Makhno was not looking: the transition experience with the MacBook Pro Retina to the Chromebook Pixel 2

Editor in Chief of The Next Web, Martin Bryant was delighted with the Chromebook Pixel ever since the first version. Resemblance to the MacBook and seductive minimalism of Chrome OS sunk into his soul. The only sticking point - given the limited functionality - was a high cost: $ 1,300. after the presentation, Chromebook Pixel 2Whose price has dropped to $ 999, Bryant gave up and decided to change seats for a week with my Macbook Pro Retina, 2012 by the new Chromebook. About how it was read below.

Day 1. The first difficulties

Pixel unpacking, I set the initial configuration, which is incredibly easy. As on the Mac, I use Chrome, you all I had to do is to log in with your Google-account and wait for about ten minutes until all of my applications and settings will be loaded. Kaif!

Most of the daily work I am doing in the browser: writing articles, check my email, talk on Twitter and Facebook. So I was hoping for a quiet working process and a minimum of stimuli. But it was not there…

As a password manager 1Password I use, and it works great with Chrome on the Mac. Browser Extension works in conjunction with a native application running in the background, and automatically adds the necessary logins and passwords on any site.

The Chrome OS has its own solution, but it is not a seamless: 1Password is your safe should be stored in Dropbox, and he will there in the form of the html-file, which opens the web interface, in turn, gives access to passwords and other saved elements. This is very inconvenient because you have to manually look for sites or applications, logins, and then to open password, copy it from there, switch to the next tab and paste into the appropriate field.

Create new logins, you can, but will have to invent their own passwords because the password generator is not here. It is also very inconvenient.

Given the meager share of Chrome OS on the market, such a mediocre integration is not surprising.

Having dealt with the initial setup, I had to call via Skype. It's all sad at all: for Chrome OS is not a native version of a Skype, so if you need it, she will have to be installed on Chromebook Linux. There is a web version of Skype, but it still does not support Chrome OS.

I was not able to convince the person to whom it was necessary to call, go in Hangouts, so I had to run Skype on an iPhone and put it on the Pixel keyboard. Work, but, of course, far from the ideal solution.

Day 2. Trouble with Dropbox

On the second day I had to prepare for an article a few screenshots from the iPhone. it is usually as follows: the content management system TNW they fall from a folder on my Mac, which syncs with Dropbox and which automatically uploads all photos from "Films» iPhone (I first treated if necessary them in Pixelmator).

The Chrome OS no-usual Dropbox app or a native integration with the file system. Of course, you can download "app» Dropbox from Chrome Web Store, but it is only a link to a web-based interface. I'm sure the guys from Dropbox could come up with something pofunktsionalnee and more convenient.

Day 3. Irritation from iCloud

On the third day, I "knew joy" web version of iCloud. On a Mac without it you can easily do, but it is very important a Chromebook, especially if you are using iOS-devices.

"Notes" and "Reminders" is quite convenient to use on the web. Mail Address, "Contacts" and "Calendars" too, but I personally do not need it, because I sync them with Google. The only thing that is not enough - it is the "Messages". On a Mac very convenient to respond to messages, without having to switch on the iPhone, but there is this, of course, not.

Later, I had to go through the presentation in Keynote, which sent CEO TNW. Hell! On iCloud.com you can use the Web versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote, but they are absolutely not optimized for Chrome and works pretty mediocre.

I was sent a Keynote-file via Google Drive, so I had to first download and unzip it. By doing this, I realized that in Chrome OS web version of Keynote does not allow to download a simple drag and drop files. Curse. We have to view the presentation slides for in Google Drive.

Day 4. Almost all works

After the chaos of the first three days, the fourth was full of gracious tranquility: Chrome-through application, I received everything that the need arose. For example, Sunrise CalendarWho worked in the same way as a desktop application for the Mac.

I found that pressing the button "Search" and scrolling pop-up window displays Google Now my cards, as well as to appreciate the advantages of the touch screen. Also, I noticed an animated reflection of open tabs that have recently been updated. It is very convenient for Web applications that do not support the built-in notifications in Chrome.

Quiet work without distractions - one of the strengths of Chrome OS, and today I really felt it.

Day 5. Return on the Mac (not for long)

Today I'm on the road. We need to get to a meeting where I'm supposed to make a presentation. Slides are in iCloud and Google Drive, so that open them to the Chromebook will not be difficult. But their transfer from the Chromebook to the projector - for more than a tricky task.

The Pixel has two New USB-CIR ports, and two standard USB plus a slot for SD-cards, but there is no video output such as HDMI. There are adapters USB-C - HDMI, but I did not have time to find this, so today I am a little cheat and use my MacBook.

Day 6. Problems with handling photo

Thanks to the editor Pixlr, a basic image processing is fairly simple as long as it does not go for something more sophisticated. Once a week I have to edit some of the multi-layered PSD Photoshop. The Pixelmator on the Mac, it takes about five minutes. But in Chrome OS there is no any opportunity to do so. Pixlr supports PSD-files, but at a very limited level.

I had the second time to switch on a Mac, to work in Pixelmator. When Adobe Photoshop Streaming is going to open to a larger number of users? For those who pay a subscription, it could solve the problem with Photoshop in the Chrome OS in one fell swoop.

Day 7:

Today we need to write a lot, as well as to disassemble a bunch of mail. Pixel two shortcomings are evident:

1. There are no keyboard shortcuts that I use in TextExpander input harvested phrases reductions to quickly reply to emails.
2. Perhaps this is the problem of my copy Pixel or my specific set of style, but inogdaklavishaprobelanesrabatyvaet, and I have to go back and set the missing gaps.

Conclusion: I'm in love. Madly and recklessly

How the hell can I say that love with Pixel 2 after all that is written above?

Sometimes we love people, turning a blind eye to all the obvious flaws. The same I have with the Chromebook Pixel 2. The work in the browser, there is something soothing and focused, he really lets you perform most of today's problems at a good level.

Weaknesses such as the lack of easy access to Skype features and more advanced image editing, scare off some users, but not all. For those moments, you can use a PC or a poppy, set somewhere in the next room, to which you can connect by Chrome Remote Desktop.

If you do not take into account these shortcomings, Pixel 2 - it's a good hardware platform, which provides excellent user experience. Unlike the cheaper Chromebook, I have used this quietly opens a number of tabs, which I need, even if some of them are applications that are updated in real-time (Chartbeat, Parsely Dash, Tweetdeck). I had a version with Intel Core i5, and it got a little load (high fan speeds and a slowdown) Only once, when I left not optimized for Chrome Keynote from the web version of iCloud for 30 minutes without supervision.

Pixel attractive looks and is perceived as a high-quality device: high-resolution screen, USB-C ports and convenient function of the charge level check (you need to double-tap the cover).

Ergonomics has only one flaw: the muffled sound of the speaker, which is located under the keyboard. For the rest, no complaints.

Is Pixel 2 for you?

If you "live in the cloud," value (and can afford) high-quality tools that can make life easier, - Chromebook Pixel is the best choice.

He certainly is not for everyone, but only in the sense that the Tesla Roadster is not for everyone. People who appreciate the benefits and the user experience can be no doubt in the purchase.

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