When the first Chromebook netbooks became available to consumers last summer, brought to market by OEM partners Samsung and Acer, the reception was less than glowing. Critics pointed out the lack of significant local storage, challenges running in “offline” mode when no web connection is available, and the fact that the OS is essentially little more than a web browser. Since then, Google has continued to refine the Chrome OS while expanding the selection of web apps available for Chrome.
You can get a feel for these apps on any standard PC by pointing your Chrome browser to the Chromewebstore. In addition to software updates, adding features such as support for additional file types and a more familiar desktop style user interface, Google has just announced two new Chrome PCs. One is an updated Chromebook and the other is a “Chromebox,” a mini-PC that connects to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Photo Courtesy of Google Chrome Devices
Let’s take a look at how the new Chrome PCs stack up against each other and compare to the previous Chromebook iterations.
The first two Chromebooks, the Samsung Series 5 and the Acer AC700, featured similar specs: a 1.66 GHz dual-core Intel Atom processor with 2 GB RAM and a 16 GB hard drive. The Samsung version runs about 30£ (or $50 USD) more than the Acer, with each available in Wi-Fi only and 3G + Wi-Fi models. A Wi-Fi only AC700 will set you back about £190 (or $300 USD,) while you can expect to drop about £290 (or $450 USD) for the Samsung Series 5 with 3G and Wi-Fi.
The new Chromebook and Chromebox, both from Samsung, are priced accordingly. The new Series 5 550 Chromebook features double the RAM of its predecessor and costs between £290 and £350 ($450 and $550 USD) depending on connectivity options. The Chromebox desktop PC, also with 4GB RAM and 16 GB hard drive, runs about £215 (or $330 USD.)
One of the most notable differences is in the processor. While the earlier Chromebooks used a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom processor, the new Chromebook features a 1.3GHz Intel Celeron processor. Both are dual-core, but looking at just the numbers, it appears that the new model offers just a little bit less processing power. However, while the Atom is a low-power consumption processor ideal for mobile devices, the Celeron is considered a more powerful processor optimized for desktop applications.
In general, a 1.66 GHz Atom processor may be comparable to an 800 MHz Celeron processor, so the new model actually delivers better performance. Although the Celeron uses more power, other hardware and software tweaks have been made to retain the long battery life which is one of the Chromebooks’ best features. The Series 3 Chromebox desktop PC boasts a dual-core 1.9 GHz Celeron processor for even more power.
Photo Courtesy of Google Chrome Devices
Of course, analyzing processing power may be academic if all of the computing does indeed happen “out there” in the cloud. Nonetheless, even web based apps will use some local resources, and the new Chrome PCs should offer more than sufficient data-crunching for cloud computing applications.
The most important deciding factor is the user experience, and that’s where Chrome OS may be divisive. Some will argue that it is worth spending the extra money for a true netbook with higher specs, more connectivity options and a “full” operating system such as Windows. Others will see value in a lower-priced Chromebook, particularly those who already spend the majority of their time on a PC in a web browser and don’t need extra features.
If your computer use is limited to e-mail, web browsing and word processing, you could very well live with Chrome OS on your everyday PC. The Chrome Web Store is continually expanding to add more apps that replace those which would traditionally have required a locally installed software package. Unless you require very specific Windows applications, or do lots of high-powered computing such as graphic design or audio production, a Chromebook (or -box) is probably everything you need.
The new Chrome PCs will be available online and also in select retail outlets, unlike the previous Chromebooks which could only be purchased online.
