Funnily enough, this is what a chromebook was made to do. A computer that was only a browser. Unfortunately, the hardware was severely underpowered, and the custom software wasn’t as flexible as a simple Linux desktop is capable of. (Almost no software support outside of Google)
I saw a “gaming Chromebook” for $649 (USD) at the big box electronics and appliance store today.
At first I was astounded, but it did have a high refresh rate display and some type of GeForce iGPU. Apparently designed around cloud gaming. Which is na interesting use case.
Depending on need they can be a very effective device. Keep in mind they can also easily run a lot of android packages and Linux. Some come in tablet form factor with a keyboard folio case…I was looking at the Lenovo Duet for a while but ended up buying a OnePlus Pad recently.
Funnily enough, this is what a chromebook was made to do. A computer that was only a browser. Unfortunately, the hardware was severely underpowered, and the custom software wasn’t as flexible as a simple Linux desktop is capable of. (Almost no software support outside of Google)
I saw a “gaming Chromebook” for $649 (USD) at the big box electronics and appliance store today.
At first I was astounded, but it did have a high refresh rate display and some type of GeForce iGPU. Apparently designed around cloud gaming. Which is na interesting use case.
Those gaming Chromebooks are so wild. I saw them for $1000!
The ones I saw a year ago was bragging about playing mobile games and Google Stadia.
But like… Why! Why spend that much when the alternatives are so much better?
For the price the specs aren’t terrible.
Depending on need they can be a very effective device. Keep in mind they can also easily run a lot of android packages and Linux. Some come in tablet form factor with a keyboard folio case…I was looking at the Lenovo Duet for a while but ended up buying a OnePlus Pad recently.
Maybe designed to be used with googles Stadia (now defunct I think)?
Stadia has been abandoned for long enough I don’t think it’d be used in marketing.
This was the description:
Acer - Chromebook 516 GE Cloud Gaming Laptop - 16" 2560x1600 120Hz - Intel Core i5-1240P - 8GB RAM - 256GB SSD
Looks like it comes with 3 months of GeForce Now and Amazon Luna.
I was mistaken about the GeForce iGPU - that placard must’ve been for GeForce Now. It has an Iris Xe.
I think I saw Xbox Game pass in the marketing too.
Still, pretty cool idea.
I think they’re also working on getting Steam running. I don’t remember how that’s going, though.
If I remember correctly, those actually have Steam with Proton built in.
You can get reasonable Chromebooks and boxes. They just aren’t cheap so they are less popular.