We are being Forced to Buy Chromebooks

Summary

In this engaging video, a parent navigates the challenges of buying a Chromebook for their child, balancing school requirements, budget, and device features. Visiting a store, they compare models like the HP X360 and Asus CX34, considering performance, keyboard comfort, touchscreen, and durability. With limited stock, online options are explored, and hands-on tests including display, speakers, and browser performance are conducted. The video also explains Chromebook Plus specifications, Chrome OS updates, and alternatives like Chrome OS Flex. Lighthearted banter, practical advice, and a sponsor segment make the review both informative and relatable for parents and tech enthusiasts alike.

Takeaways

• 😀 Parents often face pressure to buy Chromebooks for their kids due to school requirements and peer influence.
• 😀 Chromebook quality and performance have improved over the years, but there is still a wide range in specifications and pricing.
• 😀 Back-to-school Chromebook shopping involves balancing budget, build quality, performance, and desired features like touchscreens and keyboards.
• 😀 Chromebook Plus models offer a set of minimum specifications, improved performance, video conferencing, and AI features.
• 😀 Last year's models can provide similar performance at a lower price, but stock availability may be limited.
• 😀 Retail experience can involve confusing pricing, limited in-store stock, and differences between model years.
• 😀 Chromebook build quality varies, with differences in keyboard flex, screen type (glass vs. matte), and durability considerations for kids.
• 😀 Browser performance for most school tasks is adequate on budget Chromebooks, but higher-end models perform better in benchmarks.
• 😀 Chrome OS has long-term support, with Google guaranteeing around 10 years of updates from a device's release.
• 😀 Alternatives like Chrome OS Flex allow installation of Chrome OS on existing Windows or Mac laptops, though adoption may be limited.
• 😀 Practical accessories, such as chargers, headphones, mice, and protective bags, play an important role in a student's Chromebook experience.
• 😀 Google Chromebooks continue to occupy a niche in the market, with ongoing relevance despite stagnation in public perception and hardware upgrades.

Q & A

Why does the narrator need to buy a Chromebook for his child?

The narrator's daughter asked for a Chromebook because other kids at school had them, and her school requires Chromebooks for certain activities.

What were the main criteria the narrator considered when choosing a Chromebook?

He considered build quality, performance, battery life, keyboard layout, screen quality, and whether the device met the school's minimum specifications.

What is the price range the narrator was aiming for?

He was aiming for a price range of approximately 300 to 400 Canadian dollars before tax.

What is the difference between a standard Chromebook and a Chromebook Plus?

Chromebook Plus represents a set of minimum specifications across five categories, designed to guarantee better performance, video conferencing, and AI features, though in this case, the difference turned out to be the model year rather than specific features.

What were the two main Chromebooks the narrator considered buying?

He considered the Asus CX34 and the HP X360, ultimately choosing the HP X360 for its glass top screen, better keyboard, and overall build quality.

What issue did the narrator find with the Lenovo Slim 314 keyboard?

The keyboard had a bilingual Canadian layout with an unacceptable Enter key, which made it less suitable for use.

How did the narrator evaluate the laptops’ performance for everyday use?

They conducted a casual benchmark using Speedometer 3.1 to measure browser performance, finding both laptops adequate for web use, with the HP X360 slightly faster.

What did they discover about the speakers on the laptops?

Both laptops had weak speakers, but the Asus CX34 was preferred slightly due to better sound quality despite lacking dedicated speaker grills.

What is Chrome OS Flex and who might use it?

Chrome OS Flex allows installation of Chrome OS on Windows and Mac laptops, potentially offering an alternative for schools or users who want Chrome OS on older devices.

What long-term benefit does the narrator mention regarding Chromebooks?

Google guarantees 10 years of updates from the release of a new model, providing long-term software support for the devices.

What trade-offs did the narrator consider when choosing the HP X360 over other models?

He considered price, touchscreen vs. non-touchscreen, keyboard quality, build durability, and model year, ultimately prioritizing durability and build quality over cost savings.

Why did they include a speaker test with another child?

To provide a blind comparison of speaker quality to reduce bias and determine which laptop had better sound from a user perspective.