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Chromebook

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Chromebook
The Acer Chromebook
Product typeMobile device
OwnerGoogle
IntroducedJune 15, 2011
Websitehttp://www.google.com/chromebook/

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.[1][2][3]

The first devices for sale, by Acer Inc. and Samsung, were announced at the Google I/O conference in May 2011 and began shipping on June 15, 2011.[4]

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.[5][6] 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.[7] Instead of installing traditional applications, users add web apps from the Chrome Web Store, such as word processing and instant messaging.[8] Google claims that a multi-layer security architecture eliminates the need for anti-virus software.[4]

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.[9]

An analysis of the Samsung Series 5 components by iFixit in June 2011 estimated that the unit cost about US$322 in materials and US$12 in labor costs. With a retail price of US$499.99 and shipping, marketing, research and development and retail margins to account for this indicates that the profit margins on the Chromebooks are quite thin, requiring a large production run to make a profit.[10]

Models

Google developed the first Chromebook, the Cr-48, as a prototype machine. The first commercial Chromebooks, functionally similar to the Cr-48, are produced by Samsung and Acer.[7] 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.[11] The Acer Chromebook will have an 11.6-inch (290 mm) screen.[12] Both versions will have an HD webcam and two USB 2.0 ports. The Samsung version will have Mini-VGA out[11] while the Acer version will have HDMI output.[12]

Chromebook models
Manufacturer Model Available Processor RAM Hard drive Screen size Weight Base price References
Google Cr-48 (prototype) December 2010 1.66 GHz single-core Intel Atom N455 processor 2 GB 16 GB SSD 12.1 in (30.7 cm) 3.8 lb (1.7 kg) not for retail sale CNET[13] Chrome OS lounge [14] newnotebookinfo[15]
Samsung Series 5 June 2011 1.66 GHz dual-core Intel Atom N570 processor 2 GB 16 GB SSD 12.1 in (30.7 cm) 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) US$429 Wi-Fi, $499 3G CNET[16] Google[17]
Acer Inc. AC700 July 2011 1.66 GHz dual-core Intel Atom N570 processor 2 GB 16 GB SSD 11.6 in (29.5 cm) 3.19 lb (1.4 kg) US$349 Google[12] Amazon[18][19]

Sales and marketing

Chromebooks began selling through online channels, including Amazon and Best Buy in the U.S., and in some European countries starting June 15, 2011. The first machines sold for between $349 and $499, depending on model and whether 3G was included.[20] Google also offered 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 offered 100 megabytes of wireless data per month, with an additional gigabyte at $20 per month.[7]

Google's early marketing efforts relied primarily on hands-on experience: giving away Samsung machines to some Cr-48 pilot program participants and loaning Chromebooks to passengers on some Virgin America flights.[21][22][23]

Reception

File:Chromebook launch.jpg
Google's Sundar Pichai speaking about the Chromebook at its launch at Google I/O, May 2011.

Some analysts viewed Google's web-centric operating system packaged with hardware as a direct attack on the market dominance of Microsoft.[1][2][24] 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.[3][25] Other observers noted that the success of the platform depends on the quality of available Web applications, access to Windows applications on virtual desktops,[26] and the ability of some applications to function offline.[27][28]

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 (290 mm) Wi-Fi AMD E-350-powered ultraportable running Windows 7."[16] 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.[2]

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."[29]

In an article published on ZDNet in June 2011, entitled Five Chromebook concerns for businesses, Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols faulted the devices for lack of virtual private network capability, not supporting some Wi-Fi security methods, in particular Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) Enterprise with Extensible Authentication Protocol-Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS) or Cisco’s Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol (LEAP). He also noted that its file manager does not work, the need to use the undocumented crosh shell to accomplish basic tasks such as setting up a secure shell (SSH) network connection as well as serious deficiencies in documentation.[30]

In one of the first customer reviews, the City of Orlando reported on their initial testing of 600 Chromebooks as part of a broader study related to accessing virtual desktops. Early indications show potential value in reducing IT support costs. End users have indicated that the Chromebook is easy to travel with and starts up quickly. One stated that "If I just need to stay connected for emergencies, I take my Chrome," but when traveling for business she would still take her laptop. Orlando does plan to continue to use the Chromebooks.[31]

Reviewing the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook in July 2011, Benjamin Humphrey of OMG! Ubuntu! concluded: "Overall, the Samsung Series 5 is a lovely piece of hardware and a perfect start to the Chromebook lineup...However, the Series 5 as an overall product is let down by comparatively feature-poor software. While you shouldn’t expect a Chromebook to be a full replacement for a complete operating system, it should be able to handle basic things such as copy and paste in the File Manager and playback of common local formats. Thankfully, Chrome OS has a very quick release cycle of 6 weeks, and many of my gripes have been addressed and are targeted to the next couple of updates, so it can only get better...unless you’re a keen early adopter, I’d suggest holding out until later in the year before purchasing a Chromebook to let the software mature a bit more. If you’re simply after a tablet with a keyboard however, the Series 5 might just be the perfect purchase."[32]

Lawsuit

ISYS Technologies, based in Salt Lake City, has sued Google in a Utah district court, claiming rights to the name "Chromium", and, by default, Chromebook and Chromebox. The suit seeks to stop Google and its hardware and marketing partners from selling Chromebooks.[33]

References

  1. ^ a b "Googles Chrome Laptops will Go on Sale in June". Bits Blog, nytimes.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Initial Thoughts on the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook". TechCrunch.
  3. ^ a b "Why Chromebooks will Fail". PCWorld.
  4. ^ a b Upson, Linus; Pichai, Sundar (May 11, 2011). "A New Kind Of Computer: Chromebook". The Official Google Blog. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  5. ^ Bailey, Dan (2011). "Chrome OS File Manager Gets Secret Shortcuts". Conceivably Tech. Retrieved 14 May 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Smith, William. "8 Things You Need to Know About Chrome OS". MaximumPC. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  7. ^ a b c Sherr, Ian (May 11, 2011). "Google to launch Chrome Laptops in June". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  8. ^ "What is the Chrome Web Store?". Google Inc.
  9. ^ "Three Big Questions for the Samsung Chromebook". PC Mag. May 12, 2011.
  10. ^ Bakke, Kurt (2011). "First Chromebook Is Expensive To Make". Conceivably Tech. Retrieved 16 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. ^ a b Google Chrome Samsung
  12. ^ a b c Google Chrome Acer
  13. ^ Ackerman, Dan (2010). "Google Cr-48 Chrome hardware pilot program: 'Not for the faint of heart'". CNET. Retrieved 14 May 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  14. ^ Caris, Brad (2010). "Google CR-48 Notebook *FULL* Hardware Specs". Retrieved 14 May 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  15. ^ newnotebookinfo.com (undated). "Google Chrome Cr-48 Notebook Review, Specs and Price". Retrieved 14 May 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  16. ^ a b Stein, Scott (May 11, 2011). "First Take: Samsung Series 5 Chromebook, the future of Netbooks?". CNET News. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  17. ^ "Google Chromebook: Specifications". Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  18. ^ Nothing but the web Amazon
  19. ^ "Amazon Page". Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  20. ^ "The Google Chromebook Breaks Cover At I/O 2011, Hits Retailers June 15th". TechCrunch.
  21. ^ Sood, Natesh (2011). "Google launches new Chromebook Guru Program". Gagetell. Retrieved 11 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  22. ^ Parfeni, Lucien (2011). "The Most Enthusiastic Cr-48 Owners Will Get a Free Samsung Chromebook". Softpedia. Retrieved 11 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  23. ^ Paula, Rooney (June 30, 2011). "Google, Virgin America partner to push ChromeBooks, free WiFi in the clouds (the real ones)". ZDNet. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  24. ^ "Google Attack Microsofts Core with Chromebook". blogs.forbes.com.
  25. ^ Rooney, Paula (2011). "5 issues that could derail Google's Chromebook". ZDNet. Retrieved 15 May 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  26. ^ Claburn, Thomas. "Google Pleased With Chromebook Sales". InformationWeek.
  27. ^ "Why Google Chromebook's Success Depends Entirely on Apps". MIT Technology Review.
  28. ^ "How 'Offline' Web Apps Will Work on Google Chromebooks". MIT Technology Review.
  29. ^ Paul, Ryan (2011). "iFixit tears the chrome off of a Samsung Chromebook". Ars Technica. Retrieved 12 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  30. ^ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (2011). "Five Chromebook concerns for businesses". ZDNet. Retrieved 14 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  31. ^ Thibodeau, Patrick. "Orlando tries out 600 Chromebooks, The Chrome OS-based laptops may fit into city's cloud strategy". Computerworld.
  32. ^ Humphrey, Benjamin (2011). "Google Chrome OS hands on; we review Samsung's first Chromebook". OMG! Ubuntu!. Retrieved 14 July 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  33. ^ Albanesius, Chloe (June 9, 2011). "Google Sued Over Chromebook Name". PCMag.com. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chromebooks.

References

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