Electronics

[Jordan2]

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@Nuttmeg wrote:

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@Jordan2 wrote:

I want to purchase a new computer. I was thinking of buying a Chromebook since they're not that expensive I figure if I don't like it I can still buy a new laptop. I'm not tech savvy and was wondering if this is easy to set up right out of the box? Also I know there is not much storage on the Chromebook itself, you get cloud storage free for 2 years. What do you do after the 2 years? Also I was reading that Chromebooks have an end of life and only get updates for a certain number of years, is that true? I was looking at an Acer Chromebook 14" or Toshiba Chromebook 2. 

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 Have you considered using your iPad as a laptop? There are many app. You could get a keyboard case.

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I do love my iPad and use it a lot. I just feel like I could use a laptop or Chromebook too. 

[151949]

@Jordan2 I found using my chromebook to be very simple.Android operating system is very easy to learn to use. If you have an android cell phone it's pretty much the same thing. I use pocket app for storage - have used it for 3 years now and so far it has been totally free. I mostly keep recipes on it and if they notified me I had to start to pay a little bit monthly, I probably would as long as it is reasonable. I do go through occasionally and delete things I don't use to keep it from getting too large. You could also print ones you want and put them into a recipe file or book. The best thing about an android device (beside that they are not expensive) is that everything is out on the web so if one breaks and you have to geta new one all you need to do to set it up is enter your e mail and password - boom - your new computer is all set up. Your pictures, recipes whatever you have saved is right there.

[Jordan2]

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@151949 wrote:

@Jordan2 I found using my chromebook to be very simple.Android operating system is very easy to learn to use. If you have an android cell phone it's pretty much the same thing. I use pocket app for storage - have used it for 3 years now and so far it has been totally free. I mostly keep recipes on it and if they notified me I had to start to pay a little bit monthly, I probably would as long as it is reasonable. I do go through occasionally and delete things I don't use to keep it from getting too large. You could also print ones you want and put them into a recipe file or book. The best thing about an android device (beside that they are not expensive) is that everything is out on the web so if one breaks and you have to geta new one all you need to do to set it up is enter your e mail and password - boom - your new computer is all set up. Your pictures, recipes whatever you have saved is right there.

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@151949, thank you for your reply. I was wondering if you took out a contract for your chromebook? I always take out contracts for big ticket items. I'm wondering if I should get one for a chromebook. They're not as expensive as some laptops and was wondering if I should just save my money? I think it's silly to take out a contract for 2 or 3 years that's almost as much money as the chromebook.

[gardenman]

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@Jordan2 wrote:

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@151949 wrote:

@Jordan2 I found using my chromebook to be very simple.Android operating system is very easy to learn to use. If you have an android cell phone it's pretty much the same thing. I use pocket app for storage - have used it for 3 years now and so far it has been totally free. I mostly keep recipes on it and if they notified me I had to start to pay a little bit monthly, I probably would as long as it is reasonable. I do go through occasionally and delete things I don't use to keep it from getting too large. You could also print ones you want and put them into a recipe file or book. The best thing about an android device (beside that they are not expensive) is that everything is out on the web so if one breaks and you have to geta new one all you need to do to set it up is enter your e mail and password - boom - your new computer is all set up. Your pictures, recipes whatever you have saved is right there.

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@151949, thank you for your reply. I was wondering if you took out a contract for your chromebook? I always take out contracts for big ticket items. I'm wondering if I should get one for a chromebook. They're not as expensive as some laptops and was wondering if I should just save my money? I think it's silly to take out a contract for 2 or 3 years that's almost as much money as the chromebook.

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As a general rule, you save more money by not taking out service contracts. The repair/return rate of electronics typically creates a graph that resembles the cross section of an old bathtub where it's steep (nearly vertical) on one end, then flattens out and then gradually increases at the other end. That steep, nearly vertical slope represents the inital hours/days/weeks of ownership. Any defects in manufacturing shows up then and companies get a lot of returns a few days after purchase. The good news is the warranty is still in effect then, so you don't need an extended warranty. Once you get past those first few weeks the rate of returns is typically minimal (the long flat part of the bathtub cross section.) This is often a five to ten year period with no major issues which is why companies want you to buy a service contract as they know you'll likely never need it. Then as the product ages and nears the end of its life, returns/repairs start to gradually increase (the slow incline part of the bathtub cross section.) By then most people will be out of the extended warranty and the product will be obsolete, so they'll be more inclined to replace it.

[151949]

@Jordan2  I bought an HP chromebook that was a demo model for $99 a few years ago and bought the service contract. I dropped it and broke it so sent it in for repairs under the contract - they repaired it - a year later it just would not turn on and again they sent me a box to mail it in for repair - when my DH dropped it into the fed ex box it hit the bottom really hard and we laughed that may have been it's final nail in the coffin. Anyway - it wasn't fixable and they reimbursed me for the entire amount of the sale - cost, taxes everything. So they sent me $117, which I applied toward the cost of my new Dell, which I also got a service warranty on.My new one was only $219 so I did pretty darn well on that deal.

I purchased my new dell from their website and they give you next day delivery for free. I am a fan of dell products , so I am very happy with my purchase.

[151949]

@gardenman This is your opinion , but my experience was different. I'm sure different warranty companies offer different benefits. I used Square Trade.

[gardenman]

@151949 Google "Should I buy an extended warranty?" You'll find it's not just my opinion. The vast majority of consumer experts agree that they're more often than not a waste of money.

[bonnie f]

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@gardenman wrote:

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@Jordan2 wrote:

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@151949 wrote:

@Jordan2 I found using my chromebook to be very simple.Android operating system is very easy to learn to use. If you have an android cell phone it's pretty much the same thing. I use pocket app for storage - have used it for 3 years now and so far it has been totally free. I mostly keep recipes on it and if they notified me I had to start to pay a little bit monthly, I probably would as long as it is reasonable. I do go through occasionally and delete things I don't use to keep it from getting too large. You could also print ones you want and put them into a recipe file or book. The best thing about an android device (beside that they are not expensive) is that everything is out on the web so if one breaks and you have to geta new one all you need to do to set it up is enter your e mail and password - boom - your new computer is all set up. Your pictures, recipes whatever you have saved is right there.

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@151949, thank you for your reply. I was wondering if you took out a contract for your chromebook? I always take out contracts for big ticket items. I'm wondering if I should get one for a chromebook. They're not as expensive as some laptops and was wondering if I should just save my money? I think it's silly to take out a contract for 2 or 3 years that's almost as much money as the chromebook.

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As a general rule, you save more money by not taking out service contracts. The repair/return rate of electronics typically creates a graph that resembles the cross section of an old bathtub where it's steep (nearly vertical) on one end, then flattens out and then gradually increases at the other end. That steep, nearly vertical slope represents the inital hours/days/weeks of ownership. Any defects in manufacturing shows up then and companies get a lot of returns a few days after purchase. The good news is the warranty is still in effect then, so you don't need an extended warranty. Once you get past those first few weeks the rate of returns is typically minimal (the long flat part of the bathtub cross section.) This is often a five to ten year period with no major issues which is why companies want you to buy a service contract as they know you'll likely never need it. Then as the product ages and nears the end of its life, returns/repairs start to gradually increase (the slow incline part of the bathtub cross section.) By then most people will be out of the extended warranty and the product will be obsolete, so they'll be more inclined to replace it.

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i'm glad i got a 2 yr warranty. exactly 1 yr. after buying it, i had to send it back i'm hoping it doesnt happen again. if it does i'm demanding a brand new notebook.. they fixed it once, i still have another 10 months on my warranty. this is one time my warranty came in handy..

[Jordan2]

I'm still considering getting a Chromebook. I know going with 4 GB of RAM is better than 2 GB.  I was wondering if 32 GB of storage is worth the extra money rather than getting 16 GB of storage? It seems there aren't as many 32 GB Chromebooks. 

[Toppers]

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@Jordan2 wrote:

I'm still considering getting a Chromebook. I know going with 4 GB of RAM is better than 2 GB.  I was wondering if 32 GB of storage is worth the extra money rather than getting 16 GB of storage? It seems there aren't as many 32 GB Chromebooks. 

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Hi @Jordan2,

It sounds like you've been doing some comparison shopping.

Some of the Chromebooks that are 4G with 32GB of storage do go up quite a bit in price. 

In my opinion though, it seems like Chromebooks have generally come down in price since my husband and I got our Chromebooks.

Keep in mind that many things are stored in Cloud-based services now, and aren't stored on your (anyone) devices.

A Chromebook is a Cloud-based device. You do get so much free Cloud storage at first, and then you can buy more if you need it.