Mini-Laptop-like Devices Will Run Chrome OS Next Year

• Google immediately released the Chrome OS code to the public under an open source license.
• The Chrome OS supports HTML 5 standards and accelerated JavaScript engine
• Chrome OS is based on the Linux kernel.
• Chrome OS is browser-based computing. A computer running the OS will have no local applications. User documents and other data will be saved on Web-based cloud storage. Every application is a Web application.
• Since Chrome OS applications will be Web-based, users will not need to install or maintain any software. The applications will launch more quickly.
• The Chrome OS will be more secure - according to Google - because the latest software updates and security patches would be installed automatically over the Web.
• Storing data on the Internet has advantages, users will be able to move from device to device, or even to share devices.
• According to Google, Chrome OS machine will be able to boot quickly, it takes about seven seconds.
• The Chrome OS will come preinstalled on new, mini-laptop-like devices. Google is working closely with hardware partners to produce Chrome OS-based products.
• The products will support solid-state drives (SSD) for reducing power consumption and contribute to fast startup times.
• According to Google, the devices will cost less than current Windows and Linux-based mini-laptops.

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Mini-Laptop: Nokia Booklet 3G

Pros: Great battery life, excellent design, seamless 3G connection.
Cons: Sluggish performance, expensive.

•  Specs: Intel Atom Z530 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 120GB hard drive 4,200-rpm; OS: Windows 7 Starter Edition.
• Design: Attractive design with aluminum-covered body.
• Dimension: 10.4x7.3x0.8 inches, 2.8 pounds.
• Keyboard: Keys are small and a bit stiff. But the touchpad is accurate and comfortable to use. It supports the multitouch pinch gesture for zooming in and out.
• Display: 10.1-inch and its native resolution is 1280x720. It is higher than a typical netbook’s 1024x600 screen.
• Port: 3 USB, SD card reader, SIM card slot (on the right side), 3.5-inch audio in/out jack, HDMI-out.
• Web cam: 1.3 mega pixel.
• Performance: Geekbench performace benchmark scored 787, which is about 50 points below the netbook average (101 points below the HP Mini 311). It takes 55 seconds to boot (displaying the Windows 7 Starter Edition desktop) and takes another 27 seconds to load most of the tray icons.
• Battery: 16-cell; it lasted 8 hours and 24 minutes for Web surfing via Wi-Fi (3 hours longer than the netbook average).
• Price: $599

 

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