A little something for myself...

[it's just me]

Went to a box store everybody knows the other day, and bought the latest and greatest Kindle Fire for my wife, she practically sleeps with her old one, and this one is supposed to do a bunch more stuff.

I have had two computers die on me this past year, they were both used ones that were past their prime, and would have been relegated to the trash heap long ago if I hadn't prodded them along. Lately I have been worried about all of the security problems Windows computers have and started using Linux full time except for one I kept just for running MS Office.

Wellll, I spotted a Chromebook for sale at the place. Chromebooks are loaded with a version of Linux, and I have read that you can even install Ubuntu on one. So they are reasonably safe, and dirt cheap. So having gotten a pretty nice year end bonus I bit the bullet and bought one. I figured I could always give it to someone if I absolutely hate it.

Yeah, I know, no hard drive to speak of (storage amounts to about what you'd find on a flash disk) no MS Office, no CD-ROM, and you can't do much of anything unless you are connected to the internet. But when am I not connected to the internet? If push comes to shove I can go down to the restaurant on the corner and use their WI-FI and have a couple beers.

So I get the thing home, plug it in, and BAM, it's ready to go in the time it takes to tell it. Just sign in and all of the bookmarks you made in your Chrome browser are right there. I have been using Google Docs for years to be able to keep up with the stuff I do between home and work and the app in the Chromebook takes you right there. I can even write MS Office documents in Office online and save them to a flash disk for use later.

This thing is blindingly fast, has ridiculous battery life, is easier to use than a phone or a tablet, and you can connect an external keyboard and mouse to it through two of the three USB ports it has, and I am probably just scratching the surface. All this for less than what you would pay for a barebones desktop kit.

I'm a believer. For most of the things I do this thing is perfect, lighter than a laptop or even a netbook, more convenient than a tablet, and obviously more portable than a desktop. I can throw this into my briefcase and not even notice the weight. Most days I won't even need the charger.

I might change my mind, the thing may not hold up, but one of the things I have noticed is that Mrs. It's Just Me and I usually have better luck with electronics because we don't beat things up the way kids do, I have a five year old bottom end netbook that still works perfectly and my original I-Pod. I think my granddaughter has been through three I-Pods and two laptops in the same amount of time.

 

[Declan]

Yeah but did you get your wife her Kindle? :2razz:

 

[it's just me]

Yeah but did you get your wife her Kindle? :2razz:

That was the FIRST thing I got...

 

[Superfly]

I love my kindle. Love, love, love it. A poster here, Winchester, that I knew from another forum, told me, "If you ever get a Kindle, you'll love it." But being a book purist, I wouldn't hear of it. Then I ended up getting one to use as a tablet. I didn't want to pull the trigger on a $500 tablet if I wasn't going to use it. I ended up not using it as a tablet, but use it all the time as a Kindle. Winchester was right - I can't imagine going back to books now.

As far as new computers, my next one is going to be a Mac, I think. The laptop I have, I've had about 2 years. It's still kicking, but when it finally dies, I'll make the move.

 

[joG]

Went to a box store everybody knows the other day, and bought the latest and greatest Kindle Fire for my wife, she practically sleeps with her old one, and this one is supposed to do a bunch more stuff.

I have had two computers die on me this past year, they were both used ones that were past their prime, and would have been relegated to the trash heap long ago if I hadn't prodded them along. Lately I have been worried about all of the security problems Windows computers have and started using Linux full time except for one I kept just for running MS Office.

Wellll, I spotted a Chromebook for sale at the place. Chromebooks are loaded with a version of Linux, and I have read that you can even install Ubuntu on one. So they are reasonably safe, and dirt cheap. So having gotten a pretty nice year end bonus I bit the bullet and bought one. I figured I could always give it to someone if I absolutely hate it.

Yeah, I know, no hard drive to speak of (storage amounts to about what you'd find on a flash disk) no MS Office, no CD-ROM, and you can't do much of anything unless you are connected to the internet. But when am I not connected to the internet? If push comes to shove I can go down to the restaurant on the corner and use their WI-FI and have a couple beers.

So I get the thing home, plug it in, and BAM, it's ready to go in the time it takes to tell it. Just sign in and all of the bookmarks you made in your Chrome browser are right there. I have been using Google Docs for years to be able to keep up with the stuff I do between home and work and the app in the Chromebook takes you right there. I can even write MS Office documents in Office online and save them to a flash disk for use later.

This thing is blindingly fast, has ridiculous battery life, is easier to use than a phone or a tablet, and you can connect an external keyboard and mouse to it through two of the three USB ports it has, and I am probably just scratching the surface. All this for less than what you would pay for a barebones desktop kit.

I'm a believer. For most of the things I do this thing is perfect, lighter than a laptop or even a netbook, more convenient than a tablet, and obviously more portable than a desktop. I can throw this into my briefcase and not even notice the weight. Most days I won't even need the charger.

I might change my mind, the thing may not hold up, but one of the things I have noticed is that Mrs. It's Just Me and I usually have better luck with electronics because we don't beat things up the way kids do, I have a five year old bottom end netbook that still works perfectly and my original I-Pod. I think my granddaughter has been through three I-Pods and two laptops in the same amount of time.

I just read up on Chromebooks. Which one did you take. It sounds good. I will try a Chromebook.

How is the new Kindle?

 

[it's just me]

I just read up on Chromebooks. Which one did you take. It sounds good. I will try a Chromebook.

How is the new Kindle?

Mine is an HP, there wasn't much of a selection. HP's get a bad rap from just about everybody, but every HP product I have ever owned has exceeded my expectations, including printers. I wish my HP printer would die so I can replace it with a laserjet, I am getting sick of buying cartridges for it. But I have an HP laptop that is about five years old and Mrs. It's Just Me's HP desktop finally died after about 8 years, so we have been pretty happy with HP stuff.

I have also had good luck with Acer stuff. I have an Acer monitor and an Acer netbook that still work perfectly, and Mrs. It's Just Me has an Acer desktop. I read that a lot of people like that Acer Chromebook and the Samsung as well. My first choice would have been the Samsung but they didn't have one on hand and this one has a bigger screen, anyway. Let us know what you end up with.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

I just think paying for amazon consumption devices is silly.

I think I have an amazon fire here somewhere, rooted.

 

[it's just me]

I love my kindle. Love, love, love it. A poster here, Winchester, that I knew from another forum, told me, "If you ever get a Kindle, you'll love it." But being a book purist, I wouldn't hear of it. Then I ended up getting one to use as a tablet. I didn't want to pull the trigger on a $500 tablet if I wasn't going to use it. I ended up not using it as a tablet, but use it all the time as a Kindle. Winchester was right - I can't imagine going back to books now.

As far as new computers, my next one is going to be a Mac, I think. The laptop I have, I've had about 2 years. It's still kicking, but when it finally dies, I'll make the move.

I have one of the cheap Kindle Fires that I got to replace my aging Galaxy Tab III, it's not quite as versatile as the Samsung but for reading and watching movies it's great. Mrs. It's Just Me got the one with a lot of bells and whistles mine doesn't have, including a camera. If she could make a phone call with it she wouldn't need anything else.

 

[Ikari]

I love my kindle. Love, love, love it. A poster here, Winchester, that I knew from another forum, told me, "If you ever get a Kindle, you'll love it." But being a book purist, I wouldn't hear of it. Then I ended up getting one to use as a tablet. I didn't want to pull the trigger on a $500 tablet if I wasn't going to use it. I ended up not using it as a tablet, but use it all the time as a Kindle. Winchester was right - I can't imagine going back to books now.

As far as new computers, my next one is going to be a Mac, I think. The laptop I have, I've had about 2 years. It's still kicking, but when it finally dies, I'll make the move.

I kind of see the point of the Kindle, and it can certainly be convenient. But I have a hard time giving up physical books. I love the feel of books, I love the smell of books (particularly old books). I should really get a Kindle because I read everywhere, but I just love throwing a book into my saddle bags, riding off to the woods, or High Point, or Bear Mountain, sitting back in the sun and nature and just reading a book.

BTW, 500 bucks for a tablet! For a few more, you could build yourself a kickass laptop. I still don't 100% see the point in a tablet, it's like halfway between cell phone and laptop. But if you have a cell phone and a laptop, then the tablet seems maybe not necessary.

 

[Declan]

That was the FIRST thing I got...

Good thing because if you went to buy her a kindle and got yourself something instead it would be off to the doghouse for you....

 

[it's just me]

Good thing because if you went to buy her a kindle and got yourself something instead it would be off to the doghouse for you....

Anybody who's been married any length of time knows that.

 

[PoS]

I kind of see the point of the Kindle, and it can certainly be convenient. But I have a hard time giving up physical books. I love the feel of books, I love the smell of books (particularly old books). I should really get a Kindle because I read everywhere, but I just love throwing a book into my saddle bags, riding off to the woods, or High Point, or Bear Mountain, sitting back in the sun and nature and just reading a book.

BTW, 500 bucks for a tablet! For a few more, you could build yourself a kickass laptop. I still don't 100% see the point in a tablet, it's like halfway between cell phone and laptop. But if you have a cell phone and a laptop, then the tablet seems maybe not necessary.

Totally agree. I love having shelves of books in my house. I read ebooks with my desktop every now and then but having a real book is still the best.

 

[Cephus]

I love my kindle. Love, love, love it. A poster here, Winchester, that I knew from another forum, told me, "If you ever get a Kindle, you'll love it." But being a book purist, I wouldn't hear of it. Then I ended up getting one to use as a tablet. I didn't want to pull the trigger on a $500 tablet if I wasn't going to use it. I ended up not using it as a tablet, but use it all the time as a Kindle. Winchester was right - I can't imagine going back to books now.

I was the same way, I never thought I'd want to read on a tablet but now that's the only way I read. I have no more room for physical books anyhow but I can put my entire library on my tablet and not even make a dent in the space. My mother had a Kindle and she hated it. It was so limiting, she went out and got a regular tablet so she could play all the games and do all the things that everyone else could. The Kindle is probably sitting in a drawer somewhere unused.

 

[Superfly]

I kind of see the point of the Kindle, and it can certainly be convenient. But I have a hard time giving up physical books. I love the feel of books, I love the smell of books (particularly old books). I should really get a Kindle because I read everywhere, but I just love throwing a book into my saddle bags, riding off to the woods, or High Point, or Bear Mountain, sitting back in the sun and nature and just reading a book.

BTW, 500 bucks for a tablet! For a few more, you could build yourself a kickass laptop. I still don't 100% see the point in a tablet, it's like halfway between cell phone and laptop. But if you have a cell phone and a laptop, then the tablet seems maybe not necessary.

Well, this is the thing. I am the same way - I love just browsing in book stores, and there's not many cooler places than used bookstores. But the ease of having a thousand books on your person, all the time? That's hard to beat.

As far as tablets, I don't really get them either. I never bought one, because I really only used the Kindle for reading. My husband had a really nice Toshiba tablet that he bought for his photography, and when he made the move to iPads, he gave me his. It's collecting dust in my room. :lol:

 

[Superfly]

I was the same way, I never thought I'd want to read on a tablet but now that's the only way I read. I have no more room for physical books anyhow but I can put my entire library on my tablet and not even make a dent in the space. My mother had a Kindle and she hated it. It was so limiting, she went out and got a regular tablet so she could play all the games and do all the things that everyone else could. The Kindle is probably sitting in a drawer somewhere unused.

Tell her to give it to you when yours finally dies. :lol: My husband was the same way you and I are. No way would he read from a Kindle. Just too "weird," he said. Until he borrowed mine. I've not seen him read from a physical book since.

 

[Cephus]

Tell her to give it to you when yours finally dies. :lol: My husband was the same way you and I are. No way would he read from a Kindle. Just too "weird," he said. Until he borrowed mine. I've not seen him read from a physical book since.

When my tablet dies, I'll buy another. I have no need for dedicated units like the Kindle or the Nook. The tablet does everything those do, just a lot better and a lot more.

 

[it's just me]

Well, this is the thing. I am the same way - I love just browsing in book stores, and there's not many cooler places than used bookstores. But the ease of having a thousand books on your person, all the time? That's hard to beat.

As far as tablets, I don't really get them either. I never bought one, because I really only used the Kindle for reading. My husband had a really nice Toshiba tablet that he bought for his photography, and when he made the move to iPads, he gave me his. It's collecting dust in my room. :lol:

I have no idea how many books I have, it might be in the hundreds. I have bookshelves all over the place and I still have them piled on the tables in my office. But there is nothing like having a library in your pocket when you are stuck at the airport.

 

[Cephus]

I have no idea how many books I have, it might be in the hundreds. I have bookshelves all over the place and I still have them piled on the tables in my office. But there is nothing like having a library in your pocket when you are stuck at the airport.

I have thousands of books, I have floor-to-ceiling bookcases in every room in the house and they're still piled all over the place. There is no room for more physical books. E-books allow me to keep getting books and not have to worry about storage issues, plus, as you said, it's very portable.

 

[Superfly]

That's the reason I am also ripping all my DVDs and Blurays onto an external hard drive. You don't really think about how much room they take up, until you look up one day and your entire house is full of movies and books.

 

[idea_steed]

I once wanted to buy a Kindle but seeing that the screen display is not multi-color and it is limited for installation of apps, i chose a mini tablet(7 inches) instead. To reduce the eye strain, I just keep the brightness at a relatively low level.

 

[Superfly]

I once wanted to buy a Kindle but seeing that the screen display is not multi-color and it is limited for installation of apps, i chose a mini tablet(7 inches) instead. To reduce the eye strain, I just keep the brightness at a relatively low level.

The kindle paperwhite is black and white. The others are a lot like mini tablets.

 

[PoS]

That's the reason I am also ripping all my DVDs and Blurays onto an external hard drive. You don't really think about how much room they take up, until you look up one day and your entire house is full of movies and books.

Thats a cool house, imo. :mrgreen:

 

[it's just me]

I have thousands of books, I have floor-to-ceiling bookcases in every room in the house and they're still piled all over the place. There is no room for more physical books. E-books allow me to keep getting books and not have to worry about storage issues, plus, as you said, it's very portable.

Never stayed in one place long enough to accumulate that many, I have given dozens of them to Goodwill and to libraries over the years. The ones I have are the ones I absolutely want to keep, if this society we live in decides to plunge itself into darkness someday.

 

[Flat Stanley]

I have one of the cheap Kindle Fires that I got to replace my aging Galaxy Tab III, it's not quite as versatile as the Samsung but for reading and watching movies it's great. Mrs. It's Just Me got the one with a lot of bells and whistles mine doesn't have, including a camera. If she could make a phone call with it she wouldn't need anything else.

She can, all she has to do is d/l the Magic Jack app


BTW all, the Kindle Paperwhite is on sale at Amazon for $59.00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._t=101&pf_rd_p=1986636402&pf_rd_i=10394030011

 

[it's just me]

Update: within a week of purchase, the HP Chromebook died. I confirmed this with HP Customer Support via phone, and took it back to the store, where they exchanged it for a Samsung Chromebook II. Stay tuned...