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Report: Google to Design Chrome OS Netbook

by - source: Tom's Guide US

Forget the Google phone, how about a Google-branded netbook? That's the latest rumor following a report from TechCrunch that says the company could be building a netbook based on its Chrome OS.

TechCrunch cites a Q&A during which Google said it was working with a whole bunch of manufacturers who were interested in the Chrome OS. Among them are Acer, Lenovo, HP and Qualcomm.

A direct quote for those interested:

"The Google Chrome OS team is currently working with a number of technology companies to design and build devices that deliver an extraordinary end user experience. Among others, these companies include Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba."

TC then cites multiple sources who claim the search giant has been talking to at least one hardware manufacturer about building a netbook for Google directly. Arrington writes, "As in Google gave the company a request for proposal with quite detailed technical specifications and has begun discussions on building it."

Would you be interested in a Google netbook? Let us know in the comment below!

Follow us on Twitter for more tech news and exclusive updates here.

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deadlockedworld 12/17/2009 4:28 PM
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Now THIS I think google would be good at! Noone does seamless web applications like google--if it used all google cloud components it would beat out any other netbook...

BallistaMan 12/17/2009 4:30 PM
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One step closer to having a single-spec Google terminal for all of their cloud stuff.

gekko668 12/17/2009 4:30 PM
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Look like Google wants a slice of that netbook pie.

Anonymous 12/17/2009 4:51 PM
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Hmmm... given their relationships with newspapers and maybe they could get in bed with the magazines... they should think about a tablet. It's a shame they lost out on the battle with Apple over Lala.

Socnom 12/17/2009 5:33 PM
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Would this change the way the phrase "Google it!" is used?

Anonymous 12/17/2009 5:40 PM
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If it's ARM then count me in.

lejay 12/17/2009 5:48 PM
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kmieciu :
If it's ARM then count me in.


"Freescale, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments"
I'll stick my neck out and say it's ARM ;).

Bolbi 12/17/2009 6:36 PM
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Nope. Win7 for me...

Transmaniacon 12/17/2009 6:47 PM
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Make this and sell it for $99, to just run the Google Chrome OS, you need pretty minimum specs. Low powered components means less power consumption and longer battery life. I would buy one for $99 and it would be a great tool.

Transmaniacon 12/17/2009 6:49 PM
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^ They could do it to because there would be no added cost from software licenses.

o0RaidR0o 12/17/2009 7:11 PM
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Apple type OS to HW specs, but with Google freedom!

Transmaniacon 12/17/2009 7:24 PM
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I would really hope they include wireless-N capability, seeing as this is going to be an internet-based OS, being able to utilize high speed networks to the fullest should be a priority.

slapdashzero 12/17/2009 7:33 PM
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Aww, for a split second, I thought it meant a "chrome", as in the shiny metal, netbook. I'd buy that for a dollar. Then I came to my senses.

shamgar 12/17/2009 8:07 PM
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i'd be interested in such a netbook.........





only if it can play crysis

Gian124 12/17/2009 8:21 PM
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Anyone know if the Chrome OS provides power-management that may be more critical to Laptop / Netbook computers since they have limited space for batteries?

Transmaniacon 12/17/2009 8:48 PM
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It will act just like a regular netbook in terms of hardware, meaning you will likely see similar 8hr battery life like todays netbooks. If anything Chrome will extend the battery life with less power consuming components.

dirric 12/17/2009 9:46 PM
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On one hand, it makes me giddy to see that I could have all of google's cloud services and an os optimized for them, in one small package. I like the concept of a netbook.

On the other, I think google is getting too big, i.e. SkyNet. They would have access to everything, and host all of my data. For one place to hold all that about me is somewhat freaky. One mistake or sellout and someone can know what I search for, where I search for it, when I do, with the weather, my phone number (phone conversations at the time).

bfstev 12/17/2009 9:56 PM
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Transmaniacon :
It will act just like a regular netbook in terms of hardware, meaning you will likely see similar 8hr battery life like todays netbooks. If anything Chrome will extend the battery life with less power consuming components.


Except its going to need to keep that wifi/broadband radio powered on all the time

wildwell 12/17/2009 11:01 PM
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An all cloud based computer would worry me a little. I also wonder if Google would be able to make a profit from another piece of hardware. Would the average netbook buyer take a serious look at it?

matt2k 12/18/2009 3:03 PM
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i would definitely get one if its got local storage and supports adobe/open office (cos my uni uses those formats for the online lecture notes)

Anonymous 12/19/2009 5:13 AM
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If this is done well this could provide a very affordable option for those that don't need huge amounts of security for their cloud activities. This would be something that could be made very affordable for students and other personal use. There would still be options for business use that would be more secure than using Google's cloud but those are also more expensive options that simply aren't worth the cost for most people that could still see a benefit out of a netbook that is made more affordable because of it's hardware being build around a low-resource overhead OS.

arl4nj0i 10/25/2010 6:55 PM
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I can die happily with a Google Notebook if it has:

: Dual Boot with Windows
: Latest Tech (unlike Apple)
: Boot Fast (maybe 5-10s)
: A Beautiful sleek outlook
: etc./etc.etc.

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