Google: Chrome OS 'Business Edition' for 2011

News
By Marcus Yam
published

Google going after businesses with... netbooks?

We all know that Google's got big plans, and one of them could be invading the business OS space. While there's no question that business computing is Microsoft's domain, Google intends to attack on the netbook front rather than take on Windows XP or Windows 7 Professional.

Although Microsoft levers Windows' compatibility, Google hopes to entice businesses with Chrome OS's security features. Will Drewry, a Google software security engineer, said that all of Chrome OS products will ship with the Trusted Platform Module as well as a "trusted bootpath," according to Network World.

Drewry says that Chrome OS is a "hardened" operating system with auto-updating and sandbox features that are designed to protect the OS from being infiltrated by malware.

While Chrome OS is still slated to be a consumer product first when it ships later this year, it should surprise few if the Internet giant isn't eye big business.

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
  • first comment :D
    I hope this lives up to my expectations.
    Reply
  • Secure hey, really, are you sure about that, Is chrome OS not a cloud based OS based around google docs ect, all info server stored, Oh wait what was that article about Chinese hackers!!!!

    I smell a poo!!!!!
    Reply
  • joex444
    Why wouldn't Google try to convince business users that they can use netbooks? What most business people actually do on computers is trivial at best.

    In my field, computers mostly run simulations or control some kind of device with either a laser or X-Ray device connected at some point. These are clearly not netbook friendly.
    Reply
  • hey joex444, when you said "What most business people actually do on computers is trivial at best.", are you referring to 3rd world countries? My office (and most people's I know) are migrating to a "paperless" work flow, which requires a computer to do almost all work. Get out of the stone age dude.
    Reply
  • jsm6746
    in a typical office environment, the majority of staff only need an office suite and an internet connection. an os focused on this could really cut costs, although i'm not sure why you wouldn't go for another tried and true linux os with openoffice... and there are plenty of security concerns with allowing your employees to host files on someone elses servers...

    i believe this is a forward looking os... in which google is hoping 5-10 years from now everyone will be on the cloud and they will have an os built around that...
    Reply
  • fjjb
    oooh man google saying its really hardened OS? i think i remember Microsoft saying this stuff
    Reply
  • False_Dmitry_II
    hey greg224, he's referring to the fact that spreadsheets and word don't need much of a computer at all to do.
    Reply
  • tenor77
    greg224hey joex444, when you said "What most business people actually do on computers is trivial at best.", are you referring to 3rd world countries? My office (and most people's I know) are migrating to a "paperless" work flow, which requires a computer to do almost all work. Get out of the stone age dude.
    There's that and most major corporations are like a glacier when it comes to change. IT would yell at me for not using IE. And it's a "Young" company
    Reply
  • Cloud computing sounds like a great idea. It's always bothered me that I can use my computer when the internet is down. It's about time that feature was removed.
    Reply
  • G-Systems
    duff1234Cloud computing sounds like a great idea. It's always bothered me that I can use my computer when the internet is down. It's about time that feature was removed.
    Maybe the first "Thumbs-up" I've given for sarcasm. Wonderful execution. I love Google, and I look forward to installing Chrome OS (dual boot with Win7 b/c of the situation you described and because MS has more games available to it); but damn--that was great! You must have some practice... :-)
    Reply