Discussion on:

Three things Chromebooks need to fix to win buyers

Link to original post:
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/hiner/three-things-chromebooks-need-to-fix-to-win-buyers/8812

your reputation as an alleged 'Google fanboy'.

...make them as useful as a laptop!

The chromebook I have tested had no USB ports. This would seem to me to be critical to most users.

and anybody that thinks that purchasing a Chromebook is a good idea, is a fool.

Take that money and invest it in something that is really useful, like a notebook PC that can do everything Chromebooks will do, and a whole lot more. At the end of the day, most consumers will still have money left over to invest in useful software to complement that laptop/notebook.

Remove the Chrome OS. It will fail.

This is really the number one problem. And, like others have implied, the simple fix is to buy a notebook, or a netbook, and forget that the Chromebook scam ever existed. The fact that these toys cost as much or more than notebooks and way more than some netbooks, and that some people have paid that price, blows my mind.

... the Chromebook is what we used to call a "Dumb Terminal". If the terminal wasn't connected to the mainframe, it was effectively a paperweight. If the Chromebook isn't connected to the Web, it is only useful as a doorstop... maybe... if the door isn't too big or heavy.

Nah, a netbook with wi-fi is cheaper and more useful to me.

I think this article brings up the handicaps of Google Chromebooks. But I am not sure Google will fix a couple of them. It talks about offline access but this is what Google Chromebook is not about. Google talks about this. Chrome browser is what you get with Chromebooks. I don't see Google allowing Firefox to be on a Chromebook. Not even sure Mozilla would want that?
As for price, I am sure with the lack of sales the prices will fall as the Chromebooks fall in sales. I don't ever see business embracing this model of computing. Especially with Google.

The main value of ChromeOS is security. No malware or virus. The second value is no maintenance like defrag, backup or software updates. I want a small, fast ChromeBox desktop. It should be very inexpensive since it has no screen, keyboard or battery. I want to attach a 24" monitor and full size keyboard and mouse. I don't think I am alone I think it would sell millions of units.

The 'Internet only' appliance has crashed and burned in the market at least three times in the last dozen or so years

Somehow, some way, Google has fallen into the mistaken notion that Everyone is always on line 100 percent of the time. It's their own version of binocular vision.

And yet, I and a lot of other people will never ever even consider a device that has to be connected. Call us troglodytes, but I want to store my own files, I want to have my programs operating at all times. I don't even consider that they actually function.

Anyone can go to JoliCloud.com and download the Windows installer or the .iso and put what is basically a version of ChromeOS on almost any machine, including cheap netbooks - dual boot or vm or installed "inside" Windows. Cost is nothing. Lots of free software (apps). It's good for some people; it's not good for others. Try it and figure out who might benefit from the OS. Many people only use a computer for email, to surf the web for info and for entertainment. Many so-called "business" users only need email, google docs, search and, of course, entertainment.

I won't buy crippled hardware. Not at any price. This is a really lame idea.

The three "improvements" to Chromebook mentioned are correct...better browser support for non-standard Websites, off-line app use (coming for Google Apps), and lower price points. My Acer "Cromia" Chromebook should list for $298 and not $349 but early adopters always pay the price. To Jason's list I would add better local file management as it is feature poor and not that usable. I tried to install a USB wired Ethernet adapter and it didn't work, although the network setup for Chromebook seems to indicate it will support wired connections. I could add a USB mouse OK. Aside from that I like the screen clarity on the Acer Cromia and the battery life...approx. 6 hours. All-in-all not bad for a first cut at a new way to work the Web Google style. I'm looking forward to improvements from Google and an expanded list of Chromebook manufacturers.

I'd rather see Android on these netbooks than try to use Chrome OS. Personally, I'd prefer a regular Linux distribution on this form factor, but I think Android would be preferable to Chrome OS. I think Windows would be preferable. I'm no Windows fan (or Android fan, really; it's just not as bad as most of the alternatives on smart phones), but at least Windows lets me work offline and store files where I want them. It might bog this hardware down a bit, though. If it would bog it down, then that only serves to underscore how little you're getting for your money.

http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-12691-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=71841&messageID=1388017&tag=content;col1

No student in their right mind, if they ever want to profit from their own intellectual capability, should be using Google's products. Google is far more able to capitalize on anything that crosses their path, and when you agree to their TOS, you're giving them a right to take a royalty-free copy. What is your original copyright worth if you grant them carte blanche and they take your idea and use it long before you can?

Another obstacle to adoption of Chromebooks by business is the requirement to access Windows and Enterprise applications. One way to overcome this is to use Chromebooks with Ericom AccessNow, a pure HTML5 RDP client that enables Chromebook users to connect to any RDP host, including Terminal Server (RDS Session Host), physical desktops or VDI virtual desktops ??? and run their applications and desktops in a browser.

Ericom???s AccessNow does not require Java, Flash, Silverlight, ActiveX, or any other underlying technology to be installed on end-user devices ??? an HTML5 browser is all that is required.

For more info, and to download a demo, visit:
http://www.ericom.com/html5_rdp_client.asp?URL_ID=708

The Citrix Receiver for Chrome OS will allow the Chromebook to run legacy Windows apps installed on Terminal Servers. This was announced by Citrix in May but haven't seen any news that it is available yet.

Why would I use chromebook when I canjust easily create a bootable usb for any linux distro and carry it around to use anywhere. I can surf web, be productive and save my files on the usb stick.?

The most important change that needs to be made, is rip out the Google Chrome junkware. This is just a thin client and completely worthless without network access. In addition all of the Google "software" is about as useless as the Google "maps", which is to say the chromebooks would function well as paperweights.