Following the announcement that Google’s first laptop, the Chromebook, will be launched on June 15 2011, one cannot help but wonder whether it will be a success or not. With the laptop market dominated by the likes of Windows and Mac OS, Google has opted to build and optimise its Chromebook device for the Web so as to give users a faster, simpler and more secure experience. According to the company, Chromebooks boot in 8 seconds and resume instantly with full support for the latest web standards and Adobe® Flash®.
In spite of its ‘always connected’ slogan, one cannot help but wonder if storing and accessing apps (e.g. games, spreadsheets and photo editors), documents, and settings in the cloud is particularly a good idea considering recent high-profile security breaches. Apart from its relative fast speed, there are other obvious advantages such as automatic update configuration and the lack of requirement of installation CDs. However, whether Google will be able to win the battle and convince consumers that the paramount issue of safety, privacy and security are a thing of the past is another matter. Watch the following videos and make your mind up.
Introducing The Chromebook
Guided Tour
Business And Education Overview
Talking Point
If given the opportunity, will you buy a Chromebook?
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Jes
May 25, 2011 at 6:36 pm
I think depending on the right price, it can be successful. It seems like a great idea and Google has come so far, why would they put something out that didn’t have a good chance at selling. However, with internet and apps being available on pretty much every smart phone, do you think that people will find the need for the Chromebook?
Admin
May 25, 2011 at 6:44 pm
That is one of the potential pitfalls. Also, although mobile internet connectivity seems to be growing in developing countries, its level of penetration is still quite low. Thus, isn’t Google already restricting the size of its market due to what seems like the automatic exclusion of those who are unable to either afford or access the Internet on the go? Remember, an organisation the size of Google will be looking to compete with the likes of Apple and Microsoft.
Khan
May 26, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Chromebook is a really great thought and I think all people are waiting for it.
Jes
May 26, 2011 at 8:15 pm
You definitely make a great point in that as a potential competitor of other leading computer companies, they most definitely will target the same demographic of people who can both afford and access mobile internet. It seems they’re working off of an already existing number of Google Chrome users, and though they might get more customers through the Chromebook, it still excludes those people who aren’t able to afford or have access to this type of internet. However, wouldn’t targeting that type of demographic somewhat automatically put them at a lower rank than that of Apple and Microsoft? It all seems very tricky.
reeha
May 27, 2011 at 6:28 am
chrome book is a very nice idea ,i think every one is waiting for this surprise to be opened
mine
May 27, 2011 at 1:20 pm
It is surely going to be a big blast as the matter of fact this note book is made by the finest service providers. Google always comes with something revolutionary to bring meet the accurate need of technology market.
Travis
May 27, 2011 at 4:39 pm
I think it is still a bit early for cloud computer at the user level, but I think more competition is always good for the market. Look how sweet smartphones are becoming. More competition= better products. Maybe Microsoft will get it together and finally release a good OS.
Sara
May 27, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Google really is taking over the world! I think there will be a sparked interest, but I think the actual purchase rate is up for debate. After all, Google has always been about what’s on the internet rather than the physical model itself. So, it kind of makes you wonder if they have the people to produce a quality product or not.
fabioz
May 27, 2011 at 11:40 pm
I think that what chromebook needs to be a huge success is 3 main things, be cheap, be portable and blazzing fast (like it already is as I read here and several other sources).
Thats because I dont think a chromebook is ready to be someones main computer, but it would be great as an out-office tool.
By that I mean that they are going todays netbook market share.
Admin
May 28, 2011 at 11:28 am
So do you think Google has a target market for this product for example, students, or is it just a matter of trying their luck?
Alfee
May 29, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Even though I think it’s too early to tell, I’m sure Google would’ve done enough market research to be confident enough to launch Chromebook without it being a failure. How much market share it could capture, that remains to be seen.
Personally I’d adopt the wait-and-see approach first. Sometimes I prefer to work offline to limit my distractions, so I’m not sure if Chromebook would be right for me.
Matt
May 31, 2011 at 9:49 am
chrome book will definitely be a success because it’s new, has an emphasis on speed and practicality and is being pushed by google. it wont be for everybody though.
rpb
June 1, 2011 at 10:46 am
I have high hopes for this product!
Jacob
June 1, 2011 at 10:55 am
Everything google does is a success! except google buzz 🙁
Dan
June 1, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Google Buzz and Google TV
Dan
June 1, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I think Chromebook has the potential to be a success. I really like the idea of “optimized browsing”. People are spending so much time with their smartphones these days and browsing on one is tedious work so having a portable device specifically made for browsing would be a good thing.
Admin
June 1, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Yes, but does it actually fill any specific gap in the market cos it appears to be a way of re-branding technology that is already widely available elsewhere?
Dan
June 1, 2011 at 3:49 pm
It is not going to fill any market gap. The success may come because Google is trusted by so many in the search engine world and the technology in the Chromebook is already based on what they do best. As long as they market the product correctly, it should be a hit.
Jes
June 1, 2011 at 7:05 pm
@Sara from Car Title Loans-
I completely agree with you. A couple of days after reading this post, I had a conversation with my husband about it and he brought up the same question. It has me questioning if Google is capable of making a quality product as well, being that their whole success is based around what is readily available on the internet as opposed to an actual device.
Admin
June 2, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Perhaps they are just trying to find a suitable group of ‘followers’ like Apple seems to have. For example, it appears that no matter what product Apple comes up with, there is a group of dedicated consumers that will buy without questioning its quality etc.
GTweeps
June 2, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Agreed but then judging by the comments here, the response seems to be quite positive so far.
Jessica
June 9, 2011 at 8:06 am
I am sure that it would be a big success for Google. Just by looking their performances and how firm their algorithm is I can really say that they can do it. I am also looking forward for that Chromebook.
Gas Barbecues
June 10, 2011 at 7:08 am
Google Chrome contains many features and Google Chrome uses the Web Kit engine, which is shared by other browsers. Web pages should look the same in Google Chrome as they will in these other Web Kit-based browsers, and this is of course successful..
Josh Blackburn
June 10, 2011 at 9:18 am
I think this will be a success! Google is making and conquering the web and for sure users are looking forward to this. I’m excited for this though but I will just wait for comments to people who will buy this and if comments are good I will have it a try.
Daize
June 10, 2011 at 12:41 pm
Wow! This one is interesting… I really like that it has a built-in Wi-Fi and 3G and
many apps can keep working even in those rare moments when you’re not connected.
Looking forward to it!
Chicita
June 14, 2011 at 3:50 am
It’s launching tomorrow! 🙂
I completely agree with commenter Jes, so… Now we’ll see how it goes…!
Admin
July 1, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Just wonder if you know anyone who has purchased a chromebook and what your first impressions are?
jesty
July 14, 2011 at 1:46 pm
How is this product going in the market now? just wondering.. 😀
Alexander
July 14, 2011 at 5:35 pm
This is interesting, and it looks like Google’s answer to the increasing market for iPads and so forth. I know a company called Oracle tried something like this about a decade ago. In principle, it could work, though I know I appreciate the increased number of applications I get on my laptop.
winona
July 28, 2011 at 11:17 am
It seems that they are begining to embrace the power of cloud computing.
Martin
August 5, 2011 at 1:49 am
I’ve seen the vids and the chromebook looks really good, but i’m afraid it won’t be a hit with companies because of its cloud nature and the fact that information is stored on some server you have no way of knowing where and in what security conditions.
As for normal users, well i’d definitely like to get one.
joe
August 11, 2011 at 2:35 pm
I really think it will be a success.. Judging by the looks of it now..
Nicholas Scott
August 15, 2011 at 11:53 am
I impressed with the Chrome book hardware . Is the cloud-only Google Chrome OS practical without any offline apps ? i think its difficult for Google users to define this .
Ben Smith
August 25, 2011 at 2:06 pm
The Chromebook main boast seems to be it’s speed so it’ll be interesting to see if one is just as quick in 6 months time.
But well played to Google, the majority of folk use the computer only for socialising and that’s exactly what this is good for.
jorge
August 31, 2011 at 8:58 am
That said.. I think there is a huge chance of google chromebook to be succesful in the market..
Rafa
August 31, 2011 at 6:49 pm
At first, I was very enthusiasic about Chromebooks chance of success. I believe in the philosophy proposed by Google. At this moment, I have mucho more doubts. I don’t know if Google really believes in Chromebooks. I don’t understand the way they are distributing Chromebooks around the world. The can only be bought in a few online shops. Also, Chromebooks where announced to launch in Spain on June 15th, but it is almost September and at the moment you can’t buy a Chromebook from Spain.
lanzones56
November 11, 2011 at 11:54 am
This is interesting, and it looks like Google’s answer to the increasing market for iPads and so forth. I know a company called Oracle tried something like this about a decade ago. In principle, it could work, though I know I appreciate the increased number of applications I get on my laptop.