While it‘s true that the Google Chromebook has not exactly been a stellar sales device since its launch last summer, is seems that Google will maintain its support with the Chromebook laptop – as an early strategic move to educate users of the benefits of running their apps and storage entirely in the Cloud. In fact, schools in 41 US states are already trying out Chromebooks and it is expected that a number of education systems will be buying between 25.000 – 30.000 Chromebooks, running the Chrome OS, within the next three years.
Chromebook simplicity
The main idea behind the Chromebook is to offer a simple browser-based laptop that everyone should be fast and 
easy to learn and handle. Almost everyone is already familiar with using a browser anyway. The Chromebook is also similar to mobile smartphones in that the device connects automatically to an available WiFi network or falls back to a 3G cellular network if WiFi is not available. There is of course no doubt that the Chromebook will soon be available for 4G networks as well, meaning that download speed over a cellular network could reach up to 100Mb/s. Not bad at all.
Offline is still a limitation
Although the Chromebook may have a number of advantages, perhaps especially in a future context, it still has a number of limitations. Yes it’s true that you can replace many of the installable Windows and other applications with cloud-based Google products like Gmail and Google Apps and an increasing number of other apps available in the Chrome Web Store. Even offline apps are becoming more common in the Web Store. However, there is still a long way to go for Google when it comes to offline mode, especially when comparing to other laptops with installed OS‘s, mainly Windows of course. The Chromebook truly may become a serious alternative for pure online computing – which is of course becoming the primary way of computing anyway, and again displays similarities with the smartphone ecosystem.
Chrome OS vs. Android
Today, the Android and iPhone ecosystems build their strength around their respective app stores. Users obtain and download an app to their handset. Some apps can be fully used in offline-mode while other relies on data from the Cloud. The Chromebook seems in many ways to be heading to a similar direction as the smartphone – and tablet.
So the next obvious question to be asked is – why would you want a Chromebook running a Chrome OS rather than an Android tablet or iPad for that matter? Furthermore, if the Chrome browser is becoming Android‘s default browser in version 4, as has been hinted, it puts an even bigger question mark behind the Chromebook, doesn‘t it? Not so according to Google, which rightly point to competitors that also maintain two OS’s, including Microsoft Windows and Windows Phone 7. Apple has Mac OS x and iOS.
Still there are a number of complications with running two similar OS models at it seems in the case of Chrome OS and Android. For example, do people that buy an app in the Android Market have to re-purchase it through Chrome Web Store? The situation seem a bit confusing at the moment for Google and it is going to be exciting to see how the company will continue to drive both platforms forward.
The main idea behind the Chromebook is to offer a simple browser-based laptop that everyone should be fast and Google Chromebookeasy to learn and handle.
Chromebook may not prove to be the ultimate Cloud laptop in the future, but for now it’s definitely one of the most innovative releases in recent times. Other life changing innovations include http://www.blog.bt.com/viewpoint/index.php/tag/innovation-parallels/
As always, it depends on the situation. But, “yes, absolutely” the Chromebook is the ultimate laptop in many circumstances. Chromebooks are especially useful for non-power computer users. Think of mom or dad or maybe that neighbor who always has computer questions. I talk to many people whose current “traditional” computer is ALWAYS broken in some way or another. These people can leverage a Chromebook and modern web apps for all their needs – they can’t “break” the device, just refresh the browser and it’s all good. The machines also auto-update so that delivers another layer of reliability/security as does the inability to install local software (how many people have 2, 3, 4 or 5 toolbars installed or pointless scare-ware for example)
The other beautiful use case is in environments with large user populations. Schools, government agencies, corporations, etc. Supporting large fleets of traditional PCs is extremely time consuming and expensive – it’s also terrible unrewarding. Why should a broken down machine put a student or employee out of commission for a day or two? Why should IT spend hours re-imaging the OS and recovering data? In the Chromebook world, any device can be “my device” and the central administrative capabilities of Apps allow my profile/security trimming to follow me regardless of which device I utilize to access my data. Chromebooks get the technology out of the way so I can get back to work ASAP, multiple layers of complexity are removed between the person and their technology services. The device itself is just a means to an end, useless in and of itself, it is the services that provide the value.
A 3rd perfect use case is a public space – library, Internet cafe, computer lab, retail store, etc. These machines typically leverage web services, the local OS is just another layer of complexity – simplifying this layer can reduce administrative costs and improve customer satisfaction.
Developers and other power users of local software still need traditional OS environments but migrating a portion of a user population to cloud computers can deliver a great deal of value. The most utilized app on a laptop is the browser. It’s been a long time coming and the shift will take the better part of decade but the world is ready for Chromebooks.
Thanks for featuring Google Chromebook.
Chromebooks are targeted to specific types of users that want an easy to use, Internet-friendly browsing device. They are not meant to replace the traditional PC or laptop.
In addition, there are third party apps out there that can bridge the gap for Chromebook users that require occasional access to those tools found only in a Windows environment. For example, if a Chromebook user needs quick, easy, temporary access to a Windows desktop or Windows app, they can use Ericom AccessNow, a pure HTML5 RDP client that enables Chromebook users to connect to any RDP host, including Terminal Server (RDS Session Host), physical desktops or VDI virtual desktops – and run their applications and desktops and view all web sites in a browser.
You can even use AccessNow to run Internet Explorer on a Chromebook for those companies or web sites that require IE.
Ericom‘s AccessNow does not require Java, Flash, Silverlight, ActiveX, or any other underlying technology to be installed on end-user devices – an HTML5 browser is all that is required.
For more info, and to download a demo, visit:
http://www.ericom.com/html5_RDP_Chromebook.asp?URL_ID=708
Note: I work for Ericom