I already use FREE Drive storage for all of my documents, etc. Will I now have to PAY for storage subscriptions if I buy a Chromebook?
1448818
Nope, not at all. I setup my mother with her existing gmail account, which connects to her free Google Drive. The only reason you would need to pay for any of that free storage is if you need more. Even Skydrive and Dropbox have web interfaces, so you can still access those from Chromebook as well.
2124564
You don't have to continue with the Cloud service and can just keep everything on ur PC. The cloud service is for backing up and remote access of your data. It's a terrific software package if you want to eliminate your filing cabinet. I've used it for the last two years and recently upgraded. As I'm on the road, I can take pictures of all my receipts and the cloud service captures them, I then have the Neat software generate an expense report! It works great. I highly recommend it. It's a real document solution, not just a scanner.
1041064
Mary. I politely suggest that you should do some more research on Chromebooks before deciding to purchase one. The one word answer to your question is "no", but there are a lot of buts. Some of the buts include, "you don't need to because you can run Google docs apps." In short, there are significant differences between a windows laptop and a chromebook. Google's own site is a good place to start, along with Wikipedia or other sources. I personally love a Chromebook for many tasks, and it is a great second computer. I have a MacBook as my primary system, but a Chromebook does not replace it... yet. Mary. I politely suggest that you should do some more research on Chromebooks before deciding to purchase one. The one word answer to your question is "no", but there are a lot of buts. Some of the buts include, "you don't need to because you can run Google docs apps." In short, there are significant differences between a windows laptop and a chromebook. Google's own site is a good place to start, along with Wikipedia or other sources. I personally love a Chromebook for many tasks, and it is a great second computer. I have a MacBook as my primary system, but a Chromebook... » Read More Mary. I politely suggest that you should do some more research on Chromebooks before deciding to purchase one. The one word answer to your question is "no", but there are a lot of buts. Some of the buts include, "you don't need to because you can run Google docs apps." In short, there are significant differences between a windows laptop and a chromebook. Google's own site is a good place to start, along with Wikipedia or other sources. I personally love a Chromebook for many tasks, and it is a great second computer. I have a MacBook as my primary system, but a Chromebook does not replace it... yet. « Show Less
2028499
You really can't download or install anything on a chromebook. You only will have a chrome web browser to do anything with.
1999283
Give up now. This notebook has no place for a hard drive. It only has solid-state memory. That's it. If you want more use an SD card in the provided slot. You're only reasonable operating system options are as follows: Either you choose to use the Chrome OS provided on it. Or you replace the operating system with CHRUBUNTU, as I intend to. Both Chrome OS and open to one run well on small computers with low amounts of RAM and small processors. Windows seven is a memory hog and will completely die on the notebook if you ever manage to install it which I doubt you will.
1075481
I'm using a Toshiba Win 8.1. It's above my paygrade to answer for Chromebook, etc
1642630
Yes! They recently added the ability to save Google Docs locally to the device, in an "Offline" folder. The next time you connect to the internet it will upload all the files to your Google Drive.
1656121
a chromebox is intended to store most of a user's data in the cloud, not on the "hard drive". so a 16GB hard drive should be more than sufficient.
589772
None that I know of from the manufacturer; however, since it is an android product, all google logins have some amount of free storage via google documents (now called google drive) you could use for certain, free.
803731
google it and it will tell you how as with Jason's answer you are always going to have to sign into Google Drive I have a Chromebox and have to sign in to Google Drive when I print from that computer but not from my Mac AIO or my gaming PC.
784714
Honestly, I have not tried doing so. But, it would work if Chrome has some kind of built-in driver for the drive. Generally, it seems that Chrome has limitations and, while easy to use, is not as robust as MS Windows when it comes to settings and possibly to attaching devices. My impression has been that this is more of a cloud (internet-connected) type of setup. Though, you're welcome to try attaching an external drive. I'd be curious to know if the attached drive would work.
1332247
Yes. Google Docs is a part of Google Apps. Its accessible from Google Drive. It's able to do 99% of what MS Word does. And it's free. In fact there is a Google Apps that emulates or replaces everything in the Office suite. All you need is a free Google account. I've been using Google Apps for over 4 years now and it's amazing. In fact, it's the main reason why a Chromebook makes sense for misty purchasers. Do yourself a favor and research Google Apps. Once you do you'll see why a Chromebook is such a great choice.
1059954
I don't know of any additional charges so I would say no. It's a hardware purchase not a service plan and I do not recommend the product. Toshiba has other external hard drives that have worked well for me but not this one.
1453410
I don't know if Chromebook works with an external hard drive. I suggest checking with Google to answer that.
1642631
Yes, however you have to download a desktop version from the Chrome store. When you are not connected to wifi, some of the capabilities are limited, but you can still use and save your documents until you are reconnected
967593
It works like a jump drive, so if all your music is in mp3 format and if your chromebook works with jump drives should be good.
1886379
There are NO microsoft office programs available for chromebook. You do have the option of using Google Docs which will edit Word documents and offers pretty much the same features. An option MAY be that you get the new Office 365 (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/home-premium/) that is a "CLOUD" based program (I have not tried it with my Chromebook, so I don't know if it works). This however costs you like $99/yr for all of office. If this does not appeal to you, then a chromebook is not for you.