Chromebook/netbook for on-train work, does Storybook work?
May 4, 2015 1:12 AM Subscribe
I want a very light laptop/netbook/chromebook/ultrabook to work during my commute, can anyone help me out, please?
(I live in Europe, but will just assume whatever product you recommend will be available here.)
I would like to purchase a lightweight laptop thingy to use for work during my commute. I have picked a few things I want, but was hoping you could point me to important factors I may be missing, or even know which netbook/chromebook/whatever I may want.
- under 1,5 kg (less would be even better)
- matte or anti-glare screen
- around 10 or 11"
- preferably no Windows 8 (I just hate Windows 8); Windows 7 is fine
- Storybook must work on it (it doesn't work on my current Ubuntu laptop since I updated it, but it worked on Ubuntu before the update)
- under 300€ (or only slightly over)
(- optional: white or blue)
I have used sites that let you enter your wishes and give you a list of candidates, where these babies popped up:
- HP Stream Notebook 11-d073ng (Windows 8 )
- Lenovo N20 (Chrome)
- Acer Chromebook CB3-111 (Chrome)
- Acer Aspire ES1-111-C138 (Windows 8)
What do y'all think about Chromebooks? I really only want to write and translate on the thing, so storage is not a big problem for me, but I have never used anything other than Windows and Ubuntu, so Chrome scares me a bit.
I guess I could also get one without any OS at all and just put Linux on it and hope Storybook will work. Is that something you would recommend? I mean, I could put Linux on a Windows book as well, but wouldn't that take too much of the already spare HD?
Thanks in advance for helping a noob!
(I live in Europe, but will just assume whatever product you recommend will be available here.)
I would like to purchase a lightweight laptop thingy to use for work during my commute. I have picked a few things I want, but was hoping you could point me to important factors I may be missing, or even know which netbook/chromebook/whatever I may want.
- under 1,5 kg (less would be even better)
- matte or anti-glare screen
- around 10 or 11"
- preferably no Windows 8 (I just hate Windows 8); Windows 7 is fine
- Storybook must work on it (it doesn't work on my current Ubuntu laptop since I updated it, but it worked on Ubuntu before the update)
- under 300€ (or only slightly over)
(- optional: white or blue)
I have used sites that let you enter your wishes and give you a list of candidates, where these babies popped up:
- HP Stream Notebook 11-d073ng (Windows 8 )
- Lenovo N20 (Chrome)
- Acer Chromebook CB3-111 (Chrome)
- Acer Aspire ES1-111-C138 (Windows 8)
What do y'all think about Chromebooks? I really only want to write and translate on the thing, so storage is not a big problem for me, but I have never used anything other than Windows and Ubuntu, so Chrome scares me a bit.
I guess I could also get one without any OS at all and just put Linux on it and hope Storybook will work. Is that something you would recommend? I mean, I could put Linux on a Windows book as well, but wouldn't that take too much of the already spare HD?
Thanks in advance for helping a noob!
Refurbished Thinkpad x220. Here in the US you can get them for under $300. Come with windows, but support Linux perfectly if you decide to go that way.
posted by Poldo at 4:25 AM on May 4, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Poldo at 4:25 AM on May 4, 2015 [2 favorites]
I have a Samsung Chromebook and I love it. I bought it three or four years ago and it's still in perfect order. The battery life is great, it's lightweight, and cheap.
posted by mareli at 8:31 AM on May 4, 2015
posted by mareli at 8:31 AM on May 4, 2015
Best answer: "storybook" is a java application. ubuntu ships with an clone of the JAVA JDK... have you tried switching to the official Oracle Java JDK 8? I would see if you can get it working in ubuntu first before making a decision.
i think the asus x200 is sort of the standard cheap netbook now roughly equivalent to the HP Stream. it will be smaller and probably get better battery life than the x220... which will be more durable and reliable for ubuntu, however.
posted by ennui.bz at 8:37 AM on May 4, 2015
i think the asus x200 is sort of the standard cheap netbook now roughly equivalent to the HP Stream. it will be smaller and probably get better battery life than the x220... which will be more durable and reliable for ubuntu, however.
posted by ennui.bz at 8:37 AM on May 4, 2015
Response by poster: ennul.bz: Which will be smaller and has better battery life, Asus x200 or HP Stream?
posted by LoonyLovegood at 8:39 AM on May 4, 2015
posted by LoonyLovegood at 8:39 AM on May 4, 2015
Best answer: Which will be smaller and has better battery life, Asus x200 or HP Stream?
sorry, i was comparing the asus to the thinkpad x220. the asus and the hp should be about the same hardware and size-wize, except that the non-Chromebook machines will actually have decently sized hard drives. there is also an non-Chromebook version of the Acer which should also be roughly equivalent. basically, 11.6 inches and cheap doesn't give you a lot of variety. if you want to spend more cash, the Asus UX305 is a pretty great machine, roughly equivalent to the new Macbook, except that it is only $699. (it is 13in, but very light and thin)
if you want to be able to run Ubuntu, stay away from newer intel "baytrail" atom processors, which are apparently the devil.
posted by ennui.bz at 9:21 AM on May 4, 2015
sorry, i was comparing the asus to the thinkpad x220. the asus and the hp should be about the same hardware and size-wize, except that the non-Chromebook machines will actually have decently sized hard drives. there is also an non-Chromebook version of the Acer which should also be roughly equivalent. basically, 11.6 inches and cheap doesn't give you a lot of variety. if you want to spend more cash, the Asus UX305 is a pretty great machine, roughly equivalent to the new Macbook, except that it is only $699. (it is 13in, but very light and thin)
if you want to be able to run Ubuntu, stay away from newer intel "baytrail" atom processors, which are apparently the devil.
posted by ennui.bz at 9:21 AM on May 4, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by faustian slip at 4:01 AM on May 4, 2015