Samsung and Acer to Debut Google Chromebooks on June 15th; Game Changer?

[dgstorm]

For the longest time, Microsoft and it's OS have pretty much dominated the world's Personal Computer OS market with its various iterations of Windows. One could argue that Apple's OS has always been around to compete with it, but Microsoft still holds over 80% of the world's home computer market, so, based on the numbers, its hard to call Apple really competitive in the PC market (even if many people think it is a better alternative). No other company has really ever truly "stepped up to the plate" to design an OS to try to compete with the MS Juggernaut, until now...

Google has been working hard on the ChromeOS for quite some time now, and late yesterday at Google I/O they announced their new version of it will be running on a couple of netbooks. One is from Samsung, and the other is from Acer.

This could have massive potential, since the ChromeOS "steps outside the box" of traditional thinking when it comes to an Operating System, and is browser-based. If you look carefully into your technological crystal ball, it's not hard to envision a future where everything is cloud-based (all applications are handled by massive server networks instead of stored on your local machine). The ChromeOS, and these two new netbooks, could be the herald of that future dawning. It's apparent that Google sees this possible future too, and in fact, they are obviously "banking" on it as they are developing products specifically geared toward making it happen. Now that Samsung and Acer, two of the largest manufacturers in the world have decided to give the ChromeOS a shot, we could be seeing the beginning of a snow-ball effect, with more manufacturers trying it out.

Ultimately, the fate of this vision of the future will be decided by consumers, so let's dive right into the features of these two ChromeOS netbooks from Samsung and Acer, and you can decide for yourself if it appeals to you. Here are the feature highlights taken straight from Google's ChromeOS webpage:

Samsung ChromeOS Netbook / Samsung ChromeBook = $429

• 12.1" (1280x800) 300 nit Display
• 3.26 lbs / 1.48 kg
• 8.5 hours of continuous usage 1
• Intel® AtomTM Dual-Core Processor
• Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G (optional)
• HD Webcam with noise cancelling microphone
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• 4-in-1 memory card slot
• Mini-VGA port
• Fullsize Chrome keyboard
• Oversize fully-clickable trackpad

Acer ChromeOS Netbook / Acer ChromeBook = $399

• 11.6" HD Widescreen CineCrystalTM LED-backlit LCD
• 2.95 lbs. | 1.34 kg.
• 6 hours of continuous usage 1
• Intel® AtomTM Dual-Core Processor
• Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G (optional)
• HD Webcam with noise cancelling microphone
• High-Definition Audio Support
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• 4-in-1 memory card slot
• HDMI port
• Fullsize Chrome keyboard
• Oversize fully-clickable trackpad

And, here are the features of Google's ChromeOS itself:

• Chromebooks boot in 8 seconds and resume instantly. Your favorite websites load quickly and run smoothly, with full support for the latest web standards and Adobe® Flash®. In fact, Chromebooks are designed to get faster over time as updates are released.
• It's easy to get connected anytime and anywhere with built-in Wi-Fi and 3G. As your Chromebook boots up, it quickly connects to your favorite wireless network so you're on the web right from the start.
• Your apps, documents, and settings are stored safely in the cloud. So even if you lose your computer, you can just log in to another Chromebook and get right back to work.
• Every Chromebook runs millions of web apps, from games to spreadsheets to photo editors. Thanks to the power of HTML5, many apps keep working even in those rare moments when you're not connected. Visit the Chrome Web Store to try the latest apps, or just type in a URL. No CDs required.
• Chromebooks are easy to share with family and friends. They can log in to experience all of their own Chrome settings, apps, and extensions, or use Guest Mode to browse privately. Either way, no one else using your Chromebook will have access to your email and personal data.
• Your Chromebook gets better and better over time, unlike a traditional PC. When you turn it on, it updates itself. Automatically. All of your apps stay up-to-date, and you get the latest and greatest version of the operating system without having to think about it. Annoying update prompts not included.
• Chromebooks run the first consumer operating system designed from the ground up to defend against the ongoing threat of malware and viruses. They employ the principle of "defense in depth" to provide multiple layers of protection, including sandboxing, data encryption, and verified boot.

When all is said and done, if Google can manage to make it easier to use than Microsoft's OS, and they market it well, then they might just have a hit on their hands. They do have an uphill battle as they must convince manufacturers to begin adopting ChromeOS for their products. Interestingly, the growth of smartphones will ultimately help their cause, since they are similar in form, if not function, to cloud-based computing, and it gets people used to the idea of having a computer that isn't a PC. Perhaps we are seeing the start of a real "game changer" in the world of Personal Computers... what do you think?

You can discuss the exciting Chrome OS and the new hardware coming out at the Chrome OS Forums. Visit: Chrome OS Forum

Source: ChromeOSForums.net via Google Chromebooks

 

[johnomaz]

I'd get one. Probably theSamsung for a slightly bigger screen. When I use a laptop, its usually for web and super basic functions. Google Docs would take care of most of the basic functions. I'm rather excited assuming the price is decent. Plus, it has a keyboard which is the biggest reason I have stayed away from tablets. Tablets are a novelty and not really used for actual work. The only tablet that has caught my eye is the ASUS Transformer and the price for both the tablet and keyboard is a bit too high for me.

 

[TheTyler0013]

Just watched sum videos. I am a bit iffy. One I am not sure how I feel about all my data being on there servers, and Games? ummm I play Rift how can I play that on this? will games eventually intergrate? Or will this only affect mac users? Cuz its not taking anything away from Windows.

 

[Thehaggis]

Perfect device for mum's,dad's, and most kids. I'm hesitant until there is more offline stuff available, but it definitely is the next step. Though I think they are priced to high. $200-300 would get me without much thought.

Really think about how much of your non-work computer time is spent offline. I would guess that it is very low %. This is definitely a viable alternative, now if we can get the Mobile networks to be reasonable, and don't mind losing control of our digital lives to the clouds, then it's all good

 

[white_ash143]

You don't really have to store everything in the cloud... I wonder how easily they can connect to a home-based server/storage device...

 

[BlackHoleSlam]

i would also get the samsung one for the battery life most of my time would be in a wifi area when on it since i wouldn't need it when driving and if going anywhere most homes or places have wifi

 

[npro1464]

I don't see the point. If the device was $150 to $250 I qould think about picking it up maybe. But what's the point of an internet only device? What's the point in the Chrome OS project in general? I would think Android would make a much better OS.

And why do the pcs need to be dual core if all they are doing is surfing the web?

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums App

 

[jayman350]

I don't like the whole idea of storing everything on the cloud. I do see that is the direction we are heading, I just don't really like it. It is essentially creating a wal-mart of information for the right hacker. I'm not sure I want my data to be stored anywhere other than my local machine. I may just be paranoid, but I have had my identity stolen once and it is a huge PITA to get straightened out.

I agree w/ npro1464, why the need for dual-core processors if everything is being done on the cloud?

 

[Bullwinkle]

Likewise, the idea of cloud everything bugs me. Yeah, probably in ten years I'll be over it and wonder why we did it the "old" way, but for now, I'll pass. I've got enough information about my life floating around out there already.