, a Chromebook doesn't need "state-of-the-art" processors or hardware keeping the cost lower.

A Chromebook is great for browsing the web, some word processing, YouTube watching, etc. Not great if you're into high-end videogaming, or complex calculations/simulations. For probably 90% of the population, a Chromebook is fine for what they use a computer for.

Does Chromebook come with free Word and Excel? TIA

Re: Chromebook Opinions

on the bay — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 13:59:08 GMT

Hi @gardenman, @SilleeMee,

The only thing I don't like about my chromebook (I've had them for years), is that some websites or is it their "software" that is not compatible with a chromebook. It is getting better than a few years ago as many companies are adjusting to having software that works. with it.

I watched a video that says the hardware and software in the chrombook plus works seamlessly with apps or something like that.

So does this fix a lot of the frustration with being able to do well on some sites?

@SilleeMee,

You said you didn't have a problem with that pop-up and you are on a chromebook (plus)? I wonder if it's because you are on the plus?

For me, the only reason a chromebook plus would be worth it is if it was able to bypass these problems with some websites. I've had some companies tell me, especially several years ago, that they are not set up to work with a chromebook!

Everything else that a plus does, I don't use or even understand what they are anyway.

What do you think? Thanks, and keep in mind I don't know what most things mean like calculations,

or so many terms. I don't do word processing (not even sure what or where that is) or games or anything. Just very basic things.

eta-QVC isn't a good example to use re the pop-up I realize because most people on every device have had problems with this website.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

gardenman — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 13:47:00 GMT

@Sunshine Kate wrote:
@gardenman wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
Isn't a chromebook basically a laptop computer? 🤔
Yes and no. It looks like one and more or less performs like one, but it doesn't use Windows or MAC OS. Because it doesn't have a lot of the "stuff" the other operating systems have, a Chromebook doesn't need "state-of-the-art" processors or hardware keeping the cost lower.

A Chromebook is great for browsing the web, some word processing, YouTube watching, etc. Not great if you're into high-end videogaming, or complex calculations/simulations. For probably 90% of the population, a Chromebook is fine for what they use a computer for.

Does Chromebook come with free Word and Excel? TIA

You can use the web-based versions of them on a Chromebook. Go to microsoft365.com and log into your account and you can access the web-based versions. You can test how you like those versions before you get a Chromebook by trying them out on your current computer.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

SilleeMee — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:14:41 GMT

@on the bay

My CB Plus has no issues with surfing to various sites. I don't get pop-ups. The thing is lightning-fast, too. I'm still impressed with it.

I have loaded Microsoft's Edge browser onto my CB Plus so now I can use either browser. Edge is not completely w/o issues. There are some but none that I find annoying or lacking in any good quantity or quality. I use Edge only if I have to. It's there as a back-up and I hardly ever use it.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

on the bay — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:46:39 GMT

@SilleeMee

Do you think if you hadn't added the microsoft edge and just had the chromebook plus, it would still take care of all the incompatible stuff?

Re: Chromebook Opinions

on the bay — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:49:26 GMT

@SilleeMee,

It does seem like QVC fixed that pop-up after all the complaints because now it just appears once when first opening the forums or QVC instead of with every single post or read. That is just how HSN is-once.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

SilleeMee — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 15:09:11 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
@SilleeMee
Do you think if you hadn't added the microsoft edge and just had the chromebook plus, it would still take care of all the incompatible stuff?

@on the bay

Yes. CB Plus works just fine with every website I visit. I only added the Edge just as a backup in case there's an issue with the Chrome browser but so far I haven't had any problems. I've had my Acer CB Plus since April this year and it has been great. No problems with it whatsoever. I would buy another one if this one ever broke.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

on the bay — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 15:10:54 GMT

Thanks so much for all the info @SilleeMee!

Re: Chromebook Opinions

SilleeMee — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 15:12:42 GMT

You're welcome. @on the bay

Re: Chromebook Opinions

SilleeMee — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 15:24:17 GMT

Every time I see either HSN or QVC have a CB Plus on their websites, they are usually sold out or waitlisted. They are popular for sure...and for good reasons. They're that good.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

Ainhisg — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:09:36 GMT

@SilleeMee so I could download Firefox as an alternate browser if I wanted to? I like using different browsers for different purposes.

Re: Chromebook Opinions

SilleeMee — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:58:44 GMT

@Ainhisg wrote:
@SilleeMee so I could download Firefox as an alternate browser if I wanted to? I like using different browsers for different purposes.

@Ainhisg

Yes. Just so you know the Linux version has better features than the Android version. You'll need to enable Linux on the CB first. I did that to get Edge on mine.