Google Animations Show Features of Chrome OS

By Marcus Yam
published

This is what it's like living on a cloud.

Today was Google's big reveal of Chrome OS and its first notebook hardware. While the first actual retail products running Chrome OS won't hit in 2011, there will be a pilot program for testers to experience all that Google explains in the videos below.

For one, it's highly interesting how Chrome OS is completely aptly named since it basically exists entirely inside the browser. Of course, if your internet goes down, so does most of Chrome OS's functionality – which is why there is a built-in 3G connection.

Verizon will be providing the 3G services and there will be a free 100MB per month for two years, but Big Red will be happy to sell more extensive data plans for those who need more than that tiny amount.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
22 Comments Comment from the forums
  • reggieray
    I don't trust Google who has been in bed with the Obama administration or any other corporation to control all my computer to this extent. I do think this computer (unless Google locks it out) will be highly compatible with Ubuntu or quickly will be. Running Ubuntu on it has me intrigued. The notebook looks like a Black Macbook Pro of sorts, oversized track pad and the F-keys look almost identical also the chick-let keyboard and lid open thumb spot too.
    If priced right and Ubuntu is proved on it I will probably get one if they keep this design.
    Reply
  • mrmoo500
    All I have to say is that the chrometop/laptop better be super cheap for anyone to buy one. Who would pay more than $300 to have a laptop that only surfs the web? I know I wouldn't.
    Reply
  • Ragnar-Kon
    For some reason I have a feeling this Chrome OS thing is gonna fail.

    Actually, let me rephrase that statement (since I thought iPad was going to bomb as well and it didn't):

    I'm not gonna buy it.
    Reply
  • joytech22
    Chrome OS looks alright, i'll definitely try it but not as a permanent OS.
    I'm just curious to see how it will work, i need to know first hand.

    Last time i said this i was thumb'd down heaps! These are just my opinions.
    Reply
  • tsnorquist
    I could see Chrome OS being handy on things like: Kitchen Appliances, TVs, Cars.

    I'll stick to a normal personal computer which requires an extra 1minute of life to boot up.
    Reply
  • dEAne
    Absolutely it's too early to decide on this, it's like buying a cellphone, one day you discover it's crap.
    Reply
  • septentriones
    I recently tried Chromium OS and it was pretty slow. Of course I was running a live usb but my Ubuntu 10.10 live is faster once it gets loaded. My hardware might not be fully supported though. Hopefully they will improve their final product. I can see many light computer users buying this for speed (if it works out) and because most things they do are in the cloud and it might allow them to circumvent a pricier windows solution or (to them) unfamiliar linux in favor of something that works like google chrome. It's not really my cup of tea but I can see some enjoying it.
    Reply
  • bejabbers
    Why the hell would anyone want a computer that requires an internet connection to function? What if you're on a trip and want to watch a movie, or out of internet or cell phone range? I'll stick to my non-cloud based computing, thanks. Besides, my netbook which runs ubuntu boots in less than 10 seconds too.
    Reply
  • Thanks, but no thanks. I do sooo much more with my PC then surf the web. So Micro$oft, take notice. If Win 8 is a clouded OS, then back to Linux for me.
    Reply
  • jojesa
    Most people I know use their laptops to browse the web, and do some word processing. Many of them don't know the differences between a computer and the internet. If for some reason they cannot get to a site or their internet goes down I hear “my computer is not working.”
    I think Google has a chance with users describe above. Readers here at TH might be reluctant to by an internet device.
    Even though I understand where Google is going with this, I do a lot more with my PC (e.g. video & photo editing, publishing, gaming, etc) than just browse the web.
    Reply