[PCWorld]

Post your comments for 13 killer Chrome apps to replace your desktop software here

[AimFL]

Thank you for posting this....I found it while researching tablets. Never bought one but my pc died today and I'm in real estate so I'm thinking this is the way to go. Do you have a recommendation for a tablet that easily connects to a monitor? Thanks!

[jugghead3]

Cool article!

I'd say the reason most of these apps within Chrome aren't quite as sharp as their PC brethren isn't because their web based, but rather because they are free. They simply don't have the fit and finish of a paid company (yet?).

[Internet2k4]

I set up and was generally impressed with a Google spreadsheet (for what it does, which does not come close to full desktop Excel and should not be compared with it) but soon ran into an irritating limit on the number of formulas that can be used in a single workbook - can't recall what the limit was but it forced creation of separate workbooks that didn't make sense. But the idea of a cloud-based and collaboration friendly spreadsheet is good.

[thewazak]

Nice free ad for Google - but not likely to make too many converts.

Especially from the many who (correctly) believe Google knows to much about us all already!

Clouds are for birds .......

[ReadandShare]

For me, Google Docs is a non starter. Docs won't let us create, upload, or even store password-protected files. This means your docs and spreadsheets all reside unencrypted and protected only by your Google email account -- weak.

While most of my files don't need to be protected / encrypted, I just don't want to bother with storing just unprotected Office files in Google and protected Office files elsewhere!

There are plenty of other options that allow storing of encrypted files -- such as DropBox and SkyDrive.

[pastmasters]

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Thank you for posting this....I found it while researching tablets. Never bought one but my pc died today and I'm in real estate so I'm thinking this is the way to go. Do you have a recommendation for a tablet that easily connects to a monitor? Thanks!

Consider using a Chromebook, I am writing this on one and now use 90% of the time in preference to my laptops.

[Greaseman]

This is exactly the problem with today's society. We are so connected to the internet and the "cloud" that we have made a cyber-terrorist's job much easier. All one has to do is disrupt Google's connections and instantly millions of people are screwed until Google fixes things. Or worse, hack into Google's (or whatever cloud provider's) servers and destroy all your documents.
Sorry but the cloud will never replace the desktop for me, no matter how many idiots adopt it as their main computing platform. At best the cloud functions as a tertiary storage platform for me and nothing else.

[prjdual]

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Thank you for posting this....I found it while researching tablets. Never bought one but my pc died today and I'm in real estate so I'm thinking this is the way to go. Do you have a recommendation for a tablet that easily connects to a monitor? Thanks!

The Kindle Fire HD connects to a monitor or TV through HDMI. It's only $199 for the 7" inch version that has 720p and it's $250 today for the 8.9" inch version, which features full 1080p.

[ReadandShare]

Correction: My comment above pertained to the Google Docs. Its replacement -- Google Drive -- now allows for uploading and storing of encrypted files -- similar to DropBox and SkyDrive.

[Vegasexcitement]

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I set up and was generally impressed with a Google spreadsheet (for what it does, which does not come close to full desktop Excel and should not be compared with it) but soon ran into an irritating limit on the number of formulas that can be used in a single workbook - can't recall what the limit was but it forced creation of separate workbooks that didn't make sense. But the idea of a cloud-based and collaboration friendly spreadsheet is good.

I enjoy Chrome Spreadsheet as well. I create websites and use spreadsheet to keep track of it all. Pity all those years I paid for software to do the same. I love spreadsheet!
Don, Las Vegas

[luvclu]

Any thoughts on Zoho's web apps such as their word processor? Also there was no mention about Microsoft Sky Drive's word processors or online Office versions? I am a school teacher and I'm thinking that some of these might be useful for me to use with my online document instead of having to take my computer or flash drive back-and-forth since I do not want to have to install dropbox on my school district issued computer.

[SwedenWebmaster]

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For me, Google Docs is a non starter. Docs won't let us create, upload, or even store password-protected files. This means your docs and spreadsheets all reside unencrypted and protected only by your Google email account -- weak. While most of my files don't need to be protected / encrypted, I just don't want to bother with storing just unprotected Office files in Google and protected Office files elsewhere! There are plenty of other options that allow storing of encrypted files -- such as DropBox and SkyDrive.

Just a suggestion....You could zip / rar up your docs and password that file instead...Send the password separately - bit of a workaround but would give you the security of knowing your files are encrypted!

[ChristopherAndreaenz5c]

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Thank you for posting this....I found it while researching tablets. Never bought one but my pc died today and I'm in real estate so I'm thinking this is the way to go. Do you have a recommendation for a tablet that easily connects to a monitor? Thanks!

The toshiba thrive easily connects to a monitor, keyboard and mouse using its docking station.

[campbell2644]

An advert for Google but why not mention other apps too?
Many users don't want to be entirely under Google's all seeing umbrella

[rstoeber]

You say "Add Skype to the mix, and it's just like working in the same room, even if the other person is a continent away." but as far as I know Skype doesn't work on Chrome OS.

Am I wrong? Have they released a Skype extension?

[graydog111]

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Thank you for posting this....I found it while researching tablets. Never bought one but my pc died today and I'm in real estate so I'm thinking this is the way to go. Do you have a recommendation for a tablet that easily connects to a monitor? Thanks!

Being a Mac user since the introduction in the mid-80's, I would not consider anything but a Macbook Air or Macbook Pro. I love my 13" MBP, no tablet for me.

[WinandMac]

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Thank you for posting this....I found it while researching tablets. Never bought one but my pc died today and I'm in real estate so I'm thinking this is the way to go. Do you have a recommendation for a tablet that easily connects to a monitor? Thanks!

[WinandMac]

Tablet/laptop hybrids are really interesting.

You can detach the keyboard and use it is a tablet, or type on it with a normal keyboard.

The Acer Iconia w510, for example, has an hdmi-output, so you can connect it to a bigger display.

http://reviews.cnet....7-35472859.html

[gyffesgyffeshcr8]

I'm a big fan of Zoho's services but find an annoying variance in what features are available based on browser: for example, something as basic as changing the title of a page in the OneNote-alike app is NOT present in a few browsers (I'm sorry, I've lost specifics of which work and which don't right now).. usually I know the feature I want is missing and go opening browsers 'til it reappears.

btw, I really dislike not being able to keyboard my copy/paste in gDocs/firefox.. is this available in gDocs/Chrome?