Google's given Chrome OS a makeover, introducing two new Samsung devices to run its refreshed web-based OS. The Samsung Series 5 550 is a new Chromebook laptop, while the Samsung Series 3 Chromebox is a miniature desktop computer powered by Google's cloud-based operating system.
The Series 5 550 packs an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, as well as a memory card slot, 12.1-inch, 1,280x800-pixel display and a promised 6 hours of battery life.
The Chromebox, meanwhile, plays host to five USB ports, two display ports, DVI, Ethernet, an Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM. PC World, Currys, John Lewis and Amazon are expected to sell the new gear, though current online details are scant. This John Lewis page at least has a price -- listing the Series 5 550 at £380, even if it does show the computer bearing a big Windows 7 logo.
Hardware aside, the main reason to be interested in these gadgets is that they're powered by Chrome OS, which has been given a revamp that introduces a Windows and Mac-style desktop.
That desktop shows all your apps, also letting you split your browsing into multiple windows -- a feature sorely missing from earlier editions.
Despite some apps that work offline, you still need a web connection to make the most of Google's operating system, which in my experience has more downsides than you might first imagine. There's no installing programs like Photoshop, Spotify or Windows Live Messenger, and the file system is crude, making it tough to shift files around.
I'm not convinced Chrome OS is there yet, but there are signs of progress, notably Google's promise to bring Google Docs offline support in the next few weeks, and Chrome apps that work offline.
My instinct is still that you'd be better served by a cheap laptop with the Chrome browser installed. We're working on getting full reviews of the new kit, so stay tuned for our official verdict, and check out the video below of our US cousins putting the new Chromebook through its paces.
Are you a fan of Chrome OS? Or should Google stick to search? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook wall.
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anonymous 30 May, 2012 14:29
Any word on when the Series 5 550 will actually be available in the UK (or tips on getting one shipped over from the US)? I'm considering getting one, though the £380 pricetag seems pretty extortionate compared to $449 (roughly £290) in the US.
anonymous 30 May, 2012 14:49
the john lewis page no longer shows the windows logo
anonymous 30 May, 2012 16:57
I really like the idea of this, but it needs a couple of things. It needs to be cheap, £300-£400 with good specs. That's a given.
More importantly, Google Docs needs to be available offline and needs to be reliable when it comes to spell checking and formatting documents (I have no idea if it is now or not, but as an academic, I'm very uneasy about using anything that isn't Word which I know will spell check and format my work perfectly every time).
Also, Google Music must be released in the UK and allow for offline listening.
I'd also suggest that 3G should be built in.
Google Movies has good rental titles and prices, so that's a bonus, and can be viewed offline, and obviously Netflix and Lovefilm can be viewed in the browser.
Now, if this can be packed into an Ultrabook sized package with super quick boot up times, and a third of the price of most Ultrabooks, then it's a really attractive proposition. How many people really use laptops without an internet connection? Hardly ever I'd suggest, and if movies can be watched offline through Google Movies, and Google Docs will be usable offline, then the two situations in which one may use a laptop without an internet connection (i.e. productivity/entertainment whilst travelling).
All that said, Office remains and will remain the productivity apps for the majority of users, so this will keep many people tied to Windows (including me, I suspect). However, for casual users, this is a genuine alternative for those daring enough to try something new.
I'd love to try this, unfortunately, I'll probably end up with an Ultrabook as I need Office.
anonymous 31 May, 2012 09:15
I picked up the old model Chromebook on Amazon for £150. It has 3g built in and the battery lasts for days. It is a nice browsing tool and an ipad alternative with limited apps. Not sure I would pay more than £250 for one of these devices though so the pricing has to be just right for it to sell.
anonymous 31 May, 2012 10:05
Having read the review of this (but can't comment due to not having an account) it seems to me that the review somewhat misses the point. Chromebooks are for people who need fast, easy, simple connectivity on the move. I need to ask again, who uses a laptop without the internet anymore? And what do they do on them? Edit documents and watch movies whilst travelling. Well, soon Google Docs will be available offline, and Google Movie rentals can be saved and watched online. So I don't get why it gets marked down for its 'limitations' and need to be constantly connected. How much can a tablet do if not connected? Yet you never see a reviewer mark a tablet down for its dependence on being connected to the internet.
One of the Chromebook's big problems is that hybrid tablets are becoming popular, especially the Asus machines (although you can pay more than £100 there).
The biggest problem is the cool factor and slightly improved portability of the iPad range, as well as better apps.
As I've said before, I think this is close to a perfect machine for the casual user and a genuine Windows and tablet contender. No bloating, unnecessary rubbish, super fast boot times, ultra thin and light, small and portable. It's an Ultrabook for half the price, and, frankly, for a respected technology website, I'm amazed and disappointed that this obvious point has been over looked, and the product very harshly marked. There are fewer compromises than a tablet, it is better for productivity and every day use, and is hardly less portable. Yet, a tablet review would not consider these points. I don't understand that.
If I were looking for a family desktop computer, I would most certainly look at the Chrome desktop. People are always buying far too much computer simply to browse the internet, use social networking (increasingly less so as most people have smart phones now and that will continue to grow as they get cheaper). This is what the Chrome range aims to change. Unfortunately I don't see it taking off, people will always believe that more is better and be afraid to try something new. I just hope that there are plenty of people out there that, when friends or family are looking for a laptop or desktop, will understand what Chrome is about and point them in that direction, saving them money, and supporting an ecosystem that is ahead of its time but is certainly the future of computing.
anonymous 31 May, 2012 10:07
I said on the move in my first sentence, but that was a mistake, obviously a 12inch laptop is better suited for being out and about, but it is certainly big enough for comfortable every day use at home.
Apple have shown the power of advertising, and Google need to pick up on this very quickly in order to establish themselves. They're close and they're offering some excellent alternatives to really get into the markets they're aiming at, but there is a lot of work to do.
anonymous 3 June, 2012 18:51
99.9% of the people i know and work with just browse the web so this chrome book makes sense.
anonymous 5 June, 2012 16:26
New, more powerful chips and other improvements should make Chromebooks even more attractive to potential buyers. As more people adopt Chromebooks more will also want to use them to access their Windows applications, especially for work.
One possible solution for this requirement is Ericom AccessNow, an HTML5 RDP client that enables tablet users to connect to any RDP host, including Terminal Server, physical desktops or VDI virtual desktops – and run their applications and desktops in a browser.
Ericom‘s AccessNow does not require any client or other underlying technology to be installed on end-user devices – an HTML5 browser is all that is required.
You can choose to run a full Windows desktop or just a specific Windows app, and that desktop or Windows app will appear within a browser tab.
For more info, and to download a demo, visit:
http://www.ericom.com/RDPChromebook.asp?URL_ID=708
Note: I work for Ericom
SMP 17 June, 2012 13:18
The Chromebox is competitively priced against Windows Budget PCs and budget for the specs, build quality and battery life - the Zotec Zbox ID81 Plus + 2GB additional RAM is equivalent and costs more. It can't be beat.
Even if you are a computer hobbyist and you don't want a zero maintenance computer, you may still want to buy this. You can get cheap noisy big box budget PCs at the same price of slightly higher, but they are of lower spec. Even if you just want a budget Windows or Linux PC or HTPC, you may want to buy this, flip the developer switch, install Windows or Linux on the 16GB SSD, and add a 500GB USB drive for £56 to get a decent silent mini-PC with the OS running in fast SSD.
SMP 17 June, 2012 13:20
Just one comment on UK prices - these include VAT (a UK sales tax) so they can't be directly compared with US prices.