Google officially announces Chromebooks

Google Chrome Blog: A new kind of computer: Chromebook

 

Sounds like apple: a ridiculous amount of marketing with no info on the product. So its operating system is a web browser; I could say well done for stripping down a netbook, but only if it cost <200.

 

Well, there is some:

What they're saying is: very little local storage, perhaps even none accessible to the user.

Almost certainly some kind of ARM-based system-on-a-chip.

It's an interesting idea, but this better be dirt cheap. From the way the video describes it, it is completely useless without internet access -- even worse than most smartphones without a network.

 

Eh so it's a netbook that uses "cloud" storage. Doesn't sound like the future of pcs, just a fancy gimmick

And I doubt it can access the internet everywhere... So essentially its crutch is the web, making it kinda dependent on a wifi/3g connection

 

I don't think so. The hardware inside this thing doesn't need to be anywhere as powerful as netbooks.

 

Upon some further research, it appears I was wrong: it is indeed a netbookd that uses cloud storage. The specs are in the article -- it uses Atom and the battery life is not a day, it's more like 8 hours.

 

This idea sounds too close to what the ipad already does.

 

It's perfectly functional without internet lol html5 allows for offline google docs as well as other things. And it uses atom. The cr48's battery is over 8 hours and it's a prototype. The 8 hours is definitely an understatement and I say that having used one for months.

It's 2GB of RAM, SSD, and some intel atom. That's classic netbook if not faster due to the SSD. It's lighter on resources because it pulls out all of the BS that windows puts in (honestly, there's no reason to have 90% of what's in windows on a netbook, tiny7 is an example of how much can be cut while still being functional.)

It gets 3G primarily for syncing and light browsing.

Netbooks are primarily used for two things: word and email/internet. Google simply cut support for everything else and gave it an emphasis on cloud.

With native client you'll actually be able to run C/C++ within your browser and within ChromeOS.

I hear this too often and it's a shame. Google really needs to explain how incorrect this is because everyone seems to think that this device only functions with internet access when we know that gmail/docs are working on an html5 offline mode. Plus its built in media player doesn't need internet access.

 

It's funny that when compared to the original Eee PC 701, the 2nd biggest "growth" in specs for the netbooks in the past couple years has been the storage -- people going with larger HDD instead of the puny SSD. Yet, the Chromebook will be somewhat reversing that trend.

I guess we'll see how this concept works out. At this moment, looking at Acer's Chromebook that looks exactly like a black Aspire One, I can't stop the feeling that this is just a way for Acer to dump surplus netbooks.

 

Not sure if those pics are final products. We'll see.

I wish google would make one themselves like the CR48.

 

How does that work though? Let's say you want to open a document or something. Since it's not in local storage, you have to be online to get at it. I suppose you could start a new document and it can cache it on the 16GB local disk and then sync with the server when you reconnect, but you can't get at anything you already have.

 

This is exactly how it works except that you can, obviously, store pretty much all of your documents on disk considering that 16GB is more than enough for the average users entire docs.

 

See:
Why You Should be Grateful For The PSN Attack


Chromebooks: just plain dumb.

When I can run my own cloud, then I'll be interested in dumbed down terminals like these.

New idea? Not really: 'let's take everyone's digital life and dole it out to them as we see fit. Also, let's start with an affordable rate (say, $28/$20 per month) and when they're fully dependant on 'our cloud', we can then claim we've taken over the world.

Shakes head, sighs and still knows that there will be many people that will still use this sad excuse of a 'perfect' computer experience without thinking of the consequences to their wallets, their digital security and their (virtual) souls.

 

Unless these sell for less than $150, I see no reason to go for this rather than a fully-functional netbook for the same or a tad bit more money. Or, get a nice smartphone. It's nice to have for free CR-48 style, but personally I'd never buy one.

 

They're selling for 400-500 dollars with no monthly data fees. Same price as a netbook running win7 with the same specs.

Minsinformed. There are no monthly plans. I see so many users like you who make baseless claims like this.

edit: I also have no idea why you bothered with the Sony link.

edi2: Oh and there's no reason for anyone to be dependent on any specific "cloud." I use dropbox, I use google docs and gmail, I use multiple different clouds.

This is like saying "just wait hard drives are gonna go through the roof once everyone is used to using them"

 

That's significantly more than Windows 7-equipped netbooks with Atom processors and standard netbook specifications, which can be found new for as low as $250.

Flip through some of the netbooks here (all of which come with W7) for prices.

 

Another thread on this in Off Topic as well

http://forum.notebookreview.com/off-topic/577690-google-announce-chrome-laptops-rental-20-month.html

There are monthly plans, read the google chromebook site.

" Chromebooks and the management console automate or eliminate many common, time-intensive IT tasks like machine image creation, application distribution, patching, and upgrades. Additionally, there is no need to purchase licenses for anti-virus, data encryption or data back-up software. Subscription pricing means that you only pay a low monthly amount."

Machines don't offer free WWAN or anything either.

 

Too lazy to look. Can you find one with a SSD, 2GB of RAM and an atom? We don't know which ATOM will be in it but we can assume SSD + 2GB.

This isn't anything to do with data plans and is in fact the rental plan that allows you to upgrade like a phone.

 

The 'monthly plans' are right in the link you provided - they also don't include any 3G access either...

Re: Sony link: Read for comprehension.

Ah, a smart idea: don't use one cloud use multiple clouds as a means of having your data/security only partially restricted/deleted/compromised on any given day.

This is just like saying that I (tilleroftheearth) am just too blonde and incompetent to manage my digital life (with backups, proper virus protection and simple responsibility...) and will simply give in to the almighty clouds for help - because this is all 'too much' for me. lol...

Look for the blue (sky) and don't trust the clouds - they get dark and nasty real fast!

 

Re-read my revised post... google chromebook site specifically states:

Subscription pricing means that you only pay a low monthly amount.

If it came with unlimited free WWAN, then it would be a bargain at $350-$400.

 

I've already addressed this. That has nothing to do with cloud storage or 3G but is referencing their upgrade program for students and businesses.

No thanks.

Yes, the thousand server farms are far less reliable than my external hard drive /sarcasm

You'll see no arguments from me!

Here, have a tinfoil hat to go with that umbrella.

 

I guess I didn't quite get my point across: it is very, very rare for me to create a document, presentation or spreadsheet from scratch. I almost always need to at least consult my previous work and usually incorporate shared resources. And yes, you could probably fit a lot of stuff on the 16GB SSD, but this sort of defeats the point.

How much storage is Google giving away for free with these netbooks? They ordinarily charge $0.2-0.25 per GB per year depending on how much you buy (20GB for $5 per year to 1TB for $256 per year). I suppose a certain amount is included as part of the machine's price, but I doubt it will be a lot.

The Sony link illustrates the dangers of keeping your data in the cloud. Google is not Sony and their instances of improper access have been far more limited, but if this catches on, sooner or later somebody will find a way.

 

Why would you need to create it from scratch? I'm missing something.

Storage isn't connected to the notebook. Google docs has a limit for everyone, same with all cloud products.

Oh well that's ridiculous haha if hackers were interested in your computer you shouldn't expect your antivirus to do a hell of a lot either. If the point of that article is to show that cloud isn't any more secure to hackers than a computer, it did a great job. But I can't see how that's relevant at all.

 

Not on that particular website, but that's hardly the point. I can get an Atom netbook for $250, add a very nice 64GB SSD for $100, and swap out and install the 2GB stick of RAM for $20. Still less than a Chromebook.

I don't think anyone would be silly enough to argue that it is easier to hack into a personal computer than Google's cloud data storage servers.

But, the latter is a far more promising target for hackers: one successful hack can lead to the exposure of thousands upon thousands of users' private information (ie, PSN leak), whereas one successful hack into the average household will likely net you one or two credit card numbers. Unless you're running a high profile company from your home, it's safe to say that there's a relatively small chance your home network will be the specific target of an organized cybercrime group. Cloud servers, on the other hand, are a prime target.

 

It's impossible to say this. We dont know which Atom is in them. And most people are not willing to build/ modify their computers so it's a moot point.

edit: And no, that would be right around the price of the notebook. They start at 350 I believe and go as high as ~500 with data plans.

Off topic: I would argue that it's much easier to hack someone's personal computer. But that's a whole other story.

And yes, you have to trust that your information will be safe. I think most people are willing to do that. But again, you choose what you store in the cloud. I think people are a bit confused about the cloud. I'm not saying "here hold onto my bank info" I'm saying "let me save this english paper to google docs."

What kind of cloud service out there stores personal info? I don't know of a single cloud service that says "I'll hold onto your credit card info just in case!"

You can all feel free to argue amongst yourselves though =p I just dislike when people blatantly don't understand what cloud means (or really what any of it means) but I'm studying right now.

 

Hungry Man, please try to use the multiquote and edit buttons--it is poor forum etiquette to multipost.

1.- It's probably silly to argue over pricing. Still an unknown, but I would be willing to bed that Chromebooks will at least initially sell for a good premium over "standard fare" netbooks that are going for as low as $199.

2.- Well, that's exactly my point. It is much easier to hack into the average personal computer than the average data server. My point is that the latter is a far more desirable target for hackers, to put it simply.

3.- What kind of cloud service stores personal info? Email is a prime example, but one that most have resigned themselves to: through your email, I can track many of your past purchases, passwords to other websites you're a member of, certain bank and credit card information, and more. If you are a college student and have some college applications in your email, it's possible to even find Social Security Numbers.

 

If I could not connect to the internet, I would have to create it from scratch (unless I had be caching my stuff locally).

But that's a rather small amount of space, is it not? For Picasa, I only get 1GB which is nowhere near enough to keep all of my pictures (I only upload the few that I want to share).

You are missing the point. I am sure that if a bunch of skilled and determined hackers wanted to get at info on my computer, they could probably do it -- I think it is reasonably secure, but there are always things I have not thought of or, worst comes to worst, zero-day vulnerabilities. The reason hackers generally don't do this is because the reward is not worth the effort: their time could be spent in a much more productive manner than going after one person at a time. This is why the cloud is dangerous: Sony, Google, Microsoft, etc. no doubt have security that is hundreds or thousands of times more robust than most individuals, but the reward is tens or hundreds of millions of times greater.

 

Ok, all us here are ignorant and stupid about "cloud" computing. Right.

 

Not all of you. But I think people seriously don't seem to understand it. The majority of people I talk to think that because something is in the cloud there's no offline option.

 

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Cool link. Thanks.

 

This thing is limiting. Why take a step backwards in computer evolution?

Nothing the Chromebook can do you cant do right now on your laptop. Just log into googledocs.

Its basically a one way ticket to googledocs and all the other online google aps and taking away all your freedom to install programs on your computer.

Games - Nope
Videos - Nope
Music - Nope
Video Encoding - Nope
Photoshop - Nope

Anything - Not really

Its just the internet on a laptop without an OS

Asus did it like 6 years ago it was called Express Gate - boot into skype only, internet only, music only directly from power up and bypass the OS for a faster launch and longer battery life.

But the Asus still had the option to boot to windows if you needed, it was extra freedom.

The Chromebook is the exact opposite, its loss of freedom.

 

^^ So obviously it's not for you, but for plenty of others it will do fine.

 

what the

why the hell would you buy a laptop for video encoding and photoshop?

but yeah it plays music and video jsut fine idk what you're talking about lol

This is like saying "It doesn't play crysis, I'll buy a desktop instead" well duh, it's a netbook

 

The question is: How much are people willing to pay just for a status symbol?

Traditionally, in history, it's always been a lot. I don't think it's going to be different this time. coughipad2cough

Mr. Mysterious

 

Status symbol? It has nothing to do with that.

But to answer your question, tons.

 

hmm... it really can't do much of anything... but neither can most computer users (think middle school through college students who mostly use computers to the extent of a) Facebook b) farmville on facebook [or one of those assorted online flash games from elsewhere] c) sports related browsing d) making a powerpoint e) pr0n. and usually have trouble doing any tasks beyond those, such as simple maintenance); it is basically a android tablet running a different OS + keyboard and trackpad but - touchscreen
... therefore I predict it will do well considering the customer base



what I really do not understand about about this is the whole Cloud storage thing (sure quick, easy access to storage from 'anywhere') but it means giving others your data, and why would you do that more than is already done? (really though you are 'becoming their data' so they can monitor your moves, make pattern analysis, and all the other things most people labeled as 'tin hat non-sense' because they don't want to see the truth -so to them I probably look like I've been wearing my tin hat my whole life) but I guess most people that fall under the category of this kind of device will not question such storage methods, and the ulterior motives of those behind them

well, to each his own I guess, cheers

 

You're not becoming their data some hash of you is =p

I don't think anyone really cares though. We all use email knowing full well it's on some server.

 

Agree for some people it will work, but for those people why not get a regular laptop instead so it can still do just fine + more.

Unless this is under $200 because you can buy a netbook for $300 and a nice laptop for $400

 

Because regular laptops have worse batteries and aren't as portable.

And the prices are around 350-500, same as windows netbooks of similar specs.

 

Really? Not to go offtopic, but could you recommend me a good computer at $400? I'm curious what that kind of money could buy...

Mr. Mysterious

 

I actually do TONS of video encoding and photoshop on my laptop.

Why? So I can do it when I am not at home.


When you say it plays music and video just fine, thats only the stuff you have access too online. What about my DVD rips saved to my HDD or my FLAC CD rips? You cant just go listen to those online, plus quality will suffer from streaming. I care about quality to never stream my stuff and I want it there on my drive so I am not bound by internet to listen to it.

 

Oh really? It's just a dual-core atom based netbook with chrome OS and a 12.1 or 11.6 inch screen. With those specs in mind, I count 8 netbooks at Newegg for under $380.

Now if you were willing to go with a 10 inch screen, there are 21 available for under $280.

Newegg.com - Netbook, ASUS EEE PC, MSI Wind, ACER ASPIRE One, HP Mini Note, Lenovo IdeaPad S10, CloudBook, Intel ATOM

 

Yes exactly my point, and any of those netbooks can access the same exact content just by going to there internet browser.

Id imagine you can even install the chrome OS on them at some point if you were so inclined.

 

laptops aren't netbooks...

Do they also have SSDs and 2GB of RAM?

Also, yes, you can do anything on ChromeOS on your netbook but it's also visa versa. Again, I say netbook... NOT laptop, definitely not high end laptop, and DEFINITELY not a desktop.


edit: looking on newegg nwo (the link you provided would not open)

I'm seeing at least 400 dollars for similar specs and none of them have SSDs, instead they have 250GB HDDs...

 

The hardware is not what is not worth the money - the walled garden software is the problem.

If the hardware was so good (they don't even include a real keyboard!!!) I would buy one to install Win7 on it.

Also: you keep posting multiple replies and you've been told not to do it at least once before.

Caution.

 

Real keyboard?

Also I used two replies. Can't see it as being a big deal.

 

well, in this case the walled garden is at least the full working web. unlike other walled gardens.

so it's not per se a walled garden, it's just a remoteterminal style device. with the web as the serverfarm that you connect to.

so you say they have more storage than all of the online storages combined? and much faster access times to those storages?

 

@tilleroftheeart; do you mean a real keyboard in the sense that it's not a "windows" keyboard? If so I can see what you're saying. Nothing that an external keyboard couldn't fix as much as that cuts down on the "portability" aspect of it.
I do agree with your "walled garden software" comment. That's why I'm so turned off to Google and Apple. I believe Apple is who really started it though, with their paid apps for iphone/itouch, and then everyone else in the industry (and now google) followed suit (with smartphones and the like). There were never any "app stores" with the old PDAs to put it in perspective. With windows and linux alike, I like the idea of having the freedom to install which programs I want and not being tied down to a certain manufacturer or platform.

@hungry man; see for yourself. But even if they come with only 1GB RAM, a 2GB module is very very inexpensive these days. SSD or not, that wont matter to most.

 

Most people are completely unwilling to upgrade their machines. Most people may not know the difference between HDD and SSD but they know the difference between 30 second boot up and 8 second boot up.