Shootout Chromebooks
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SHOOTOUT NOTEBOOKS CHRomEbooKS: WoRTH A TRY? Google’s Chrome OS-based notebooks are the latest variant in the crowded notebook domain but could prove to be the way forward in personal computing — S. Aadeetya oogle has come a long way since becoming a search - Chromebooks available in India are from brands Acer, engine giant. First the US major acquired Andy Ruben HP, Samsung etc. and all these are priced at sub Rs Gowned Android, which has scaled heights in the 30,000 mark. mobility arena. Then came the hardware side of their story, - Chromebook Pixel is the only Chrome OS running with products that epitomized value-for-money proposition, device that comes with touch support screen but is Nexus as they called it. The third chapter of Google’s rise to priced upwards of $1,000 for consumers. prominence is called Chrome OS, which has been designed - Chromebooks need all-time internet connectivity and for a specific set of purpose and functionality and caters to sadly the platform does not support external 3G dongle Google-only products and services only. Chrome OS is part of as of now. the Chrome web browser that has overtaken other browsers - You can only use Google products like Google Chrome, with its simplicity, and efficiency supported by the virtue of Gmail and Google Docs among others. Google. Chrome OS based products made their entry into - Chrome OS has its own app store which is not intensely Indian market in late 2013 and here’s what you need to flushed right now. know about this Google owned PC platform. Now that you have come to terms with Chrome OS and Chromebooks to some extent, we take a closer look at two Getting to know a Chromebook Chromebook options available in the country. - Chrome OS has been created by team at Google which is headed by Sundar Pichai who is credited with heading Worth a buy? both Chrome and Android for the search engine giant. Chromebook in general, is a different beast in - Chrome OS is currently confined to notebooks which are comparison to the Windows PCs or Macs and with known as Chromebooks, a term coined by Google. Chrome OS it needs internet all the time for using Google - Selective vendors such as Samsung, Hewlett Packard products/apps. If a non-Windows or Mac device is on (HP), Acer and Toshiba have joined hands with Google for your agenda, that too a budget one, then Chromebooks making Chromebooks. are can be added to your list of options to evaluate. 76 PCQUEST FEBRUARY 2014 pcquest.com twitter.com/pcquest facebook.com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected] Scan this code for more info. To download a barcode app, SMS <f2k> to 56677 from a mobile phone with Internet access and camera. Price: `22,900 Price: `26,990 ACER C720 CHROMEbooK HP CHROMEbooK 14 Well built, easy to carry but obvious lack of non-internet usage With a bigger display and better hardware this Chromebook is makes it a product that will catch up in the coming years more conducive for day-to-day use but slightly heavier cer C720 is an 11.6 incher which proves to be an ideal device oming to the next Chromebook option from HP the unit we for basic usage. C720 with Chrome OS functions primarily with received was Chromebook 14 model which unlike the C720 Athe help of Wi-Fi connectivity (only). The 1366x768 display Ccomes with a 14 inch display but at the same 1366x768 is standard and in terms of build, finish and looks the C720 is no resolution. This device, even with a bigger size feels more at home stunner but is carried around a well-built body. for work use and even watching movies, surfing the web etc. In terms of hardware, the C720 packs a Celeron 4th generation The keypad, track pad and the built of Chromebook 14 is more chipset clubbed with 2 GB RAM which is decent enough for an 11.6 compact, sturdy and epitomizes HP’s product design. inch device. One can easily watch movies, listen to music and in In terms of hardware, the HP Chromebook 14 packs the same our case the C720 worked well as a primary device. ‘No internet No Celeron chipset but with a 4 GB RAM which is definitely a plus Chromebook’ seems to be the general consensus but as we figured point. Other options like USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connectivity, HDMI out even without internet, one can fit an external/USB drive and port and card reader slot is also there but no CD drive on the keep the work going, also do remember to keep saving your work on device and a front HD webcam for Google Hangouts. In terms the drive location as there are no auto-save features for document of performance, HP delivers smooth Chrome experience that apps like Quickoffice in this case. The keyboard on C720 is quite basically concentrates on web-only activities with some basic cumbersome and the same is our feedback on the trackpad. The offline aspects also covered. It would be unfair to compare the Chromebook is fitted with USB ports, C720 with Chromebook 14 due to front HD webcam and even HDMI port its size, power and functionality for display connectivity. differences. KEY SPECS: We tried out a few Chome OS KEY SPECS: We ran some Chrome OS 11.6 inch 1366x768 display, benchmark tools like Sun Spider 1.0.2 14 inch display but same supporting benchmark tools on 4th generation Celeron dual- (352 milli seconds), Octane (9451), 1366x768 resolution, 1 USB 2.0, the Chromebook 14 like Sun core chipset, 2 GB RAM, front Peacekeeper (2872) and lastly Kraken 2 USB 3.0, HDMI port, 1.9 Kg, Spider 1.0.2 (340 milli/seconds), HD webcam, USB 2.0, HDMI, 4th generation Celeron dual- Chrome OS (2741). These tools basically help us core chipset, 4 GB RAM Octane (8971), Kraken (3007) and analyze the web surfing capability of Peacekeeper (2307). The device PROS: the Chromebook. The basic keyboard PROS: is slightly heavier than the C720 New OS, well built, battery life functions differ from the usual and Well built, good looking, user at 1.9 Kg but its streamline factor friendly keyboard and trackpad CONS: with options like volume up/down, makes it lot more portable. The 11.6 inch, clumsy keys and multi-tab on the top most row of the CONS: Wi-Fi connectivity gave usual trackpad, needs Internet keypad, however there is no Delete Bulky results, Bluetooth interestingly button on any Chromebook. In terms got connected to multiple devices WRITE TO: WRITE TO: [email protected] of battery life, the C720 lasted up to 8 [email protected] but it seems the compatibility will for more info. hours on normal usage. for more info. come in the coming years. Price Performance FeatUreS OveraLL Price Performance FeatUreS OveraLL pcquest.com twitter.com/pcquest facebook.com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected] FEBRUARY 2014 PCQUEST 77.