About a week or so ago I saw that Google was accepting applications to test out a new Google Chrome notebook. It appeared that the offer was to receive a free computer; the only thing one had to do was test it out and give feedback. The offer looked legitimate, so I decided to fill out an application.
Today, when I checked the mail, I had a notice that I had a new package. I assumed that it was one of a couple of Christmas presents that I had ordered online. When I got the package, it was a large, heavy box with no "Amazon.com" markings on it. I opened it up and saw a slightly smaller box that looked like this:
I couldn't think that anything I had ordered which this box could be. Then I opened it and saw that it was a new Google Chrome notebook (or Cr-48 Chrome Notebook, as this model is officially called.)
Much to my surprise, Google just sent me a free computer. I was excited to set it up because I had heard so much about it.
It runs on Google's Chrome OS. I had seen this video about it:
The idea is that it is a computer, but it's stripped down to just the Internet browser. There are certainly many settings where I just need the Internet (especially since I started using services such as Google Docs.) This has the advantage (supposedly) of making the computer faster and safer, and an overall cleaner experience.
The computer itself is pretty cool. It is a plain black computer with no logos of any kind, which I find super cool and exclusive. It has a different keyboard than most computers:
If you can see, the top line is different than on a standard keyboard. There are buttons for things such as "back", "reload", etc. which tie directly into the web browser. There is also no caps lock button; instead there is a search button in its place. I am told this is because UNLESS YOU WANT TO MAKE INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS ON YOUTUBE you don't really need caps lock. However, if I really want caps lock, I can change the settings. The touch pad is similar to a mac.
It has a 12 inch display and weighs 3.8 pounds. My current laptop is very large and heavy, so it is much nicer to carry around. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
It takes about 10 seconds to boot up, as compared to a normal computer which can take a minute or to. If I close it, when I open it, it pops up in about 1 second. This aspect is very nice.
This notebook needs Internet connection to be any good. It has one program: Google Chrome. It's a test product, so I was warned that I may need to have patience with it. Today I needed patience to figure out why my Wi-fi was being so slow. I finally figured it out, and learned a lot about my Internet router in the process. The Internet is decently fast. I would say that it is a little bit faster on my old laptop, which also runs Google Chrome. This thing was free, however, so I don't know what I was expecting. When they actually start selling Chrome notebooks for real, I imagine the processor on those things will be a lot faster.
If Wi-fi isn't available, 3G is an option. This test notebook comes with 100 MB of data per month (for two years) via Verizon, and then offers more at "reasonable prices". I don't envision myself using the 3G too much since 100 MB isn't that much. (Plus I have a smartphone with 3G.) Fortunately, Wi-fi is widely available these days, so I will be able to use my notebook extensively in a lot of public places.
The version of Google Chrome on the notebook emphasizes "apps." The idea is that I will be able to replicate a lot of programs on a standard computer by installing Internet-based apps.
There are a lot of cool and intriguing things about this Chrome notebook. I'll update in a month or so to share how this new gadget fits into my lifestyle.
Today, when I checked the mail, I had a notice that I had a new package. I assumed that it was one of a couple of Christmas presents that I had ordered online. When I got the package, it was a large, heavy box with no "Amazon.com" markings on it. I opened it up and saw a slightly smaller box that looked like this:
The idea is that it is a computer, but it's stripped down to just the Internet browser. There are certainly many settings where I just need the Internet (especially since I started using services such as Google Docs.) This has the advantage (supposedly) of making the computer faster and safer, and an overall cleaner experience.
The computer itself is pretty cool. It is a plain black computer with no logos of any kind, which I find super cool and exclusive. It has a different keyboard than most computers:
It has a 12 inch display and weighs 3.8 pounds. My current laptop is very large and heavy, so it is much nicer to carry around. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
It takes about 10 seconds to boot up, as compared to a normal computer which can take a minute or to. If I close it, when I open it, it pops up in about 1 second. This aspect is very nice.
This notebook needs Internet connection to be any good. It has one program: Google Chrome. It's a test product, so I was warned that I may need to have patience with it. Today I needed patience to figure out why my Wi-fi was being so slow. I finally figured it out, and learned a lot about my Internet router in the process. The Internet is decently fast. I would say that it is a little bit faster on my old laptop, which also runs Google Chrome. This thing was free, however, so I don't know what I was expecting. When they actually start selling Chrome notebooks for real, I imagine the processor on those things will be a lot faster.
If Wi-fi isn't available, 3G is an option. This test notebook comes with 100 MB of data per month (for two years) via Verizon, and then offers more at "reasonable prices". I don't envision myself using the 3G too much since 100 MB isn't that much. (Plus I have a smartphone with 3G.) Fortunately, Wi-fi is widely available these days, so I will be able to use my notebook extensively in a lot of public places.
The version of Google Chrome on the notebook emphasizes "apps." The idea is that I will be able to replicate a lot of programs on a standard computer by installing Internet-based apps.
There are a lot of cool and intriguing things about this Chrome notebook. I'll update in a month or so to share how this new gadget fits into my lifestyle.
