Could anyone use a Chromebook?

gmiller1977 · May 04, 2021, 10:56:49 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm doing my routine cleanup of quality hardware that is no longer being used. My wife has an older Samsung Chromebook 2, it would be perfect for a student, or perhaps a parent who just wants to get on the internet to do work, or browse the web, etc. I've attached an image of what it looks like (not the actual unit).

The device is no longer officially supported, and stopped receiving updates at Chrome OS 75.XXX

It is in fantastic shape, has a working/strong battery, built in webcam and even includes a SNAZZY *PINK* (like everything else my wife has LOL) clamshell case (don't worry it's removable). It won't win any benchmarks, but it is still a useable device.

Free to a good home.

No pets, no smoking/vaping, covid, ebola, etc. in our house.

Let me know if any of you know of someone who could use a simple device like this.

Jason · May 04, 2021, 11:05:31 AM

I think I already received a Fire tablet from you but... I'm wondering what specs this has? I know someone who might be able to use it. Is it okay for browsing and maybe light word processor usage?

gmiller1977 · May 04, 2021, 11:49:03 AM

Quote from: Jason on May 04, 2021, 11:05:31 AM
I think I already received a Fire tablet from you but... I'm wondering what specs this has? I know someone who might be able to use it. Is it okay for browsing and maybe light word processor usage?

Hi Jason,

It's got an Exynos processor (a Samsung 32-bit ARM CPU) and 2GB of RAM. I think it has 16GB of local storage. It's a Chromebook so it's heavily tied to Google services like Chrome, Drive, Meet, etc. As a device which can access Google Drive (Docs, Sheets and Slides) it's more than adequate for that and it does web browsing just fine too! As long as the user has a free GMail account, they will be good to go!

Jason · May 04, 2021, 08:03:21 PM

Just out of curiosity, what size is the screen? And I don't suppose it has external VGA or HDMI? I'm going to be fixing a friend's computer, or at least trying to. If it doesn't work, this might work for her. I don't know if there are Windows programs she needs. I'll get back to you on this but in the meantime if anyone else happens to be interested, let them have it.

gmiller1977 · May 05, 2021, 05:11:40 PM

Hi Jason, I think it's 11.6".

There is an HDMI connector on it as well.

Jason · May 14, 2021, 09:27:51 PM

Hey, if you still have it, I'd love to get that Chromebook from you. My friend is probably going to need it until she can afford a new PC. Hers is really acting up. I might be able to fix it still but it doesn't look good. If she ends up not needing it, I can give it to somebody else that needs something for browsing the web. I tend to knew a few people. Or I can give it back to you to pass on.

William · May 15, 2021, 02:21:22 PM

Talking about Chromebook, I have HP Chromebook 11 G3 without battery. Both original and replacement battery died, so I removed the battery. If anyone wants it for free, I can bring it to our future meeting or BBQ (hint!).

Jason · May 15, 2021, 05:37:40 PM

Cool, William. I'm guessing the battery probably costs close to the price of the Chromebook? Even it can be plugged in, I'm sure somebody might be able to use it. I see if anybody I know could use one that doesn't have a PC (or a notebook, obviously).

And yeah, would like to do that bbq soon. I'm thinking at this point that most, if not all, of us have gotten their first shot. I'd still socially distance but I'd have to get a car ride with someone (in the backseat) who may not want to take that risk. You should set a date gmiller and then do a post and see who can make it.

gmiller1977 · May 15, 2021, 06:38:28 PM

Quote from: Jason on May 14, 2021, 09:27:51 PM
Hey, if you still have it, I'd love to get that Chromebook from you. My friend is probably going to need it until she can afford a new PC. Hers is really acting up. I might be able to fix it still but it doesn't look good. If she ends up not needing it, I can give it to somebody else that needs something for browsing the web. I tend to knew a few people. Or I can give it back to you to pass on.

Hi Jason, no problemo! I am up north right now, but will be back over the long weekend (I think). I can arrange to drop it off to you then if you like.

gmiller1977 · May 15, 2021, 06:51:12 PM

Quote from: Jason on May 15, 2021, 05:37:40 PM
Cool, William. I'm guessing the battery probably costs close to the price of the Chromebook? Even it can be plugged in, I'm sure somebody might be able to use it. I see if anybody I know could use one that doesn't have a PC (or a notebook, obviously).

And yeah, would like to do that bbq soon. I'm thinking at this point that most, if not all, of us have gotten their first shot. I'd still socially distance but I'd have to get a car ride with someone (in the backseat) who may not want to take that risk. You should set a date gmiller and then do a post and see who can make it.

I think a BBQ sounds great, and I think we need to be supportive of anyone who wants to socially distance, etc. Whatever makes everyone feel comfortable. Food, friends and chat. That's what we need now. We're not pariahs.

I'm open to whenever. I've got a little portable coleman grill that I can bring to the cause, a couple of folding lawn chairs, and a cooler for beverages/food. I've got a private butcher that does all my beef, chicken, turkey and lamb (all from Ontario). I can make some awesome burgers, or do up some souvlaki, or do up some lamb, or do it all! Whatever! I'm game.

When are people available? Jason, maybe you could start a poll to get everyone on the same page? Perhaps 2 polls, one for location, and one for dates? I'm ok to drive to Peterborough and I'm happy to pick someone up to get them there.

Jason · May 15, 2021, 06:52:59 PM

Quote from: gmiller1977 on May 15, 2021, 06:38:28 PM
Hi Jason, no problemo! I am up north right now, but will be back over the long weekend (I think). I can arrange to drop it off to you then if you like.

That'd be great. Not sure if it'd fit in the mailbox so you could just hang it on my doorknob (#3, down the stores). I think you did that before. Some people might think because there's so many apartments here it must be a bad neighbourhood but I've never had anything stolen.

Jason · May 15, 2021, 07:01:04 PM

Quote from: gmiller1977 on May 15, 2021, 06:51:12 PM
When are people available? Jason, maybe you could start a poll to get everyone on the same page? Perhaps 2 polls, one for location, and one for dates? I'm ok to drive to Peterborough and I'm happy to pick someone up to get them there.

Here's a better way of setting up a poll for scheduling events/meetings. It's like a calendar, you suggests dates/times and members go and vote via a URL you give them. Then you get an ongoing tally and a final tally if you set a deadline to vote. They don't need to be registered to vote I don't think. Then you can PM me the URL and I'll send it to our email list.

https://doodle.com/en/

They don't look like they have a free option but they do. But if new members aren't free or they force the trial on you, let me know. I have an account that does it. I'll just need you to give me a selection of dates/times.

gmiller1977 · May 15, 2021, 07:09:53 PM

Quote from: Jason on May 15, 2021, 06:52:59 PM
That'd be great. Not sure if it'd fit in the mailbox so you could just hang it on my doorknob (#3, down the stores). I think you did that before. Some people might think because there's so many apartments here it must be a bad neighbourhood but I've never had anything stolen.

Yup, I dropped off the Fire tablet for you. I can hang it on the door the next time I'm in town. I'll give you a heads up before I do.

Most people are good, they don't steal.

gmiller1977 · May 15, 2021, 07:13:05 PM

Quote from: Jason on May 15, 2021, 07:01:04 PM
Here's a better way of setting up a poll for scheduling events/meetings. It's like a calendar, you suggests dates/times and members go and vote via a URL you give them. Then you get an ongoing tally and a final tally if you set a deadline to vote. They don't need to be registered to vote I don't think. Then you can PM me the URL and I'll send it to our email list.

https://doodle.com/en/

They don't look like they have a free option but they do. But if new members aren't free or they force the trial on you, let me know. I have an account that does it. I'll just need you to give me a selection of dates/times.

Ok, but, couldn't we do a poll like you did on Distros? That seemed pretty painless to me.

Jason · May 15, 2021, 09:20:57 PM

Quote from: gmiller1977 on May 15, 2021, 07:13:05 PM
Ok, but, couldn't we do a poll as you did on Distros? That seemed pretty painless to me.

Actually, I realized I described Doodle incorrectly. You can pick a week and everyone choose their availability (including you). It's as easy as clicking and dragging on boxes to show availability. But if you want to do a poll here, that's cool. You should be able to set it up with a selection of dates and times and create it. It'd be easier with one poll which dates combined with times as choices like "Thursday at 6 pm" or "Thursday afternoon, etc, but it's up to you. Probably be easier if you put it up. Creating a poll is really easy. If you don't have permission (i.e. the button isn't there), let me know and I'll fix it.