Considering a Chromebook? I agree with the assessment below. I love the chromebook but for some things I will still need a Microsoft computer and will purchase one after they come to their senses and offer one that is old timer friendly. Apple is for those who like to spend money more than I do. I am taking very good care of what I have...and waiting.
Terry is considering buying a Chromebook
i have many questions about my XP--and decided i am too old and set in my ways to learn 8--or 7 for that matter-(had it once but took it off and had XP put back in)--(so very many of my purchased software would NOT work with 7)-can i still use my email (earthlink.net) on a chrome book?
With EarthLink can I use their web based mail box or download it INTO my PC--i am considering your suggestion for a chrome book---i could keep all 3 of my computers , all running XP , off of the internet-- -hopefully i could then transfer info between the PCs and chrome book--using one of those stick things---or with the external hard drives---do the chrome books accept the use of the externals and sticks?--(do they have USB ports ?)-considering having you do your "thing" with moving IE to chrome OS--and adding new virus---your price for that service?---sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book?
Like most folks---my life is in my computers---and all running XP with IE---!!!!!--crochet-craft patterns saved for years--plus thousands of links saved in favorites and thousands as icons on my desktop--does the google chrome book run PDF files? -PS--am trying to use google chrome instead of IE---truth be told am having an awful time---thank you for your time and answers---Terry.
Our answer
Hi Terry, As an owner of a Chromebook and an Android tablet, I will first admit that I'm not an expert on either. I use both quite often but rarely for business.
First, right at the start, I'll tell you that we don't move things from Windows to Chromebooks with our service -- there really is nothing to move. I'll explain as we go along.
First, you can check any web mail account, including EarthLink, on a Chromebook. You sign in just like you do now. However, it would be super convenient for you to have a Gmail account and set up Gmail to check your EarthLink Mail. To learn how to do this see our article here http://goo.gl/Bd4U8T . It's very easy to do, then you can login to your Gmail account and your EarthLink mail will be there.
The reason why I'm suggesting a Gmail account for Chromebook users isn't because I'm a big fan of Gmail (and I am), but because it just makes sense if you're using a Chromebook to have a Gmail account. Why? Because when you have a Gmail account you also have all other Google services like Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Chrome Store etc. When you have all the Google services your Chromebook becomes even more useful. For instance, you can create and read Microsoft Office documents like Excel, Word, etc. Chromebooks (at least mine ) come with 100gb of storage space on Google Drive -- this is important because, since Chromebooks are Web-oriented, they have very small storage drives. So you aren't going to have a lot of hard drive space to store files, documents, etc. But with 100gb of Google Drive space, you have plenty of room to store your favorite files.
Chromebooks have USB ports just like Windows computer, they also have HDMI ports so you can connect it to a high definition TV and watch YouTube videos, Netflix, etc. on your TV via your Chromebooks.
You cannot run Windows software on a Chromebook, so you can't move IE to a Chromebook nor any other Windows program. Chromebooks use the Chrome operating system, not Windows, so if you're planning on moving a bunch of your favorite programs to a Chromebook, it's not going to happen. That being said, the Chrome store has a lot of free apps you can use, some of them actually better than their Windows counterparts. You can browse the Chrome store by clicking the Chrome store shortcut on your Chromebook.
I am really not sure what you mean by "sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book..." You can't have anything in IE but your Favorites (bookmarks) and these are easily exported into Chrome. In fact, if you have Chrome on your Windows XP computer you can import all your IE bookmarks (Favorites), settings, etc. into Chrome. If you have a Gmail account you can save them and use them on your Chromebook on the Chrome browser.
You ask about cross stitch patterns and icons on your desktop. Desktop shortcuts are mostly shortcuts to the programs you installed, since these are all Windows programs, you can't move them to Chromebook. As far as cross stitch patterns, if they're in a format such as PDF, yes you can read them in Chromebook; Google docs can open PDF files. But if those patterns are for a specific program and can only be opened by that program, you're not going to be able to use the cross stitch program on a Chromebook, because, again, it's a Windows program.
Google Chrome is actually much easier to use than IE. IE has senseless warnings about scripting errors, add-ons, and, probably the worst of all, the stupid Smart Screen filter. Once you learn that all Google Settings can be accessed by clicking the rectangular icon (with 3 horizontal bars) in the top-right hand corner, you'll see how much simpler it is than IE which is actually very difficult to configure due to its arcane "Internet Options" dialog.
But frankly, Terry, I don't think you'll be happy with a Chromebook. It seems to me you're a Windows guy and there's nothing wrong with that. And a good 15" or 17"Chromebook is only going to save you about $50 to $100 over the cost of a Windows 7 computer (yes, you can still buy Windows 7 laptops and desktops). Windows 7 is not a huge leap for Windows XP users. And if you choose, you can get a really great deal on Windows 8 computers (less than $400) and we can make it work just like Windows 7 for you. All you need to do is buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care key and we'll set up your Windows 8.x computer to look and work just like Windows 7.
We recommended Chromebooks for people who typically use their computers for checking email, updating their social networking sites, playing games, browsing the Web and looking at and working with digital photos. It's really not going to be something a dyed-in-the-wool Windows user, like you seem to be, is going to be very happy with.
Most of the programs (90%) you have installed on XP will work on Windows 7 (and Windows 8x). And you'll have IE too if that's what you like.
I hope we've answered all of your questions and we've helped you make a decision as to what your next computer will be.
i have many questions about my XP--and decided i am too old and set in my ways to learn 8--or 7 for that matter-(had it once but took it off and had XP put back in)--(so very many of my purchased software would NOT work with 7)-can i still use my email (earthlink.net) on a chrome book?
With EarthLink can I use their web based mail box or download it INTO my PC--i am considering your suggestion for a chrome book---i could keep all 3 of my computers , all running XP , off of the internet-- -hopefully i could then transfer info between the PCs and chrome book--using one of those stick things---or with the external hard drives---do the chrome books accept the use of the externals and sticks?--(do they have USB ports ?)-considering having you do your "thing" with moving IE to chrome OS--and adding new virus---your price for that service?---sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book?
Like most folks---my life is in my computers---and all running XP with IE---!!!!!--crochet-craft patterns saved for years--plus thousands of links saved in favorites and thousands as icons on my desktop--does the google chrome book run PDF files? -PS--am trying to use google chrome instead of IE---truth be told am having an awful time---thank you for your time and answers---Terry.
Our answer
Hi Terry, As an owner of a Chromebook and an Android tablet, I will first admit that I'm not an expert on either. I use both quite often but rarely for business.
First, right at the start, I'll tell you that we don't move things from Windows to Chromebooks with our service -- there really is nothing to move. I'll explain as we go along.
First, you can check any web mail account, including EarthLink, on a Chromebook. You sign in just like you do now. However, it would be super convenient for you to have a Gmail account and set up Gmail to check your EarthLink Mail. To learn how to do this see our article here http://goo.gl/Bd4U8T . It's very easy to do, then you can login to your Gmail account and your EarthLink mail will be there.
The reason why I'm suggesting a Gmail account for Chromebook users isn't because I'm a big fan of Gmail (and I am), but because it just makes sense if you're using a Chromebook to have a Gmail account. Why? Because when you have a Gmail account you also have all other Google services like Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Chrome Store etc. When you have all the Google services your Chromebook becomes even more useful. For instance, you can create and read Microsoft Office documents like Excel, Word, etc. Chromebooks (at least mine ) come with 100gb of storage space on Google Drive -- this is important because, since Chromebooks are Web-oriented, they have very small storage drives. So you aren't going to have a lot of hard drive space to store files, documents, etc. But with 100gb of Google Drive space, you have plenty of room to store your favorite files.
Chromebooks have USB ports just like Windows computer, they also have HDMI ports so you can connect it to a high definition TV and watch YouTube videos, Netflix, etc. on your TV via your Chromebooks.
You cannot run Windows software on a Chromebook, so you can't move IE to a Chromebook nor any other Windows program. Chromebooks use the Chrome operating system, not Windows, so if you're planning on moving a bunch of your favorite programs to a Chromebook, it's not going to happen. That being said, the Chrome store has a lot of free apps you can use, some of them actually better than their Windows counterparts. You can browse the Chrome store by clicking the Chrome store shortcut on your Chromebook.
I am really not sure what you mean by "sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book..." You can't have anything in IE but your Favorites (bookmarks) and these are easily exported into Chrome. In fact, if you have Chrome on your Windows XP computer you can import all your IE bookmarks (Favorites), settings, etc. into Chrome. If you have a Gmail account you can save them and use them on your Chromebook on the Chrome browser.
You ask about cross stitch patterns and icons on your desktop. Desktop shortcuts are mostly shortcuts to the programs you installed, since these are all Windows programs, you can't move them to Chromebook. As far as cross stitch patterns, if they're in a format such as PDF, yes you can read them in Chromebook; Google docs can open PDF files. But if those patterns are for a specific program and can only be opened by that program, you're not going to be able to use the cross stitch program on a Chromebook, because, again, it's a Windows program.
Google Chrome is actually much easier to use than IE. IE has senseless warnings about scripting errors, add-ons, and, probably the worst of all, the stupid Smart Screen filter. Once you learn that all Google Settings can be accessed by clicking the rectangular icon (with 3 horizontal bars) in the top-right hand corner, you'll see how much simpler it is than IE which is actually very difficult to configure due to its arcane "Internet Options" dialog.
But frankly, Terry, I don't think you'll be happy with a Chromebook. It seems to me you're a Windows guy and there's nothing wrong with that. And a good 15" or 17"Chromebook is only going to save you about $50 to $100 over the cost of a Windows 7 computer (yes, you can still buy Windows 7 laptops and desktops). Windows 7 is not a huge leap for Windows XP users. And if you choose, you can get a really great deal on Windows 8 computers (less than $400) and we can make it work just like Windows 7 for you. All you need to do is buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care key and we'll set up your Windows 8.x computer to look and work just like Windows 7.
We recommended Chromebooks for people who typically use their computers for checking email, updating their social networking sites, playing games, browsing the Web and looking at and working with digital photos. It's really not going to be something a dyed-in-the-wool Windows user, like you seem to be, is going to be very happy with.
Most of the programs (90%) you have installed on XP will work on Windows 7 (and Windows 8x). And you'll have IE too if that's what you like.
I hope we've answered all of your questions and we've helped you make a decision as to what your next computer will be.
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