Google Chromebooks

[QuadCityImages]

I was surprised there wasn't a dedicated thread to the Chrome OS (There was one from 2+ years ago) and Chromebooks.

The only reason I bring this up now is that I just won an eBay auction for a CR-48, which was the developer platform/tech demo unit that Google gave away to 60,000 people.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/Dodger6500/Assorted/cr48.jpg
It comes with 24 months of 3g through Verizon, but only 100 megabytes a month.

Its basically a netbook that only runs the Chrome browser, which obviously has some limitations. The main one that I'm worried about is the lack of CPU power from the Atom processor, especially when it comes to flash and streaming video.

Other than that, the idea is that everything is already browser and cloud based, and especially for someone as invested in Google services as me, its not far off. I can access all my Docs through Google Docs, my music through Google Music, obviously browse the web, and even play the Chrome app of Angry Birds (depending on performance). It should be interesting to play with at least.

[sclitheroe]

Neat!

So with no local apps and no easily accessible general purpose storage, would you call it a defective Windows netbook, or just a bigger, crippled Android phone? :D

(I kid, I kid...iPad early adopters took similar abuse)

Have you followed ChromeOS really closely prior to getting the Cr-48? Do you think Google is more committed to the idea of ChromeOS, or to Android growing up and branching out into similar form factors?

[QuadCityImages]

I've followed it pretty closely, and I can't exactly say I'm a huge believer in where its headed. There are two Chromebooks currently available retail, one from Acer and one from Samsung, and they're both in the $400 range. I believe that's WITHOUT the 2 year 3g deal. So that's just a terrible deal. Might as well buy a $400 laptop or tablet at that point.

However, if they can push the price point down, these start being more viable. It seems like it would be cheaper to build a Chrome netbook than one you have to license Windows for, but who knows how all that works.

I paid $245 for the CR-48, brand new, with 24 months of 100 Megabyte/month 3g. At that kind of price, I think these things would sell like crazy. I also love the black on black, badgeless design of the CR-48, which is one of the other main reasons I bought it.

[sclitheroe]

I paid $245 for the CR-48, brand new, with 24 months of 100 Megabyte/month 3g. At that kind of price, I think these things would sell like crazy. I also love the black on black, badgeless design of the CR-48, which is one of the other main reasons I bought it.

Yeah, at that price I'd investigate one for sure. And they definitely look cool in their current incarnation.

[Flames0910]

Cool that you got one, you'll have to let us know what you think.

My money's against Chromebooks though. Google has a history of not being able to explain their value proposition. "it's a laptop, but you don't have to deal with the hassle of updates" won't sell to mainstream America. They never cared about updates before, so why start now?


"it's a laptop, but incredibly cheap" would probably sell, but the price of these things is comparable to most netbooks (which do everything a Chromebook does AND run regular applications as well) and in some cases more expensive. It's mind boggling.

Don't get my wrong, I get it - less is more. I just don't think Google will be able to sell that value proposition to many people.

[QuadCityImages]

They sell it pretty well in this commercial.

TVqe8ieqz10

[Flames0910]

They sell it pretty well in this commercial.

TVqe8ieqz10

It's clever and cute and they do a good job of describing WHAT it is. Good, I'm aware of it.

Am I persuaded to buy it? No. For most people having the ability to choose a desktop background is one of the few things they like about their computer, and I'm not overly worried about my laptop falling out of a window or into a river.

Again, just my personal opinion. We'll have to wait a couple years to see what happens (which should be interesting)...but I haven't really heard a lot of buzz (other than the initial launch) about them just yet.

[QuadCityImages]

Yeah, I'm only defending them a little, because to me if you're going to have "nothing but the web" it should be cheaper than something that has "more than just the web". Possibly even subsidized by Google since they make more money the more people use the internet and inevitably see AdSense ads.

[MRCboicgy]

I think it's silly they aren't coming to Canada any time soon.

[Barnes]

Oh, is this the thread where we post pics of our 5 year old black Macbooks? ;)

Much like Android originally was targeting Blackberry, I think they blew their load too quick with Chrome OS and failed to see where the market was going.

Nobody will want this when they can get a full fledged OS on a tablet, phone or laptop.

[sclitheroe]

What will be more interesting to me than the current incarnation of ChromeOS is whether Google will bore of it and let it wither. They seem to have little reservation about trying stuff (Google Health, Google Power, Wave, Latitude, Google Answers, and Knol are some that spring to mind) where they talked a good talk and then seemed to bore of the projects and fail to see them through.

I guess its just a different philosophy, to enter a bunch of areas and stick with the ones that work, but ChromeOS seems like a risky venture if they tire of it after you're invested in the technology.

I'm not piling on ChromeOS, it's certainly interesting, but I grow skeptical of Google sometimes when they seem to cast such a wide net with only limited returns. If I were a shareholder I'd certainly wonder if their failed projects outside their core competency (advertising...) were really worth it.

All that being said, I can certainly see the appeal of trying one out, and its definitely a neat toy to have!

[Tinordi]

Would only make sense if it's super cheap, like less than $100 bucks.

[FanIn80]

You can install Chrome OS inside a Parallels VM on a Mac. I've messed around with it a few times. It's neat, but it gets old fast. I'm also not a fan of making EVERYthing I do on a computer a target for Google ads.

[Daradon]

It's definitely the future with the way things are going regarding the internet and communications. We need the personal space and power of our computers less and less. But it's probably a few years away yet from reaching it's full potential, or at least a useful enough potential that a lot of people would use one or switch to one.

[Hack&Lube]

This is what Oracle wanted to do 15 years ago when they wanted to buy Apple and turn it into a company that only made network computers that did all their computing on the cloud so Oracle could sell more servers.

[sclitheroe]

This is what Oracle wanted to do 15 years ago when they wanted to buy Apple and turn it into a company that only made network computers that did all their computing on the cloud so Oracle could sell more servers.

Wasn't it Sun that wanted to buy Apple?

[Russic]

An entire computer that reports back to google everything that you do. What could possibly go wrong?

I don't actually fear stuff like that... I just wonder what paranoid people think about stuff like this. Google might as well start up an online dating site. They probably know more about me than my own mother at this point.

[fredr123]

An entire computer that reports back to google everything that you do. What could possibly go wrong?

I don't actually fear stuff like that... I just wonder what paranoid people think about stuff like this. Google might as well start up an online dating site. They probably know more about me than my own mother at this point.

Unconfirmed: Google in talks to purchase OK Cupid.

[QuadCityImages]

It has arrived.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/Dodger6500/Assorted/chromecr48.jpg

First impressions: Well built. Good keyboard. Less good touchpad. Well, I guess I don't know if that's fair, I like left and right "mouse" buttons on laptops, so the choice not to have them is surely affecting my feeling about the touchpad. I'm still getting used to it.

The big thing I was worried about (CPU speed and Flash performance) isn't looking too bad. It can handle Civ World on Facebook, and ran a 2 minute Hulu clip without much stuttering. Obviously I won't be turning things up to HD, but that's not really what a $245 laptop is for.

I got the Verizon 3G activated, which wasn't as painless as it should have been, but it may have been coincidental 3G network issues rather than CR-48 problems.

From a couple hours' worth of playing with it, I'd say if they could sell these for $250 they'd sell a ton. At $400, I'd be unhappy with what I have here.

[pria(kin)16]

I just picked up a Chromebook and was wondering if anyone had any reccomendations for apps, extensions, accessories etc. Thanks

[sclitheroe]

I just picked up a Chromebook and was wondering if anyone had any reccomendations for apps, extensions, accessories etc. Thanks

Which one did you get? How do you like it?

[Anduril]

Forgot about this thread.
Bought the Samsung version for my sister. Limited time with it but I did pick up some first impressions.

Mainly, the low price is definitely reflected by the quality. Screen was okay, having a matte style is a bonus in my opinion. Keyboard was a little iffy for me in the sense that it was a bit spongey for my taste. Track pad took some getting used but was otherwise usable.

General tasks from loading a basic Web page to going from a 480p to a 720p youtube video, you could tell the system was working hard.

Wasn't impressed nor disappointed with the device. In the end it just helped me decide that I wouldn't want one for my own despite the price, primary because of the keyboard. Most of the issue I would blame squarely on it being bilingual. Definitely something you have to try for yourself and see.


For a useful app on a performance limited device like a chromebook, check out OneTab if you haven't got it already. Great for saving all the current tabs for later use as you open additional ones without having the extra strain on the device.

[nfotiu]

I've had the Samsung ARM since Christmas. I bought it because I work from home, and my company is getting more and more restrictive about personal online stuff to the point I didn't feel comfortable doing what little they allowed us to do in terms of personal web browsing.

So I use it side by side my i7 HP EliteBook's with SSD's and Windows 7 and IE and Firefox. I'd give the Chromebook the edge in performance most every Web browsing type activity vs the Windows laptops. I have fast, high quality internet with Verizon fiber and a decent wireless n router, and suspect that internet speed is directly correlated with perceived performance on a Chromebook.

I like the keyboard a lot, so surprised at the above comments. Also, like the trackpad a lot, and have gotten quite used to the gesturing. I can't stand using the HP trackpads in comparison. The screen I'd definitely give a 6 or 7 out of 10, mostly because the black levels are pretty grey. The screen is fine for Web browsing, passable at best for watching a dark movie.

I do love the instant on, background updates, very good battery life (and quick charging), no fan, very portable. Lots of the pluses of a tablet experience, except you get a keyboard and a far better browsing experience.

I've also gotten very used to doing personal finance and any word processing needs in google docs. Working on the cloud is a pretty liberating experience with never having to worry about backing up or losing stuff, and you have your docs available from any computer with a browser.

In terms of extensions, I recommend going light on those. I use hangouts a lot, so I have that extension loaded, and that is about it. Lots of reports that a lot of them can hurt performance or cause issues, so only load things you truly have a need for. They kind of go against the spirit of Chrome OS IMO, anyway.

Google Keep is a web app I use a lot. Pretty cool way to build lists and notes that are seamlessly sync'd to your android app.

[pria(kin)16]

Which one did you get? How do you like it?

I got the Samsung and so far it is meeting expectations. Pretty fast and does what I need in terms of web browsing, personal documents, watching media off USBs etc.

I am having problems though trying to get my Citrix receiver to work, hopefully my administrator has a solution. I'm also hoping one day for external apps/programs like Skype but I'm not holding my breath.

[nfotiu]

I got the Samsung and so far it is meeting expectations. Pretty fast and does what I need in terms of web browsing, personal documents, watching media off USBs etc.

I am having problems though trying to get my Citrix receiver to work, hopefully my administrator has a solution. I'm also hoping one day for external apps/programs like Skype but I'm not holding my breath.

This is a very active support group for Chromebooks if you haven't discovered it. Lots of good info and helpful people:

https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!categories/chromebook-central

[nfotiu]

Some really interesting Chromebooks announced today. I really believe in this platform, and think they are great for about 80%-90% of (non-gamer) computer users. Our school system just bought 32,000 and they've been very well received so far.

The IPS touchscreen flip looks really cool and could be my next purchase:
http://www.omgchrome.com/asus-chromebook-flip-specs-ips-tablet/

The chromebook on a stick - Chromebit
http://www.omgchrome.com/chromebit-a-99-chrome-pc-the-size-of-a-chromecast/

And a pair of $149 Chromebooks
http://www.omgchrome.com/two-new-149-chromebooks-go-on-sale-in-the-us/

I'm curious to see how this processor performs.