Meet the Chromebooks

Google unveiled the Chromebook yesterday at the Google I/O. The Chromebook seem to have what it takes to change mobile computing as we know it. Chromebooks are basically the incarnation of the thin client concept tried already years ago. Now with robost cloud services and net access everywhere the thin client has a real chance.

Overview:
There are many advantages that come through the simplicity of the Chromebook. You basically just get a browser to do everything. You won’t wait minutes for your computer to boot and browser to start. You’ll be reading your email in seconds. Thanks to automatic updates the software on your Chromebook will get faster over time. Your apps, games, photos, music, movies and documents will be accessible wherever you are and you won't need to worry about losing your computer or forgetting to back up files.

Chromebooks will last a day of use on a single charge, so you don’t need to carry a power cord everywhere. And with optional 3G, just like your phone, you’ll have the web when you need it. Chromebooks have many layers of security built in so there is no anti-virus software to buy and maintain. Even more importantly, you won't spend hours fighting your computer to set it up and keep it up to date.

Availability:
Chromebooks will be available online June 15 in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Spain. More countries will follow in the coming months. Samsung and Acer are the first manufacturers to offer Chromebooks. Besides at retail the Chromebooks can be rented by businesses for $28 per month and by students for $20 per month. The most affordable Chromebook, the Acer Wi-Fi starts at $349. The Samsung Wi-fi + 3G has a retail price of $499.99 and the Wi-fi only is priced at $429.99. In the United States 3G models get 100MB/month free on Verizon.

The Chromebooks:

Samsung Series 5 XE500C21-H01US 3G (White)

• Screen 12.1-inch Super Bright Display
• Processor: 1.66 GHz Intel Atom dual-core N570 processor
• Storage: 16 GB solid-state drive (SSD)
• System Memory: 2 GB
• Communications: Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), integrated 3G (via optional Verizon Wireless subscription)
• Ports: Two USB 2.0, 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
• Video out: VGA (via optional dongle)
• Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jack
• Battery: 6-cell battery for up to 8.5 hours of use
• Webcam: 1-megapixel

Samsung Series 5 XE500C21-H02US 3G (Titan Silver)

• Screen 12.1-inch Super Bright Display
• Processor: 1.66 GHz Intel Atom dual-core N570 processor
• Storage: 16 GB solid-state drive (SSD)
• System Memory: 2 GB
• Communications: Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), integrated 3G (via optional Verizon Wireless subscription)
• Ports: Two USB 2.0, 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
• Video out: VGA (via optional dongle)
• Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jack
• Battery: 6-cell battery for up to 8.5 hours of use
• Webcam: 1-megapixel

Samsung Series 5 XE500C21-A03US Wi-Fi (Titan Silver)

• Screen 12.1-inch Super Bright Display
• Processor: 1.66 GHz Intel Atom dual-core N570 processor
• Storage: 16 GB solid-state drive (SSD)
• System Memory: 2 GB
• Communications: Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
• Ports: Two USB 2.0, 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
• Video out: VGA (via optional dongle)
• Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jack
• Battery: 6-cell battery for up to 8.5 hours of use
• Webcam: 1-megapixel

Samsung Series 5 XE500C21-A01US Wi-Fi (Arctic White)

• Screen 12.1-inch Super Bright Display
• Processor: 1.66 GHz Intel Atom dual-core N570 processor
• Storage: 16 GB solid-state drive (SSD)
• System Memory: 2 GB
• Communications: Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
• Ports: Two USB 2.0, 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
• Video out: VGA (via optional dongle)
• Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jack
• Battery: 6-cell battery for up to 8.5 hours of use
• Webcam: 1-megapixel

Acer 3G Chromebook (Black)

• 11.6” HD Widescreen CineCrystal™ LED-backlit LCD: (1366 x 768) resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio
• Intel® Atom™ Dual-Core Processor(1.66GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
• 2GB DDR3 Memory
• Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
• 16GB Solid State Drive
• 1.3 Megapixel HD Webcam (1280 x 1024)
• High-Definition Audio Support
• Two Built-in Speakers
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™
• Qualcomm Gobi 2000-3G
• 2- USB 2.0 Ports
• 1- HDMI™ Port
• Chrome OS Keyboard
• Touchpad
• 6-cell Lithium-Ion BatteryUp to 8-hours battery life
• 2.95 lbs(system unit only)

Acer Wi-Fi Chromebook (Black)

• 11.6” HD Widescreen CineCrystal™ LED-backlit LCD: (1366 x 768) resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio
• Intel® Atom™ Dual-Core Processor(1.66GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
• 2GB DDR3 Memory
• Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
• 16GB Solid State Drive
• 1.3 Megapixel HD Webcam (1280 x 1024)
• High-Definition Audio Support
• Two Built-in Speakers
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™
• 2- USB 2.0 Ports
• 1- HDMI™ Port
• Chrome OS Keyboard
• Touchpad
• 6-cell Lithium-Ion BatteryUp to 8-hours battery life
• 2.95 lbs (system unit only)

All Chromebooks share the same specifications besides the screen size. Samsung offers a 12.1-inch screen and Acer gives you a 11.6-inch wide-screen display. You just can choose between 3G and Wi-Fi only models. Samsung offers Titan Silver and artic white besides black. Chromebooks are very similar to netbooks. They run an Atom CPU, have 2GB RAM and a 16GB SSD. All Chromebooks are listed on Amazon, but cannot be ordered yet.

Computing should get really much more easier with a Chromebook. No worries about installing software, secuirty and connectivity. Of course Google needs to proof first that the Chromebooks work as advertised. We will have to wait for the first in-depth Chromebook reviews. Everything is cloud delivered app that you can get in the Chrome web store. In my opinion, Microsoft really needs to worry now. Apple is not going to be affected by this as those who can afford it likely want the Apple way of mobile computing.

Updates

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20

Source: Ecoustics

Just one feature differentiates Sony's two 20x compact megazooms. If you like the sound of the excellent , but can live without the built-in Wi-Fi, definitely check out the DSC-HX20V. For about $20 less than the HX30, the ...
Full article at: Ecoustics  More like this  1 hour ago

HP Officejet 4620 e-All-in-One

Source: PC Magazine

If you need an inexpensive personal printer in any size office, make sure the HP Officejet 4620 e-All-in-One ($99.99 direct) is somewhere on your must see list. One of the few $100 printers that leans more towards office needs than home printing n ...
Full article at: PC Magazine  More like this  3 hours ago

Wi-fi is the free parking of the coffee world

Source: The Washington Post

When it comes to wi-fi in coffee shops, I’ve had a pretty strong shift in opinion over the past few years. This blog used to be written entirely from a single coffee shop in Cleveland. During that time I spent a lot time in that coffee shop. I made f ...
Full article at: The Washington Post  More like this  4 hours ago

Don't miss ...

• More Notebooks and PCs Stories
• I4U News Homepage