HP Chromebook 11 Review

Google’s on a mission to connect the world to the internet, by hook or by crook. (Or by balloon). Now Google has a new product category, and it's called Chromebook. No, it's not really new: it's existed for years, but a lot of people still don't really know about it.

HP has recently launched a new Chromebook. The HP Chromebook 11 is cute, compact, simple, and attractive. It looks like the little simple mini-computer it really is. It's like the iphone 5c of Chromebooks: you've seen this technology before, but now it looks cleaner, friendlier, and more colorful.

The 11.6-inch Chromebook has specs that match a tablet more than a laptop: a dual-core Exynos ARM processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of SSD storage. Inside the box is a Micro-USB charger that's pretty compact, and can also charge up Micro-USB tablets, phones or other devices.

Crafting the Chromebook 11 out of glossy plastic on top of a magnesium alloy frame. It comes in black and white, with four accent colors on the white model — red, yellow, blue, or green stripes encircle the keyboard and color the rubber feet on the bottom. Mostly it’s black or white, though, and both make a striking first impression. The white is bright and fun; the black stealthy, ominous.

Chrome OS keeps getting better, Google Drive more robust, and Google Chromecast now offers a way to stream content wirelessly to a TV. All of these make a Chromebook a more interesting bet than even a few months ago. It's not for everyone, but the Chromebook is finally making a case for being a fun, family-friendly product in its own right.

The Chromebook 11 is a clean, colorful device, with looks that fall somewhere between any MacBook and kid-friendly PC. This year Chromebook has some improvements such that the Speakers are hidden under the keyboard; the goal is less muffled sound. Indeed, this Chromebook pumped out some impressive volume, and movies actually sounded decent. Combined with the VGA camera above the display, this might be a good ultra-portable for Google Hangouts in loud places.

So, here's the thing about Chrome OS: it's fast-booting and excellent for Web-based work, and there are a growing number of apps, both for free and for purchase in the Chrome Web Store that enable additional functions. But, these apps all feel like browser extensions, and most of Chrome OS really feels like a specialized super-browser than any sort of Mac/Windows (or even iOS/Android) killer.

On its website, Google promotes the HP Chromebook “for everyone,” but it’s not for everyone. A lot of people need to use a Windows or Mac PC because they need the software that only a full fledged laptop can run.

But for many people, the Chromebook might be all they need, at least in a portable device. If they don’t need desktop software but mostly want to surf the web, watch streaming video, do their email and use web apps, than the Chromebook might be all they need.