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I'm not sure why Google tries to make a really expensive version of their Chromebooks . If this came out before the new iPad Pro's and Surface laptops it might

I'm not sure why Google tries to make a really expensive version of their Chromebooks . If this came out before the new iPad Pro's and Surface laptops it might be compelling to buy. But, if I want a walled garden experience I would choose an iPad Pro. And if I want a real keyboard with a stylus there is the Surface Book and many others. It is even competing with the lower end Chromebooks due to the price. It would be a great laptop for someone that likes Linux but then you are probably going to overwrite ChromeOS with whatever you want. EDIT: Meant to say Surface laptop not surface book.

dabockster 9y ago
> I'm not sure why Google tries to make a really expensive version of their Chromebooks. I'm guessing they're going after the "idiot boss" market who will eat this up if given the chance.
- PaulHoule 9y ago
  Also media attention. Places like toms hardware seem to drool over 'flagship' phones such as the Fire Phone, Essential Phone, etc. Google Home and Nest devices are also over expensive and over designed. I mean, Johnson Controls has been making smart thermostats for 30 years! The trouble with that strategy is there is just one company that seems to profit from expensive and overdesigned hardware and we know who that is.
  - dabockster 9y ago
    > there is just one company that seems to profit from expensive and overdesigned hardware and we know who that is Lockheed Martin with the F-35 project? Because it's so hot that it takes my breath away.
- geofft 9y ago
  Can you explain what you mean? I am trying to extract any meaning out of your comment and failing. Why would an idiot boss (as compared to a ... non-idiot boss? non-boss idiot?) specifically want an expensive Chromebook?
  - dabockster 9y ago
    Usually to flash some new expensive tech item around the office in a show of dominance. Then us devs get stuck dealing with the fallout when the tech purchase wipes out the network or something.
    - victorhooi 9y ago
      Your comment seems like a troll...lol. I'm not sure how a Chromebook could "wipe out the network". In fact, if anything, I'd argue it's less likely to than a Window laptop since Chromebooks are so secure out of the box. I bought one for my mother a few years ago, and honestly, not having to go over and clean up malware periodically, or ever do Windows Updates, or ever worry about her clicking on dodgy links on the internet has been a Godsend.
      - dabockster 9y ago
        I'm not talking about a literal Chromebook. It is a figure of speech. And it's spelled "troll".
        victorhooi 9y ago
        Sure, let me fix the typo. However, I'm still unclear about your main point. If you're not talking about a "literal" Chromebook...what are you talking about?
        dabockster 9y ago
        Really anything new and flashy that someone in power buys. ---- Boss: Hey dabockster, I just bought this flashy new drone from this vendor we never heard of before. I had my doubts but he gave me a bunch of light up fidget spinners for my kids. Can you hook this up to wifi? Me: Sure thing. Hour later: Boss: Why is the internet down? Me: Your drone wouldn't stop pinging out main DNS server. Boss: But it's expensive and flashy and SPIN CITY! Me: facepalm ---- Note that didn't actually happen. But it's an example.
ngoldbaum 9y ago
They need hardware to give to google interns.
- matthewbauer 9y ago
  Do they actually make interns use chromebooks?
  - cobookman 9y ago
    yep. However you cannot code locally on your laptop at google. So you end up either using a web based IDE or just using the desktop workstation they give you (locally, ssh, or VNC).
    - vazamb 9y ago
      Like, no one can? That seems weirdly restrictive. Is it for security reasons?
      - kyrra 9y ago
        Code on laptops is a major security concern for any company if the laptop is stolen. While the improvements in disk encryption has helped curb this problem, it is definitely a risk larger companies don't always want to take.
      - deleted 9y ago
        [deleted]
    - emmab 9y ago
      You're free to do work over ssh+tmux+vim. That's what I do.
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
  - dekhn 9y ago
    yeah. but you can fill out a form and get a mac.
kllrnohj 9y ago
The Surface Book is a good $500 more expensive, significantly thicker, and significantly heavier. It's also prone to hinge flakiness with the overly clever electronic release mechanism. You get the nvidia GPU option if you want it, though. ipad pro is an interesting comparison but it's not just "walled or not" it's also "windowed vs. fullscreen" as the chromebook is a full windowed systems, for better or worse. A fixed hinged keyboard is a substantial difference in terms of usage capabilities as well, so I don't think these are really in that much direct competition. A more apt comparison would probably be something more like the Lenovo Yoga.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]

dabockster 9y ago

> I'm not sure why Google tries to make a really expensive version of their Chromebooks. I'm guessing they're going after the "idiot boss" market who will eat this up if given the chance.

PaulHoule 9y ago
Also media attention. Places like toms hardware seem to drool over 'flagship' phones such as the Fire Phone, Essential Phone, etc. Google Home and Nest devices are also over expensive and over designed. I mean, Johnson Controls has been making smart thermostats for 30 years! The trouble with that strategy is there is just one company that seems to profit from expensive and overdesigned hardware and we know who that is.
- dabockster 9y ago
  > there is just one company that seems to profit from expensive and overdesigned hardware and we know who that is Lockheed Martin with the F-35 project? Because it's so hot that it takes my breath away.
geofft 9y ago
Can you explain what you mean? I am trying to extract any meaning out of your comment and failing. Why would an idiot boss (as compared to a ... non-idiot boss? non-boss idiot?) specifically want an expensive Chromebook?
- dabockster 9y ago
  Usually to flash some new expensive tech item around the office in a show of dominance. Then us devs get stuck dealing with the fallout when the tech purchase wipes out the network or something.
  - victorhooi 9y ago
    Your comment seems like a troll...lol. I'm not sure how a Chromebook could "wipe out the network". In fact, if anything, I'd argue it's less likely to than a Window laptop since Chromebooks are so secure out of the box. I bought one for my mother a few years ago, and honestly, not having to go over and clean up malware periodically, or ever do Windows Updates, or ever worry about her clicking on dodgy links on the internet has been a Godsend.
    - dabockster 9y ago
      I'm not talking about a literal Chromebook. It is a figure of speech. And it's spelled "troll".
      - victorhooi 9y ago
        Sure, let me fix the typo. However, I'm still unclear about your main point. If you're not talking about a "literal" Chromebook...what are you talking about?
        dabockster 9y ago
        Really anything new and flashy that someone in power buys. ---- Boss: Hey dabockster, I just bought this flashy new drone from this vendor we never heard of before. I had my doubts but he gave me a bunch of light up fidget spinners for my kids. Can you hook this up to wifi? Me: Sure thing. Hour later: Boss: Why is the internet down? Me: Your drone wouldn't stop pinging out main DNS server. Boss: But it's expensive and flashy and SPIN CITY! Me: facepalm ---- Note that didn't actually happen. But it's an example.

ngoldbaum 9y ago

They need hardware to give to google interns.

matthewbauer 9y ago
Do they actually make interns use chromebooks?
- cobookman 9y ago
  yep. However you cannot code locally on your laptop at google. So you end up either using a web based IDE or just using the desktop workstation they give you (locally, ssh, or VNC).
  - vazamb 9y ago
    Like, no one can? That seems weirdly restrictive. Is it for security reasons?
    - kyrra 9y ago
      Code on laptops is a major security concern for any company if the laptop is stolen. While the improvements in disk encryption has helped curb this problem, it is definitely a risk larger companies don't always want to take.
    - deleted 9y ago
      [deleted]
  - emmab 9y ago
    You're free to do work over ssh+tmux+vim. That's what I do.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- dekhn 9y ago
  yeah. but you can fill out a form and get a mac.

kllrnohj 9y ago

The Surface Book is a good $500 more expensive, significantly thicker, and significantly heavier. It's also prone to hinge flakiness with the overly clever electronic release mechanism. You get the nvidia GPU option if you want it, though. ipad pro is an interesting comparison but it's not just "walled or not" it's also "windowed vs. fullscreen" as the chromebook is a full windowed systems, for better or worse. A fixed hinged keyboard is a substantial difference in terms of usage capabilities as well, so I don't think these are really in that much direct competition. A more apt comparison would probably be something more like the Lenovo Yoga.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]