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Google's Chrome could reshape PC experience
By siliconindia
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Tuesday, 08 December 2009, 15:19 IST |
1 Comments
San Francisco: Google's closely watched foray into computer operating systems could speed the development of a new class of cheaper laptops and dramatically advance the netbook paradigm of Web-based computing.
Computers running Google's less-demanding Chrome OS should be even leaner, simpler and more inexpensive than the already no-frills netbooks that have flooded the market in past years, reports Reuters. In a sign of things to come, some analysts have begun using terms such as "thin client" and "Web appliance" to describe Chrome PCs, likely a year away from store shelves.
Still, whether consumers will grasp and be comfortable with Chrome laptops is the big question. But if they gain traction, likely on second PCs and on portable "tablet" computing devices, they could change the way people use computers. "A lot of stars have to align to make this product really successful, but it's possible," said IDC Analyst Richard Shim.
"For folks to get it, it would have to be inexpensive to attract attention, and usage-specific for consumers to understand it." Google recently gave the press its first peek at Chrome, which it will offer for free to challenge Microsoft, whose Windows runs on nine out of 10 computers.
Chrome is being designed for speed and ease, and will boast super-fast boot times. It is a browser-based system that runs only Web applications, instead of those installed on the PC. It will not support hard drives. On a Chrome platform, data is primarily stashed online, though some will be stored on the PC via flash memory. That means Web access is a must and widely used programs such as Apple's iTunes or Microsoft Word in their current form won't work on Chrome PCs.
"Where Chrome OS is interesting is in secondary PCs," said Gordon Haff, an Analyst with Illuminata said last week. "Over time as networks get better, get ubiquitous, get faster, more and more things can be accessed through a browser."
Though it's too early to say for certain, the cheaper class of laptops might spur yet more price-based competition for an industry struggling to prop up margins in many major markets. Haff estimated a Chrome device would cost substantially less than some current netbook models, after eliminating the cost for Windows and a hard drive. Many netbooks are currently priced in the $300-$400 range.
