The second day of Google’s I/O Conference focused on a new line of hardware called the Chromebook, which will be manufactured by Acer, Samsung, and other major companies. Today, Samsung’s first Chromebook got a website, as well as the device’s first commercial.
The Samsung Chromebook will run Google’s Chrome OS, a web (cloud)-based operating system that many say is the future of compact computing. Announced back in 2009, Google originally sent developers a custom-made notebook to test the web-optimized OS, but it’s now ready to be sold on the consumer market.
The official website centers around the list of Samsung Chromebook notebooks in the Samsung ‘Series 5’ family. All four Chromebooks will hit the US on June 15 starting at $429. The starting price will get you a Chromebook in white or black that includes WiFi, 2GB of RAM, 16GB SSD, and an Atom N570 processor at 1.66GHz. The screen is a 12.1-inch unit with a 1280 x 800 resolution, 300-nits brightness, and 16:10 aspect ratio.
Other models include white and black 3G-capable Chromebooks, which both cost $499 each. Interestingly, the specs are identical, besides the additional connectivity (3G modem).
While the new Chromebooks offer a unique experience in the world of compact computing, the price of this genre of notebooks was expected to be substantially less. However, the hardware on the Samsung models is absolutely stunning, with a sleek design and classy style combined with the portability of a 0.79-inch case and a weight of 3.3 pounds total. The trackpad is also considered to be ‘oversize’ compared to its competitors.
The software has greatly improved from the Cr-48 days of Chrome OS, which was often laggy and would experience dramatic slowdowns. The bootup time on the Samsung Chromebook is less than 10 seconds.
Looking for more of the latest Google news and reviews? You’ll want to check out Google’s ‘Music Beta’ and Google +1 Chrome Extension
via Slashgear
