Chromebook vs. netbook

Netbooks running Windows operating systems proved to be superior to Chromebooks running Chrome OS due to their diverse and high-performance application systems.

>>>'Samsung Series 5 ChromeBook' smash box

Partnering with the world's largest searcher, Samsung unveiled its Chromebook 5 Series computer, the first laptop to run Google's Chrome OS web-based operating system. Samsung Chromebook Series 5 is extremely fast, secure, and has Internet access at all times.

Chromebook Series 5 is priced similar to netbooks running Windows operating systems with similar configurations and the ability to run in parallel with both computer applications and web platforms. The regular version of this product costs $ 429 and the 3G version is $ 499.

Here are a few comparisons of Laptopmag's blog about these two models with representatives of Chromebook Series 5 and netbook Asus 1215B.

User interface.

Those who are familiar with surfing the web with Google Chrome will feel comfortable using the Chrome OS operating system. The product allows fast and intuitive web surfing. Web-based applications are saved on the browser homepage, which includes recently closed or frequently used applications. Extension applications are displayed right next to the search toolbar. Users can open a new tab by clicking the plus icon next to the open tab.

Chrome OS is integrated with some key features like on the desktop. Like on the PC, the downloaded folders stored in File Manager are accessed from the Settings menu. Users can perform other customizations in this section such as Internet, user accounts and some information about the system. Some apps like GTalk and Scratchpad have icons in the right corner of the screen.

Google Chrome 12 running on Windows is also linked to Google items such as images, news, sales, applications. They are the default link for frequently visited pages and recently closed websites. The biggest advantage when using Windows is that users are not confined to a web browser or an application.

In addition to Chrome, Windows, it can also run Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. The operating system also has the advantage of software, games such as Microsoft Office, World of Warcraft and many online applications and other compatible offline.

Winner: Asus 1215B netbook.

Windows allows users to use many different web browsers at the same time. In addition, the management and control on the desktop is also a plus for this operating system.

Efficiency.

Chrome OS starts up in about 14 seconds. The browsing speed of this operating system is also very fast, the test of loading Laptopmag pages only takes 2.4 seconds, ESPN takes 2.5 seconds and USA Today in 3.5 seconds.

However, the Atom processor for Chromebook Series 5 is not aimed at power. In the browser test on PeaceKeeper the operating system only scored 1,905 points and 1,446 ms with the JavaScript Benchmark test. In the WebGL Aquarium test, the results are disappointing with 4 frames per second while the test is done with the lowest option (a fish, no background and no light).

Asus 1215B boots longer (35 seconds) but gives much better performance than Series 5. Chrome 12 browser loads pages only slightly slower than Chrome OS, Laptopmag page loading time is 2.6 seconds, ESPN and USA Today is 2.9 and 4.3 seconds respectively.

The Windows web browser defeated Chrome OS when recording 3,005 points on the Peacekeeper test and Sunspider's 1,088.6 ms. In the WebGL Aquarium test, 1215B displays at 35 frames per second (one fish and the highest option). At the level of displaying 1,000 fish and the maximum option, Asus 1215 allows to display 15 frames per second.

Victory: Asus 1215B.

In addition to the fast boot time, Chrome OS offers poorer performance compared to other low-cost netbooks and laptops.

>> Playing games and multimedia

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Multimedia (video and audio quality).

Chromebook Series 5 offers better display quality than other 12-inch netbooks. Chromebook screen has a resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels and 300 nit brightness allows full-screen video playback in HD Ready 720p quality.

However, when experimenting with the 1080p 1080p Green Lantern trailer, the Chromebook snatched and stopped the image while delivering content. The color displayed on Series 5 is also not good. The sound quality of Chromebook Series is not outstanding, distorted and weak when playing the song Girls (Run The World) by Beyoncé. When the volume is maximized, the sound of the Series 5 is not enough to hear in a small room.

Asus 1215B has a resolution screen of 1366 x 768 pixels showing vivid turquoise when playing the Green Lantern trailer. Video presentation in both 720p and 1080p modes is smooth. However, when the screen is turned to 45 degrees, the image fades. Sound on Asus laptops is bigger, clearer and clearer than Chromebook Series 5, but sometimes there is still distortion.

Victory: Asus 1215B.

Asus laptops allow 1080p HD video playback. Although the viewing angle is narrow, the 1215B still provides a good display with vivid colors. The sound of this laptop is also bigger and clearer than Chromebook Series 5.

Gaming.

Neither Chromebook Series 5 and Asus 1215B are able to run graphics for heavy games like World of Warcraft or Far Cry 2 but can only allow users to play regular flash games. Experiment with the online version of the game Plants Vs. Zombies, the blog site Laptopmag, said the Series 5 still has a recoil and hang when playing, even if no software is running in the background. For Sinous games, Chromebooks only lag when opening 10 tabs, downloading Peacekeeper page and YouTube at the same time.

Asus 1215B allows gaming Plants vs. gaming. More "zombie" zombies. Asus laptops handle no lag when playing Fruit Ninja until they open 8 tabs on Internet Explorer and 10 tabs on Google Chrome at the same time, one side runs Peacekeeper, one side opens YouTube.

Victory: Asus 1215B.

Netbooks running Windows allow smooth online gaming and the ability to play several offline games that don't require too high configuration.

Battery life.

Samsung claims that the Chromebook Series 5 has an impressive standby battery life of up to 8.5 hours and 5 hours when playing games. Battery of Serie 5 has 3 times longer time than the battery, allowing the number of recharges up to 1000 times. Meanwhile, the ASUS 1215B has a battery life of up to 6.5 hours, similar to laptops with the same configuration.