Chrome OS – Ready for ONLY cloud computing?
Google recently released an amazing video on the Chrome OS (all the way at the end of this post). It isn’t *directly* linked to netbooks, so I need to justify embedding it here.
Let’s talk about cloud computing. If a significant portion of netbook users assumed netbooks were notebooks – they probably didn’t buy their netbooks for the USP of being cheap light and portable. Cheap and portable both directly and indirectly lead to reliance on free/open source softwares like the Firefox browser, Open Office & Google Docs etc. and on cloud computing (gmail, skype, online games, amazon etc.).
The Chrome OS promises to get rid of lousy wait-for-your-computer-to-start times. Imagine opening your netbook in a cafe and having it start right away (7 seconds, down from the current 45seconds). That’s what the Chrome OS promises. Chrome OS also equals 100% reliance on cloud computing (or so they claim now). Which means you wouldn’t be able to use your netbook at all unless you have access to the internet.
You’re probably thinking… but I don’t use my netbook when I don’t have internet anyways. Besides the point. You don’t ALWAYS use it with internet – there are times when say your college net is down due to heavy load during finals week and all you need to do is write an essay and actually don’t need the internet. Or you’re at a coffee shop and don’t have an account with AT&T/Boingo and just want to read some pdfs you have stored on your hard drive/SSD. Or you’re on a flight watching a movie and again – don’t need the web/can’t access it either.
Is it possible to live completely on the cloud?
What about server crashes? What about server crashes that result in lost data (as with T-Mobile Sidekick users earlier this year). What about privacy & security issues?
What about Minesweeper?
Related posts:
- Google Chrome OS for Netbooks
- Top 5 Reasons People Choose Netbooks Over Notebooks
- Gmail optimized for Netbook Market
- What MS Office 14′s Entry Will Mean for Netbooks
- iUnika’s Gyy – Cheap, Eco-Friendly and Solar Powered
Filed under: chrome os
Where can i buy a google cloud computer. Curry are not going to sell them, possibly pcworld also
Peter
Peter, no idea where in the UK you can get a Google Chrome laptop.