Chromebook: The Nissan LEAF of computers

[cdub]

According to UPS my Chromebook arrived today. I'll be checking mynissanleaf.com from it later tonight.

 

[palmermd]

According to UPS my Chromebook arrived today. I'll be checking mynissanleaf.com from it later tonight.

how'd you get it early? My dashboard says "pending". (June 15)

 

[cdub]

Google sent out an e-mail to people who put their name down as being interested in it a week ago with the option to buy it early from Gilt.com. (wierd fashion site - but heck... now I have a Chromebook waiting at home for me)

It goes on sale officially on the 15th. But they're selling out pretty quickly (at least the preorders)

 

[TomT]

Amazon and best buy will starting selling the chromebook on June 15th...However, I expect prices to drop considerably within the first 3 months...just to damn pricey.

First, I am a test pilot user and find the product refreshing and useful. But I just don't know why Google didn't go ahead and offer a tablet version and 2 or 3 netbook versions (a wifi and a 3g, which really should have been a 4g) instead of the 5 netbook versions? Many people want tablets. Besides, it would do what android tablets haven't been able to do. Also, android and its marketplace are at a critical junction with the fragmentation that is occurring, sure to cause consternation both in the consumer and the developer world, as its lifespan continues.

Most important for Chrome OS survivability is the fact that web and software developers will have to tailor and support their programs for Chrome, which will take a while but undeniably will happen, once the popularity of the OS and cloud computing usage in general increases, but first a price drop for these devices; Google must get them into the hands of everyone with a couple of extra dollars in their pockets and the desire to find a new OS (which there are many of), even if it means doing it at a loss (see: the kindle). Eventually Google is going to run into the classic "guns versus butter" quandary with all its operating systems out there. Ill place my money on its ONLY TRUE OPEN OS, the Chrome OS (android is by invite only until Google decides to release version's source code). Chrome is more than just a browser, any browsing on goggle labs will convince you of that! So why not capitalize on its unified design/operating concept and install it as an OS? This is what many people dont "get about Chrome as an OS, the say "I have chrome on my computer already"...in a few years pretty much all of your operations will exist in/on the cloud.


SOME GOOD:

All of the chromebooks weigh in at about 3lbs, or twice the wight of the ipad2, which is still very light. Also, battery life is pretty identical to the advertised specs. Boot time is ridiculously fast, less than 10 secs from a dead sleep! Amazon's cloud player is integrated very, very nicely integrated. Most important Chrome OS function: you DON'T have to pay for web applications as you do with iOS or Android OS (unless site owners wish to charge for content, that is).


SOME BAD:

No HDMI but a VGA instead (yeah, I know, its 2011). No bluetooth, NO GPS, webcam issues, cant use USB drives...most of the issues (I did not list several others) can be patched through updates. However some are hardware and will need to be addressed next production run or model design.


I recommend any of the Samsung chromebooks with the dual core Atom n570 cpu:
The dual core cpu will cut down significantly on the streaming video stuttering that the acer chromebook will see, and also has better battery life and management. Only the acer WiFi-only version has the N570 - but has a smaller screen - so we'll have to wait and see the price to determine a proper cost/benefit ratio.

 

[cdub]

People want tablets!

Meh.... I've used both the iPad and the Xoom. (own the Xoom)

I find using a tablet for anything except consumption excruciating. Writing an e-mail on a tablet is pure hell. Give me a keyboard and a trackpad.

 

[palmermd]

Google sent out an e-mail to people who put their name down as being interested in it a week ago with the option to buy it early from Gilt.com. (wierd fashion site - but heck... now I have a Chromebook waiting at home for me)

It goes on sale officially on the 15th. But they're selling out pretty quickly (at least the preorders)

I signed up on the wait list when it was first announced, but never got an invite...oh well.

 

[TomT]

Tablets can have keyboards too... Regardless, I believe that there is a strong market for both -- perhaps they will cater to the other segment as well at a later date... That said, I personally prefer a laptop form factor.

Meh.... I've used both the iPad and the Xoom. (own the Xoom)

I find using a tablet for anything except consumption excruciating. Writing an e-mail on a tablet is pure hell. Give me a keyboard and a trackpad.

 

[cdub]

Yes... they can have keyboards. But that's not the point of a tablet. I don't want to have to carry a separate keyboard around to use a device. Sounds like a pain in the but.