News - Google Chrome OS updated, new Chromebooks and Chromebox

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OS looks and works more like Windows now.

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Read more.

So now they're 2.5x faster? What's the point of that? Faster at what, benchmarks? The idea of these was to be cheap because they can run on rubbish hardware. So... what's changed and why should I buy one now?

Many can and do stay within the browser for all their PC use now anyway.

Price in on par with a cheap Windows based laptop that has its own storage.

I reckon 99% of computer users are not comfortable with cloud storage, and OS that relies on this type of storage will never succeed in this decade.

Chromebooks are a frontend for google Docs. I use Docs pretty much all the time, but personal use isn't really the point. The point where google docs really really wins for businesses is in collaborative use of documents (you can really have a bunch of users working on the same doc at the same time seeing what each other is doing, with granular rollback allowed so no worries about saving and restoring). For big multi-company projects, board papers etc that is a dream, as is giving out devices to end users without worrying about them breaking it by installing latest 'your computer is too slow - install regtweaker turbo now!'

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The Chromebox is similar in size and shape to the Mac Mini, as you can see in the picture below. This computer is priced at $330 but you have to buy a monitor, keyboard and mouse to partner it. However you may be able to use your TV using the DisplayPort ++ connector.

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I still can't see the point of the Chromebooks - especially when they seem to be at least as expensive as a "proper" laptop/netbook. On the other hand the Chromebox - especially if it was a wee bitty(!!) cheaper, say £200 and could connect via HDMI - would be a nice way to add some Google goodness to the living room.

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Originally Posted by robertirwin

For big multi-company projects, board papers etc that is a dream, as is giving out devices to end users without worrying about them breaking it by installing latest 'your computer is too slow - install regtweaker turbo now!'

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Erm, not being any kind of Windows expert, but can't you do that with group policies already? Of course, you could always rollout Linux boxes, (cheap because Linux doesn't need a lot of hardware), and don't give users root.

As you say (in the bit I snipped out) Docs is the big deal, and that'll run on iOS, Android, Linux, etc.

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Originally Posted by Brewster0101

Price in on par with a cheap Windows based laptop that has its own storage.

I reckon 99% of computer users are not comfortable with cloud storage, and OS that relies on this type of storage will never succeed in this decade.

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Shouldn't the price be much lower than a cheap windows pc?

I can never seeing any of these "Google" products becoming very popular.

Google, please make an ARM-based home server that runs ChromeOS and allows people to use virtual desktops. Build in direct support to Chrome (the browser) and have local storage on the home server that syncs with your cloud service. They can run Chrome (the browser) and instantly have access to all that ChromeOS offers with their saved files whether they are at home or not.
If you want to get more involved with this, buy/copy Onlive and allow people to play games through their browser.

Most people have computers and those that don't aren't going to buy one that costs more than a Windows-based machine and yet also manages to do less.

Anyone who doesn't have legacy applications or hardware might well think this is the device for them.