Saturday, September 21, 2013

HP Chromebook Review and a Norton Anti-Virus Giveaway


Disclosure: Staples provided me with this HP Chromebook, as well as the Norton Anti-virus software for the giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. To see their full line of laptops and tablets, as well as anti-virus software, visit Staples.com.

A few weeks ago I received an email asking me if I would be interested in reviewing the HP Chromebook for Staples. I couldn't believe my eyes. I thought this has got to be one of the most exciting products that I have ever received to review! I shared the news with my husband and he was thrilled because while I own a laptop, he has recently decided that he would like his own. Just about every night he has used our new Chromebook and he loves it! My boys also love it as well!

I have to be honest, I had never heard about a Chromebook until I was asked to write a review. So I looked on Staples' website to learn more about it. Here are the product details from their website:

The HP Pavilion Chromebook gives you fast and easy access to the things you love and depend on, from a world of Google apps and services to your photos and social networks. And since it's the first Chromebook with a 14-inch diagonal design, you get full-size comfort without giving up full-on mobility.
  • Intel Celeron Processor 847 (1.1GHz)
  • 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (1 DIMM) memory
  • 14.0-inch diagonal HD BrightView LED-backlit display (1366 x 768)
  • 16 GB solid-state drive
  • 802.11a/b/g/n  WLAN; Bluetooth
  • Altec Lansing dual speakers
  • Multi-Format Digital Media Card Reader for Secure Digital cards & Multimedia cards
  • Touchpad supporting multi-touch gestures with on/off button
  • Dimensions 0.81 in (min H)/0.83 (max H) x 13.66 in (W) x 9.37 (D) (3.96 lbs)
  • HP TrueVision HD Webcam with integrated digital microphone
  • Chrome OS Operating System
  • 1 year warranty

My thoughts: I was so excited when it arrived in the mail. Of course I immediately had to take it out of the box. One of the first things I noticed is how lightweight it felt as it is only 3.86 pounds. Since there is always something happening after school, I did not try to turn on the Chromebook because I thought it might take a while to get it set up. Boy was I wrong! Later that evening when I set up our Chromebook I was surprised at how easy and quick it was. It literally only took me a few minutes.

One thing that I want to point out is that a Chromebook is a laptop that basically depends on the internet. It runs on Chrome OS as its operating system. At first I thought I'm not sure how I would use it other than to search on the internet, but as I explored the Chromebook,  I realized that you can use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides which are very similar to Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. These documents are saved in your Google Drive account, which is nice since you will be able to have access to these documents on any computer with an internet connection.

Screenshot of the Desktop

Apps

Here are my pros for the HP Chromebook:
  • It is lightweight and easy to transport.
  • I love using Google Chrome as my browser.
  • I love how clean the desktop stays as there are only a few icons located at the bottom of the screen.
  • The apps-You are able to save apps to your desktop that show up as thumbnails on the bottom of the screen. Although I could probably just bookmark Facebook, Blogger, Pinterest, and Amazon, I find it easier and quicker to keep them as apps. As I browsed for different apps for my Chromebook, I was amazed at how many there were. I found two great ones that my oldest son is going to love-a planetarium and the 3D solar system. I also found a few game apps for my own enjoyment.
  • You receive a free 2-year 100 GB storage with Google Drive.
  • You can work on some apps offline.
  • Affordable ($299)
  • No anti-virus software is needed.
  • HD webcam
Here are my cons for the HP Chromebook:
  • For the most part, you need to be connected to the internet.
  • You can not use Microsoft Word.
  • In order to print, you have to use Google Cloud Print.
My family currently owns a desktop, laptop, and now the HP Chromebook. While I am not sure that I would always want to use the Chromebook since I like using Word over Google Docs, it is perfect for my husband who wanted his own laptop. For the most part, he uses a computer to search the web-so the Chromebook meets that need. My boys also love playing online games, so since we have the extra laptop they are able to get on more often. For our family's needs, I think that the HP Chromebook is a perfect addition to our other computers!


Win it: Staples has offered to giveaway Norton Anti-virus 2013 for Windows/Mac to one lucky reader. Just enter below....

60 comments:

  1. I would like to get my daughter the Staples Washable Glue Sticks, Clear, .26 oz., 18/Pack

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Notebooks and pens

    cathycasper@hughes.net

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like to buy printer ink at Staples.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like to buy my daughter's school supplies like 5 subject notebooks, binders, markers, mechanical pencils.

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have been wanting to Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera w/ EF-18 135MM IS Lens Kit try

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  6. I'd like to buy the Norton anti-virus at Staples if I don't win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  7. Well you've definitely got me interested in the HP Chromebook. I'd love to have it!

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  8. notebooks and pencils and pens

    freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I buy printer ink Rosanne rosans4@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like to buy printer ink at Staples. Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
    Reneewalters3 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. would love to but plain paper for printing

    ReplyDelete
  12. I buy printer ink along with school supplies

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  13. I actually really need to go to Staples and buy another office chair. They always have great ones!

    hanner.da.nanner at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. printer ink and organizing supplies

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  15. printer ink and organizers

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  16. I love Norton! Thank you for this giveaway opportunity!

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  17. I like to buy school supplies there.

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  18. i like to buy my ink cartridges there and also the staple binders they are very durable

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  19. I love the planner/agendas they sell at Staples.

    Desiree Dunbar
    desireedunbar@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like their storage boxes and the Duracell battery deals

    ReplyDelete
  21. I like to buy printer paper/ink, pens and my son's school supplies at Staples.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thats where I get all my copy paper and ink.

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  23. I need ink and paper for my printer

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  24. I like to get school supplies there

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  25. We buy a lot of ink and notebooks at Staples! It's also where we go when someone needs a graphing calculator or we are looking for a new computer! Thanks!

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  26. I would love to buy a new laptop!

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  27. I actually love to buy pens and pencils!

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  28. I buy all of my printer ink at Staples.

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  29. i like to buy printer paper

    misterjim74 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Binders--they have tons of different sizes! Love Staples:)

    lyndefoy at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I buy all my kids back to school supplies at Staples.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I like to buy my printer cartridges.

    safety_chick@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would buy some printer paper and ink for the office at work.
    Brittney House

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would like to buy a new printer as mine is so old.
    Laurie Emerson
    lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I like to hit their back to school specials! I got great deals on pencils and paper this year!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I like to buy school supplies like notebooks and such

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  37. I like to buy my printer ink and cd-r disks at staples

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  38. I buy all my studio's office needs at Staples. Folders, stickers, paper, ink... pretty much everything. haha!

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  39. I always grab my ink at Staples and then walk around - never leave with just the ink - LOL

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  40. I always buy my photo paper at Staples.

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  41. my husband need one

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  42. I like the sticky notes

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  43. I love buying pens and notebooks at staples.

    tridingermckee at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I like to buy ink and paper for my printer at Staples.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks for the giveaway…we buy all our paper & toner at Staples !
    Rafflecopter: Bryan E.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Chromebooks seem to be good for anyone who basically has a need for connecting to the Internet. It's not a full blown work laptop. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete

 
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