Lilbits: Broadband Access, Electronics Shopping Goes Online, and Expensive Chromebooks Make Sense?

A lot of times when I write about Chromebooks someone will jump in and say that these aren’t “real” laptops, and people better buy a Windows machine. When I write on a Chromebook that costs over $ 400, someone will inevitably complain that it’s too much money to spend on a laptop with a crippled operating system.

But the problem with Chrome OS is that it is an operating system like any other. As About Chromebooks points out in a recent editorial on the subject, Google emphasizes speed, simplicity and security. Chrome OS performs reasonably well on entry-level hardware, but like most operating systems, it performs even better on devices with faster processors or more RAM. And things like high-quality screens, keyboards, and touchpads cost money.

Not everyone wants to use an operating system designed around a web browser. But nowadays, many Windows and Mac users spend most of their time in a web browser, and Chromebooks can run Android and Linux apps as well.

So while Chromebooks might not be the best option for everyone, asking why there are expensive models is a bit like asking why there are expensive Windows laptops. Of course, I’m sure there are people who are asking this question, especially when we see new models with price tags north of $ 3,500.

Here’s a roundup of the latest tech news (and opinions) on the web.

• Best Buy just laid off 5,000 workers, will close more stores [CNN]
  Just days after Fry’s announced it was closing its store, Best Buy announces layoffs and store closures. But that’s probably not the end of Best Buy as much as it is the last step in a transition. 40% of its sales are now online, up from 19% two years ago.
• FCC Approves Monthly High Speed ​​Internet Grant of $ 50 [The New York Times]
  The FCC has approved a program that will provide up to $ 50 per month to low-income households to help offset the costs of broadband internet. Households on Native American lands are entitled to a maximum of $ 75 / month.
• Here is the Galaxy XCover 5, the next rugged smartphone from Samsung [@evleaks]
  Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 rugged smartphone leaked, with 5.3 inches, 1600 x 900 display, Exynos 850 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, 4G LTE support and a rugged protective case.
• The case of expensive Chromebooks [About Chromebooks]
  In a nutshell, these are laptops that run Chrome OS. Why wouldn’t they be available at a range of prices just like Windows, Mac, or Linux laptops?

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