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Google Chromebook: Netbook Or Paperweight?
Posted on Thursday, 12th May 2011 - 9:08 am by Switch SW
By
Gary Johnson-Laird
Next month people will be able to buy the first "Chromebook", for those of you, who aren't familiar with it, it's basically a notebook that runs Google's new operating system, Chrome OS. While Google's Android OS, for mobile devices, has proven itself to be very competent and popular I don't see this new operating system putting up much of a fight against Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. I'm still amazed that a search engine has turned into such a successful company, now they have produced their own software, bought YouTube and are even starting to make remote control light bulbs! There's a good chance that Google will own the planet one day, maybe even find a way to put their logo on the moon to remind everyone of this.
Chrome OS is basically just Google Chrome with a few bits and bobs thrown on top, the whole operating system is based on a web browser, there's no desktop, no start menu, no toolbar. It's designed to be a cloud OS, meaning that its main function is to access the internet to use software and tools that exist on a server. So if you find yourself somewhere without an internet connection the Chromebook is pretty much useless, unless you plan on using it as a paperweight or a weapon. Samsung has said that the main reason for the online storage is security, if nothing is stored directly on the device than it can't be infected, malicious spyware, Trojans and viruses are a thing of the past. They are a thing of the past on my Windows 7 laptop too because im not stupid enough to open emails that offer me free money or pictures of Megan Fox in the nude. Also people won't have to worry about losing their data or keeping it secure since everything is stored online and backed up regularly. I nearly believed Samsung but then 2 words popped into my head. PlayStation Network.
The Chromebooks are manufactured by Samsung and Acer. It has just 16GB of storage; solid state so read/write times are faster than hard drives. Most of your data is meant to be stored in the cloud so 16GB should be more than enough. The Chromebook has a very quick boot time due to its solid state drive, though Google assume people are more likely to keep the device in sleep mode, like their phones and laptops. Apparently the Chromebook has an "all day" battery life; I don't know why Samsung considers 8.5 hours all day, maybe they only count their working hours. The basic Chromebook comes with Wi-Fi and the more expensive one comes with a SIM card slot so you can use mobile broadband and with all your data stored on the net you will need mobile broadband, unless you do decide to use it as a paperweight.
It is currently set for release in the UK on 24th June. The 3G and Wi-Fi model will retail at £399 and the Wi-Fi model has a price point of £349. But if you are going to spend £400 why don't you buy something that can do everything the Chromebook can but has better battery life, looks better, is more portable and is easier to use; it's called a tablet.
I think Chromebooks will struggle to sell, they are up against some tough competition all of which are better. Given the choice between an iPad 2, a Chromebook and a honeycomb tablet, would the Chromebook really be your first choice?
Next month people will be able to buy the first "Chromebook", for those of you, who aren't familiar with it, it's basically a notebook that runs Google's new operating system, Chrome OS. While Google's Android OS, for mobile devices, has proven itself to be very competent and popular I don't see this new operating system putting up much of a fight against Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. I'm still amazed that a search engine has turned into such a successful company, now they have produced their own software, bought YouTube and are even starting to make remote control light bulbs! There's a good chance that Google will own the planet one day, maybe even find a way to put their logo on the moon to remind everyone of this.
Chrome OS is basically just Google Chrome with a few bits and bobs thrown on top, the whole operating system is based on a web browser, there's no desktop, no start menu, no toolbar. It's designed to be a cloud OS, meaning that its main function is to access the internet to use software and tools that exist on a server. So if you find yourself somewhere without an internet connection the Chromebook is pretty much useless, unless you plan on using it as a paperweight or a weapon. Samsung has said that the main reason for the online storage is security, if nothing is stored directly on the device than it can't be infected, malicious spyware, Trojans and viruses are a thing of the past. They are a thing of the past on my Windows 7 laptop too because im not stupid enough to open emails that offer me free money or pictures of Megan Fox in the nude. Also people won't have to worry about losing their data or keeping it secure since everything is stored online and backed up regularly. I nearly believed Samsung but then 2 words popped into my head. PlayStation Network.
The Chromebooks are manufactured by Samsung and Acer. It has just 16GB of storage; solid state so read/write times are faster than hard drives. Most of your data is meant to be stored in the cloud so 16GB should be more than enough. The Chromebook has a very quick boot time due to its solid state drive, though Google assume people are more likely to keep the device in sleep mode, like their phones and laptops. Apparently the Chromebook has an "all day" battery life; I don't know why Samsung considers 8.5 hours all day, maybe they only count their working hours. The basic Chromebook comes with Wi-Fi and the more expensive one comes with a SIM card slot so you can use mobile broadband and with all your data stored on the net you will need mobile broadband, unless you do decide to use it as a paperweight.
It is currently set for release in the UK on 24th June. The 3G and Wi-Fi model will retail at £399 and the Wi-Fi model has a price point of £349. But if you are going to spend £400 why don't you buy something that can do everything the Chromebook can but has better battery life, looks better, is more portable and is easier to use; it's called a tablet.
I think Chromebooks will struggle to sell, they are up against some tough competition all of which are better. Given the choice between an iPad 2, a Chromebook and a honeycomb tablet, would the Chromebook really be your first choice?
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