Random stuff

[paco]

What are the differences between a standard laptop and a Chromebook?

Operating system, for the most part. If all you do is web-based things, it's the way to go.

Yep, Windows 10 vs Chrome OS. Chromebooks are for internet usage. If you need to load any other applications that would normally work on a Windows PC, don't get a chromebook.

[APB]

What are the differences between a standard laptop and a Chromebook?

Operating system, for the most part. If all you do is web-based things, it's the way to go.

Yep, Windows 10 vs Chrome OS. Chromebooks are for internet usage. If you need to load any other applications that would normally work on a Windows PC, don't get a chromebook.

OK, so she does occasionally open up a spread sheet or a PDF. Does the Chromebook have applications to still allow for that or no?

You guys have been very helpful, thanks!

[paco]

Operating system, for the most part. If all you do is web-based things, it's the way to go.

Yep, Windows 10 vs Chrome OS. Chromebooks are for internet usage. If you need to load any other applications that would normally work on a Windows PC, don't get a chromebook.

OK, so she does occasionally open up a spread sheet or a PDF. Does the Chromebook have applications to still allow for that or no?

You guys have been very helpful, thanks!

Microsoft Office products you should be good. There is an Office 365 app in the Google Play store. Just download and log into your account. If you need a standalone version of Excel or something, that you probably can't use.

Same goes for PDF support. Should be no problem to find an Adobe app, plus I'm sure there are Google apps that handle them too if you need to work with them. Opening will be no problem at all.

[Pckfn23]

Chrome has a built in PDF viewer so no worries there.

Also, Google Sheets allows you to view, and even edit excel files. Same goes with Google Docs and Word files, as well as Google Slides and PowerPoint. Or as paco said you can go with Office 365, but you don't need to.

[paco]

Chrome has a built in PDF viewer so no worries there.

Also, Google Sheets allows you to view, and even edit excel files. Same goes with Google Docs and Word files, as well as Google Slides and PowerPoint. Or as paco said you can go with Office 365, but you don't need to.

I actually didn't know you could open Office stuff with the Google products. Nice to know!

[paco]

Furnace not working this morning. Starting to get a little chilly in the house. Another 2-5 hours before someone shows up. Too early in the day to start with the whiskey.

[paco]

motor shot. Replaced, $550 later I have heat again. But time to look for a new furnace.

[APB]

Furnace not working this morning. Starting to get a little chilly in the house. Another 2-5 hours before someone shows up. Too early in the day to start with the whiskey.

...said nobody, ever.

[TheGreenMan]

motor shot. Replaced, $550 later I have heat again. But time to look for a new furnace.

You could have waited until after the game. It would have almost been like being at Lambeau this weekend!

[paco]

Furnace not working this morning. Starting to get a little chilly in the house. Another 2-5 hours before someone shows up. Too early in the day to start with the whiskey.

...said nobody, ever.

I'm working from home, but I probably shouldn't do it while I'm still working. Shouldn't.....

[paco]

motor shot. Replaced, $550 later I have heat again. But time to look for a new furnace.

You could have waited until after the game. It would have almost been like being at Lambeau this weekend!

I actually thought about this! The smell of brats and screaming fans (myself) will have to be enough.

[RingoCStarrQB]

What are the differences between a standard laptop and a Chromebook?

Operating system, for the most part. If all you do is web-based things, it's the way to go.

Yep, Windows 10 vs Chrome OS. Chromebooks are for internet usage. If you need to load any other applications that would normally work on a Windows PC, don't get a chromebook.

I am in the market for a laptop. Idea is to set it up at home as my second computer where I intend to connect it to one or two flat screen monitors, and of course connect it to the internet, a printer, mouse, and an external drive for backing up my files. Need it to have WORD, PowerPoint and Excel. I don't do gaming or watch videos. Probably just want O365 and Windows 10.

Also want to take the laptop on the road for hooking to the internet via wireless.

Any thoughts? HP, Dell, Others..........specific models of HP or Dell, etc. What about Apple? Please advise. Thanks.

[paco]

Operating system, for the most part. If all you do is web-based things, it's the way to go.

Yep, Windows 10 vs Chrome OS. Chromebooks are for internet usage. If you need to load any other applications that would normally work on a Windows PC, don't get a chromebook.

I am in the market for a laptop. Idea is to set it up at home as my second computer where I intend to connect it to one or two flat screen monitors, and of course connect it to the internet, a printer, mouse, and an external drive for backing up my files. Need it to have WORD, PowerPoint and Excel. I don't do gaming or watch videos. Probably just want O365 and Windows 10.

Also want to take the laptop on the road for hooking to the internet via wireless.

Any thoughts? HP, Dell, Others..........specific models of HP or Dell, etc. What about Apple? Please advise. Thanks.

The only thing special you seem to want to do is connect it to 2 monitors. You are going to need to find a laptop that has multiple video outputs and whatever output you need. Laptops these days don't tend to come with a lot of ports. So getting a docking station/port replicator with it might be something you want to look at. There are plenty of 3rd party ones out there, and most manufacturers have them as well.

The rest, follow guidelines that me and others have mentioned about RAM and such. The rest of the specs won't matter a ton for you. You can buy Office365 for those needs.

Brand, it's all personal preference. They each have a bit of a different feel. But I'll give me input on what I've dealt with. Mind you, that's mostly with enterprise laptops, not consumer.

HP - Overall decent quality. Supposed to have fairly decent support. I like the build of mine I just got. Seems sturdy. HP Pavilion is what I have.
Dell - Pretty much the same as HP. Been using Latitudes for several years at work and are built fairly well. Nothing fancy.
Apple - I'm not a MAC guy. Seems like it is overpriced, over-specialized crap for fanboys that just want to end up putting Windows on it anyway. But people love them for some reason.
Lenovo - Lenovo's tend to cost a little extra. I find they are built a bit better, but they aren't as fancy. Hinges and other parts don't break as easily. Not as innovative, but their stuff works well. But their service sucks big time.
Asus/Acer/MSI - More known for gamers, but they are solid companies that I would buy from. But I've never actually owned a laptop of theirs so can't say much.
Alienware - stay away for now. Overpriced gamer stuff that used to be great and aren't anymore.

In the end, as I've said, laptops are best touched. Get into a place and put your hands on the few. If it feels good in your hands, like the weight of it, you like the keyboard layout, it'll probably do the job for you.

[TheGreenMan]

Loved/Love Lenovo's Thinkpads. As paco said, they're not overly fancy, but they just work. If I were in the market for a windows machine, it would be a Thinkpad.

Wish I could afford/justify one of Google's Pixelbook Go though.

[paco]

Dammit, now Hank Aaron died.

[RingoCStarrQB]

Yep, Windows 10 vs Chrome OS. Chromebooks are for internet usage. If you need to load any other applications that would normally work on a Windows PC, don't get a chromebook.

I am in the market for a laptop. Idea is to set it up at home as my second computer where I intend to connect it to one or two flat screen monitors, and of course connect it to the internet, a printer, mouse, and an external drive for backing up my files. Need it to have WORD, PowerPoint and Excel. I don't do gaming or watch videos. Probably just want O365 and Windows 10.

Also want to take the laptop on the road for hooking to the internet via wireless.

Any thoughts? HP, Dell, Others..........specific models of HP or Dell, etc. What about Apple? Please advise. Thanks.

The only thing special you seem to want to do is connect it to 2 monitors. You are going to need to find a laptop that has multiple video outputs and whatever output you need. Laptops these days don't tend to come with a lot of ports. So getting a docking station/port replicator with it might be something you want to look at. There are plenty of 3rd party ones out there, and most manufacturers have them as well.

The rest, follow guidelines that me and others have mentioned about RAM and such. The rest of the specs won't matter a ton for you. You can buy Office365 for those needs.

Brand, it's all personal preference. They each have a bit of a different feel. But I'll give me input on what I've dealt with. Mind you, that's mostly with enterprise laptops, not consumer.

HP - Overall decent quality. Supposed to have fairly decent support. I like the build of mine I just got. Seems sturdy. HP Pavilion is what I have.
Dell - Pretty much the same as HP. Been using Latitudes for several years at work and are built fairly well. Nothing fancy.
Apple - I'm not a MAC guy. Seems like it is overpriced, over-specialized crap for fanboys that just want to end up putting Windows on it anyway. But people love them for some reason.
Lenovo - Lenovo's tend to cost a little extra. I find they are built a bit better, but they aren't as fancy. Hinges and other parts don't break as easily. Not as innovative, but their stuff works well. But their service sucks big time.
Asus/Acer/MSI - More known for gamers, but they are solid companies that I would buy from. But I've never actually owned a laptop of theirs so can't say much.
Alienware - stay away for now. Overpriced gamer stuff that used to be great and aren't anymore.

In the end, as I've said, laptops are best touched. Get into a place and put your hands on the few. If it feels good in your hands, like the weight of it, you like the keyboard layout, it'll probably do the job for you.

Thanks much Paco. Based on your comments, I'll start looking at a HP with a docking station/port replicator to handle 2 monitors.

[NCF]

Screech is dead...

[paco]

Not a surprise, but still sad. Screech didn't make many correct life choices after Saved by the Bell. People wondered why he wasn't at reunions and not in the new upcoming reboot. I'm sure health was 1 main reason for the latter.

Now that's out of the way, so who was your favorite? Kelly, Lisa, or Jessie?

[NCF]

Not a surprise, but still sad. Screech didn't make many correct life choices after Saved by the Bell. People wondered why he wasn't at reunions and not in the new upcoming reboot. I'm sure health was 1 main reason for the latter.

Now that's out of the way, so who was your favorite? Kelly, Lisa, or Jessie?

Kelly. Hated the other two.

[paco]

Not a surprise, but still sad. Screech didn't make many correct life choices after Saved by the Bell. People wondered why he wasn't at reunions and not in the new upcoming reboot. I'm sure health was 1 main reason for the latter.

Now that's out of the way, so who was your favorite? Kelly, Lisa, or Jessie?

Kelly. Hated the other two.

They had their moments, but Kelly is the only answer. I'm still a Tiffani Thiessen fan. Pop on her cooking show from time to time.