Is Chromebook safe?

It would be very helpful if you could return to the Chromebook idea you highlighted in the March 2013 issue. What, for example, are the 'some limitations'?

And while Google may seem to be doing 'a lot of hard work for nothing', might some readers (me. for example) reflect that Google did a lot of hard work digitizing other people's books without their leave?  Or in hoovering up wi-fi traffic from vans outside people's homes.  Thus, can Google be trusted not to appropriate our emails and files?

RD

The limits of a Chromebook arise mainly because you are limited to using software that works with the Chrome Operating system, and that means, for example  that you cannot use Skype, but they are currently working on it.  They offer Google hangout in its place, which is just as good, but useless if you want to communicate with someone in China, where Google is largely blocked.

You also have to connect a printer via wi-fi, so if your printer does not ave wi-fi capability  you'll have to replace it; but there are wi-fi printers for well under £100.

Also, if it is vital that you use Microsoft Word, for example, you can't - all documents are created in Google Docs, online, but they are compatible with Word.  

But if you do not need such matters, and use the thing mainly for online work, it may be for you.  I am a fan of the Chromebook, but the later generations will have a much wider compatibly  if you can wait. 

One physical drawback of the current crop is that the screens are are, frankly  a bit too small for working on most documents, if that's what you want to do.  But that's a personal view, and anyway it's just a hardware matter, and I have no doubt that bigger ones will emerge soon.  My advice is to go to a sensible shop (John Lewis is always very helpful, in my experience, if there is one nearby) and have a play with one, before you buy.

As for trusting Google with your data; the short answer is that if your data leaves your computer then it is arguably less safe than if it stayed at home; but I suppose that depends on how safe your home is! Remember that the likes of Google live or die by their care of your data.  Think of it like a safe deposit company; if you do business with a respectable company, your assets will be as safe as it is possible to be.  Whether that is safe enough is for you to decide.

Like so many commercial things, it's all a matter of trust; I believe we will all store almost everything with such organisations in due course, at which point I would expect the likes of Waitrose, or Virgin, trusted by everyone, to start selling a premium version.  

More details of he current Chromebooks by clicking here.  I have no financial interest in them!