Google Debuts Chromebooks from Samsung and Acer
At the Google I/O conference today, Google unveiled the first hardware to run its Chrome operating system from PC manufacturers Samsung and Acer, dubbed Chromebooks. The long-awaited Chrome OS differs from operating systems you're probably used to from Microsoft and Apple in that it doesn't really offer a way to catalog all the bits and bytes stored on your hard drive. Rather, Chrome OS is essentially a cloud-based operating system that hooks into the wide variety of Google online services--from Gmail and Docs to YouTube and the newly released Music Beta.
The Samsung chromebook
, dubbed the Series 5, feature 12.1-inch screens and dual-core Intel Atom processors, as well as 16 GB solid-state drives (SSDs) for storing offline-capable web apps and dual-band Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking. It comes in two colors, and you have your choice of a Wi-Fi-only model or a combo Wi-Fi/3G model in each hue. It also has a battery life of up to 8.5 hours.
by Agen Schmitz on May 11, 2011
When you open a Samsung chromebook, you're met with a web browser window. And if you've become familiar with Google's Chrome browser, you'll won't be surprised with what you find--tabs at the top, direct Google searching from the address bar, etc. And the Chromebook starts up fast--in just about 8 seconds--due to the fact that there's no deeply hierarchical system or shloads of drivers to boot up.
, you're met with a web browser window. And if you've become familiar with Google's Chrome browser, you'll won't be surprised with what you find--tabs at the top, direct Google searching from the address bar, etc. And the Chromebook starts up fast--in just about 8 seconds--due to the fact that there's no deeply hierarchical system or shloads of drivers to boot up.Now, a Samsung chromebook is more of a netbook than a high-end laptop like a MacBook Air--its raison d'être is to get you on the web rather than perform any processor-heavy tasks like multimedia editing. However, that doesn't mean that browsing is all it's good for. With Google Docs, you've got an office productivity suite with spreadsheet, presentation, and document creation ready to roll as soon as you get connected to the Internet. And you've got Reader for RSS feeds, Talk for instant messaging, Maps, etc., etc.
is more of a netbook than a high-end laptop like a MacBook Air--its raison d'être is to get you on the web rather than perform any processor-heavy tasks like multimedia editing. However, that doesn't mean that browsing is all it's good for. With Google Docs, you've got an office productivity suite with spreadsheet, presentation, and document creation ready to roll as soon as you get connected to the Internet. And you've got Reader for RSS feeds, Talk for instant messaging, Maps, etc., etc.But you're not limited to just Google's in-house tools. Over at the Chrome Web Store, you'll find a multitude of web apps that range from accounting and photo editing to games--including the now ubiquitous Angry Birds, which was just released after today's Chromebook announcement. For most of these apps, you'll need to be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or 3G, the latter of which is an option on some Chromebook models). That said, Google made a point of noting that it will be ramping up the offline usability capabilities for ChromeBooks:
(Sundar) Pichai (Google's VP of Chrome product management) confirmed that the company is developing offline versions Gmail, Google Calendar and Docs. He also reiterated that there are plenty of apps on the Chrome Web Store that work offline.
, dubbed the Series 5, feature 12.1-inch screens and dual-core Intel Atom processors, as well as 16 GB solid-state drives (SSDs) for storing offline-capable web apps and dual-band Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking. It comes in two colors, and you have your choice of a Wi-Fi-only model or a combo Wi-Fi/3G model in each hue. It also has a battery life of up to 8.5 hours.Acer's Chromebook is similarly specced for processor and drive storage, but it has a smaller screen (11.6 inches) and shorter battery life (6 hours)--though it adds an HDMI video output port. Available in basic dark gray, it's also offered in Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi/3G-combo models.
Both the Acer and Samsung chromebook also offer full-sized keyboard, HD webcams, memory card readers compatible with SD family media, and two USB 2.0 ports. Additionally, the 3G offerings from both manufacturers come with 100 MB of monthly data use from Verizon Wireless at no charge (available for 24 months after purchase of the Chromebook), and you have options for purchasing more data.
also offer full-sized keyboard, HD webcams, memory card readers compatible with SD family media, and two USB 2.0 ports. Additionally, the 3G offerings from both manufacturers come with 100 MB of monthly data use from Verizon Wireless at no charge (available for 24 months after purchase of the Chromebook), and you have options for purchasing more data.- Samsung Series 5 Chromebook, Wi-Fi only in titan silver
- Samsung Series 5 Chromebook, Wi-Fi/3G combo in titan silver
- Samsung Series 5 Chromebook, Wi-Fi only in white
- Samsung Series 5 Chromebook, Wi-Fi/3G combo in white
- Acer Chromebook, Wi-Fi only
- Acer Chromebook, Wi-Fi/3G combo
While they're announced today, the Samsung chromebook won't be shipping until June 15. But you can check out the links from the individual models above as well as learn more about the Chrome OS over at Amazon's Chromebooks page.
won't be shipping until June 15. But you can check out the links from the individual models above as well as learn more about the Chrome OS over at Amazon's Chromebooks page.
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