t t t t t
t e k g a dget s / p et er w olc ha k
grab-and-go gadgets Simple, powerful and cost effective Google Samsung Chromebook Google Chromebooks are not available in this country, but I managed to arrange a loan through Google Canada, and I am glad I did: Chromebooks represent a useful alternative to traditional notebooks. Chromebooks run Chrome OS, which is to say they are basically Web browsers with a notebook attached. Owners can surf the Web (YouTube, Facebook, online banking), check e-mail, and create documents, spreadsheets and presentations (through Google Drive, formerly called Docs), but they cannot run traditional programs such as Office, Photoshop or iTunes. This means a Chromebook will not be your primary computer. But Samsung’s model makes an excellent second computer: it is small (11.6-inch screen), light and it boots up fast; the battery easily lasts through an average day; the keyboard and trackpad are excellent (although the keyboard is not backlit); and, while not a premium notebook, the build quality is quite good. Most importantly, Chromebooks are almost immune to malware, they are always up-to-date (because they run Web-based software) and they will not slow down over time, a notorious Windows problem. Hopefully, Google will decide to sell Chromebooks in Canada. The education market is an obvious fit, and Google is apparently investigating that in this country. Samsung’s model sells for US$249 in America, and at that price it is a fantastic value.
Kobo’s tablet is a contender Kobo Arc The Kobo Arc is a great 7-inch Android tablet that competes directly with Google’s Nexus 7. The specs, build quality and price are comparable; at $199, the 16GB Arc is $10 cheaper than the Nexus. So the choice comes down to interface. The Nexus runs a pure version of the Android operating system; the Arc layers on Tapestries and the Discovery Ribbon. Tapestries are folders of related items (books, music, Web sites, etc.) and in the Discovery Ribbon the Arc suggests items that might interest you. When I created a Tapestry devoted to the War of 1812 and populated it with books and Web sites, other 1812 items popped up in the Ribbon. It’s a neat trick but it didn’t do a lot for me; if I want more info, I’ll search for it. Other than that, the experiences are comparable. The Arc can access the full Android Marketplace, so you can indeed load Kindle software on it, and once I loaded the apps I like the two devices were very similar. If you’re shopping for a 7-inch tablet, choose the interface you prefer. 40 b a c k b o nem ag. com
/
m ar ch / ap ril 20 13
