Droid Life

Poll: Will You Buy a Chromebook Once They Get Android Apps?

Written by

Kellen

in

,

Google’s big day 2 announcement at Google I/O centered around the Google Play store and Android apps making their way onto Chromebooks. I followed up that news by writing up a bunch (probably too many) of words on why I think this is a major game-changer and potentially puts the final nail in the Android tablet coffin.

In the early days, we talked about Chromebooks not being powerful enough and lacking the utilities many of us needed to get by on most days. With Android apps, that could (and should) all change, since Google Play includes an app for just about every single one of our favorite PC services.

Obviously, I think this is a huge deal and will take a great deal of time to test out the new functionality once it arrives, but I’m curious to know what the majority of you are thinking now. Are Android apps on Chromebooks enough to get you to buy one? If not, why?

[poll id=”407″]

Comments

116 responses to “Poll: Will You Buy a Chromebook Once They Get Android Apps?”

  1. mvilcis Avatar
    mvilcis

    I need ONE feature: the ability to use a PIN or short password of some sort. Good passwords are long and I don’t want to have to enter like a 30-100 character password every time I lock my computer or something stupid like that.

    1. blarz Avatar
      blarz

      Have you tried setting up Smart (un)Lock with your Android Phone?

      https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/6070209?hl=en

      1. mvilcis Avatar
        mvilcis

        I mean, yeah, that’s kind of a solution but this means I need to have my phone with me at all times. Another downside is that I don’t own a Nexus, not yet at least, so I don’t even have a screen lock.

        But thanks anyways, this makes the Chromebook a much, MUCH more viable product for me! 🙂

  2. Raven Avatar
    Raven

    Nope. I will never buy a ChromeBook with an attached keyboard. I would, however, buy a ChromeTab with an optional attachable keyboard (i.e. a Transformer).

    1. hkklife Avatar
      hkklife

      I’d NEVER buy a ChromeBook at any price with an attached keyboard. There’s no replacing the versatility and power of a Wintel laptop/ultrabook/2-in-1 if you are going to lug around all of “that”.

      However, I’d at least CONSIDER a ChromeTab if someone made something with at least a 10″ screen and specs roughly equivalent to the Pixel C but a more reasonable pricetag.

      In all honesty, the only appeal of a Chome-anything is the guaranteed updates and no fragmentation or OEM bloatware.

  3. Howard Stern ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ Avatar
    Howard Stern ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ

    own a Chromebook now, cannot wait to get the upgrade!

  4. Matthew Dickinson Avatar
    Matthew Dickinson

    For work, I have apps that require Windows. Yes the idea of having apps is appealing, and if I didn’t have my other requirements, then Chromebooks did get more appealing.

  5. abazigal Avatar
    abazigal

    What’s the point? android apps aren’t optimised for tablets. What makes you think they will look right on a laptop?

    1. person Avatar
      person

      Windowing. Apps are stretched on a tablet but can be used in their native format in a window. Plus, they seem to be making an effort to spur tablet/large device development and Android N adds more robust mouse support.

  6. Defenestratus Avatar
    Defenestratus

    Nah. I’ll get a pixel C instead.

  7. Angelafpatino Avatar
    Angelafpatino

    “my room mate Mary Is getting paid on the internet $98/hr”…..!kj109ytwo days ago grey MacLaren. P1 I bought after earning 18,512 Dollars..it was my previous month’s payout..just a little over.17k Dollars Last month..3-5 hours job a day…with weekly payouts..it’s realy the simplest. job I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months. ago. and now making over hourly. 87 Dollars…Learn. More right Here !kj109y:➽:➽:.➽.➽.➽.➽ http://GlobalSuperJobsReportsEmploymentsPriceGetPay-Hour$98…. .★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★::::::!kj109y….,……..

  8. kirko77 Avatar
    kirko77

    I can only say “maybe” because I don’t need any laptop at the moment and can’t see any need in the near future. But if I was looking, I’d absolutely consider it now that Android apps are compatible.

  9. William_Morris Avatar
    William_Morris

    Where’s the choice for “I already own a Chromebook that will be getting the apps”?

  10. chris debacker Avatar
    chris debacker

    the day a chromebook gets at least 500 gb of internal storage like my laptop then i may consider getting one. but as of right now it is nothing more than a tablet with a built in keyboard

  11. Orlando Sablon III Avatar
    Orlando Sablon III

    Can someone explain to me, what the difference between a Chromebook and Android tablet? I mean by benefits like running flash or something…I just don’t understand what’s the benefit to an Android tablet…

    1. kirko77 Avatar
      kirko77

      You have full keyboard and a normal (actually right up there with Apple quality) mouse. Also USB ports.
      I can’t imagine myself working on a tablet but work every day on a laptop with external monitor. I bet it’s possible now with USB -C

  12. moh Avatar
    moh
  13. thatgeekdad Avatar
    thatgeekdad

    The next pixel c if the specs are high end enough but the pp is below $600

  14. Heritage80 Avatar
    Heritage80

    Yes, I will definitely try one the day Chrome OS becomes as powerful as Windows or even Mac OS.

  15. Mr-Glass Avatar
    Mr-Glass

    Picked up a fairly decent Lenovo Yoga 11e Thinkpad from their outlet for one of my parents friends — just for Basic Gmail and surfing — quality IPS screen with touch from the Outlet under $150 — liked it so much I grabbed one.. Icing on the cake for me especially since I grabbed the touch.. looking forward to the Android apps

  16. karpodiem Avatar
    karpodiem

    Google should open source Chrome OS. The only thing that’s making them money is services, right? Being able to dual boot a laptop with Chrome OS would be neat. Let the community write the drivers.

    1. person Avatar
      person

      ChromiumOS is open source. The proprietary Google parts aren’t.

  17. BPMΩ Avatar
    BPMΩ

    Nah. I can already run Android apps on Windows, so… I’m good.

  18. Tanuj Chokshi Avatar
    Tanuj Chokshi

    If they make a new pixel c that’s basically a chromebook/android surfacebook clone then yeah

  19. Bionic_Pags Avatar
    Bionic_Pags

    i have been loyal to android for my phone and at one time, tablet since the OG Droid… that being said i needed something more powerful and versatile for work and play… I don’t think the Chromebook would be able to handle duties for both… Such as docking to two monitors, remote desktop, and still include the extreme portability… For that i had to turn to the Surface Pro 4 and i am very happy with it… i do at times miss some of the “google-ness” but for that i basically installed every google app possible which seems to fill the void… I also never activated Cortana or OneDrive… So unfortunately no, i do not think i will see myself buying a Chromebook… but i do think it is a great product none the less and including Android apps will only improve the experience..

  20. Namey Jones Avatar
    Namey Jones

    I almost wish ChromeOS wasn’t a thing.

    There is so much work being done folding Android junk into ChromeOS, and I don’t even care.

    What I really want is desktop Android, Jide Remix OS style.

    Google could Beat Microsoft to the punch with a Continuum style experience, or sell me a modernized high def Lapdock.

    Android could become a MS beating OS, except at every turn, more garnish is dumped on ChromeOS instead.

    Don’t just staple bits of Android on top of ChromeOS. That only pleases Chromebook fanboys and didn’t really give me a reason to buy one.

  21. J.Lynn Avatar
    J.Lynn

    I already have a Chromebook, but mine will not be getting Google Play 🙁 It’s a few years old and starting to show it’s age (touchpad is starting to have issues, and the screen is starting to short out), so I will def be upgrading to a new Chromebook possibly later this year or after I/O next year

  22. JLV90 Avatar
    JLV90

    No I don’t use apps on windows I doubt I will use them on a chromebook

  23. Orlando Sablon III Avatar
    Orlando Sablon III

    Pixel C here…

  24. Fuze Ferret Avatar
    Fuze Ferret

    Where’s the answer for “already have one”?

  25. Brandon Avatar
    Brandon

    I have a Pixel C and if someone doesn’t make a ChromeOS ROM for it soon (its essentially a Chromebook that runs Android) and someone else releases a Chromebook with a detachable screen I may sell my Pixel for it. My friend has been saying that she wants to buy a Pixel and sell her laptop and get one of these instead and save $300 and she was sold.

  26. boogie_monster Avatar
    boogie_monster

    I’ll get an Android tablet once they get ChromeOS! …

  27. Alan Paone Avatar
    Alan Paone

    I’ve wanted a chromebook for awhile, even before they added Android apps, i like the software, but they’ve still somehow not released hardware that I like

  28. Jonathan Avatar
    Jonathan

    Poll needs an “already have one” option.

  29. Downshifting✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ Avatar
    Downshifting✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ

    It will have the Microsoft Office suite so yes if I were in the market I’d buy one

  30. patt Avatar
    patt

    Nope. Only chrome-item I own is a chromebox HP converted to OPEN-ELEC. Does the job well.

  31. Gussy2000 Avatar
    Gussy2000

    How about “maybe” as a choice.

  32. B Brad Avatar
    B Brad

    Hopefully running apps designed for phones with 2-4GB ram will mean that chomebooks finally start to include more ram. Seems insane that you have to buy a chromebook with a $400 CPU to get more than 8GB ram.

    1. Brandon Avatar
      Brandon

      Someone posted an HP Chromebook above that supports 16 GB RAM.

      1. B Brad Avatar
        B Brad

        Indeed, but to get it you have to blow $400 on an upgraded CPU. IMO more memory is WAY WAY more useful than the difference between and i3/i5 and an i7.

  33. ceruleanblue Avatar
    ceruleanblue

    I’m hoping for a Chromebook Pixel refresh in the Fall when Android N is finalized and released.

  34. mxwp Avatar
    mxwp

    What about the choice “Already have and love my Chromebook”?

  35. Alex Harvey Avatar
    Alex Harvey

    I hoping for one with a 2k screen and multiple USB c ports for a decent price.

  36. atc-tech Avatar
    atc-tech

    Where’s the option for, “already have one?” I guess the poll is only concerned with how this will drive sales?

  37. renGek Avatar
    renGek

    ChromeOS is still not compelling enough for me to ditch my laptop. While I still love my nexus devices and probably will use the 6p for several more years, after buying a surface book I have completely neglected my nexus 7. Though honestly, I barely used the n7 as is after getting the 6p. But right now in the present day ChromeOS isn’t enough for my work related activities so that’s already a deal breaker. There is still a lot of things I like to do on my laptop offline. Maybe in a few years but right now its not even close to meeting my needs.

    1. atc-tech Avatar
      atc-tech

      But once android apps are available, would that make a difference?

  38. bose301s Avatar
    bose301s

    I’m done with any tablet or laptop or combo device that isn’t a real PC, Surface Pro or equivalent all the way.

    1. LionStone Avatar
      LionStone

      My Nexus 7 ’13, is starting to lose it…it’s been great with all my travels but now that I’m not traveling as much I’ll donate it and my Acer13 and get the Dell XPS13. I like that I’ll be able to fold the touch display all the way back and use it as a tablet or undo it and have it be in laptop mode whenever I need to.

  39. Brandon Robbins Avatar
    Brandon Robbins

    Nope already have one that will support android apps.

    1. Aaron Avatar
      Aaron

      Can you use it offline? I remember when ChromeOS came out you had to be connected to even boot, right? Is it still that way now?

      1. Brandon Robbins Avatar
        Brandon Robbins

        Never had a problem signing into to either of my chromebooks offline.

      2. atc-tech Avatar
        atc-tech

        There is a lot you can do offline… It definitely doesn’t require you to be connected to log in, at least after initial set up. Is there anything specific you’re looking for?

        1. Aaron Avatar
          Aaron

          No nothing specific. I work offshore so sometimes no service. Still use my laptop to watch DVD rips and such.

          1. atc-tech Avatar
            atc-tech

            I’ve never had to use mine for an extended period of time with no connection, just a few hours at a time here and there. I’m not sure how it would work out for you in the offshore situation… I have never tried a DVD rip either. Sorry!!! I wish I could be more help. The most I’ve done is played a game and edited some documents while on some flights that didn’t have wifi.

          2. mxwp Avatar
            mxwp

            I use mine but am almost always online. But if you currently use your offline laptop to just watch downloaded videos you can do that on a Chromebook offline too, just need to store them on SD or USB though.

  40. Mordecaidrake Avatar
    Mordecaidrake

    I will especially if they come out with a Surface like device.

  41. middlehead Avatar
    middlehead

    Needs a Maybe option. I won’t just up and buy one, but whenever my tablet is done for I’ll at least consider a CB.

  42. Ross U Avatar
    Ross U

    I had the convertible R11, but after a week every day I would open it and it would think it was in tablet mode even though I had opened it like a regular laptop. I then had to restart it to be able to use the physical keyboard again. I was too afraid to buy another one and have it happen again soon after my purchase or right after the warranty expires. Went with the Toshiba Chromebook 2 2015 edition. It’s been working amazingly with no hiccups so far. Definitely glad I went with the 4gb ram for when the apps start to hit mine!

  43. cdm283813 Avatar
    cdm283813

    To tell you the truth I’ve always envisioned that our phones would just run in “Chrome mode” when connected via wire or wirelessly to a monitor/TV, keyboard and mouse. That would have the potential to dominate Windows on the home front for basic work.
    I even had the idea that when attached to a TV it would transform your phone into a gaming console or media playback device. The common denominator is that your phone is at the center of everything. Android would be unstoppable on so many fronts if that happened.

  44. Xious Avatar
    Xious

    They need to beef up the specs on the Chromebooks. My little phone has more memory than most of the CBs out there.

    1. Tyler Durden Avatar
      Tyler Durden

      Chromebooks could run using a potato and still be fast and fluid.

      1. Xious Avatar
        Xious

        And yet my phone with 3GB of memory lags after opening three apps. :-/

        1. OligarchyAmbulance Avatar
          OligarchyAmbulance

          Shouldn’t have bought a Samsung.

      2. wade_county Avatar
        wade_county

        Chromebooks with less than 2GB of RAM are pigs. Also, fanless CBs are slow as s#!t. Do some research.

        1. Tyler Durden Avatar
          Tyler Durden

          I work with them for a living. No issues.

  45. gabe1989 Avatar
    gabe1989

    i feel like the tablet was half measure between a phone and a pc. I now feel like the chromebook is just getting closer to a pc while incorporating the best parts of the phone. for your average person who does not do anything pc specific such as graphic design, music production, pc gaming, etc this is just an improved form factor. i do agree it will kill tablets but they should have never existed to begin with.

  46. Edward Smith Avatar
    Edward Smith

    I marked my answer as yes, but only if they start making Pixel quality hybrid Chromebooks.

    1. Brandon Avatar
      Brandon

      I seriously hope my Pixel C will switch over to ChromeOS at some point because it was originally meant to be a ChromeOS device (it has a ChromeOS code name and Chromebook hardware, it just runs Android) or I may have to sell it and eet one of these that does.

  47. Toneman Avatar
    Toneman

    Already have an Acer Chromebook 14.

  48. Good_Ole_Pinocchio Avatar
    Good_Ole_Pinocchio

    Nah. Just give me a decent 8 to 10 inch tablet with chrome OS.

  49. Tyler Durden Avatar
    Tyler Durden

    That new HP 13 with a QHD display for 599 looks legit. Might pick it up.

    1. TypoCorrecto Avatar
      TypoCorrecto

      Wow. I didn’t know that existed.

      1. Tyler Durden Avatar
        Tyler Durden

        Yea it’s pretty gorgeous https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4jTtt7GSxaLncRMCN1qYxWI9kYY=/0x0:3300×2200/1280×854/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49423177/chromebook13.0.0.jpg

        1. TypoCorrecto Avatar
          TypoCorrecto

          I was just checking it out on their site.
          http://store.hp.com/wcsstore/hpusstore/pdf/ChromeBook_13_G1_4AA6-4780ENUC.pdf

          HP seems to be doing big things again.

        2. OligarchyAmbulance Avatar
          OligarchyAmbulance

          It’s disappointing they went with emmc storage, and only one tier.

        3. Aaron Avatar
          Aaron

          Ooooooh!!! Want!

        4. Casey Avatar
          Casey

          I will NEVER buy another computing device that has the HP logo on it.

          1. David Avatar
            David

            It’s a nice looking machine, but I have had horrible experiences with HP products. I need to see their reliability improve before I give them any money.

    2. Fresh360 Avatar
      Fresh360

      THIS!!!! I was going to get this before the announcement of Google Play but now apps are just the icing on the cake.

    3. Robert Butler Avatar
      Robert Butler

      I plan to get that same one and hand my Toshiba Chromebook 2 off to the wifey

      1. Linda1414 Avatar
        Linda1414

        like Ray answered I cant believe that anyone able to get paid $9002 in a few weeks on the internet . you can look here http://clck.ru/9vGvY

      2. juanjeremy2012 Avatar
        juanjeremy2012

        The HP will be twice as slow as the Toshiba

    4. juanjeremy2012 Avatar
      juanjeremy2012

      Core m is for losers. Immavgit da new pixel 3

    5. juanjeremy2012 Avatar
      juanjeremy2012

      That s a pretty steep price

      1. Cai Avatar
        Cai

        If you buy the Pixel,thats pretty steep. Both Levovo and Asus have touch screen hybrids for $250, way less, and the Asus Flip will be among the first to get the apps!

        1. Lula Briggs Avatar
          Lula Briggs

          “my room mate Mary Is getting paid on the internet $98/hr”…..!kj92ytwo days ago grey MacLaren. P1 I bought after earning 18,512 Dollars..it was my previous month’s payout..just a little over.17k Dollars Last month..3-5 hours job a day…with weekly payouts..it’s realy the simplest. job I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months. ago. and now making over hourly. 87 Dollars…Learn. More right Here !kj92y:➽:➽:.➽.➽.➽.➽ http://GlobalSuperJobsReportsEmploymentsPermanentGetPay-Hour$98…. .★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★::::::!kj92y….,……

        2. juanjeremy2012 Avatar
          juanjeremy2012

          Well pixel is truly Gangnam. The HP thingies is core m

        3. JRomeo Avatar
          JRomeo

          Now if only the Asus flip allowed for a detachable screen, that would be the icing on the cake.

          1. David Avatar
            David

            I bought my wife an Asus Flip. It’s a really nice machine. I am seriously considering buying myself one. If this comes to fruition, that will be the decision maker.

          2. JRomeo Avatar
            JRomeo

            I say wait until the next generation of chromebooks, because I predict you might have buyer’s regret if you buy one now. the upcoming ones come preinstalled with the play store, and i predict we will be getting a detachable screen one soon.

    6. David Avatar
      David

      No touchscreen though. Really not needed normally for a chromebook but I feel now it is.

      1. Angelafpatino Avatar
        Angelafpatino

        “my room mate Mary Is getting paid on the internet $98/hr”…..!kj109ytwo days ago grey MacLaren. P1 I bought after earning 18,512 Dollars..it was my previous month’s payout..just a little over.17k Dollars Last month..3-5 hours job a day…with weekly payouts..it’s realy the simplest. job I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months. ago. and now making over hourly. 87 Dollars…Learn. More right Here !kj109y:➽:➽:.➽.➽.➽.➽ http://GlobalSuperJobsReportsEmploymentsPriceGetPay-Hour$98…. .★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★::::::!kj109y….,….

    7. JRomeo Avatar
      JRomeo

      i’m looking for one with a detachable screen

  50. Nick Silver Avatar
    Nick Silver

    Nope. I have no use for Chrome OS, especially when there are full fledged Windows 10 laptops the same or competitively priced.

    1. Ross U Avatar
      Ross U

      I have rid my life of Windows and I could not be happier with my chrome book. It’s life changing!

      1. LionStone Avatar
        LionStone

        I thought I could do it too until I hit some roadblocks on my Acer 13…most recent one being, the new scanner I need to get is not compatible with Chromebooks, so it’s getting donated and I’ll get a Dell XPS13

        1. Ross U Avatar
          Ross U

          Yeah I guess for now there’s a reason they market it as a second device and not to be your main computer, but maybe that will change in the near future. I got so tired of failed updates and background crap slowing down my computer forever. Now that I am out of school and will have a work laptop, I was more than happy to sell my windows laptop and pick up a chromebook.

          1. LionStone Avatar
            LionStone

            I really like Chromebooks and especially the way they always stay backed up and it really did serve about 90% of my needs. I really did miss that mine did not have a touch display though.

          2. Ross U Avatar
            Ross U

            Yeah once my first windows laptop crashed 90% of my stuff was moved to the cloud and I used the drive and dropbox desktop folder apps and the rest was safely backed up (music and such that wasn’t often updated). I never really used the touch display on my windows, but I did use it on the Acer R11 convertible that I got, but as I discussed in a different post there were problems and it would get stuck in laptop mode. I noticed missing the touch screen for a bit then finally I have gotten over it!

        2. Rod Moore Avatar
          Rod Moore

          I have be using my phone as scanner for a long time. I scan a document(s) at least once a week.

          1. LionStone Avatar
            LionStone

            Slides. I have boxes and boxes of slide film.

        3. Bunklung Avatar
          Bunklung

          My mother has a Chomebox. When she got a new multifunction printer we thought it was not going to work. Come to find out that most multifunctions are all wifi/internet enabled. So now when she wants to scan, she just accesses the printer (browser) from the LAN/Wifi and can perform all the function she would need software/drivers for. lastrly, when it’s time to actually printer, Google Cloud print handles this. What model scanner do you have?

          1. LionStone Avatar
            LionStone

            The Epson I have is no longer supported by my relic laptop. The new one I’m looking at is the Epson V600 … http://www.amazon.com/Epson-Perfection-Negative-Document-Scanner/dp/B002OEBMRU?ie=UTF8&keywords=epson%20v600%2024w&qid=1463857301&ref_=sr_1_1&s=office-electronics&sr=1-1

          2. Bunklung Avatar
            Bunklung

            Yeah that’s too bad as that model requires a computer and software. There is no wifi nor Ethernet. You might have better luck with HP scanners.

          3. LionStone Avatar
            LionStone

            Hmm, good tip I’ll check out some HPs

    2. Aaron Avatar
      Aaron

      Windows is old and tired. I’ve been using 10 on my laptop and desktop since the free upgrade became available and it’s really just meh. I want to like it but the Store sucks and there are still parts of the UI that look like Vista.

  51. buckeyelife Avatar
    buckeyelife

    Yes yes yes yes

  52. Luxferro Avatar
    Luxferro

    Maybe, depends on if there are limitations.

  53. landale Avatar
    landale

    I already have one but it’s too old apparently to get Google Play support. I will probably get a new one now to replace it but I am going to wait and see how long it takes for manufacturers to actually make equipment that best takes advantage of it. A Surface type Chromebook would be amazing!

    1. Jonathan Berry Avatar
      Jonathan Berry

      I’m in the same boat with my C720. I’ve been keeping an eye out for a better Chromebook, but haven’t had too much incentive to actually spend money yet (that and a lot of newer Chromebooks aren’t “better” in my mind). This will get me looking a bit more seriously once it gets closer to stable. Hanging back to see if anything neat will come out soonish might not be a bad idea.

  54. TypoCorrecto Avatar
    TypoCorrecto

    Waiting for the next-gen Pixel.

  55. OligarchyAmbulance Avatar
    OligarchyAmbulance

    Bought a new Pixel today. I regretted selling my old one for a long time, but this tipped me over the edge.

    1. Edward Smith Avatar
      Edward Smith

      I’m assuming you are refering to the Pixel C, the Pixel C does not run ChromeOS, it runs Android.

      1. OligarchyAmbulance Avatar
        OligarchyAmbulance

        The Chromebook Pixel, second gen.

        1. Edward Smith Avatar
          Edward Smith

          ah, gotcha. 🙂

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