Today I wrote a review for Business Spectator on the HP Chromebook 11, describing it as a nice computer that fits the market space left by the demise of the netbook.
For the HP Chromebook 11, its failing lies in the cloud services it relies upon; if you don’t have a reliable internet connection, or you’re on a flight, then you lose access to many of your files.
This isn’t a problem for office use, most workplaces have reliable internet connections and don’t have to worry about interruptions however when you head out on the road, things change.
A particular bugbear is using the device while on a plane, in my case I discovered the files were listed in the offline docs folder but were ‘unavailable’ on trying to open them.
This is irritating early in a three hour flight when you’re trying to get some work done.
At least with flights Google has done a deal with Gogo internet for inflight access which indicates the company has identified this as a problem, although the arrangement does nothing to help air travellers outside the US.
For the moment, cloud based services are great if you have reliable broadband internet access but for travellers things will continue to be problematic.
Paul, you’ve honed in on a very niche issue here. Can it be assumed that if you’re one of the 99%+ who DON’T regularly travel for work that a Chromebook is a viable solution? Thanks, Liam.
For sure, Liam. If you aren’t travelling and you have Wi-Fi in your home or office then the Chromebook is a nice, cheap PC. I’m not sure though that travelling is a niche, 1% issue.