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PSA: Chromebooks Getting Extended End Of Life deadline

Google is very “data creepy” (but it has plenty of competition from Facebook, Instagram, Ad Networks, Governments, etc). However, one of the good things it did the last few years is the launch of Chromebooks, easy to use and easy to maintain laptops and more recently moonlighting as Android kinda-tablets.

And while Google avoided the Android pitfall and Google was responsible for the OS updates, it placed OS update expiration dates on Chromebooks. Not on an individual Chromebook but on the platform. Let’s say your Chromebook is using the Celery 123U half-core processor. The Celery 123U launched in May 2015. You bought your Chromebook brand new in box from a retailer in May 2020. The OS updates expiration countdown does not start from May 2020 but May 2015. So even though you just bought a NIB laptop from an authorized retailer, the OS updates were already close to expiration.

After getting e-yelled at by many and mayhaps losing some big corporate and educational orders over this, Google increase the OS updates expiration date (“AUE” in Google speak) multiple times.

And now they have increased it once again per Android Central, so be sure to visit the official Google Support Auto Update Expiration Date page to check whether your current Chromebook(s) have been given a new lease on life. One of mine jumped from 2021 to 2023!

BUT that’s not all. Some of you frequent Chromebook users may have noticed something irritating the last few weeks. Instead of having one set of settings like it used to, the Chromebook now has separate ChromeOS and Chrome Browser settings. This was irritating and confusing. Why were they doing that?

Well the answer to that is related to AUE. Google’s Project LaCros will be splitting the Chrome browser from the ChromeOS, allowing older Chromebooks who no longer get the OS updates to be able to receive Chrome browser updates like a “normal” computer.

This also opens up an interesting question and food for thought for anti-monopoly hawks. Will Chromebooks also be opened up to other web browsers now that OS and the Browser will separate? Details at the OS News at 11 🙂

October 16, 2020 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With:

Monday: Samsung Chromebook sale ($200 to $400)

It’s Chromebook time of the Samsung kind. Along with the Levis jeans sale, the Monday Amazon USA Gold Box has a Samsung Chromebooks sale, with three models ranging from $200 to $400 with something for everyone!

The $200 model is the Chromebook 3 with a 11.6″ screen, 4GB RAM, 64GB on-board and Celery N3060 processor…

The other two models are 2-in-1s with touchscreens and with included Samsung S-Pens that are nestled inside the laptop body.

The PLUS has a 12.2″ screen (1920 x 1200, 4GB RAM, 64GB on-board, microSD slot with up to 400GB cards, Celery 3965Y, support for Google Play in parallel to ChromeOS [can be turned off is not needed]. This is the second generation (V2) model. This adds a USB-A port to the first generations two USB-C ports, so that’s one less dongle to carry. For HDMI or Ethernet, you need a USB-C/USB-A dongle.. It averages 4.7 out of 5 based on 21 customer reviews and it has nearly 50 answered questions… I haz the first generation and it’s really a great value for money if you can stomach Google-everywhere 🙂

The $400 model is the PRO in the line but it is the first generation with a 3.8 out of 5 based on 404 [foreboding number?] customer reviews. It has a 12.3″ screen with 2400 x 1600 [but Samsung recommends running it at a lower resolution for optimal performance] with 4GB RAM, 32GB on-board, Core M3-6Y30, 12.3″ display, etc.

When upgraded to the latest OS versions, you should also see an option for “Linux Beta”.

Limit two of each option per customer at the sale price. Sale ends on Tuesday at 3am ET or earlier for any that sell out.

On the other hand, if you don’t need the extra features (eg S-Pen), and you feel like a boldly-going explorer of a new brand, the Amazon page recommended this $250 Poin2 Chromebook (Poin2 is the brand name) with 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, 14-inch screen, 180-degree hinge, IPS, touchscreen, MediaTek quadcore, SD card reader, HDMI, USB 3.0 Type A, USB-C, etc. There’s also a $3.47 off discount if you select “No Rush Shipping”… This is the first time I heard of this brand, so this is strictly for the boldly-going types…

March 25, 2019 Filed Under: daily deals, samsung, technology deals Tagged With: , ,

Google Pixelbooks drop $100 (all three options)

If you are a fan of “The Way of the Google”, all three Pixebook laptops are now down $100 at Amazon by Amazon itself making the entry-point $900, the 256GB model $1100, and the i7/512GB go for $1549. Meanwhile the Pixelbook Pen has dropped to $83 whether you buy it on its own or bundled with a Pixelbook.

February 18, 2018 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: ,

(SOLD OUT) Samsung Chromebook PLUS + $50 Gift Card + 6mo Netflix + $20 GPLAY GC + 100GB GDrive for $400

This sold out again…

[Read more…]

December 21, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: ,

Samsung Chromebook PRO + $50 Gift Card + 6mo Netflix + $20 GPLAY GC + 100GB GDrive for $500

They are back in-stock as of the time of writing! The new condition Intel-powered Samsung Chromebook PRO (model XE510C24-K01US) is in-stock again for $500, sold and shipped by Amazon itself, and it gets a FREE $50 Amazon Gift Card (physical gift card). Add both to the shopping cart and proceed to checkout. The price of the gift card will be automatically deducted while this offer is running.

The PLUS model remains out of stock.

Apart from that, you also get a nice set of freebies from Google for this model. Six months of Netflix, $20 Google Play store credit, and two years of an extra 100GB on your Google Driver. Details in our earlier post. You must claim these freebies using this new device by 12/31/17.

Speaking of Chromebooks, the previously mentioned Pixelbook offers continue…

December 20, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: ,

Google Pixelbook + $50 Gift Card + 6 months of Netflix for $899

The early bird catches the Pixelbook! The new condition Google Pixelbook (i5, 8GB, 128GB) is on sale for $899 (instead of starting price of $999) at Amazon by Amazon itself with up to three per customer at the sale price. But that’s not all, you also get a FREE $50 Amazon Gift Card. Simply add both the Pixelbook and the $50 gift card to the shopping cart and proceed to checkout. While this offer is running, the price of the gift card will be automatically deducted by the shopping cart.

This only applies to the Pixelbooks sold and shipped by Amazon itself – as it is often the case with these type of promotions. You can find the offer mentioned under the “Special offers and product promotions” part of the product page.

The bundle with the Pixelbook Pen is also discounted by $100 but does not get the $50 Amazon gift card. But fear not, you can buy the Pixelbook Pen on its own for $99, which is the difference between the two bundles anyway.

256GB PIXELBOOK
UPDATE: this dropped to $1100…

The 256GB Pixelbook is discounted too, from $1200 to $1100 [WAS $1120] and it is also eligible for the FREE $50 Amazon Gift Card. The bundle with the Pixelbook Pen goes for $99 more and does not get the free gift card, so if interested you can buy the Pixelbook Pen on its own for $99…

PRIME STUDENTS
IF you are a PRIME STUDENT, they have a promotion that gets you 10% off. I don’t have a Prime Student account, so I can’t test it.

AFTER YOU RECEIVE THE LAPTOP

The above are what Amazon gives you. After you receive the laptop and activate it, and BEFORE 12/31/17, you can get the FREE Chromebook Offers. The Pixelbook is eligible for:

+ 6 months of Netflix (a $66~ store credit)
+ two years of additional 100GB Google Drive
+ $60 game currency for the Asphalt 8 game

ALTERNATIVES

This is currently sold-out: For about half the price of the Pixelbook, you can get the Samsung Chromebook PRO which we mentioned a couple of days ago and it continues to be in-stock. The PLUS continues to be out of stock.

IF you prefer Chromebooks from other than these companies, there are a few more that participate in the $50 Gift Card promotion as well…

December 17, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: , , ,

(SOLD OUT) Samsung Chromebook PRO + $50 Gift Card + 6mo Netflix + $20 GPLAY GC + 100GB GDrive for $500

As of a late 12/18/17 recheck, this sold out again… [Read more…]

December 17, 2017 Filed Under: samsung, technology deals Tagged With: ,

(SOLD OUT) Samsung Chromebook PRO + $50 Gift Card for $500 (and $20 Google and 6-mo Netflix)

UPDATE 12/17/17 at 8:49pm ET: both the PRO and the PLUS are currently sold out and cannot be purchased… Previous updates and details after the jump….

[Read more…]

December 15, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: , ,

(SOLD OUT) Samsung Chromebook PRO + $50 Gift Card for $500

As of a 12/14/17 recheck, both Samsung Chromebooks are sold out and cannot be purchased from Amazon with this promotion. I will be monitoring the situation to see if/when they return…

[Read more…]

December 13, 2017 Filed Under: samsung Tagged With: ,

PSA: 6 Months of Netflix, $20 Google Play Gift Credit with Samsung Chromebook Plus or PRO purchased between 2/12 and 12/31 in 2017

UPDATE: Google added another freebie to their Chromebook Offers page, you also get six months of Netflix for FREE. This is the $11/month plan. You can alternately apply the value of this towards other Netflix plans. This offer is available for Pixelbooks, and Samsung Chromebook Plus and PRO. You must redeem by 12/31/17 and redeem it from the eligible Chromebook and Pixelbook. This is pretty good!

[Read more…]

December 1, 2017 Filed Under: samsung, technology deals Tagged With: ,

(ENDED) Google Pixelbook (256GB) drops to $1130

As of late 11/24/17 PM recheck, the sale ended, it is back up to $1199…

[Read more…]

November 22, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: ,

Samsung Chromebook Plus for $349

And so it begins, today’s madness of posts with the Samsung Chromebook Plus discount that was promised. It is now down to $349 in new condition at Amazon by Amazon itself and Samsung itself and Office Depot and B&H Photo and Adorama.

This is a great combo if you want both a new ChromeOS touchscreen laptop and an Android tablet with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a built-in stylus. If the included stylus is too small for some of your pixel peeping, fear not, there is also a Samsung-blessed made-in-Germany Staedtler Noris Digital Samsung Pencil (EMR Technology, Yellow Black, GP-U999ERIPAAB) that is now on sale for $17 in new condition. IF the color scheme is familiar, it is the famous German pencil manufacturer. It averages 4.3 out of 5 based on 74 customer reviews. This not only works with these Chromebooks but also various other Samsung Note phones, tablets and laptops.

Speaking of others, the Samsung Chromebook PRO with the Intel processor had a parallel discount, dropping to $450 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon itself (limit five) and at B&H Photo and Samsung itself.

PS: the Amazon same-day delivery window closes in a couple of hours, the PLUS is calling me at this price 🙂 And the discount on the Staedtler stylus is a sign 🙂 #Temptation

PS2: note that these only have two multi-purpose USB-C ports (one on each side) and a microSD slot. There are no full-size USB ports, no HDMI, no Ethernet.

November 19, 2017 Filed Under: samsung, technology deals Tagged With: , ,

PSA: Samsung Chromebook PRO and PLUS dropping to $450 and $350 next week

I mentioned these earlier in the week in the Chromebook posts, but we have an update on them today!

The official Samsung Black Friday Ad has been revealed and it in they reveal that starting on Saturday their Samsung Chromebook PRO (Intel) will drop to $450 and their PLUS (custom OP1 ARM for ChromeOS) will drop to $350. Both comes with an S-Pen stylus, touchscreen, 360 degree, two USB-C ports (no full size USB), Google Play integration, 3:2 aspect ratio, microoSD card, etc.

So this is the price to meet or beat right now! This give us five more days to research it and decide whether to jump in or not. I am definitely tempted! Both my Chromebook and Android tablet belong in a technology history museum, so this could replace both devices, and would let me do more serious blogging work on the go, not just lightweight stuff.

PS: one lesser known feature of ChromeOS is that you can login to multiple Google accounts at the same time, without having to logout and login over and over. You can even move Windows between the two accounts. Handy if you have work and personal accounts and/or multiple people in the same household using the computer interchangeably (eg during TV binging marathons). See Help page for details.

November 13, 2017 Filed Under: samsung, technology deals Tagged With: ,

ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 for $430

With Android camera and photography apps picking up in features and usability, a “ChromeDroid” (Chrome OS laptop with Google Play Android app support) may be an option for some photographers in some situations. Which brings us to a sale, the new condition ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 is down to $430 with free shipping, sold and shipped by Amazon itself with up to three units per customer.

This is competing with the Samsung Chromebook PRO which also uses the Intel m3-6Y30 processor, but the Samsung goes for $500 and comes with and supports an S-Pen stylus. The ASUS does not come with or support a specialty stylus (you can use a general purpose touchscreen stylus but those are nowhere near as accurate or useful as digitizer technology like the S-Pen, or Surface Pen or Apple Pencil or Wacoms).

Speaking of which, as of the time of writing, all four options of the ChromeOS flagship, the Google Pixelbook are now in-stock and shipping by Amazon itself. The 128GB option goes for $1000, while the 256GB goes for $1200. The Stylus costs $99 more, available as a bundle on that page or can be purchased separately.

November 12, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: , ,

In-stock now: Google Pixebook for $999

The $999 Pixelbook is now in-stock and ready to ship at Amazon by Amazon itself with up to three of them per customer at this time. This is the entry-point with 8GB RAM and Intel i5 and 128GB on-board storage.

The stylus is available for purchase separately, and it is in-stock for $99.

November 9, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: , ,

Now shipping: Google Pixelbook

If you are a fan of the Google Pixelbook, they have began shipping! The i5, 8 GB RAM, 256GB option is in-stock and shipping by Amazon itself for $1199, while the i5, 8 GB RAM, 128GB option is in the mysterious “Ships when available in 1-2 days” condition for $999.

A stylus is not included. It is available for $99 on its own [in-stock; limit 3], or in bundles with the stylus which are +$100 than the Pixelbook on its own.

This is obviously a premium device as a ChromeDroid flagship, but if you prefer a more bang-for-the-buck approach, the Samsung Chromebook PRO goes for $500 and a stylus is included.

Speaking of Samsung, we have the first “Amazon itself” token discount of the Galaxy Note 8 (unlocked, USA warranty) for $937~ instead of $950. The important thing here is that the discounting process has began, not that a $13 discount will sway millions to buy it 🙂

November 6, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: , , ,

Google Pixel Book invades Amazon

One of the brand new Google products announced yesterday [you can re-live our live-tweeting of the event if you have already finished reading the Yellow Pages] is now available for purchase at one of Google’s current bitter frenemy rivals, Amazon! The two i5 versions of the Google Pixel Book (2017) are available for pre-ordering for $999 (i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB) or for $1199 for the 256GB storage version. Amazon’s release date estimate for these is October 31st.

The third model is not available for pre-order yet, not even at the Google Store where it reveals the price of the i7 model (16GB RAM, 512GB storage), it is $1649. That’s $650 more than the base model.

Note that the PixelBook Pen is NOT included with the devices. You have to purchase it separately for $99.

Needless to say, you can get a better value with other ChromeOS devices [eg Samsung Chromebook PRO for $500] or Windows laptops, this is more of a prestige flagship in the world of Chrome OS and ChromeDroid. During the keynote they showed someone using the Adobe Lightroom Android app on this to do their lightrooming.

CRACKPOT THEORY

Another interesting thing that could potentially have Google go head to head with Samsung in 2018 or beyond: the development of the stylus pen for the PixelBook could also make its way into the Pixel smartphone line.

So perhaps the Pixel Ultra “meeting” that was teased by Google employees during the Keynote is actually this: a Pixel phone with a PixelBook Pen, a direct competitor to the Galaxy Note 8 line! Or that “Ultra” could have been a sly shot at the “iPhone X”.

October 5, 2017 Filed Under: technology deals Tagged With: , ,

(GONE!?!?!) Pre-order Samsung Chromebook PRO (Intel processor) for $550

As of 5/16/17, the pre-orders disappeared earlier in the day, and now the page itself has been removed, it is a 404 page…

[Read more…]

May 14, 2017 Filed Under: samsung Tagged With: , ,