1. Simplicity of design

The Chromebook is a simple piece of kit.  There is only one ‘program’ which is the Chrome browser, you don’t have to worry about updates and there are less settings to configure wrongly.  Users like things to be simple.  For example take the iPad.  It is very good at one thing – consuming data and playing it back to the user (eg internet, video streaming etc). The Chromebook has been designed along these lines – it is designed to get you online.  Nice and simple.

2. No viruses  

Most viruses are written for Windows, a couple for Macs and maybe one (that I know of) for Linux.  Chrome OS is based on Linux so no viruses issues here then.

3. The Cloud

The Cloud is coming and more and more people and businesses are actively taking an interest in it, whether it be for hosting emails, online productivity suites (eg Google Apps) or business ctitical online apllications.  Most people use their devices (laptop, tablets or smartphones) to get online and connect to these services.  In the work environment I am seeing more businesses then ever use online applications or file sharing and it is here I can see the Chromebook really taking off.  If you are moving to the cloud the Chrombook could seamlessly slip right into your infrastructure.

4. Price

The Chromebook is a hell of a lot cheaper than a standard laptop and if you are solely using the internet to run your business why pay the extra for a device you probably wouldn’t use to its potential?

5. IT Administration

You lock down the browser and er thats it.  You can’t transfer any viruses onto the system using a USB pendrive and all your files are stored online.  IT departments will love the Chromebook.

Now I know that the Chromebook has some limitations (working offline is one example, broadband speeds) but personally I am beginning to understand the concept.  Now where did I put my wallet?

Do you agree or disagree? Let me know!!

About the Author

Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.

For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more

So I did a little test to see if I could solely use the Playbook to cover all the tasks I would usually use the netbook for.

1.Blogging

I am typing this blog using the Playbook and a bluetooth keyboard.  So that is one I can tick off.

2.Configuring routers

Now this is a bit more difficult as the Playbook does not come with an ethernet adapter as standard  (I am looking though) but once you are connected to the wifi you can access the router directly and configure the settings.

3.RDP into a server (Windows based)

This is accomplished by an app called Remote Desktop which allows me to control the server in exactly the same way as you would from a local system on the network.

4.SSH into Linux servers

This is again accomplished by using various apps in App World.  Nice and simple!!

5. Social Media

This is bread and butter on the Playbook.  Using the apps for Twitter and Facebook you can be as social as you like very quickly.  There is still no LinkedIN app available yet but you can use the LinkedIN website which is no real hassle.

6.Using the internet as a knowledgebase

Searching the internet is sublime on the Playbook so looking for solutions to unknown problems becomes much easier (and quicker).

7.Remote Assistance using Teamviewer

Again there is no native app but you can use the web interface which works just as well. The lack of right click is frustrating though!!

To sum up the Blackberry Playbook can handle about 90% of the daily tasks my netbook can handle.  The lack of ethernet adapter is the most compelling reason to still use a netbook (for configuring routers only) and the lack of right click is frustrating for remote assistance but overall it does pretty well.  When a tablet finally comes with USB and ethernet ports as standard then the netboook will finally become extinct.

About the Author

Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.

For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more