Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

So, I've seen a lot of reviews for Chromebooks, and it seems that there are two factors. First, there is Chrome OS. If you don't like Chrome OS, you probably shouldn't get a Chromebook at all. Next, if you do like Chrome OS, you'll need to decide if this is the Chromebook for you. CHROME OS --- (if you already know you want a Chromebook in general, skip to the next section) What you have to understand is that Chrome OS is a VERY minimalistic operating system. Essentially, it's the Chrome browser and any extensions that you put on it. If you're like me and can do everything through a web browser, Chrome OS is a godsend. You can access the whole Google ecosystem, as well as MS Office Online for your office needs, and Pixlr for light photo editing. The OS is well-designed around the browsing experience, with a choice between full-screen and windowed modes. You can also turn any webpage into an app with it's own window and place in the taskbar. You also get a completely new login for everyone who uses your computer, and can link the login to your Chrome browsers elsewhere. What can't you do? You basically can't install anything that isn't a Chrome extension (Android apps are coming, but only to certain machines, and I'm not sure how touchscreen apps will work on a device without one). This means no native Office, no PhotoShop, and no intense games. You CAN put Linux on your Chromebook, but you're probably better off spending extra money for a machine that can be more easily converted. The bottom line: if you need to mainly access the Internet, get a Chromebook. If you need to do more desktop stuff, go with another OS THIS PARTICULAR CHROMEBOOK So you want a Chromebook? This one is surprisingly adequate given its price and specs. The build quality is solid, although the touchpad feels a bit cheap. The keyboard, however, is one of the best laptop keyboards that I've had. The screen can get washed out at extreme angles, but it's no worse than any other cheap laptop. I've only tested the battery for a few hours, but it has never gotten near empty. Now the question on everyone's mind....how laggy is it? Surprisingly, despite the slow processor and 2GB of RAM, it does pretty well. The omnibox at the top of Chrome is a bit slow when trying to pull up big lists of search suggestions, but other than that, I've had 4-5 tabs open and running at any given time with no slowdown. I wouldnt' be surprised if you start having problems much past that, but for the light use that I'm using it for, I have no complaints. THE BOTTOM LINE: If you need a cheap computer for travel or simple internet browsing, you've found it. If you are looking for a performance machine, or need desktop apps, look elsewhere