Chromebook with Android support - Recommended hardware for view-only Onshape usage

Hatzis

We are currently evaluating the replacement of deprecated Android tablets by new and more powerful Chromebook devices that come with Android support, so we can use the devices on the production floor. We could use either the Chromebook's builtin Chrome (which is not a mobile Chrome, AFAIK) or the Onshape app for Android. Devices are managed in our G Suite domain.

Use-cases for these devices: occasional viewing models in Onshape, especially rotating assemblies or parts, and for measuring. A few times per week per user. Most models are of medium complexity, i.e. typically only a few dozen parts, maybe 200 parts in extremely rare cases.

I wonder if anyone has experience with certain Chromebook devices for similar use-cases, or can give recommendations for a reasonable hardware choice (Chromebook with Android support is a requirement).

In particular, I would like to know:

1. Does the choice between  www.onshape.com in Chrome and the Onshape for Android app would make a difference for the following choices?
2. Whether an ARM or an Intel architecture would make more sense?
3. Which type of graphics processors would be favorable?
4. Would 4 GB RAM be sufficient? (No other tabs/apps or not many open at the same time)

These are the devices I'm currently considering (random order):

(A) HP Chromebook x2 - 12-f015nr

• CPU: Intel Core m3-7Y30 (1 GHz base frequency, up to 2.6 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 4 MB cache, 2 cores)
• RAM: 4 GB
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615
• Resolution: 2400x1600 (12.3")

(B) Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 (XE521QAB-K01US)

• CPU: Intel Celeron 3965Y (1.5 GHz), 2 MB L3 cache
• RAM: 4 GB (LPDD3)
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615
• Resolution: 1920x 1080 (12.2")

(C) Asus Chromebook Flip C302 (C302CA-DHM4)

• CPU: Intel Core m3-6Y30 Processor (4M Cache, up to 2.2 GHz)
• RAM: 4 GB (LPDDR3)
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515
• Resolution:  1920x1080 (12.5")

(D) Acer Chromebook Tab 10 (D651N-K9WT)

• CPU: Rockchip OP1, RK3399 2 GHz 
• RAM: 4 GB LPDDR3
• Graphics: QXGA
• Resolution: 2048 x 1536 (9.7")

Many thanks in advance.

philip_thomas

So many questions

One piece of advice is that you can go to any store where any of these are sold and run the Onshape performance and compatibility check without ever installing a thing.

https://cad.onshape.com/check

Paul_J_Premakumar

@Hatzis

While we extensively test our app on phones and tablets, we haven't tested them out on the devices you referenced. As Philip mentioned above, you may want to evaluate the app / browser before you buy.

1. Apps vs Browser
 - Native apps have more control over how memory is managed. This maybe a factor when loading large models. That said the website is also capable of handling large models, but performance is constrained by the browsers memory management. 
-  The Onshape apps require touch support to function, we do not support mouse and keyboard with apps. The app may not be useable, if there isn't touch support. 
-  Currently the website supports more functionality (newer features, integration with 3rd party applications) than apps. This may or may not be a factor.

2. Type of architecture shouldn't be a factor. That said the i'll insert the usual caveat of evaluating it at your end.
3. Onshape runs on different varieties of graphics cards. As with any graphics intensive application, a better (more memory, processing speed) graphics card will result in better performance.
4. It should be sufficient, but then again more memory would also give you better performance.