So FREAKIN' mad right now

I recommend art rage. It's in expensive and has mac os versions as well as windows. I have no idea what OS Chromebooks use though, but I can do some research on art programs you cna use.

Sumo Paint

SketchPad

Last edited on 2016-07-01 at 09:57:10 by -❆-Buck

When I started shopping for my current computer I looked into Chromebooks a lot, and it left me wondering why do Chromebooks even exist!!!

So sorry Angles DX

one solution could be to use lightshot its a print screen that you can crop to your artwork and uploaded to the web for you c:

They exist for fast internet browsing. Apparently a new OS, so naturally it's going to take some time for any sort of products to be available for it.

#yayresearch

Could you just save up for a copy of windows - wipe the OS on the laptop and install windows? (I don't know if this is actually possible, just askin')

Theoretically possible, seems like chromebooks use standard brands to produce their items, such as Toshiba and Lenovo. So, it's possible. I don't know if you'd have to jail break it though.

Chrome OS isn't a "new" OS waiting for things to be able to run on it. It's literally made as the cheapest, most basic laptop there is - for schools, people who only want to be able to use the internet and word processing, etc. It uses some Apple software, some Linux stuff, but is a hybrid and because it comes on such a cheap laptop build in the first place, it's not designed to handle a lot of the higher end stuff most others can.

You also can't install Windows on it directly, so no, the above suggestions won't work. The BIOS of Chromebooks is made to be incompatible with standard operating systems, it doesn't matter who made it. Manufacturers have absolutely nothing to do with it. Wiping the Chrome OS leaves you with no options unless you rewrote the code inside the computer.

There IS a way you can use Windows programs on it, but you have to be kind of tech savvy (and it only works on Intel-based Chromebooks). You'll have to download the correct Linux OS on a USB, put the Chromebook in developer mode, and then boot from the USB. (note this link doesn't have every step, just an overview.) Installing a Linux software called Wine lets you run a lot of Windows programs that don't have Linux options.
You'll also be able to run GIMP with Linux as well!

Buuuut of course that's time intensive, so if you don't want to try it, waiting might be the only option D:

I hate Chromebooks with a passion. They're even more useless than Dell's Mini series (my first laptop...), which was more or less the predecessor to today's cheap, tiny laptops. If you can talk to your Nana and mom, suggest a nice Dell or Asus laptop. Dell's Inspiron series laptops are being discontinued (older models, nothing wrong with the laptops themselves) are going for about $500 at Staples, Best Buy, etc - I got one of these and it's about a $700 value at least, so the price is AMAZING for what you get.

Last edited on 2016-07-01 at 10:36:54 by ©Zell

@Zell The main reason I bought my Chromebook was for word processing/excel and internet access. Plus, it's cheap enough that I won't get too [censored] if someone steals it at school or on public transit.....as opposed to, say, my ridiculously expensive gaming laptop. I actually am really happy with it. I guess it just comes down to what you want X piece of electronic equipment for.

@Angels It's *extremely* frustrating when something you're excited about (present!) doesn't end up being what you want it to be. :( Have you looked into pixlr? It lets me save what I'm working on to my Chromebook.

Exactly, Ducky, it's good for very basic things and it's awesome if you like it just for that...but it's not very good as a "traditional" laptop haha.

@Zell - Thank you for the suggestions, and I'm glad we both share a hate for them! I didn't realize that they were just cheap, basic laptops. I do love it for quick internet browsing and arranging my files and such. Definitely not an art laptop. My Nana is looking into getting me a Surface Pro, and I'll definitely be doing some research on them before I'm completely certain that that's the one I want.

@Ducky - It really is frustrating! And I actually used to use Pixlr, but GIMP has more features that I like and I honestly dislike using Pixlr. :)

Oh, I understand! I felt like I was going backwards about a decade going from Gimp to Pixlr. :(

Surface Pros can have compatibility issues with tablets and some art programs! Just a heads up. I'm not a huge fan of 2-in-1s either :P I prefer normal laptops.