I'm dividing this section into two parts: irritations I have with ChromeOS as a concept, and irritations I have with the CR-48 itself. Of these two, the first is likely to be the only part you care about, unless you're nabbing a CR-48 off of eBay or something. I think there's a lot of misunderstanding about ChromeOS and the CR-48, so before we even get to good and bad these are things you probably need to know.
So, ChromeOS is a bit of an odd duck. It isn't really a full operating system. It isn't designed to be a full operating system. It is designed instead to be a web browser with a keyboard. Without an internet connection of some kind it is a very ineffective doorstop, and not much else. it comes with both wi-fi and a cellular data connection for a reason.
So, that's "ugly" item number one. If you don't have a wireless connection, and you're not in rang of a cell tower, a CR-48 isn't going to be of much use to you. This was outlined rather starkly to me in the first month I owned it, as my router kept cutting out at home, and because of an odd network configuration issue with the Verizon Wireless network I was unable to use the cellular modem.
Google is working on a solution to this for some of their web applications. In particular, Google Docs is supposed to get an upgrade on ChromeOS so that it can at least operate in the absence of a network connection. For now though, if you are likely to need to use it on an aircraft without wi-fi (or you're stuck in a cellular dead spot in upstate Vermont at a friend's place and don't know his network password) you're going to be frustrated.
Item the second: You're going to need a Google account to even log into it. This seems a bit obvious, but with the increasing scrutiny Google is getting regarding privacy this needs to me mentioned. True, there is a "Guest" account to be able to log in to the machine with. The primary login however is the username and password for your Google account.
This isn't a problem for me. I use Gmail as my primary email address. I own an Android phone. I use GTalk to instant message friends. I am, it is safe to say, about as far into Google's pocket as I can get without actually being paid by them (and if this site gets enough traffic to justify Adsense that might change too). I don't consider myself a Google fanboy, but for various reasons I have gravitated more and more towards using their services. If you're not comfortable with the idea of logging in to an online account, you may want to reconsider.
Now, let's talk about the hardware. The CR-48's hardware needs to be mentioned, but it isn't going to be identical to the retail versions of ChromeOS computers. I won't lump it's failures on to machines that I don't know.
That said, the CR-48 isn't really a bad machine. It is worth every penny I paid for it (which was nothing, but whatever). There is a reason I turned to it as a primary machine rather than my eeePC. It's not incredibly slow, or heavy, or badly put together. it does have a few foibles that I find irritating.
First is my least favorite feature in the history of computing; a touchpad that covers the mouse buttons. I actually LIKE touchpads. I am the only person I know who is completely fine not only with tap-to-click, but is also perfectly happy using a touchpad to play a first person shooter. Trust me when I say that the CR-48 is quite possibly the WORST pointing device I have ever had the displeasure to experience.
Why? Because using one of the mouse buttons nearly ALWAYS results in the mouse pointer moving. Also, the touchpad is so large that it's nearly impossible for me to type on the machine without a section of my hand brushing it and sending my mouse pointer off in a random direction. Right clicking with the thing is basically pointless, though I did find a workaround by using alt+click instead.
There are other issues as well. Related to ChomeOS' need to always be connected, let me mention that the CR-48 has no ethernet port. I work in a large concrete building. Wireless is available to me, but it tends to be of irregular quality. When I bring my regular laptop to work, I generally plug a handy ethernet cable into it at my desk. Given that the machine is mostly useless without a network connection, you'd think that the including of a physical network connection would be a no-brainer. I know that Chrome OS is capable of using a 10/100 connection, because an external adapter can be plugged into the USB port. This is a flaw I hope future models of ChromeOS machines will not repeat.
Speaking of the USB port, there's only one. This is a problem, especially given the touchpad issues outlined above. Using an external mouse? Want to plug in a USB storage device so you can open a document on it? I hope you're carrying a USB hub with you, or you're going to have to resort to the touchpad while you're accessing those documents. Again, this is an issue I hope future models don't make.
So, that's the "ugly" of the CR-48. Some of those are due to concept, and some are due to the specific hardware of the CR-48. The former will likely apply to ANY cloud-based instant-on computer regardless of OS. Even if you're not using Google services on a cloud PC, others will likely have similar issues. The second really shouldn't apply to you unless you get your hands on a CR-48.
Next up: The Good.
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