A magical, revolutionary device, September 9, 2011
By Nano-Nano (CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Acer AC700-1099 Chromebook (Wi-Fi) (Personal Computers)
Love this thing. But see caveat below if you're after the HDMI output.)
Naysayers who don't like the concept have yet to articulate valid reasons. Pace what they say, you can use it offline. Etc..
If you work with a lot of artistic media and corresponding software (Lightroom, Photoshop, Final Cut, DAW software and MIDI software, etc.), or other data and compute intensive or unique application specific work that can't realistically or practically be done in a browser over broadband, obviously this machine will not do that. Everyone knows that.
But this machine does most everything most of us do on our computers these days, and it does it better, faster, with no hassles nor anything for you to fuss over ever, and it does it far more securely. Hello!? Nothing beats this! Reread that last part if you're not getting it. Power users to newbies should love this thing.
Its statelessness is perfect in today's multi-access device world, where sometimes it's your phone, sometimes a work computer, sometimes whatever- you need a place all these things can sync with. And the chromebook is the opposite of an expensive fetish object, and instead moves towards disposeable computing. You can lose or destroy your chromebook, buy another, and pick up right where you left off. Your lost or stolen chromebook has little of value on it and it's encrypted automatically. You can share this machine easily and safely. Again, perfect in today's computing world.
As for cloud computing over all, security and privacy in the cloud are still the big bugaboos that have to overcome greed (greed on the part of the companies like google and greed on the part of the bad guys and jack boot government thugs trying to get at the stuff). But at least in the case of Google's cloud offerings (which are free, incredibly), you have the data liberation front, i.e. Google "Take Out" tools to get your data out and backed up, something that is critically important to me and should be to you.
I think it's fair to say that Google's privacy and security reputation and track record to date beats the competition, and these chromebooks reflect serious efforts in the browser and the OS to design in security, from the verified boot in the hardware to the chrome browser sandboxing. And Google has implemented two factor authentication to your account so you could use that kiosk over there without worrying that your battleship will be completely sunk.
But never mind Google. You can buy this and never use Google. And it will still be better than any other computer for what you need to do. One of the extraordinary things about this product is that despite the Apple allusion in my review title, you're a long way from control freaks with this machine, because Google has been ingenious at building out open source software and in this case hardware too into something that can serve many masters. The slashdot kids to the all-google-all-the-time peeps can use this with equal enthusiasm. Perhaps more than anything else, that's what I find magical here. You can drink the Google coolaid and have a trip on a great commercial product, or go without and have a great open source tool to use as you see fit. Google simply offers. What you choose to do, is up to you. You win either way. They take a chance that you'll like their cloud and that they win monetization that way. It's a new model for both sides, consumer and company, and so far, so good.
For developers, sys admins, etc., the chromebook even contains a nice ssh window that allows one to shell into a development machine and start up a tmux or screen session, etc.. You can open multiple windows (ctrl-alt-t). You get the entire physical screen dedicated to your ssh "terminal" and chrome panels can be maximized and minimized within any terminal (works great with Google chat or Google docs scratchpad). And contrary to what you might see here and there, you can cut and paste between the browser/panels and the shell just fine (three finger click).
I own a recent macbook pro, have owned windoz pc's and mac's over the years, unix boxes, own a Droid (Android) phone, have owned an iPad "1" (which I recently sold), have used Android tablets such as Galaxy's and the Xoom, now this. Of all those devices, this one gets my very enthusiastic nod far more than the others. This machine just has a sweet spot of ease, speed, readiness, true desktop functionality yet portability, and natural encouragement towards proper cloud use; I don't find myself putting state on this machine such that suddenly the physical instance itself becomes indispensable. That means this device has done it's job! I'm moving to this almost exclusively and will keep the macbook pro around for media needs only. Someday (soon) bandwidth and browser technology will obviate the need for even that media machine, but not for now. And this Acer chromebook doesn't replace a phone obviously simply because it's too big (though you can make and receive calls from it using google voice), but between chrome os and android, I like chrome os much much better. I hope that android will become more like chrome os rather than vice versa, and I especially hope Google sticks behind the chromebook/box. The signs are that they very much intend to.
This really is a fantastic product. The idea and the implementation are stunning. Most people understand that in most ways a chromebook is not a new idea, but there are various things going on with it that form a unique sweet spot unlike past netboxes, diskless and thin clients, cloud terminals, etc.. Some of that is in the timing (eg. we have HTML5 now and well developed internet) and lot of it is in the implementation. At every turn, the right decisions were made in this product. From its open source foundations to its custom keyboard that rocks, I'm amazed that there isn't more uptake yet of this product, but Google doesn't market things like Apple or Microsoft can. Here's hoping they get on that stick and move beyond just having a dominant web presence and the Android successes.
I have been fortunate to be able to fully test out the CR-48, the Samsung chromebook, and now this. This Acer is in my opinion the best of the three. I like the Samsung too. Differences that come to mind: in the Acer the input and output ports aren't covered with crazy flimsy plastic like on the Samsung, the glossy screen is actually tack sharp and better to use than the Samsung (I hate glossy screens and feared the worse here, but thankfully and surprisingly those fears were unfounded), and the action of the click pad are the best of the three. It's also the smallest without being the least bit handicapped by that compared to the other three. With netflix on board, it's also a great way to watch movies (the screen is perfectly sized for HD). The Acer does not require you to put a cloth over the keyboard to avoid key imprint on the screen, the Samsung does. I find that majorly inconvenient. You can't go wrong with the Samsung either, and despite flaws in the chasis the Samsung is a joy to use and tote about in a way that the Acer is actually not, but given the choice, I mostly like the Acer better. This is a somewhat intangeable area, you'll have to decide for yourself. One thing though:
****** Only one important caveat******
I wanted the Acer because of the digital out (HDMI) so I could use this as a desktop computer. No love. First of all, the HDMI output on this thing is HD which is 16:9, and computer monitors (many of them anyways) are 16:10. The result is that plugging this into my monitor makes it look like VGA- soft, not sharp, no good (for me). You can't adjust the chromebook's output for different aspect ratios (or color calibrate for that matter). Furthermore, the signal coming out of the HDMI port at 16:9 is not of high quality, so regardless of aspect ratios, still no love. Plugging into half a dozen different 16:9 current state-of-the-art computer monitors did not help, the output is still poor. It looks like VGA. So whether you have a 16:9 or 16:10 monitor, you will be disappointed. I did try plugging the HDMI output into a couple of HD TVs (16:9). I also tried 780P versus 1080P TVs and monitors, with no discernible difference there either. The quality was the same middling/poor quality. I have concluded there is no magic combination of specs/settings, the problem is the HDMI signal coming out of the Acer chromebook. What you see does not look like it does on the monitor that is part of the chromebook itself, and it does not look sharp nor render colors correctly like a computer monitor that is hooked up to my (eg.) Mac Book Pro. It's a very sub par signal that comes out of the HDMI port. Simply put, you can NOT plug into an external monitor nor TV and use this as a desktop if your expectations are that it will look like a normal desktop does nowadays.
The chromebook spec's indicate that inside is an Intel® GMA 3150 graphics card.
The CR-48 actually does the best job of the three hooking up to a computer monitor that can accept VGA, because I thought it looks the nicest. The Acer is a close second on a computer monitor. The CR-48 also has a full size VGA port, which in my experience means that of the three chromebooks currently, it will plug in without converters more often than the other models.
Regarding Acer versus Samsung chromebook's, the only thing worth noting here is that the Samsung's VGA out requires plugging in a proprietary dongle that is so bad, it's TOTALLY unusable for come-and-go docking. This is not a nit. It's incredibly difficult to plug in and feels like after 25 come-and-go's, it will break completely. I've never seen anything so bad and cheap. In this way, the HDMI plug on the Acer is 1000 times better, since it is normal HDMI port and feels solid at that. So one point for the Acer's HDMI here, and big-time major criticism here for the otherwise well done Samsung chromebook (the Samsung's dongle really is so bad, one immediately wonders how they could ship it like this).
For use on a monitor the lack of digital output is a deal breaker for me. Google: please market us a nice chromebox with proper digital out that can work with a computer monitor. This can't replace a desktop until then. Like most people with any sense, I'm a person who considers the ergonomics of a laptop totally unacceptable.)
***************************************
I did not attend Google I/O (I haven't been given a chromebook), I am not in any way affiliated with Acer or Google or Google's partners or anything- just a dude writing a review which I almost never take the time to do, and I decided to do so because this product is worthy of note. I hope it succeeds in the marketplace (never a guarantee for a great product). I really like the direction computing is going with the advent of a device like this and Google's cloud products and other cloud products.
Come on in, the water is great. And for a mere $350 bucks, you can't go that wrong. If you hate it, you're not out that much cabbage. I love it and everyone I have shown it too is either interested or buys one- for his/her self, for mom and dad, or for the kids.
By Nano-Nano (CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Acer AC700-1099 Chromebook (Wi-Fi) (Personal Computers)
 |
| Acer AC700-1099 Chromebook (Wi-Fi) |
Naysayers who don't like the concept have yet to articulate valid reasons. Pace what they say, you can use it offline. Etc..
If you work with a lot of artistic media and corresponding software (Lightroom, Photoshop, Final Cut, DAW software and MIDI software, etc.), or other data and compute intensive or unique application specific work that can't realistically or practically be done in a browser over broadband, obviously this machine will not do that. Everyone knows that.
But this machine does most everything most of us do on our computers these days, and it does it better, faster, with no hassles nor anything for you to fuss over ever, and it does it far more securely. Hello!? Nothing beats this! Reread that last part if you're not getting it. Power users to newbies should love this thing.
Its statelessness is perfect in today's multi-access device world, where sometimes it's your phone, sometimes a work computer, sometimes whatever- you need a place all these things can sync with. And the chromebook is the opposite of an expensive fetish object, and instead moves towards disposeable computing. You can lose or destroy your chromebook, buy another, and pick up right where you left off. Your lost or stolen chromebook has little of value on it and it's encrypted automatically. You can share this machine easily and safely. Again, perfect in today's computing world.
As for cloud computing over all, security and privacy in the cloud are still the big bugaboos that have to overcome greed (greed on the part of the companies like google and greed on the part of the bad guys and jack boot government thugs trying to get at the stuff). But at least in the case of Google's cloud offerings (which are free, incredibly), you have the data liberation front, i.e. Google "Take Out" tools to get your data out and backed up, something that is critically important to me and should be to you.I think it's fair to say that Google's privacy and security reputation and track record to date beats the competition, and these chromebooks reflect serious efforts in the browser and the OS to design in security, from the verified boot in the hardware to the chrome browser sandboxing. And Google has implemented two factor authentication to your account so you could use that kiosk over there without worrying that your battleship will be completely sunk.
But never mind Google. You can buy this and never use Google. And it will still be better than any other computer for what you need to do. One of the extraordinary things about this product is that despite the Apple allusion in my review title, you're a long way from control freaks with this machine, because Google has been ingenious at building out open source software and in this case hardware too into something that can serve many masters. The slashdot kids to the all-google-all-the-time peeps can use this with equal enthusiasm. Perhaps more than anything else, that's what I find magical here. You can drink the Google coolaid and have a trip on a great commercial product, or go without and have a great open source tool to use as you see fit. Google simply offers. What you choose to do, is up to you. You win either way. They take a chance that you'll like their cloud and that they win monetization that way. It's a new model for both sides, consumer and company, and so far, so good.
For developers, sys admins, etc., the chromebook even contains a nice ssh window that allows one to shell into a development machine and start up a tmux or screen session, etc.. You can open multiple windows (ctrl-alt-t). You get the entire physical screen dedicated to your ssh "terminal" and chrome panels can be maximized and minimized within any terminal (works great with Google chat or Google docs scratchpad). And contrary to what you might see here and there, you can cut and paste between the browser/panels and the shell just fine (three finger click).
This really is a fantastic product. The idea and the implementation are stunning. Most people understand that in most ways a chromebook is not a new idea, but there are various things going on with it that form a unique sweet spot unlike past netboxes, diskless and thin clients, cloud terminals, etc.. Some of that is in the timing (eg. we have HTML5 now and well developed internet) and lot of it is in the implementation. At every turn, the right decisions were made in this product. From its open source foundations to its custom keyboard that rocks, I'm amazed that there isn't more uptake yet of this product, but Google doesn't market things like Apple or Microsoft can. Here's hoping they get on that stick and move beyond just having a dominant web presence and the Android successes.
I have been fortunate to be able to fully test out the CR-48, the Samsung chromebook, and now this. This Acer is in my opinion the best of the three. I like the Samsung too. Differences that come to mind: in the Acer the input and output ports aren't covered with crazy flimsy plastic like on the Samsung, the glossy screen is actually tack sharp and better to use than the Samsung (I hate glossy screens and feared the worse here, but thankfully and surprisingly those fears were unfounded), and the action of the click pad are the best of the three. It's also the smallest without being the least bit handicapped by that compared to the other three. With netflix on board, it's also a great way to watch movies (the screen is perfectly sized for HD). The Acer does not require you to put a cloth over the keyboard to avoid key imprint on the screen, the Samsung does. I find that majorly inconvenient. You can't go wrong with the Samsung either, and despite flaws in the chasis the Samsung is a joy to use and tote about in a way that the Acer is actually not, but given the choice, I mostly like the Acer better. This is a somewhat intangeable area, you'll have to decide for yourself. One thing though:****** Only one important caveat******
I wanted the Acer because of the digital out (HDMI) so I could use this as a desktop computer. No love. First of all, the HDMI output on this thing is HD which is 16:9, and computer monitors (many of them anyways) are 16:10. The result is that plugging this into my monitor makes it look like VGA- soft, not sharp, no good (for me). You can't adjust the chromebook's output for different aspect ratios (or color calibrate for that matter). Furthermore, the signal coming out of the HDMI port at 16:9 is not of high quality, so regardless of aspect ratios, still no love. Plugging into half a dozen different 16:9 current state-of-the-art computer monitors did not help, the output is still poor. It looks like VGA. So whether you have a 16:9 or 16:10 monitor, you will be disappointed. I did try plugging the HDMI output into a couple of HD TVs (16:9). I also tried 780P versus 1080P TVs and monitors, with no discernible difference there either. The quality was the same middling/poor quality. I have concluded there is no magic combination of specs/settings, the problem is the HDMI signal coming out of the Acer chromebook. What you see does not look like it does on the monitor that is part of the chromebook itself, and it does not look sharp nor render colors correctly like a computer monitor that is hooked up to my (eg.) Mac Book Pro. It's a very sub par signal that comes out of the HDMI port. Simply put, you can NOT plug into an external monitor nor TV and use this as a desktop if your expectations are that it will look like a normal desktop does nowadays.
The chromebook spec's indicate that inside is an Intel® GMA 3150 graphics card.
The CR-48 actually does the best job of the three hooking up to a computer monitor that can accept VGA, because I thought it looks the nicest. The Acer is a close second on a computer monitor. The CR-48 also has a full size VGA port, which in my experience means that of the three chromebooks currently, it will plug in without converters more often than the other models.
Regarding Acer versus Samsung chromebook's, the only thing worth noting here is that the Samsung's VGA out requires plugging in a proprietary dongle that is so bad, it's TOTALLY unusable for come-and-go docking. This is not a nit. It's incredibly difficult to plug in and feels like after 25 come-and-go's, it will break completely. I've never seen anything so bad and cheap. In this way, the HDMI plug on the Acer is 1000 times better, since it is normal HDMI port and feels solid at that. So one point for the Acer's HDMI here, and big-time major criticism here for the otherwise well done Samsung chromebook (the Samsung's dongle really is so bad, one immediately wonders how they could ship it like this).For use on a monitor the lack of digital output is a deal breaker for me. Google: please market us a nice chromebox with proper digital out that can work with a computer monitor. This can't replace a desktop until then. Like most people with any sense, I'm a person who considers the ergonomics of a laptop totally unacceptable.)
***************************************
I did not attend Google I/O (I haven't been given a chromebook), I am not in any way affiliated with Acer or Google or Google's partners or anything- just a dude writing a review which I almost never take the time to do, and I decided to do so because this product is worthy of note. I hope it succeeds in the marketplace (never a guarantee for a great product). I really like the direction computing is going with the advent of a device like this and Google's cloud products and other cloud products.
Come on in, the water is great. And for a mere $350 bucks, you can't go that wrong. If you hate it, you're not out that much cabbage. I love it and everyone I have shown it too is either interested or buys one- for his/her self, for mom and dad, or for the kids.
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