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Chromebook

google.com

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Re: Chromebook

#111

Post by jonknee »

uuilly wrote: post #72
hammock wrote: post #34

It took me a long time of exploring to realize they were talking about a laptop. I was like "Chromebook?" Is it a kindle? Is it an online scrapbook? Is it online literature? edit: why am i being downvoted? because i don't read tech blogs 24/7? because nowhere on the website does it actually say what a chromebook is?

They certainly didn't help you with a picture of the hardware. [edit] Being serious. They're selling a computer without showing a picture of it. I was surprised.

... Except for all the photos and videos. Well that and how they aren't selling a computer, they're developing an OS.

Re: Chromebook

#112

Post by aj700 »

javanix wrote: post #22

Google is still planning on making Chrome OS installable on other hardware, right? I already have a thin and light laptop that I'm pretty happy with - hopefully I can install Chrome OS from an image onto it to tinker with.

http://chromeos.hexxeh.net/

you can try it now

you can try the whole thing on a compatible laptop when the chromiumos builds are the same as the chromeos these ship with.

Re: Chromebook

#113

Post by ShabbyDoo »

[deleted] wrote: post #93
ShabbyDoo wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I was tasked with selling Chromebooks door-to-door, my primary talking point would be "it just works" and I would point out the high cost of paying someone (GeekSquad, etc.) to perform software services on Windows computers. For people who are stumped by what we on HN consider to be minor annoyances, paying $75+/issue adds up pretty quickly. You are right that, for regular folks, the primary competitor is likely a…

[deleted]

I think the Geek Squad charges at least $50 for malware removal. And, your mom would have to take the computer to Best Buy. That her child will do it for free dilutes Google's value proposition :)

In all seriousness, Google's proposition to businesses and schools is probably stronger than the offer to individual users. Corps/Schools feel the real cost associated with Windows desktop administration. Unlike individuals where Windows issues feel random, these organizations know the mean time between interventions and can therefore compute their expected annual service cost per Windows desktop.

Re: Chromebook

#114

Post by wiredfool »

cstross wrote: post #70
wiredfool wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not what the site seems to say: Chromebook that have built-in 3G include up to 100MB per month of Mobile Broadband service for 2 years, provided by Verizon Wireless.

Note that Verizon doesn't operate in Europe, and CDMA is just about unheard of over here. According to this CNET report ( http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20061896-266.html ) chromebooks will be sold in several EU countries, so I assume there'll be a UMTS/HSPA model sold with contracts from various carriers. (It's fairly clear that Google are targeting the same "curated computing" approach as Apple, but via a radica…

Well, changing the language to Nederlands got me a different page -- one that I can read but I can make sweedish chef like interpretations of.

Looks like Dutch users can expect wireless from kpn, with a gig of transfer per (garbled) for free, and then it's 20 euros/200MB.

Hell, I should have done the English/uk, They're getting internets from three, and It's 3gig transfer free for the first three months, then pay as you go after.

Re: Chromebook

#115

Post by Hov »

txxxxd wrote: post #50
smackfu wrote: post #11

They don't seem to be priced any better than similar Windows machines, although it's hard to find exact comparisons since most things with Atom processors only go up to 10" screens.

Same price as a windows laptop but much cheaper to support. For anyone who's the the family tech support guy, it's almost worth buying these for your relatives just so you don't have to deal with cleaning up their malware infected, bloated PCs every 6 months.

Thats silly when you can install Ubuntu on the same laptop and be done with it no?

Re: Chromebook

#116

Post by jonknee »

kenjackson wrote: post #67
jonknee wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's quite obviously not targeted at you. There are people who use computers who don't even know what Emacs or Visual Studio are. They're also the ones who have major troubles keeping their computers working. Google's working on abstracting away the IT guy. I hope it works.

And those people don't know what Google Docs are either. And when they get an Excel document where charts don't render correctly, or comments are screwed up, or pivot tables don't work against their datasource, they'll be POed. Or when all their friends are playing WoW and they realize that this device doesn't play it. Or when they want to Skype with their grandkids they realize, they can't do that. Or when they take…

It sounds perfect for businesses. Employees can't screw it up. Sign me (err, my clients) up please.

Re: Chromebook

#117

Post by martin_k »

PagingCraig wrote: post #41
lallysingh wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

$28/month/user with Google Apps & Support for business $20/month/user for students. (from the Engadget live feed)

I can't see the laptop itself not costing anything. The per month is on top of the laptop cost I take it?

No, for businesses or schools this is a monthly price that includes software and hardware updates.

Re: Chromebook

#118

Post by jahmed »

cstross wrote: post #70
wiredfool wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not what the site seems to say: Chromebook that have built-in 3G include up to 100MB per month of Mobile Broadband service for 2 years, provided by Verizon Wireless.

Note that Verizon doesn't operate in Europe, and CDMA is just about unheard of over here. According to this CNET report ( http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20061896-266.html ) chromebooks will be sold in several EU countries, so I assume there'll be a UMTS/HSPA model sold with contracts from various carriers. (It's fairly clear that Google are targeting the same "curated computing" approach as Apple, but via a radica…

The CR48 has the Gobi 2000 which supports GSM and CDMA, so I'm thinking they would use it in the new Chromebooks announced today.

Re: Chromebook

#119

Post by norova »

kenjackson wrote: post #84
cryptoz wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most people don't want a choice of browser or to worry about syncing different accounts or running WoW on every single computer they buy . Most people want to browse the web without virusus or hassles or intrusive software updates. It's very very clear that this is not meant for full content creation and gaming and a giant desktop experience. This is meant for the web on the go. If you don't want it, that's fine. But…

Let me be clear. I'd love this device for free. Or like I said, even $100 I could see it being a fair price. But when you price at the same price of a netbook that performs really well (the new ASUS Eee Pcs are pretty darn impressive beasts for a $289 machine), with all of its limitations, it just doesn't make sense. This needs to be more like a Kindle. A device you get even if you already have a laptop and an iPad.…

You're missing the point. Your dollars aren't going toward performance, they're going toward ease-of-use, stability and reliability.

Re: Chromebook

#120

Post by koeselitz »

kenjackson wrote: post #96
noodle wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

sounds pretty similar to the complaints about the ipad.

Big difference with iPad is that it has a great user experience. It's obvious on first use of the iPad. The iPad is this device that you show anyone and drool forms from the lips. It's sexy as hell. Then you list the limitations and lots of people still say, "I don't care" while others will care. With the ChromeBooks there's no drooling. The limitations hit you like sack of steel. And then you have to explain the ups…

That's a lot of words for an argument that assumes what it's trying to prove.
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