Google Announces Chrome OS – Available on netbooks in 2010

[Chris]

In a story that's been around for as long as search was synonymous with Google I've heard tale of a potential Google OS and just maybe the next real threat to Microsoft (Apple being the first). Well today it is official. In a post on Google's official blog they've announced the Google Chrome OS which [...]

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[netkid]

I am excited about this. I use google services extensively, especially gmail, google docs, calendar,picasa and the google chrome browser. I also have the google branded g1. Their search engine is a success, and I like their blogger service.

The OS can be a winner on netbook if
it boots in record time
light weight without draining the battery
Incoroporates the google services and cloud seamlessly
No virus vulnerability
Huge developer community willing to add drivers and suitable alternatives to windows/mac programs
Eye Candy and streamlined UI

I am excited to see what they come up with...Imagine double booting Google Chrome OS and Windows 7...One for quick web browsing that boots instantly and the other for serious work. Love it.

[ThisIsNot]

Dual-booting was my first idea. I could see me using a lightweight OS nearly most of the time for surfing the internet and then booting up Windows 7 for advanced media playback.

I guess we will have to wait and see how the OS looks and performs. HP's Linux-based Mi OS is already pretty good and I would go with Google's solution if they were able to provide a better experience. I doubt that this will really take a big bite out of Microsoft since Windows 7 performs quite nicely on netbooks as-is. Most people won't switch to a different OS, even if it is free and performs a little better, if it means giving up the main benefit of Windows: being able to run the majority of software out there.

[netkid]

I agree with you. Currently Linuz based systems like Ubuntu offer a pretty good alternative to windows and people still do not care or want to switch on their netbooks. Hence google is unlikely to gain much market share.

I suppose it depends on the geek community to adopt and spread enthusiasm about the OS and increase its popularity.

[FamousAmos]

I think it also needs to be able to flawlessly recognize peripherals like usb/ bluetooth mouse and the wifi card, usb thumb drives, etc. For lack of a better phrase, plug and play like Windows XP.

Even better, if it could somehow do away with having to load software from a CD and get that software from the internet for peripherals like a printer or speakers, it would be perfect for netbooks who don't feature the internal optical drive.

[ThisIsNot]

Well, it appears that a whole slew of companies will be supporting this. HP and Toshiba are on the list while Dell isn't. I wonder if HP is thinking about using Chrome OS on future netbooks instead of their Linux-base Mi OS. I could see Chrome OS being offered on budget friendly models while Windows 7 is on the more expensive models. That being said, I still don't see it taking off that much. Windows pretty much has a hold on the market with Mac OS X coming in second and all the various flavors of Linux bringing up the rear.

Chrome OS just won't be able to run Windows formatted programs. That is the deal breaker. Consumers want to play videos, run iTunes, run Office (or Office-type programs), and surf the internet. Chrome OS will be able to do all of this except run iTunes and I doubt that Apple will release a version that is compatible with Chrome.

It is nice that a large company like Google wants to come out with an open source Linux-based OS but they will be going up against Windows 7. Windows 7 is worlds better than Vista yet it requires less hardware to run it. People don't want to give up the "security" that Windows has to offer (ie being able to run most programs, being compatible with 99.99999% of end-user hardware, etc.) even if Chrome OS is flashy looking.