Chromebooks are devices that can perform most of the same duties as computers. They're smaller but more comfortable than an Android tablet, but lack the versatility. Everything is happening online these days, and Chromebooks are a result of that. If you consider how you use your computer, you'll likely do most of your work in a web browser; even if you were stripped of most of your computer's functions, it wouldn't make much of a difference.
Google's Chrome operating system relies heavily on the company's web services and software. It seems the company assumes you're online most of the time. The company believes that when everything can be stored online, why use local storage? And online backups can be accessed from anywhere. While this is a great idea in theory, implementation has proven difficult.
India currently lacks the infrastructure to make everything available online and easily accessible. Additionally, Chromebooks launched so far have been priced high, leading people to prefer regular laptops or tablets. This trend may soon change, especially since Xolo has launched its own product in this segment, priced significantly lower than other products launched so far.
If you or someone you know is nervous about using a computer or wants to use it for small tasks, this device running on the Chrome operating system could prove to be very helpful. This is also a great opportunity for Xolo.
Look and Design
The Xolo Chromebook looks similar to any other budget laptop, but its matte gray plastic body and bright Chrome logo in one corner make it stand out. The device looks average, but more than anything, it offers utility. The body is designed in a way that fits snugly when you try to hold it between your fingers.
The device's body material reminded us of shockproof laptops designed with students in mind, which seems like a wise decision. Opening the device, we find a glossy plastic around the keyboard. We found that this surface is prone to stains.
The keyboard is quite large, but you'll immediately notice its layout doesn't match most laptops. Below it is a standard buttonless trackpad. The matte, textured panel above the screen houses the webcam. Other than these features, the design isn't particularly noteworthy. There
's a USB 2.0 port on each side. On the left, there's a power inlet and status LED, an HDMI video output, and an exposed microSD card slot. On the right, there's a 3.5mm headset socket and a Kensington lock slot. The bottom of the Chromebook features two USB ports.
There are cutouts for small speakers, but they aren't positioned well enough to emit sound clearly. Furthermore, the bottom is completely blank, and there's no need for vents.
If you're looking for a fashion statement, consider another device. As for a budget product, we're happy with the appearance and build quality.
Specifications and Software:
This isn't a super-fast device, even for an Android tablet. The device is powered by a Rockchip RK3288 processor, which features four ARM Cortex-A17 cores clocked at 1.88GHz and an integrated Mali-T624 GPU. The RK3288 processor also handles 4K video output and HD video decoding. It has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage, with a microSD card slot if needed.
Users will also receive 100GB of free Google Drive space for two years.
The 11.6-inch, 1366x768 pixel screen is perfectly suited for a budget laptop. However, the 1-megapixel webcam is too weak for a device that's expected to be used frequently. It also has Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0. Xolo claims the 4,200mAh battery lasts up to 10 hours, but under what conditions, it hasn't specified. The device doesn't have a built-in feature for cellular data usage.
Our review unit came with Chrome OS version 42.0.2311.153, and during our review, we received the update to version 43.0.2357.130. Updating was a simple one-click process. Waiting a few minutes, and the device rebooted. Google typically releases small updates, and these changes aren't always noticeable.
Google's Material Design touches, such as icons, shadows, and layered panels, are now reflected in Chrome OS, making things look sleeker than before. The launcher menu has been replaced by a search interface, which also features Google Now cards. Frequently used apps are visible; to access other apps, you'll need to go to the "All apps" submenu. You can enable automatic voice search with the "OK Google" command in the Chrome settings page. As expected, everything syncs with your Google account when you sign in. If you use the same account in the Chrome browser on an Android device or desktop, you'll find more personal information is visible here as well.
Performance:
The Xolo Chromebook can't be compared to budget laptops. Consider it a web browser, not a regular laptop. If you spend your entire day using Chrome, you won't feel like you're missing out. Multiple user profiles can be set up using separate Google accounts, and there's also a guest mode.
Many Android apps can now run on Chrome OS. The future is expected to bring more diversity to the platform. Multitasking, file management, and media playback can be a bit frustrating.
To use Chromebooks, you need to understand some concepts and limitations. The keyboard doesn't have a "home" key, which is a bit concerning. It also lacks an Fn key sequence, which is disappointing for those who use keyboard shortcuts. There are dedicated buttons for back, forward, and refresh. There are also dedicated buttons for brightness adjustment, volume adjustment, mute, power/lock, and full-screen. The
Xolo Chromebook's user experience is slightly different. The screen isn't glossy, but it's also not sharp. Colors are just average, but viewing angles are quite good. The keyboard is quite poor. The keycaps kept shaking during use, and during fast typing, they started hitting the plastic surrounding them, which affected our typing speed. The trackpad is decent, but it was too low for our comfort. We were very disappointed with the poor quality of the webcam.
One particularly odd issue was that whenever we clicked on a text entry field, the Chrome OS soft keyboard would pop up before we could start typing. This should happen with tablets, not devices that don't even have a touchscreen and come with a full keyboard.
We streamed some media files and played some from a USB drive. We didn't encounter any issues, but the sound from the Xolo Chromebook's small speakers wasn't adequate. The device scored 2,160 points on BrowserMark and 654ms on SunSpider, which are average for a budget device. We opened several Chrome browser windows at once, along with multiple tabs, but the device never felt slow.
One area where the Xolo Chromebook performed exceptionally well is battery life. During informal testing, we found that the company's claimed 10-hour backup time was largely true. We also liked the fact that the system booted up and shut down very little.
Our Verdict
Performance isn't a factor when using a device solely for web browsing, playing low-power games, and streaming videos. The Xolo Chromebook handles all these functions with ease. Priced at ₹12,999, the Xolo Chromebook is a great option for users who want a simple machine for communication and light entertainment. Students and seniors will appreciate this device, and it could prove useful for those looking for a tablet with a keyboard.
However, for functions other than a browser, you'll need to invest significantly in cloud-based software and services and adapt to India's broadband connectivity. Fortunately, you're not restricted to Google's own apps and services, but this will still be a learning opportunity for many.
Chromebooks launched in India so far have not sold well due to connectivity and price issues. Infrastructure is a major problem today, and improving it will require significant effort and time. Xolo has certainly addressed some of these shortcomings.
We've always advised those considering a Chromebook to carefully consider the purchase. If you understand the device's capabilities and capabilities, and what it can and cannot do, it can be a very valuable investment.
Price: Rs 12,999
Pros
1. Lightweight and well built
2. Affordable
3. Good battery life
Cons
1. Not much versatility
2. Internet access required
3. Average keyboard and trackpad
Ratings (5)
1. Design: 3.5
2. Display: 3
3. Performance: 3
4. Software: 3.5
5. Battery life: 4
6. Value for money: 4
7. Overall: 3.5
