Samsung "Alex" Chrome OS Netbook Specs

News
By Kevin Parrish
published

Another Chrome OS notebook/netbook has reared its head in the Chromium bug reports.

Another Chrome OS-based device has reared its head in the Chromium bug reports, this one codenamed as the Samsung "Alex." While the netbook/notebook has yet to be officially named and confirmed, the report clearly lists specifics like RAM, the processor and more, giving us more insight into what Chome OS products will feature when they reportedly launch in June or July.

According to the report, the Samsung "Alex" will sport a decent step up in specs compared to the Cr-48, offering a 1.5 GHz Intel Atom N550 processor, 2 GB of RAM, Realtek ALC272 audio, and a Sandisk solid state drive for storage. The report also lists the Qualcomm Gobi Chipset 2000 (pdf) for connectivity and a screen resolution of 1280 x 800.

So what's Gobi? Here's Qualcomm's explanation on the official website: "Gobi is the first embedded mobile wireless solution designed to put an end to connectivity limitations. With Gobi, the notebook computer becomes the unifying agent between the different high speed wireless networking technologies deployed around the world and that means freedom from having to locate hotspots, more choice in carrier networks, and, ultimately, freedom to Gobi where you want without fear of losing connectivity – your lifeline to your world."

Essentially, the Chrome OS netbook/notebook can be taken anywhere across the globe, used on any wireless network. Prevous reports indicate that the device will be sold like Google's Andorid products— mainly in retail stores and wireless carriers. Using Gobi will make it easier for Google to sell the notebooks across the board rather than having to build one for AT&T, build one for Verizon and so on.

Last week brought reports that Google may charge a subscription for of $10 to $20 for the Chrome OS notebooks. The fee reportedly includes future hardware upgrades and replacements should a component fail. Given that Chrome OS is mainly web-based (cloud), the subscription fee may pay for a wireless Internet connection, or could simply be a subsidized free to keep the cost to consumers low.

Google I/O begins next week, and will likely be the launch platform for Google's Chrome OS notebooks. Expect to hear more about these devices all through the week.

Kevin Parrish
12 Comments Comment from the forums
  • virtualban
    I hope the merger of Android and Chrome OS will bring something better. I don't like being so dependent on connectivity. Maybe this feeling will change with time and see a forever connected world as normal as plugging the PC to the power outlet, but for now I vote with my money against it.
    Reply
  • xyster
    I got my hands on the Cr-48 and was pleasantly surprised by the hardware and intrigued by the software. I did find it a bit strange that the OS was virtually just a Chrome browser permanently open, but there were a few app/extension options available that made the experience quite tolerable. For example, I was able to find a remote desktop client on it, which turned the device into a great windows thin client.

    I'd totally be willing to consider buying a chrome-based netbook if it were available for no more than ~$199 and offered at least the same quality as the CR-48. Considering all the new tablets options and the low-price of windows-based netbooks though, Google still has some work to do before I am totally sold on the idea.

    I would bite without much hesitation though if wireless was included for $10/month. That would be great.
    Reply
  • house70
    I think of the essence here is the idea of universal connectivity, and I would pay 10 bucks for that easily. Imagine this translated to a daylight-readable tablet or notebook? You can have access everywhere, use it as a GPS device with maps loading as you go, reading books or doing work regardless of lighting conditions, and so on, and best of all, not being limited by your particular network. It just "grabs" the fastest available signal and runs with it. All this being valid for world travel, not only your country.
    That would be the vision I would subscribe for.
    Reply
  • yes house70, that would be really cool. but I seriously doubt it would be charged for only 10$ a month.. at least 30$
    Reply
  • reggieray
    Alex looks like a nice Ubuntu candidate after wiping the SSD. Not really interested in Chrome and Googles cloud service or any cloud service for that matter, Sony's breach comes to mind.
    Reply
  • reggieray
    "Last week brought reports that Google may charge a subscription for of $10 to $20 for the Chrome OS notebooks."
    NOT GOING TO HAPPEN
    Reply
  • silverblue
    Another Atom build?
    Reply
  • Well this just looks like another way for Google to get revenue. I would bet they would offer a version that you could wave the subscription fee but would have to endure ads. This Samsung sounds like just another Netbook only with Linux by Google that ties you to the Internet for a fee? Does not excite me.
    Reply
  • 11796pcs
    I agree with ReggieRay if this thing was priced low enough and using an apples to apples comparison on the hardware showed that this thing was faster at a cheaper price than netbooks then it would definately work as an Ubuntu machine. Unfortunately Google will probably make a contract that forces you to sign up for their service for at least 6 months.
    Reply
  • ReggieRay: Why not just put Ubuntu on a Brazos laptop? Atom is too slow to do any real computing on...
    Reply