As I write this review I have been using the HP 11 Chromebook for 1 month. I received it on 25th May 2014 and from unboxing to having it up and running with the latest updates took 25 mins. And I took to it like a duck to water. But has it all been plain sailing? Let's find out…
For years, my only computing experience has been Windows. XP, then Vista, to windows 7 & 8. I had dabbled with Linux, but as good as everybody tells me it is, it was too complicated for myself. I think that tells you more about me than Linux.
My main usage for computing has been music playing and storage from iTunes and Zune, both very easy to use. Social networking, mainly Facebook until I discovered Google+, then G+ took over. A bit of twitter, but cannot really see the point of Twitter personally. Online banking and browsing made up the next chunk and of course, word processing every now and then. This year I started subscribing to Netflix and my TV viewing has changed forever.
So, with Windows really being my only experience, how could I possibly cope with this Chromebook setup? Ever so easily as it happens.
You do need to get used to a few new trackpad gestures, which only takes a couple of minutes, then you are off and running.
Just think of how long it takes your netbook or notebook to start up. Keep that thought in mind when my HP11 Chromebook is up and running in 2 seconds from standby and within 7 seconds from being turned off completely. That is the first thing I like.
The keys are nice to type with and the trackpad is responsive and smooth. I compare it to the trackpad on my Dell Inspiron 10 which has a texture which feels uncomfortable to me and the cursor seems to have a mind of it’s own. No such gripes with the HP11.
The white colour of the HP11 is really an off white which is pleasing to the eye. Although on paper it sounds cheap looking, having a shiny plastic casing, it looks fantastic in the flesh, so to speak. It does not look or feel cheap. I have not experienced and creaks on the unit as some reviewers on You Tube have experienced.
Take a trip to You Tube and check out videos from DetroitBORG and Chrome Unboxed for a couple of honest reviews. They certainly helped me in making my mind up.
Some users comment on video playback lagging. I have not experienced this. I use Netflix, You Tube, BBC iPlayer and Now TV for video, and everything plays perfectly. The IPS screen is really clear with great viewing angles. The big surprise to me was the speaker quality. It is fantastic. The speakers are hidden under the keyboard and the sound comes up and out at you, rather than being on the side or undercarriage of the device where sounds could get muffled if it was on your lap or in bed. I can hear the sound clearly even if there is a lot of environmental noise nearby. Seriously, if I use my Dell Inspiron 10 in the kitchen, I cannot hear it clearly if my kettle is boiling. Again, no problems with the HP11.
I use a Chromecast attatched to my main TV. So wireless and instant casting of what I’m watching on You Tube, Netflix and BBC iPlayer. A nice feature. No more messing around with an HDMI cable, which is just as well really as the HP11 does not have an HDMI port.
Loading pages is a breeze. I do not doubt there are some devices which load pages quicker, but I’m sure I can wait half a second longer if indeed that is the difference. All I know is that the pages load quickly and I can browse ‘til my heart’s content. Again, on my Dell Inspiron 10 I could have boiled the kettle and made a cup of tea in the time it took some pages to load. I’m exaggerating, but it does take 30-40 seconds loading pages on the Dell. and playback on BBC iPlayer is just a no go.
I typed up this review using Google Docs and it was a good experience. Especially when I know this is viewable on an other of my Chrome and Android devices. I can pick up and leave off anytime I want and edit on any device and the changes are executed in one place. Because it’s in the Cloud! I do not need local storage space.
I know this is a simple review, but it illustrates how I use the HP11 Chromebook and I hope it gets over how much I love this device. You can get caught up in the numbers game but just know, it does more than I need efficiently and it looks great, sounds fantastic and is very keenly priced.
**Two months ago the HP11 Chromebook UK was selling at £229. You can now pick them up on Amazon and Currys in the UK at £179.99 I don’t know how long they’ll be at this price but check around before you buy. Correct price at 13:29 Monday 23rd June 2014.**
