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In a fit of what I can only describe as insanity, I made the jump tp the newest premium chromebook experience. Yes, I bought a Google Pixelbook. 8gb ram, 128gb SSD, core i5 processor. It's the Pixelbook's base model. I drooled over this for a couple weeks, and just took the plunge.
Initial thoughts. When I load a webpage side by side with my 16GB 2015 Macbook Pro, the speed is pretty much identical (if I am running Chrome on the Mac; Safari loads a smidge faster). When I load a page side by side with the Samsung Chromebook plus, I'm already reading before the Samsung has loaded the page. Yeah, it is fast.
With all the power on this, you can have five to ten windows open and it doesn't hiccup, maybe more. AND you can actually run multiple Android apps without crashes. Far more stability and speed on Android apps, which are getting much better than they were a year ago. Take Evernote for example, you used to be limited to a default font size, which was very small on a 12" screen. Now you can control the text size, and can easily resize the app to either a window or full screen. Adobe Lightroom CC is pretty much the same as on the iPad. Microsoft Word and Excel are still the tablet versions, but they run and work fine for light work (I think Google Docs is still the best writing experience on the Chromebook - and the web-based version is more complete and user friendly than the Android App. The New York Times App works great. The Amazon Kindle app is very nice (and not limited like the iOS version is -- you can purchase books from within it. I haven't bothered with Netflix or Prime Video yet.
The Pixelbook is what Chrome OS aspires to be. Is it over-kill? Yeah, probably, but it is sure is nice running a device that works fast, and can handle everything you throw at it. Is it a Mac or Windows replacement? Depends on the user. I have specialized apps that won't run on it, and some apps, like say Microsoft Excel, are just easier to use on the mac. For me, it is my travel machine. It is a powerful device that weighs very little, and enables me to do all the work I want when on the road -- or in a coffee shop just writing in a bloat-free environment (I mean, come on, who actually enjoys writing a manuscript in Microsoft Word?). The Pixelbook isn't the throw away device my first chromebook was, but it is still less than half the cost of my MacBook Pro, which will soon largely just get used at home.
The hardware? The Pixelbook has perhaps the nicest keyboard I have used. On par, maybe better (gasp) than my Macbook Pro). Backlit keys, nice tactile feel. And wide spacing, so I actually can type. I make far less errors than on the Samsung (which also has a very nice, albeit smaller keyboard). The glass trackpad is very nice, and the rubberized side palm rests just feels good. There is NOTHING that feels cheap about this. The screen. Pretty much on par with the Samsung. But a bit too much of a bezel. Kind of feels like 2012 as a result. The rectangular edges, also a bit underwhelming. The Samsung Chromebook Plus has rounded edges that made it look like two iphones being melded together.
In Tablet mode, the Pixelbook is a huge 12" tablet, but it feels bulky compared with the iPad Pro. Indeed, it is. But it is nice to have the 360 degree screen capabilities. Use it as a tent, use the keyboard, flip it into tablet mode. A long long way away from my first hybrid laptop, a Fujitsu Lifebook, circa 2007. That thing WAS a tank. And pretty much sucked at everything. The Pixelbook comes in at 2.4 pounds.
The 128GB SSD is a huge jump over the 32GB of storage on the chromebook plus. BUT there is no micro-USB port. In this way, Google seemed to take a page from the Apple mindset. If you want more storage, buy the more expensive 256GB or 512GB models. BUT those are astronomically expensive. For Chrome OS, 128GB is spacious. This isn't the machine you store all your photos and music and movies on.
Ports? 2 USB-C ports, and a headphone jack. That's it. Seems to be the wave of the future, like it or not. The Pixelbook comes with a 45W USB-C charger (a very rectangular brick, that is ONLY usable in the US). Unlike Apple's which you can swap out a European power plug, this brick is limited. Yet it has very quick fast charging. 10 minutes saw it gain 20% of battery.
The battery? So far, it does not live up to 10 hours. No way, no how. But in early usage I'm pushing it hard, and I'll get a better feel for that in a week or so.
All in all,the Pixelbook lives up to its premium moniker. Is it perfect? No. Should the "google pen" come with it? Absolutely. (Oh, the pen claims 10ms latency; brief tests show it is on part with the Apple pencil in the few apps that really support it). Is this the Chromebook of the future? Hard to tell. It is far from a $179 11" Acer or other bargain-basement chrome OS offering. I was very happy with the Chromebook Plus, and think it and it's "Pro" sibling are also very good machines, but for sheer performance, this machine runs circles around them.
I wrote this in google docs on my pixelbook, and then copied and pasted it into SatGuys. As a writing experience, it was quite enjoyable.
Initial thoughts. When I load a webpage side by side with my 16GB 2015 Macbook Pro, the speed is pretty much identical (if I am running Chrome on the Mac; Safari loads a smidge faster). When I load a page side by side with the Samsung Chromebook plus, I'm already reading before the Samsung has loaded the page. Yeah, it is fast.
With all the power on this, you can have five to ten windows open and it doesn't hiccup, maybe more. AND you can actually run multiple Android apps without crashes. Far more stability and speed on Android apps, which are getting much better than they were a year ago. Take Evernote for example, you used to be limited to a default font size, which was very small on a 12" screen. Now you can control the text size, and can easily resize the app to either a window or full screen. Adobe Lightroom CC is pretty much the same as on the iPad. Microsoft Word and Excel are still the tablet versions, but they run and work fine for light work (I think Google Docs is still the best writing experience on the Chromebook - and the web-based version is more complete and user friendly than the Android App. The New York Times App works great. The Amazon Kindle app is very nice (and not limited like the iOS version is -- you can purchase books from within it. I haven't bothered with Netflix or Prime Video yet.
The Pixelbook is what Chrome OS aspires to be. Is it over-kill? Yeah, probably, but it is sure is nice running a device that works fast, and can handle everything you throw at it. Is it a Mac or Windows replacement? Depends on the user. I have specialized apps that won't run on it, and some apps, like say Microsoft Excel, are just easier to use on the mac. For me, it is my travel machine. It is a powerful device that weighs very little, and enables me to do all the work I want when on the road -- or in a coffee shop just writing in a bloat-free environment (I mean, come on, who actually enjoys writing a manuscript in Microsoft Word?). The Pixelbook isn't the throw away device my first chromebook was, but it is still less than half the cost of my MacBook Pro, which will soon largely just get used at home.
The hardware? The Pixelbook has perhaps the nicest keyboard I have used. On par, maybe better (gasp) than my Macbook Pro). Backlit keys, nice tactile feel. And wide spacing, so I actually can type. I make far less errors than on the Samsung (which also has a very nice, albeit smaller keyboard). The glass trackpad is very nice, and the rubberized side palm rests just feels good. There is NOTHING that feels cheap about this. The screen. Pretty much on par with the Samsung. But a bit too much of a bezel. Kind of feels like 2012 as a result. The rectangular edges, also a bit underwhelming. The Samsung Chromebook Plus has rounded edges that made it look like two iphones being melded together.
In Tablet mode, the Pixelbook is a huge 12" tablet, but it feels bulky compared with the iPad Pro. Indeed, it is. But it is nice to have the 360 degree screen capabilities. Use it as a tent, use the keyboard, flip it into tablet mode. A long long way away from my first hybrid laptop, a Fujitsu Lifebook, circa 2007. That thing WAS a tank. And pretty much sucked at everything. The Pixelbook comes in at 2.4 pounds.
The 128GB SSD is a huge jump over the 32GB of storage on the chromebook plus. BUT there is no micro-USB port. In this way, Google seemed to take a page from the Apple mindset. If you want more storage, buy the more expensive 256GB or 512GB models. BUT those are astronomically expensive. For Chrome OS, 128GB is spacious. This isn't the machine you store all your photos and music and movies on.
Ports? 2 USB-C ports, and a headphone jack. That's it. Seems to be the wave of the future, like it or not. The Pixelbook comes with a 45W USB-C charger (a very rectangular brick, that is ONLY usable in the US). Unlike Apple's which you can swap out a European power plug, this brick is limited. Yet it has very quick fast charging. 10 minutes saw it gain 20% of battery.
The battery? So far, it does not live up to 10 hours. No way, no how. But in early usage I'm pushing it hard, and I'll get a better feel for that in a week or so.
All in all,the Pixelbook lives up to its premium moniker. Is it perfect? No. Should the "google pen" come with it? Absolutely. (Oh, the pen claims 10ms latency; brief tests show it is on part with the Apple pencil in the few apps that really support it). Is this the Chromebook of the future? Hard to tell. It is far from a $179 11" Acer or other bargain-basement chrome OS offering. I was very happy with the Chromebook Plus, and think it and it's "Pro" sibling are also very good machines, but for sheer performance, this machine runs circles around them.
I wrote this in google docs on my pixelbook, and then copied and pasted it into SatGuys. As a writing experience, it was quite enjoyable.
23 Replies
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3206 views
I have all of the same Apple gear: Macbook, iPad Pro, iPhone, Apple Watch. I love Message, and the synchronicity of iCloud. I am hopeful that when Messages is fully in iCloud that the web version will provide access to it, and thus one of my limiting factors on the chromebook would be gone. But I have no plans to dump my Apple Stuff. I view the Chromebook as an alternative, and it provides me with a fun environment I can work in.
As someone who lives and dies by technology, there have been times I have wanted something different. Chrome OS satisfies that itch. And yes, it's not perfect, but it is very good.
I need to check out google talk as my alternative for messaging when I am away and on the chromebook. I use Google Voice to send texts, but its annoying because it changes the number. Still for what I need, it works.
My OS X only apps are really Stata, MaxQDA, and a handful of other research tools. I used to use Devonthink Pro a ton, but have shifted a lot of its functionality to Evernote. The other thing I'll always use the mac for is my photography. BUT that said, I often download photos wirelessly from my Canon to the iPad, and use iOS Lightroom and Photos.
I can see how for some a Chromebook would be a complete solution. For me, it is a great supplement to what I do and provides me with a fun environment to work, with less distractions. And I still can't get over the feel of this Pixelbook keyboard!
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
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17900 views
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. 
WTF… …What the Foxbat!Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
S
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming youWTF… …What the Foxbat!
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you
Help, I'm a little confjused on the activation process.
I purchased the Joey 4 from Solid Signal and shipping box has Call 866 726-4282 to Avtivate new Receiver. That number is Solid Signals number.
I googled and that search said call Dish to activate. I assume that is correct unless this requires a 2 step process.
Please let me know.
Thanks
I purchased the Joey 4 from Solid Signal and shipping box has Call 866 726-4282 to Avtivate new Receiver. That number is Solid Signals number.
I googled and that search said call Dish to activate. I assume that is correct unless this requires a 2 step process.
Please let me know.
Thanks
6 Replies
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182 views
All good called Dish and new Joey 4 is activated and working.
Old Joey 2 deactivated and no need to return.
Old Joey 2 deactivated and no need to return.
S
i bought mine straight from dish as it was only $ 100.00 bucks!!! had the protection plan they came out removed and deactivated the 4k joey and activated and installed the joey 4.All good called Dish and new Joey 4 is activated and working.
Old Joey 2 deactivated and no need to return.
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.
www.apple.com
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170 views
S
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade..
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
The new curated multiview is now live.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.
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152 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
141 Replies
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1342 views
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
This thread is a place to discuss the 4K events that appear on channel 540. We are getting, at this point, one college football game a week. Let's hope there is more coming.
1931 Replies
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298844 views
Hmmm, I'm not seeing anything like those events in our Hopper 3 guide for tonight or Saturday.
I went into the Tools menu and requested a Guide Update. I'll try looking at it after the update completes.
edit — I now have the 148-01 4KFox events for Saturday, but not anything for 148-02 or 148-03 which don't even show as available channels. I do have 148-04 4KUSA.
As I recall you have the Flex package. Do you sub to multisport? -02 is FS1 and -03 is ESPN. -01 is Fox so you would get that if you sub to locals.Hmmm, I'm not seeing anything like those events in our Hopper 3 guide for tonight or Saturday.
I went into the Tools menu and requested a Guide Update. I'll try looking at it after the update completes.
edit — I now have the 148-01 4KFox events for Saturday, but not anything for 148-02 or 148-03 which don't even show as available channels. I do have 148-04 4KUSA.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87N42NxLPC0
Direct YouTube Link - 8 U.S. States Sue OpenAI Over Safety Concerns With Younger Users
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87N42NxLPC0
Direct YouTube Link - 8 U.S. States Sue OpenAI Over Safety Concerns With Younger Users
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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8 views
Pub Member / Supporter
On Tuesday, I recorded the first episodes of the new season's NCIS shows on CBS (Dish provided, not OTA). The new New York series and Origins will both do Auto Skip, but the original, now season 24 does not. What's stranger, when I do a search for NCIS, Origins and New York show the current recording and the next episode it will record, but the original show only shows the current recording and some other channel showing the very first episode of season one. It makes no sense. When I set up the timers, I was able to use search for Origins and New York, but for the original, I had to scroll ahead in the guide until last Tuesday when the show was airing. Then set the timer from there. You can see its timer type is DVR where the other two are Seek. What am I missing?
Thanks!
Thanks!
20 Replies
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386 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
I created this thread on the original Edgecutter Cutting Edge Forums site. It's simply a place for those to review the latest software available for those using Windows 10 and Windows 11. To date it has received 112,559 views. I have been asked by staff to continue this thread here.
520 Replies
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47171 views
To each there own but I've found that Windows can't do much more than Linux can. Can't have everything.
For niche use cases, yes I agree. Kali for ethical hacking and security testing, and running a Cacti server for network monitoring are the two things I have experience in. Plus thousands and thousands of other things, but for every day use I just can't see it. The owner of the GMRS repeater that I pay to access is changing the Tx DPL tones tomorrow, while Chirp is available on Linux, the software to program my MXT500 is not.To each there own but I've found that Windows can't do much more than Linux can. Can't have everything.
I run Fedora and Ubuntu in VMWare, honestly I don't care much for the UI of either of them and I don't feel like spending days/weeks to customize the UI to make it look Windows-like when I could just use Windows. The cartoonish dock at the bottom of the screen reminds me of Apple products.
As I said above, and, FWIW, I run Win11 Pro and Arch on separate 250 GB NVME drives, using F8 to select which I boot to, with a 1TB SSD for storage, accessible to both OSs and a third formatted Nvme I want to use to learn Kali. It was much faster to setup Arch than it was to strip down Windows. Windows still takes much longer to boot.
