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Finally, Google has released its long-awaited Chrome OS cross-platform operating system, along with two laptops made by Samsung and Acer, respectively. Chromebook is a laptop PC specifically designed for Chrome OS, cloud-based operating system. This means that all programs, multimedia content and documents are accessible from Google's servers through an Internet connection. |
Chromebook surprises with a startup speed of just 8 seconds. It connects directly to the Internet, from where it invokes all applications and content. In other words, the operating system does not run programs in the traditional way, on the PC, but on external servers. Google highlights that such a feature results in the great execution speed of Chrome OS.
Google also highlights that it is unnecessary to create backup copies since the information is not stored on the PC, with the consequent associated risk, but on the servers of the Internet giant. The Google cloud also offers virus protection.
Chromebook also has support for connection to 3G networks, as with smartphones and tablets.
The commercialization of the Chromebooks will begin on June 15, initially in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Holland, Italy and Spain.
Chromebook Key Features
Instant internet access
Chromebooks start up in eight seconds and wake up instantly. Your favorite websites can be loaded quickly, will work flawlessly, and will be compatible with the latest web standards and Adobe®Flash®. In fact, Chromebooks are designed to run faster as new updates appear.
Permanent connection
Connecting to the Internet anytime, anywhere is now much easier with built-in Wi-Fi and 3G features. As your Chromebook starts up, it connects to your regular wireless network so you can start browsing right away. Models with 3G include connection, courtesy of Movistar, so that users can continue browsing from anywhere.
You will obviously need a wireless network, so use it in accordance with the provider's terms and conditions and be prepared to deal with everyday network limitations, including speed and availability, for example. When you do not have access to the network, the functions that depend on it are not available.
Unique experience anywhere
Applications, documents, and settings for each user are safely stored in the cloud. Therefore, even if the computer stops working, you can log in to another Chromebook to continue working.
Great web applications
Each Chromebook can run millions of web applications - from games to spreadsheets to photo editors. Thanks to the power of HTML5, many applications continue to work even in the rare moments when the computer is not connected to the Internet. Visit the Chrome Web Store to try the latest apps, or just enter a URL. You don't need any CD anymore.Learn more about the Chrome Web Store.
Friends share almost everything
Chromebooks can be easily shared with family and friends, who can log into their own account to use their own Chrome extensions, apps, and options, or select guest mode for private browsing. In any case, no user who uses a Chromebook can access the email or personal data of the owner of the equipment.
Always updated
Unlike traditional computers, Chromebooks get better over time. When turned on, they update themselves. Automatically. All applications are kept up to date and you always have the latest version of the operating system without having to do anything. Annoying upgrade requests are not included.
Integrated security features
Chromebooks use the first client operating system designed from the ground up to protect against ongoing threats from viruses and malicious software. These computers follow the "defense in depth" principle to provide various levels of protection, including verified boot, data encryption, and sandbox.
The advantages of the Chromebook
1.- Excellent price, permanent updates, replacement every 3 years
Google Chromebooks can be purchased for USD 28 per month, obtaining an operating system that is constantly updated and, as if this were not enough, with the possibility of updating your Chromebook or ChromePC every 3 years. Conclusion: you will always have a machine, with an always updated OS, and for very little money.
2.- Ease of use
Linux has a reputation for being difficult to use. It is a reputation that is no longer consistent with reality. It's been a long time since you don't have to be a geek to use Linux anymore. That said, whether you are a GNOME or KDE user, the move to Linux can take some learning time, more or less the same time it took you to learn to use Windows or Mac OS X. Even Ubuntu's new interface can involve a certain amount of time. time for getting used to and learning.
With Chrome OS, however, only one question suffices: do you know how to use an internet browser? We can assume that the answer is yes, since you are reading this article. So, surely you will be able to use ChromeOS. Basically, the interface of the entire operating system is based on the Chrome internet browser. You don't need to learn anything new.
3.- Many applications available
Many people complain about the possibility of being able to run their favorite Windows applications and games on Linux in an easy and practical way. We all know this can be achieved on Linux, but for many it should be easier and there should be more support for non-Linux applications.
Google decided to partner with Citrix and VMWare to provide Windows applications on Chromebooks. In addition, all applications uploaded to the "cloud" can be used without problems.
4.- Security
Yes, malware can attack everywhere, even on Macs. Windows started out as an insecure system from the start. It was designed to be used on a desktop computer. Linux, and the Chrome browser, were designed to function in an interconnected and hostile world.
Conclusions
Although the previous 4 points can be seen as advantages, especially from the point of view of the business behind this, the truth is that users will not know that they are using Linux. While Linux will be there, users will feel like they are using ChromeOS and cloud apps. Point.
On the other hand, there is the software as a service problem (that is, the cloud). Thousands of applications that we have no idea how they work, what they do with our data, etc. SaaS can be a serious blow to the free software movement.
I'm not so sure that Chromebooks are good news for the Linux world.
Source: ZDNet
I think that one of the main negative points with Chromebooks are both their high price (I buy a netbook and put linux on it) and their practical uselessness if you don't have an internet connection. Now with the features of the Samsung / Acer ChromeBook I can say that they are too expensive, too limited and many "innovative" features already exist. Another thing Don't you have a hard drive?
They speak from google about the instantaneous speed of the ignition and the internet, well any GNU / linux with an SSD can turn on (and have the desktop at 100%) in less than 10 seconds and with a lxde desktop I have seen them start in 6 seconds ( Arch)
I am happy for the users who can take advantage of this device, but in countries where the internet is less than 20 Mb / s it is not convenient for us to use it, in addition to what they already mentioned about the insecurity of the cloud. No kidding I upload my thesis to the cloud XD
Maybe Google's proposal is the future of a specific type of user, at the moment I don't see it in mine.
What would be the most direct competition that this product would have now ???
Peppermint, xPUD, jolicloud, and more. 🙂
Cheers!! Paul.
That an Atom is a "machine" you should check.
I have tried Chromium OS and it has YUM SUSE to install whatever you want, I don't know if Chrome OS has removed it, but it could be installed.
Any Chromium / e can install the same web applications.
And the price with one year of subscription you buy the machine and install an Ubuntu or something else.
Chrome OS will probably give a cloud service not accessible from other Linux but I don't know about it. In addition to its excellent fast boot and security configuration.
On Telefé news they showed one and at the time of testing it… it couldn't be connected, they had no network on the channel! The specialized journalist said that well, that was the risk and that it was especially in places where the internet is robust. The price, like $ 400, very little difference from a full net. In addition I agree with RMS, the cloude project is more of the same in the tendency to control information. salu2
Jua jua! I liked your comment.
If I'm not mistaken a while ago I read that a Google employee explained that it is not about what a Chromebook offers but what it does not have: complications. Surely it is not even necessary to write a password to update the OS, one could learn from this example and develop a version of Ubuntu or another distribution that does something similar; Ubuntu Light looks a lot like Chrome OS.
With regard to security, the security of a Google account should be analyzed (they offer several methods to recover the password).
Interesting observations ...
Very good Leandro! There are many things to think about what you say ...
A big hug and thanks for commenting! Paul.
The truth is something that defines the crhomebook as what it is, would be the phrase
"Cheap is expensive"
What to do so that my Samsung 11'6 Chromebook opens the interactive graph of the Bankinter Broker. Thank you
How can I do or what app do I download so that my work emails are downloaded and also be able to reply to them.
Chromebook is like a tablet with a keyboard. and expensive, it costs as much as a laptop with much better features.
Another question is the compatibility with printers and other devices
I have an ACCER Chromebook, I plugged my hp all-in-one printer into it, I can print without problems, but I can't see the scanner so I can't use it, someone knows how to fix it, I've tried everything.