Chromebook
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| Google's Sundar Pichai speaking about the Chromebook at its launch at Google I/O, May 2011. |
A Chromebook is a mobile device running Google Chrome OS. The devices comprise a distinct class of personal computer falling between a pure cloud client and traditional laptop.
The first devices for sale, by Acer Inc. and Samsung, were announced at the Google I/O conference in May 2011 and are slated for release on June 15, 2011.
Design
Chromebooks are shipped with the Google Chrome OS operating system, which uses the Linux kernel, and the Google Chrome web browser with an integrated media player. With limited offline capability and a boot time, according to Google, of eight seconds, Chromebooks are primarily designed to be used while connected to the Internet. Instead of installing traditional applications, users add web apps from the Chrome Web Store, such as word processing and instant messaging.Google claims that a multi-layer security architecture eliminates the need for anti-virus software.
Support for many USB devices such as cameras, mice, external keyboards and flash drives will be included, utilizing a feature similar to plug-and-play on other operating systems. Like the prototype Cr-48, Chromebooks will have a specialized keyboard complete with buttons for opening and controlling multiple browser windows, as well as a Web search button which replaces the caps lock key.
Models
Google developed the first Chromebook, the Cr-48, as a prototype machine. The first commercial Chromebooks, functionally similar to the Cr-48, will be produced by Samsung and Acer. The machines will be available in both Wi-Fi and 3G versions from both manufacturers. The Samsung Chromebook will have a 12.1 inch 1280×800 screen. The Acer Chromebook will have an 11.6 inch screen. Both versions will have an HD webcam and two USB 2.0 ports. The Samsung version will have Mini-VGA out while the Acer version will have HDMI output.
Retail channels, pricing
Chromebooks will be sold through regular retail channels, including Amazon and Best Buy in the U.S., and in some European countries starting June 15th. The machines will sell for between $349 and $499, depending on model and whether 3G is included. Google also announced a monthly payment scheme for business and education customers at $28 and $20 per user, per month, respectively for a three-year contract, including replacements and upgrades. Verizon will offer 100 megabytes of wireless data per month, with an additional gigabyte at $20 per month.
Reception
Some analysts viewed Google's web-centric operating system packaged with hardware as a direct attack on the market dominance of Microsoft. But others questioned the market timing: companies moving to tablets, rather than netbooks, and purchasing Apple products as an alternative to Windows, as well as market fragmentation from competition with Google's own Android devices. Other observers noted that the success of the platform depends on the quality of available Web applications, and the ability of some applications to function offline.
Reviewing the Samsung Series 5 specifications, Scott Stein of CNET was unimpressed with the "Atom-based 12-incher with only 16 GB of onboard storage. Chrome OS might be lighter than Windows XP, but we'd still prefer more media storage space. At this price, you could also get a 11.6-inch Wi-Fi AMD E-350-powered ultraportable running Windows 7." On the other hand, MG Siegler of TechCrunch wrote a largely favorable review, praising the improvements in speed and trackpad sensitivity over the CR-48 prototype, as well as the long battery life and the fact that all models are priced below the iPad.
In June 2011 iFixit dismantled a Samsung Series 5 and concluded that it was essentially an improved Cr-48. They rated it as 6/10 for repairability, predominantly because the case has to be opened to change the battery and because the RAM chip is soldered to the motherboard. iFixit noted that the "mostly-plastic construction" felt "a little cheap". On the plus side they stated that the screen was easy to remove and most of the components, including the solid state drive would be easy to replace. iFixit's Kyle Wiens concluded: "Our analysis revealed that the Series 5 is a well-polished version of the rather imperfect Cr-48 prototype Chromebook. The Series 5 fixes the major shortfalls of the Cr-48 and adds the polish necessary to strike lust into the heart of a broad consumer base: sleek looks, 8+ hours of battery life, and optimized performance."
References
External links
Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromebook
