Why I Will Buy One of the New Chromebooks

aNewDomain.net — I recently tested my laptop to see if it was capable of casting a Chrome browser video to my TV via Chromecast. As these detailed results show, it was definitely not. Both the video and audio components stuttered immensely, mostly because the CPU was at full capacity.

Image credit: Larry Press

This was not a surprise to me — Google lists a number of compatible computers and OSs on their site and my Dell Precision M4400 laptop does not fit the bill.

However, I wanted to know more. I asked the Google+ community for Chromecast whether any other Chromebook models could cast video tabs. I thought the ability would be limited to the costly Google Pixel, with its Intel i5 CPU, but I was wrong.

James Welbes replied that he used his Samsung 550 Chromebook, with its dual core Celeron processor, to cast video tabs. In response Joe Phelps speculated that “Chrome OS must have very little overhead.” Given that Chrome OS doesn’t have to grapple with complicated tasks like a local file system and overlapping windows, Phelps’ comment makes sense.

The Future of Chromebook

The next generation of Chromebooks were recently announced. With four manufacturers and new Haswell processors, these devices are a solid step up from their predecessors.

Image credit: The Verge

I imagine (and hope) that they will have no problem casting tabs. As long as one has a decent keyboard and screen I will use it to cast videos in my den and office, which are already Chromecast-equipped.

Google’s Pixel was and is the flagship for new Chromebooks, the proof of an imaginative concept. The new Chromebooks are the first real production machines to follow in line. Of course I’ll still use my laptop and desktop machines, but the Chromebook will be loved and used well.

For aNewDomain, I’m Larry Press.

Based in Los Angeles, Larry Press is a founding senior editor covering tech here at aNewDomain.net. He’s also a professor of information systems at California State University at Dominguez Hills. Check his Google+ profile — he’s at +Larry Press — or email him at Larry@aNewDomain.net.