The big question would be why?

The answer isn’t too straightforward, or maybe it is.

I have a 2013 Google Nexus 7 tablet that is experiencing more and more issues; and I have a 2009 Dell Studio 1536 laptop that is also showing its age. So I’ve been trying to decide what to replace them with.

Here are the reasons to replace the tablet:

• It has not been supported by Google for several years
• It is stuck on Android 6 – Marshmellow
• The only way to upgrade it to a new version of Android risks bricking it, as it would have to be a custom ROM
• The tablet has issues with the battery charging. It sometimes fully discharges while connected the the charger.
• Sometimes it crashes to the point that I have to open it up and reseat the ribbon cables and such just to get it to turn back on.
• The touch screen sometimes is either non-responsive or overly sensitive.

The reasons to replace the laptop:

• While it is able to run the current version of Windows 10, it is extremely slow.
• Even after replacing the battery, I only get 2-3 hours on the battery
• It is heavy
• I rarely have need of a full blown portable computer

So the ideal solution would be to find a device that can take the place of both the tablet and the laptop. Here enters the possibility of a Chromebook.

Advantages of a Chromebook:

• Light-weight device
• Larger screen than the tablet
• With the newer Chrome OS, it can run Android apps from the Google Play store, meaning that it is no longer an “online only” device
• Inexpensive compared to a Windows laptop
• Less storage space is required as many things are web-based and doesn’t require apps to be installed

Disadvantages of a Chromebook:

• The hardware upgrade-ability is limited.

The Chromebook I selected for my first is a Class-B grade refurbished Lenovo N22-20 Chromebook. This means, it’s about 4 years old, but it is capable of running Android Apps. It also means that I have less of a financial investment involved. I only paid $69.99 at TigerDirect for it.

Being “low cost” in this case, allows me to try it out before making the big decision of going “whole hog” into the world of Chromebooks.

There are several things I want to be able to do on a mobile device, and with one exception the Lenovo N22 takes care of me. Aside from the general stuff like checking my email and surfing the web, I wanted to be able to:

• Play Microsoft Solitaire Collection
• Connect, stream, and download media from my Emby server
• Access/update my fitness activities from my Garmin devices

Of those, the only thing I cannot do with the Chromebook is sync my Garmin Forerunner 310XT, because that fitness watch does not have bluetooth, and the Lenovo N22 does not support ANT+. It does work with my Garmin Edge 520 without any issue. I do not blame the Chromebook for this, as the Garmin watch is old.

I am just on day 3 of the Chromebook, but so far it has met my expectations in the more frequently needed activities.

• I am able to take care of anything that can be done in a web browser
• Using an SD Card or Flash drive, I can download media from my server to watch offline
• I can stream while online
• Using Teamviewer, I can connect to my PC to do tasks remotely
• Can use my wireless mouse without any issue

With the exception of not being a touchscreen or being able to open 180 degrees (like a Yoga), this Chromebook has replaced both devices. I will probably still be using my Nexus 7, until it completely dies, as it is still more convenient for stuff like Kindle and propping it up on a steering wheel. As far as uploading data from my Garmin Forerunner, that only comes into play when I go hiking on vacations. For that I can either wait until I get home to sync, or use a different app on my phone to track my hikes.

Overall, this refurbished Lenovo N22-20 Chromebook is a winner.