My new favorite device - a Google Chromebook !

 It was early last year that I came to use Chromebook by chance and I have been loving the experience since! Sharing my story here.

I was looking for a personal computing device (not exactly a laptop because there are several choices now: tablets as good as laptop, laptops as good as tablet, phone as big as tablet and so on)  and doing some research for it. And a listing on Olx caught my attention, it was a listing for used corporate HP Chromebook. The Flipkart listing is here but the laptop itself has been discontinued now. I felt the deal to be a bargain and immediately bought it though I had never used a Chromebook before, I though in worst case I will wipe Chrome OS and install some Linux OS on it!

Please note that it's a top of the line configuration with i5 processor and 8 GB RAM which actually might be an overkill for such a lightweight OS - Chrome OS is basically a browser running as an OS (not completely true tough). Also, the touch screen and convertible form factor open up several use cases, much better than a convertible running Windows. However, even with a modest configuration in modest price, I have read and heard that Chrome OS runs great.

Without further ado, here is why I love my Chromebook:

• Super fast startup - in 10-15 seconds. It has never hung on me in a year and it's super-fast. The battery also lasts a lifetime.
• Ability to install many Android apps (though not every app). This combined with touch screen and ability to use the laptop in tablet mode makes for a great experience - a huge tablet running apps.
• Ability install Linux apps - greatly enhances the software availability. The Linux terminal keeps my geek side happy!
• Good integration with android phone - the laptop can make a direct connection to phone's internet which is way faster than a hotspot and much more battery efficient. This has saved me on several occasions! Recently, there are more integrations like viewing messages and browser tabs from phone.
• Super smooth Chrome browser - it's kind of obvious because the laptop is meant to run Chrome but with Chrome being itself a very powerful and versatile browser, this enhances the experience.

So there are 3 ways to install apps on a Chromebook and all are generally quite straight forward - Android apps, Chrome browser plugins and Linux apps. If somebody is heavily dependent on a Windows software which is not available on either web/Android/Linux then there is no choice but else do give Chromebook a try, it deserves that! 

Do let me know if you want me to cover any other aspect of Chromebook :)