My next computer

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Chris Brennan


“You know what I’d like? An ARM-based computer that doesn’t run anything other than a web browser and gets only 6.5 hours of battery life.” —No One

Gruber claims “no one”

Well, um he’s wrong. I’m one.

I’m considering a Chromebook. No no, stop laughing I’m not kidding. I’m seriously considering the new Chromebook. 11.6in screen, 6.5 hours of battery life, no fan and £239 – this appeals to me.

But it only works on Wi-Fi!
Well, no, but even so my MacBook needs Wi-Fi so I’m not sure of the restriction here.

But you can only use Chrome!
True, but increasingly everything I do is in a browser, when I open my MacBook I open Safari and Twitter and TextEdit none of which can’t be replicated in a browser window.

But you have to use Google Drive!
Yep, and that’s where nearly all my documents currently sit.

But you have to use all the Google services to take full advantage!

Indeed and I do – Mail, calendar, contacts, I’ve entrusted them all to the Sauron of tech. No, I do not care.

But it’s a shameless and cheap copy of a MacBook Air!
Ha, precisely.

I’m going to replace my ageing MacBook with a Chromebook. Naturally, I have other machines that I will continue to use and need. I have a Mac Pro and an iPad as well as an iPhone 5, but I *THINK* I can replace the functionality of my MacBook with a Chromebook so I’m going to try. I can’t afford a MacBook Air right now, but I want a lightweight, thin, quiet laptop with decent battery life and that’s precisely what the Chromebook offers. Incidentally Gruber scoffs at the 6.5 hour battery life, but the 11.6in Air offers less so, there’s that.

And, BTW I’m not suggesting this is Claim Chowder aimed at Gruber, I think he’s probably right. The number of people who desire a Chromebook are smaller in number than those who want an iPad or MacBook Air, but that’s no reason to assume it’ll be a failure. This is more an Amuse-bouche chowder.

Back in the day when Apple was doing fine again AM (After iMac) but BP (before iPhone) one point that was often made was that there was no reason Apple _had_ to have a massive market share and that it could survive and be relevant even with a small number of sales. I think the Chromebook can carve out a useful niche.

About Chris Brennan

Christopher Brennan is a freelance journalist. He originated and helped Dennis to develop and launch Padder an iPad based magazine. He's also worked for MacUser, MacFormat, Macworld. PCPro, Computer Active, Pocket-Lint.com, Mac|Life and others. As well as this he's the Managing Editor for Professional Windows Solutions. He also hates talking about himself in the third-person, but that's another story. If you'd like a word monkey for anything Apple or, indeed, anything computery call me on 0845 8687 455 or email me, chris@allpointsnorth.co.uk
This entry was posted in Chromebook. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to My next computer

  1. Michael Vacoskolov says:
    October 21, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Congratulations. So, tell me, user ab2f2ea264b36637ecaa9e101d6da0db, when do you want your cybernetic implants that replace “only” half your vision with a combination of banner ads and twitter updates? Aside from the google=overlords aspect, you want to support what many view as a genuinely bad direction for technology… “Hey, let’s take the freedom of a computer and crap on it. Then, we’ll make its single purpose browsing on the internet. That way, they have no CHOICE but to feed us. Hell, most people are too lazy to do anything after the product has been purchased!”

    Good for you, spend your money on whatever you want. Hopefully the damage caused by the ridiculous social fanaticism of recent years doesn’t completely screw up direction of future technological advancement.