Google Shows Off Two New Chrome OS Notebooks

By Jane McEntegart
published

Day two of Google I/O has brought us two new Chrome OS laptops.

Unless you were lucky enough to get into Google’s Chrome OS pilot program, you probably haven’t seen one of the ChromeOS notebooks in real life, never mind had the chance to try out one out. However, if today’s Google I/O keynote is anything to go by, you should be seeing a lot more Chrome OS laptops around this summer.

Google today revealed two new Chrome OS notebooks from Samsung and Acer. Acer’s model starts at $349 while Samsung’s model, the razor-thin Series 5 ChromeBook pictured above, will start at $429 (for the WiFi version). Users looking for additional 3G support will have to fork over $499.

Specswise, we know the Acer model boasts an 11.6-inch HD widescreen LED-backlit LCD, a dual-core Atom CPU, 2xUSB 2.0, a 4-in-1 memory card slot, support for HDMI and a battery that supports six hours of continuous use. Samsung’s press release for the Series 5 ChromeBook details a 12.1-inch SuperBright display, an Intel Core 2 Duo N570 1.66Ghz CPU, up to 8.5 hours of battery, 2xUSB 2.0 ports, and support for SD, SDHC, MMC.
11.6" HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit LCD.

Of course, you don’t need us to tell you that these both run Google’s web-based Chrome OS as their only operating system. The search giant today revealed a couple of new features for ChromeOS, such as the addition of support for Netflix and Hulu along with offline versions Gmail and Google Docs, and both of these laptops will feature these improvements right out of the box. Other Chrome OS users are promised these new features sometime this summer. Both Acer and Samsung's ChromeBooks will be up for pre-order on June 15.

Jane McEntegart
21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • the_krasno
    Too bad Hulu and Netflix only work in one out of more than 200 nations.
    Reply
  • amk09
    the_krasnoToo bad Hulu and Netflix only work in one out of more than 200 nations.
    Well thats too bad. Good thing I live in the U.S. ;)
    Reply
  • Woah... definately not buying.
    With the limitations of Chrome OS, it should at max be less than $400 IMO
    Reply
  • poyntek
    You know, this Chrome OS looks pretty nice, but there is a free Chromium based cloud OS you can get right now which to me looks a lot better, like this...

    http://www.tech-adventures.com/2011/02/jolicloud-portable-html5-desktop-web-of.html
    Reply
  • burnley14
    I agree, it's a little too expensive for what you get. This is old technology simply squished into a tiny form factor, it should be cheaper since you aren't paying for an OS or anything cutting edge.
    Reply
  • deltatux
    the_krasnoToo bad Hulu and Netflix only work in one out of more than 200 nations.
    You mean two out of more than 200 nations? Netflix works in Canada. Only Hulu works in only America.
    Reply
  • chaos133
    Why use a cloud OS when you can just use one on your own HDD/SSD? I don't understand how this would be better. The only thing I can think of is you wouldn't have to install any programs or any updates.
    Reply
  • SteelCity1981
    Intel Core 2 Duo N570 1.66Ghz

    Don't you mean an Atom N570?
    Reply
  • outlw6669
    Samsung’s press release for the Series 5 ChromeBook details a 12.1-inch SuperBright display, an Intel Core 2 Duo N570 1.66Ghz CPU, up to 8.5 hours of battery, 2xUSB 2.0 ports, and support for SD, SDHC, MMC.

    I think you mean an Atom N570...
    There is no ULV C2D 570.
    Reply
  • Agree with some comments. It's well overpriced for a little it can do. And what's the point to pay over $300 if the device can't even be used for MS Office? I'd think twice for spending half of what they are asking on it.. Specs are low and some outdated too.
    Reply