$200 Laptop With EMMC Drive Vs $200 Chromebook

pixelninja

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Jul 26, 2017
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Hello,
My daughter needs a device for school. They recommend a Chromebook because 1) they use Google apps and 2) they say it'll be faster than a laptop, because of the use of eMMC drives vs traditional HDDs.

But, my daughter is a budding artist who really wants to start using a computer with a drawing tablet to draw, and Chromebook support for drawing tablets seems to be sketcy, at best. (Unless I'm wrong here, so please tell me if you can use tablets with most Chromebooks).

I've found a $200 laptop that uses an eMMC drive and runs Windows 10.

So my question is, will this laptop be as quick to boot up and run as fast as a similarly priced Chromebook? I don't want her sitting in class, waiting for her machine to boot up while all the other students are wizzing along on their chromebooks, but I also don't want to buy another laptop for home, just so she can use a tablet and better drawing programs than what's available on Google Play.

Any and all advice is welcome!

Thanks!

EDIT: I should have been more specific on the 2 models I'm looking at.

Laptop:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K9HS4Q0/ref=asc_df_B01K9HS4Q05086695?smid=A1X019B82D4KP7&tag=shopzilla0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_rev_378-20;15010952466607833241710090301008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395129&creativeASIN=B01K9HS4Q0

Chromebook:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-11-6-chromebook-intel-celeron-4gb-memory-32gb-emmc-flash-memory-metallic-black/5756800.p?skuId=5756800&productCategoryId=
 
Solution
If both Windows and Chromebook have eMMC, then the Chromebook will likely be able to boot up quicker because Chrome OS is a much lighter OS. The size of Chrome OS is smaller than Windows 10 there is less data to load to get the laptop up and running. Will Windows 10 run as smoothly as Chrome? I do not know. I do not use laptops with low end CPUs and I never used a Chromebook.

EMMC is generally faster than a 5400RPM hard drive, but I think it is a little slower than a 7200RPM hard drive.

Chromebooks does not allow you to install any drivers and programs so you will not be able to attach a drawing tablet to it. Having said that, Chromebooks cannot connect to a printer unless it is a networked printer because the print job must be sent...
If both Windows and Chromebook have eMMC, then the Chromebook will likely be able to boot up quicker because Chrome OS is a much lighter OS. The size of Chrome OS is smaller than Windows 10 there is less data to load to get the laptop up and running. Will Windows 10 run as smoothly as Chrome? I do not know. I do not use laptops with low end CPUs and I never used a Chromebook.

EMMC is generally faster than a 5400RPM hard drive, but I think it is a little slower than a 7200RPM hard drive.

Chromebooks does not allow you to install any drivers and programs so you will not be able to attach a drawing tablet to it. Having said that, Chromebooks cannot connect to a printer unless it is a networked printer because the print job must be sent via the internet.


Here's a review of the Lenovo N22. The laptop also has a M.2 SATA port so that you can expand storage with a M.2 SATA SSD if necessary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_1omQt-DBM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlIQ0zkU2cY
 
Solution
I would recommend a chromebook as windows 10 is a resource hog, especially the pro version. Just to let you know, not all chromebook support android apps so look before you buy. I use a £200 acer chromebook 14 which will support android apps later this year and usage is good for normal use. Mine doesn't have a touchscreen so look out for that too.

The laptop is much faster to boot than any of my laptop with hdd but that is due to the lightweighness of chrome os and the fact that they are never switch off as they just go to a deep sleep.
 

Corwin65

Estimable
Nov 2, 2015
340
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5,010
I have a daughter that had similar needs.

Spent $400 and got her a proper laptop, then got her a drawing tablet about $70. Lots of free and paid for apps available and now she can do school work, drawing and music production.
 

pixelninja

Prominent
Jul 26, 2017
4
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510
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I'm on a VERY tight budget, or I'd spend a bit more.

What kind of tablet? Does she like it? Any features she wishes it had that it doesn't?
 

Corwin65

Estimable
Nov 2, 2015
340
1
5,010


She asked for this one after spending a few months researching reviews and features. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/wacom-intuos-draw-creative-small-pen-tablet-white/4359302.p?skuId=4359302

She loves it. Monoprice has some also that have gotten good reviews. Just make sure it works with whatever OS you have.
 

pixelninja

Prominent
Jul 26, 2017
4
0
510
Thanks! I'm leaning toward the laptop over the chromebook, just so my daughter can use a tablet. It looks like the specs are enough for Sketchbook Pro, so it should work ok for her needs.

 
I recommend you consider looking into a refurbished laptop which will have a more modern and powerful CPU, but is still relatively inexpensive. The downside is it may have some cosmetic blemishes, the battery is not new, and the warranty is typically limited to 90-days.

The following is a link to a ThinkPad X230 with a 3rd generation Core i5-3320m CPU for $206. However, the battery is only listed to work for less than 3 hours which means it is definitely not a new battery because reviews have indicated that a new Thinkpad X230 can generally at least 7 hour with average daily use. That means you will need to buy a new battery which increases the total price. However, the Core i5-3320m is far more powerful than a Celeron N3050 CPU and ThinkPads are very rugged laptops that meet or exceed the Dept. of Defense MIL Spec requirements for use in harsh environments and rough handling.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1ZD5262567&cm_re=thinkpad_x230-_-1TS-000E-05MS8-_-Product


New batteries can be purchased from Amazon. Note that official Lenovo batteries for the ThinkPad X230 is more expensive than other "knockoff" replacement batteries which may not offer the same battery life as an official battery.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=Thinkpad+X230+battery&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3AThinkpad+X230+battery


Here's a review of the laptop.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-X230-2306-2AU-Laptop-Review.75317.0.html