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I am working exclusively from a Chromebook -- here's how and why

Publié: mai 24, 2014, 4:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Despite that I've owned an HP 11 Chromebook since its release, I've viewed it as little more than a novelty. I work from an office on the third floor of my home, which has a nice size desk, desktop PC and 15.6 inch laptop, both running Windows 8.1.

However, as the weather warms (finally!) I considered making the move out to my porch, something I did last summer as well. In that case I lugged the Windows laptop with me, not a difficult task, but the size is really more than I need for carrying around.

This time around I elected to give the HP 11 a shot, as it's light and easy to carry around. The only question was "how will I do my job?"

The Apps I Needed

I already use Chrome on my computers, so the browser clearly wasn't an issue. I prefer it for many reasons, not least of which are the extensions and the ability to sync everything. As a backup, I also do periodic saves to Tab Cloud, which works with both Chrome and Firefox.

The biggest stumbling block was the fact that I write from Word, but Microsoft recently solved this problem with the addition of a Word Online app for Chrome, though granted I could have used Google Docs as well -- a less familiar platform, but not a bad one.

The other issue is image editing, for which there are multiple solutions, both in the Chrome Web Store, as well as in the form of web apps. To solve this, I settled on Pixlr, a great free photo editing app that makes it easy to grab screenshots and edit photos.

The Hardware

The HP 11 has little in the way of local storage, but it honestly doesn't need it. The 16 GB SSD is sufficient, as almost nothing is stored locally. The Word Online app stores documents to OneDrive, while images are saved to Google Drive.

The keyboard is a bit small, as should be expected with an 11 inch notebook, but you can easily adapt to it in a day or two of use. Dedicated keys allow for easy control of screen brightness and volume, among other things.

There are also two USB ports and Bluetooth capability, allowing me to easily use a wireless mouse, as I am less than fond of touchpads, though this works as well as any I have used.

The knocks

As I stated, coming from a full-size keyboard to this does require a bit of adapting -- there was a period of a couple of days where I found myself inadvertently hitting wrong keys because things are closer together and laid out a bit differently.

I also have occasional need for Photoshop, in which case I am forced to run up to my office, but this doesn't occur often enough to be an issue. Perhaps I will explore Photoshop online at some point, but for now, it is fine.

Battery life is claimed to be up to six hours, but this is something I have not seen. An outlet on my porch makes it a non-issue, but if I were on the road then it could become a factor.

Conclusion

Will I go back to my office when cooler weather sets in later this year? Perhaps I will, it's too soon to say and, after this past winter, it is also something that I wish to not think of for now.

Working from this laptop has become habit now, and I am seeing less need for the bigger, more full featured Windows machines that reside up in that office. Yes, using a Chromebook can be productive and easy. It just requires a bit of trial and error and adaptation.
The most popular stories on BetaNews this past week: May 18 -- May 24

Publié: mai 24, 2014, 3:14pm CEST par Mark Wilson

It should come as no surprise that this week's big news was Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 unveiling. Brian had been looking forward to the NYC event and was at the event to get hands on with the new device. There's certainly a lot to love about Microsoft's third generation tablet, but there is that price to consider. If you like the look of what you see, the device is available for pre-order right now -- and if you're undecided between the Surface and a MacBook Air, Mihaita compared the two. Maybe you're one of those who thinks it’s a niche product.

The Surface Mini failed to make an appearance, but there are still lots of other tablets to choose from -- although they are yet to make much of an impression in higher education, unlike Chromebooks which have found their way into Welsh schools. Will Microsoft's tablet manage to attain the longevity of Apple's iPad? You'd be forgiven for thinking that hell itself had frozen over at the news that work is underway that will make it possible to run Android and iOS apps side by side on the same device.

Could Google kill off the Nexus brand as well as Google+ as well? Joe is among those who think it would be a bad idea. Following last week's "right to be forgotten" ruling, Google prepared an online tool to deal with requests and also managed to earn itself a 100 percent rating for protecting user data. Another 100 percent rating could be assigned to Norton after the company offered a guarantee that all viruses will be removed from the systems of Norton Small Business customers.

But of course there was plenty more going on as well. China upset Microsoft by slapping a ban on the use of Windows 8 on government PCs while German gamers were able to get their hands on Wolfenstein for the first time -- albeit a version free from Nazis. More censorship was to be found in the App Store where a marijuana growing game was shown the door. On the review front, I took a look at a touchscreen monitor that failed to win me over, and Brian played around with a PC with a difference.

The latest security problem found eBay telling it's user to reset their passwords after a database breach and it wasn't long before the company came under fire for the way things were handled. Security issues were found in the Outlook.com Android app which left emails and attachments easily accessible in unencrypted form. Online, Microsoft expanded its 22tracks music site, and Any.DO finally gained a web app.

Another week under our belts, here's to a restful weekend in preparation for another busy seven days.
HTC wants One M8 users to get in shape -- partners with Fitbit and AT&T

Publié: mai 24, 2014, 3:37am CEST par Brian Fagioli

Not all nerds are fat, but a good amount of us are. It's no surprise that sitting on our butts staring at a computer screen while drinking Mountain Dew and eating Doritos can pack on the pounds.

While technology has taken many a computer nerd down the path of poor health, it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, technology can actually be good for you. Case in point, fitness wearables like the ones from Fitbit can help you gain control of your life by tracking your activity. Today, HTC, AT&T and Fitbit are launching a promotion that will save you $50 when buying an HTC One M8 and a Fitbit fitness tracker.

"AT&T customers can save $50 on a Fitbit One or Fitbit Flex with the purchase of a HTC One (M8). In addition to this offer being available exclusively to AT&T customers, AT&T is the only U.S. carrier with the Fitbit app pre-loaded on HTC One (M8). Fitbit achievements are integrated directly into the experiences of the HTC One (M8) with results displayed in HTC BlinkFeed and the Fitbit dashboard, which makes it quick and easy to check progress", says the companies.

The companies further explain, "whether you're trying to watch what you eat, learn more about how your sleep cycle affects your activity the next day, or see how many calories you burned during your morning jog, this package deal of the HTC One M8 and Fitbit devices make it easy and affordable to stay on track of your fitness goals and make sure you're ready for summer".

The HTC One M8 is a phenomenal device on its own and I highly recommend it. So, if you need a new smartphone and want to get sexy for the summer, this is a great deal. Best of all, the promotion is live now. Who knows, you may soon be able to wear that speedo or bikini at the beach.

Image Credit: Africa Studio / Shutterstock
Tips and tricks for looking after your PC

Publié: mai 24, 2014, 1:17am CEST par Darren Allan

A PC is a major expense -- even a cheaper one is a few hundred dollars, and if you want, it's possible to spend thousands on a machine. The good news is that these days, PCs are lasting longer than ever. Whereas in the past, your machine might have been feeling outdated within a few years, these days a good PC can last for ages before the hardware inside starts to be underpowered. That said, the longevity of your machine does of course depend on how well you look after it. A poorly cared for machine can easily end up coming to a premature end. So with that in mind, we're going to look at how to care for your PC and ensure that it lasts for all those years of computing it should do.

To begin with, we're going to discuss issues you should consider from a longevity perspective before you buy a PC -- in case you're mulling a purchase in the near future, there are some important points to bear in mind.

Firstly, the power supply (or PSU) is a critical component of your machine -- but one that is often overlooked by many. We often talk about a CPU 'driving' or 'powering' your machine, but of course, what's really supplying the power -- to every single component on board -- is the PSU. Do not scrimp here and buy the cheapest bog standard power supply you can -- because these bargain basement PSUs are often unreliable. They stand a much greater chance of flaking out than a quality PSU -- and if a power supply does go kaput, it can also potentially fry your motherboard, and maybe even other components. Which is why if you want to have the best chance of a long lasting machine -- do not skimp on the PSU. Don't let your power supply be a disaster waiting to happen.

Stock systems from big PC vendors may not let you customize the PSU, of course -- but at least look into the model on board. And if you have a choice, spend the money. Get a quality brand such as Corsair, XFX, Antec or Seasonic. Steer clear of the likes of SuperPower Watt Monster 1000 and its dodgy sounding ilk. (Note that if you already own a PC with a no-brand iffy sounding PSU, remember you can always upgrade it).

Also, if you're building or customizing your own system, ensure that the PSU will be able to cover your PC's needs in terms of wattage -- use a power supply calculator to check (here's Coolermaster's effort). And leave plenty of headroom; make sure you exceed the recommendations comfortably.

Speaking of Coolermaster, be mindful when it comes to picking a case, too. Don't buy a $50 tin box with no ventilation whatsoever if you can possibly help it -- heat problems are another big enemy in terms of a PC's longevity. If your components are constantly running hot, they won't last nearly as long.

Power is also an issue when it comes to things like power cuts or storms, which can cause voltage spikes that could damage your machine. As insurance against this, you should invest in a surge protector plug or power strip (be wary of cheap ones that call themselves surge protected, but actually aren't). Some folks even invest in a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) but obviously that's a more expensive option.

Maintenance is another important point to consider when it comes to making your PC last. You've probably noticed that even after just a few months, a new PC will already have begun to gather a thin layer of dust on its internal components. After some time, this can build into small dust bunnies -- and eventually perhaps dust hippos -- that smother your boards, clog fans, and bring on the prospect of heat failure, and again a potentially premature death for components (not to mention possible lock-ups for your machine).

You need to regularly clean the insides of your PC to keep it dust free, once every few months -- otherwise it might end up looking like the above machine. Use canned air (switch off and unplug your PC first, of course) to clean dust out from vents, the inside of the case, and components. Be careful with fans, though -- forcing them to spin by blasting them with air can damage them, so hold the fan in place so it doesn't move while being cleaned. It's also worth getting a cover for your PC to keep dust from accumulating when you're not using it.

Another consideration, heat-wise, is where your PC lives. Don't position it so that vents are blocked against the side of a desk or other obstruction -- make sure all vents are clear. Try to avoid placing it directly on a carpet (it's likely that there are vents on the bottom of your machine, too, and being sat on a carpet won't help on the dust front, either; or in terms of potential static electricity dangers). And don't place your PC where it's in the sun or, God forbid, next to a radiator or other heat source. A cool running PC will be a long running PC.

Incidentally, if you have the PC on your desk, be wary of keeping drinks near it (or on it) in case you spill them.

An SSD upgrade from a traditional hard drive is also worth mulling over. While the data on relative reliability is a little muddy depending on who you listen to, a Computerworld article from late last year observed SSD failure rates under warranty to be 1.5 percent, with traditional spinning hard disks at 5 percent.

Aside from physical considerations, it also helps to keep your OS clean to ensure your PC doesn't clog up over time on the software front. Make sure you defrag your hard disk reasonably regularly (Windows 8 does this for you, if you're on the latest version of Microsoft's OS), and use disk cleaning utilities (Windows has these, and indeed CCleaner is a neat little program in this respect). Make sure you uninstall software you aren't using any longer, as well. If your hard drive is running very short on space, your machine will certainly start running like a dog. For more detail on OS maintenance, see: How to perform a DIY tune up of your PC.

With just a little bit of luck -- because that always plays a part in component failure, too -- a well-cared for machine will easily last for five years of trouble-free running, and quite possibly much longer.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

Image Credit: Zerologic (Neowin.net)