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One of my partners unexpectedly got me a Chromebook and wondering about integrating this in office. Any experience or suggestions???

Depends on how you want to use it - you can use as it as an additional 'laptop' if you use M$ or third-party terminal services.

They are light - power-up quickly, and are easy to use/maintain.

We have clients who have their MAs/nurses use them for vitals/chief complaint during the rooming of the patient.

Indy,

Thanks, I like to remote in with my laptop using logmein to power my main machine, so I do not have to sign on and off taking my laptop into exam room. So I think this Chromebook will work nicely for this use. Although the clarity or crispness of the screen may be an issue, so will just have to put it to work tomorrow and see.
Hey we got up to 56 above today!!!
It is an impressive little gadget.

Three additional questions, is the Chromebook inherently safer than a laptop used in this fashion, and also would the 2x Remote desktop app work better than logmein, and any suggestion for an antivirus?

I cannot believe the number of free apps available.

Does Google track use of the Chromebook apps, etc, in any way? I would be concerned about privacy issues.

Bought a Chromebook some months ago after hearing Indy praise them (I am pretty sure he and Larry Page are tight). My use has been at home, though I an interested to hear about office use. I do use logmein for checking charts, eRx from home, etc. Would be nice if there was an ignition app.
Having a Chromebook is sort of a poor-man's MacBook. Like a Mac, nearly instant on, thin and light, excellent battery life, relatively free of virus-risk (I use AVG free). At a cost of about $250, it is hard to fault them.
My wife loves it, too... she spends about 90% of her laptop time either on the internet (including shopping, banking, etc) or with email. Throw in Google docs for word processing and the Chromebook is an inexpensive laptop alternative that meets most of her needs. Love that it boots up in less than 10 seconds.

Jon,

I got clobbered today in the office, but was able to remote in with logmein. The screen is a bit small but my 13 year old computer genius showed me how to expand the "field of play".

I would like to try the Chrome remote desk top app, because the letters are a bit fuzzy.

I think it could be used as a back up at this point, and I like the keyboard better than my HP elite notebook and it is a lot easier to carry to and fro.

More later, I am starving and better get out of the office.

ALL app stores report some level of app usage to developers; amount varies.

Unless you choose to save a document off-line, nothing is retained on the machine.

From a patient/privacy perspective, using an encrypted connection addresses part of that.

If you don't want someone/proxy in the transmission, use a direct-connecting technology (e.g. RDC, 2X)

.... and this will *seem* obvious, DON'T SAVE YOUR PASSWORD in the app. Really.

The Chromebook may very well work better in temperature extremes because of the solid-state drive.

The next time it gets -20 or better I'll take one outside and see how it does.

I can neither confirm nor deny .....

But I am in the Google Glass explorer queue as a developer

Indy (and anyone else),

Thank you for the answers. If you have time would you mind commenting how the Chromebook works in a virtual environment as compared to remoting to an onsite server.

Also, is there a species of Chromebook that outperforms another? I have the Acer 11.6 inch.

I cannot keep the kids off the darn thing, so have not gotten to do much with it yet.

It'll be the same thing. Virtualizing is something IT people like to do to consolidate workloads. In most servers, CPU's are under-utilized. With virtualization we can combine workloads that would typically take multiple physical servers. We get more bang for our buck when we consolidate. You also get other benefits like the ability to move servers easily.

The 2X client is just like Microsoft's RDP client. Remoting into a physical server is no different from a physical server. It's the exact same thing.

A couple of extra thoughts:

By having the Chromebook in the office, I can get my "internet fix" without utilizing my office laptop and main computer for this function. This will add an additional layer of security.

Thinking off the cuff, but having one or two of the Chromebooks in the break room for staff use, may decrease the risk of inappropriate internet surfing while working. Allowing use of the Chromebooks in such a fashion, for a minimal cost, may reduce the likelihood of malware or virus introduction into the computers designated for work.

Any one doing this already or have any other thoughts?

Also,Sandeep, if I understand correctly,by virtualizing the Chromebook, one can have a 200 dollar "portal" into a kick butt processing system to more than handle the AC/Updox needs of everyday practice.

This also seems perfect for those of us using AC in the cloud. Updox, occ internet, and AC in the cloud is all we use the exam room laptops for. hmmm

Bill,

My only major concern is the screen size using it with AC in the exam room. I think if you increase the field size, it may not be optimal, but doable.

Don't some of the Chromebooks come with 14" screens? Would that be enough real estate?

Gianni,

HP has a 14 inch screen but the price goes up to about 300-350 dollars I think, and a 14 inch is enough real estate, as I am currently using an Elitebook 8460 that has a 14 inch screen in the exam room, and I have the progressive lenses in my eyeglasses, with the gray hair as a complementary feature.

Almost all attacks ultimately are OS based, so you insulate yourself from 99% of the existing attacks.


This is the least expensive way to protect your practice from infections unless you implement an edge device(router/firewall) that proxies your internet and filters content.

One of the benefits of a more advanced edge device is that you can get email alerts on infected download attempts of unauthorized content [e.g. FaceBook, Youtube, p0rn)

Increasingly popular for folks on our managed environment who what a full keyboard, 'instant-on', and low cost/maintenance.

One potential drawback will be how you do printing - works better for some than others depending on work-flow.

The screen quality and size have improved with each generation - the 14" ones seem to work for most folks who are comfortable with using laptops now.

Jim,

There are two methodologies for connecting with a Chromebook.

<1>Replicate the desktop - Chrome remote desktop - useful in moving from your office to an exam room while staying in one chart
<2>2X [or similar] - separate session from your desktop - two charts up at the same time

Indy,

I am excited to try the Chrome remote desktop, as staying in one chart, for my workflow, works the best.

If this app pans out, before I buy another Elitebook from HP, I can buy 3 14" Chromebooks for about the same price.

There are several features that are significantly improved over the Elitebook, the rapidity of powering on and off, durability with the solid state drive, portability, and of course price.

I can now understand more fully your interest, and thanks for the earlier discussion at Laramie with my wife regarding this option.

We have a gift exchange at our office where we pick a name in a hat among the partners, and just found out their was some collaboration when the partner who picked my name called my wife. Thanks to your discussion she gave him this excellent suggestion for a gift.

One additional question, for the 14 inch Chromebook, do you recommend the HP Chromebook or HP Pavillion, or is there much difference?

Found a 14 inch HP Pavilion Chromebook at Staples for 279 bucks, because I got tired of wrestling the 11.4 inch ACER Chromebook from the kids--so once I figure out how to remote in with Chrome remote desktop, I will let you know how that works Bill--

Jim,

Drop me a mail/text when you have time and want me to remote in and do it for you.

Indy,

Thank you for the offer, but my 13 year old Chromebook genius got it figured out.
I cannot thank you enough for this advice, the Chrome remote desktop works much better than the logmein app. Instantaneous, and much crisper screen resolution. I can run Updox and my printer, order electronically, and access Up to date, by the way I have my main computer configured.

So in reality, the Elitebook is an overpowered tool for the way in which works best for me. And that is with the 14 inch Chromebook, remoting in and running as my main computer when in the exam room.

I am not sure if seeing the bull moose and couple of cows in Vedawou or this tidbit of information is more exciting, but the latter will keep me in business longer.

I read ecg's remotely from time to time and this was very easy to do on this 14 inch Chromebook remoted in from home without difficulty, so I think the screen size has enough real estate to be effective in the office.

One additional feature of Chrome remote desktop compared to Logmein, is that with my double 27 inch screen, dragging between fields feature is much nicer on the Chromebook. Otherwise I would have to go to top of page and click, and with a hesitation the other screen would pop up.

This is not a major deal, but all the subtleties added together, make this remote feature of Chrome much nicer.

Whether intended or not, when printing script from AC to Updox, the little bar at the top with the Chrome remote tab does not get in the way. However, when closing charts or expanding this tab at top sometimes gets in the way but dragging the screen a bit gets around this bother.

One other question I have for anyone who cares to comment regards the HIPAA implication if the Chromebook is ever lost.

With the Chromebook using it as an extension of my main computer, I will not have any patient records or charts on the device. I am only using the Chromebook to remote into my main computer.

So if I had the unfortunate experience of losing the Chromebook used in this fashion, would there be a HIPAA breach?

Jim,

The easiest step is to make sure that you aren't saving passwords @ log-on, so that said, you have settings in the Google account where you can disconnect a given machine (lost, stolen, taken over by kids, etc.)

Another option to consider is to use 2X to make connection so that you aren't using the Google remote desktop - there are tradeoffs.

Another option is to setup another Google account that is used only within the practice - then setup that account on the Chromebook and your desktop; keep everything separated.

Indy,

I like the 3rd option the best. I really like having the Chromebook running my main computer. My workflow is designed best with this method, and my main computer is directly linked to my nurses computer and scansnap scanner, and also runs my 4 printers.

This is the first day I have been running with the Chromebook, and working better than logmein. No hesitation, screen sharper, sign on easier, and the dragging between the screens much easier.

I am suggesting all my partners think of this option as a way to interface in the exam room, as it appears to be quite financially palatable, and very functional.

Once again, thank you for the feedback, and I hope you and Lori have a fantastic New Year!!!

Just 2 additional observations with the Chromebook.

The scrolling on the touchpad with two fingers is much more intuitive and better than on the HP laptop.

Also, I have played with team viewer a bit in the past but the cost is so prohibitive I could not afford it. Also, I really do not see any advantage of team viewer over the Chromebook remote desktop feature, which is free.

My 13 year old son inadvertently made me realize the Chromebook function as I have thus far envisioned has been quite narrow.

One can plug the HDMI cable into the big screen TV and mirror the Chromebook screen, and read ecg's.

By using google file, one can store on the Chromebook or in the cloud, a slide presentation created with Google slide, which is like power point. So one can do a presentation, with or without the internet, as long as one has a projector with an HDMI port.

One of the main reasons I went with a laptop instead of desktop was limitation of space in my two exam rooms. Thinking off the cuff, one could easily mount a wall screen and if xrays, graphs or labs needed to be visualized easily, plugging into the Chromebook and mirroring could easily be done. I have not had a need for this much at all, but this feature does open up possibilities I had not thought of.

I apologize if most of this is evident to others, but just trying to catch up to the 21st century!

Bill,

I noticed on another thread that you use Mac products. The Chrome remote desktop is fully cross platform. Provides remote assistance to Windows, Mac and Linux users, or access Windows (XP and above) and Mac (OS X 10.6 and above) desktops.

Jon,

As you alluded to earlier, the Chromebook has uses outside the office as well. My wife has created her own user sign on, with her Gmail account, and can modify the bar and apps to her own needs. So for instance she downloaded her pottery pictures on our home desktop to her Shutterfly account with her Gmail address. On my 14 inch Chromebook, she signs on to her gmail account, connect to Shutterfly and works on updating, modifying the presentation of her pottery stuff for on line clients.

So in summary, the HP Pavillion Chromebook has fulfilled a nice niche at home and office. It is great to remote in to my "terminal server" at work and improve efficiency at office by manipulating with the secure and excellent remote desk top application. For my work flow running the Chromebook like my "terminal server" in the exam room considerably improves efficiency in office.

At home, my wife can do her thing without impacting my exclusive gmail account accessed through the same Chromebook.

I think this device has a place either at home or office or both, and for the price, I think it is well worth it. So hopefully, I have not steered anyone in the wrong direction, but this is just my incessant rattling on regarding this product to hopefully help anyone toying with the idea of purchasing one or not.

I have started using a 14 inch tablet android from home using remote desktop
Connected via Logitech Bluetooth keyboard
Satisfied so far with efficiency

Sunil,

Would you mind sharing the cost of the Android and what remote desktop app you are using?

Also for anyone in the know,

My understanding is that with Chrome remote desktop, it is encrypted using SSL/TLS and is considered HIPAA compliant. Am I wrong in this perception or understanding?

I understand microsoft word remote desktop is not HIPAA compliant unless using a VPN. Is that true?

Microsoft Remote Desktop is encrypted, and depending on several factors you can decide what level of encryption you are going to use.

RDC is a point-to-point protocol (direct), so you can do it on the same network segment, or use port forwarding to transverse firewalls, routers and such.

Indy,

So whether one uses Chrome remote destop (RDC?) or Microsoft, both are encrypted and secure for transfer of PHI? That is my understanding from what you say above.

Price on black Friday $199 on tiger direct. Likely $250 now. AAlso price in $49 for a bluetooth keyboard. (I Had a spare one I had bought for my ipad a few years ago)

Using Microsoft Remote desktop to connect while in office and also remotely from home or secondary office.

Thanks Sunil

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-35291_1-57616879/lenovo-plans-big-chromebook-push-for-2014/

Sandeep,

I know you like Lenovo, and wonder if you had any thoughts about this news.

My guess is that the Lenovo Chromebooks will be aimed at the consumer market. Cloud is taking over the market. Doesn't matter if you have a public or private cloud. Mobile apps are becoming more powerful/featured. If the feature set is lacking, you simple remote into your personal computer for a fully featured program.

High powered mobile devices are pretty much used by business/commercial users nowadays. People who need fully functioning machines on the go or have high security requirements that mobile devices do not provide.