Google’s first Chrome OS-powered Chromebooks from consumers finally became available today after months of testing through a pilot program with the Cr-48 model Google introduced when it first unveiled the operating system.
Available models come from Samsung and Acer, and can be ordered from Amazon and BestBuy.com. In other launch countries, consumers can visit google.com/chromebook to find local retailers. Best Buy is offering the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 in white and Titan Silver. Amazon has the Samsung Series 5 and the Acer Cromia.
The way devices come with Wi-Fi +3G, as well as an interesting “It just works.” slogan, also heavily used by Apple to describe its products.
“Chromebooks were built and optimized for the web to give you a faster, simpler and more secure experience without the headaches of traditional computers,” says Director of Product Management Felix Lin on the Chrome blog.
@google
A GooglerBuilt for the web: #Chromebooks now on sale @Amazon & @BestBuy in the US. More countries: http://goo.gl/pWMMj via @googlechrome
1 hour ago via Tap11 · powered by @socialditto
Rajen Sheth, Group Product Manager, Chrome for Business, says:
Users like the easy, instant access to all of their computing needs without the complexity of traditional PCs. And if you’re a business or school, they’re extremely cost-effective.
With today’s announcement that the new Google Chromebooks are available from our partners, we’re officially open for business. For businesses and schools, we’re offering a subscription that includes the Chromebook, a web-based management console and 24/7 support from Google starting at $28 per month/user for businesses and $20 per month/student for schools.
He also shares the following video from a pilot customer- Jason’s Deli, discussing Chromebooks:
After Chrome OS was revealed, we asked readers if they thought it would succeed. Suffice it to say, many have been skeptical. Personally, I’ve had few complaints. You have to take it for what it is. It’s not ready to replace all other PCs, but the Chromebooks are pretty handy and are good on battery life for basic web browsing needs. It will probably compete more with the tablet market than the PC market, at least at this point.
For our previous coverage on the Chrome books and Chrome OS, read the articles here.
