Hardware Google & laptops

[mrtofu]

deleted

 

[Foxi4]

Try the Asus Transformer range - it's the closest you're going to get to your dream build as of today. Technically you can run Android on normal PC's and laptops though - there are some more or less successful porting attempts going on. Not quite sure why you'd want a typically "portable" OS on a bigger machine but hey! Can be done.

As for ChromeOS, the basic principle of the build was to provide access to your files anywhere anytime by using the Cloud and minimize battery use by removing all unnecessary parts - it's practically a glorified web browser, it was never really meant to be used as an extensive "does it all" operating system.

 

[MTSoph14]

Probably, but how many apps besides emulators and document writers could benefit from it? Not many I suppose.

 

[Rydian]

The ASUS Transformer sucks as a laptop. I've got the Prime, and the tablet itself is awesome, but the sold-separate lower-half dock thing is a piece of shit. I can't even believe it was made by ASUS. It flexes and creaks, the keyboard layout is stupid (ALT+Tab support WITH ONLY THE RIGHT ALT EXISTING !?!?), the touchpad is worse than I see on 1995 Dell laptops, it only goes back like 120 degrees or something and the lower half is just so light and back-weighted that the whole damn thing tips over backwards if it's not on a flat surface.

I went to Best Buy to check out the Infinity a bit after getting my model to see if they fixed the dock issues, one of the guys that works there saw me messing with the tablets and strolled on over to ask if I had any questions. I was all "I've got the TF201 and was wondering if the TF700's dock is still shit, and it is." And he nodded.

EDIT: Also I tried using it as a laptop for one semester of English. The software support isn't there either.
EDIT2: The above line is about Android in general. I tried out multiple top-rated word processing apps, even the best was annoying and buggy.

 

[mrtofu]

deleted

 

[Joe88]

just get a bluetooth mouse and keyboard?
I just use a logtiech usb rf mouse and keyboard on my 10.1" tablet

the mouse functionality is pretty badly done on android
not only did they use a black pointer color (so you easily lose track of it) but the mouse doesnt function the way you want it too and cannot be changed without a custom rom afaik

 

[PityOnU]

@Rydian:
I see. Maybe if it were "Google Official" supported, it would work out better? I don't like the office software on android either (Kingsoft office had a bunch of bugs).


I totally forgot about the Transformer line. That's something like it, but more "laptopy". I have a Nexus 7 that I use for text books, but I can't type on a 7" screen.

My ideal android laptop would be:
[*]Fast ARM cpu (Snapdragon 800, Samsung OCTA, Tegra 4)
[*]Lightweight/thin
[*]11-13", touchscreen (not necessary since may add to price),
[*]$300 range
[*]Suitable storage, SSD
[*]Quick bootup times (~8 seconds)

What I really like about the chromebook is that it's ultrabook-like lightweight/thin and heatless, all for $250.


Some games would play nicely with a keyboard. I think with a great ARM CPU (like I've listed above), it can play some nice games too.

I wouldn't use a laptop for games though. I'm just looking for a lightweight, thin, heatless solution to carry around all day.

I'm right there with you Ginny. I honestly have no idea why more companies aren't capitalizing on things like this. Imagine how sleek and elegant you'd be able to make the thing look without having to worry about cooling! However, as some other have pointed out, there really isn't any word processing software that can hold a light to Office, and similarly, finding decent apps for some of things that you take for granted now would probably be difficult.

It makes me wonder if something similar to what your describing can be done with the latest Atom chips from Intel. Then you could have the super-ultra-skinny form factor with full Windows.

 

[Pleng]

GoNote says Hi

I'm waiting for the GoNote Mini.

 

[Joe88]

thats extremely low end, even by netbook standards

 

[Ericthegreat]

[quote="Rydian, post: 4620159, member: 244492" (ALT+Tab support WITH ONLY THE RIGHT ALT EXISTING !?!?)[/quote]

Although I hate non standard qwerty keyboards, you a lefty lol?

 

[Minox]

Although I hate non standard qwerty keyboards, you a lefty lol?

Most people that alt-tab tend to do it using one hand, namely the left one regardless of whether they're a lefty or not. Only having the right alt forces you to use two hands in a situation where it'd be much easier to just use one hand.

 

[Ericthegreat]

Most people that alt-tab tend to do it using one hand, namely the left one regardless of whether they're a lefty or not. Only having the right alt forces you to use two hands in a situation where it'd be much easier to just use one hand.

lol now that I think about it I use my left hand as well....

 

[Pleng]

thats extremely low end, even by netbook standards

What do you expect to do with it, running Android?

 

[Joe88]

have you even used android?
dual core makes a ton of difference in just about everything
not only that the resolution is terrible

 

[Pleng]

have you even used android?
dual core makes a ton of difference in just about everything
not only that the resolution is terrible

Yes I've used Android. My phone is a Single Core 512Mb device and I can't think of anything I could do with it that requires more processing power.

So the question still stands.... what would you do with a more powerful Android laptop?

 

[Haloman800]

Google execs have stated that Android and Chrome (OS at least) will converge eventually. I expect it will start with something like being able to run Android apps on Chromebooks (The Pixel has a touchscreen, would make sense).