Google released Google OS, which as the name suggests, is the operating system made by Google for computers. With that, Google recently has also unveiled its own line of laptop—and it’s called the Chromebook. Made by Samsung, the Google Chromebook is basically a netbook built for net surfing. More than the typical laptop, it seems to provide greater convenience and mobility if you’re the type who’s always on the road because they are smaller in size and lighter in weight. In this article, we will tackle what’s in store for us in the new Google Chromebook.

1. Hardware

Equipped with 1.3GHz processor and 4GB of RAM, the new Chromebook is powerful enough for most users. It fires up quickly in seconds—maybe after three blinks. You can connect a HD cable from your monitor to your TV as the screen resolution is 1280×800 and the readiness of its DisplayPort++ output which makes it capable for watching HD movies. Aside from that, it has four-in-one memory slot, two USB ports and an HD camera.

Covered in silvery plastic solid finish, it’s very much lightweight at just over 3lbs. considering that it has a 12.1” screen size. Answering much portability, the battery lasts long in a range of six to seven hours after one full charge, answering portability.

The over-sized touchpad yet again, though, is not much of a crowd-pleaser. It has no buttons so you still need to put a second finger on the pad to gesture the right click. Also, scrolling or swiping remains a difficult task if you’re not used to using it. The keyboard, on the other hand, is okay but it has isolated keys so if you’ve been using one with keys not apart from one another, better be accustomed to the well-spaced design.

2. Software

The software is largely based on the Chrome OS, which is built around the Chrome browser.  Basically, a fusion of a desktop android Operating System running not on an Android Phone but on a laptop. Why not a real-and-not-Internet-browser type of operating system, you ask. Google’s concept is that since more and more users are only using the Internet as they utilize their machines, they just made one fulfilling solely that purpose. It also addressed the susceptibility of the OS of having viruses and malware as it claims to have an integral protection against those malicious infections.

Such computing needs are for example—Google Docs for Office equivalents and Google Drive for the hard drive or the file folders. You will have no music files but stream music from online. The difference from its older sibling is that with the new Chromebook, apps are readily available in the desktop view or the default screen you see after the boot-up. But even if this focuses more on the apps, it still looks like a web-oriented OS.

3. Offline Capabilities

In the older Chromebook model, you cannot totally work without online connection. Google has received plenty of negative feedbacks about that. So with this new Chromebook, they have improved and extended some apps capabilities to work in offline mode. Thanks to HTML5, creating web apps that do not rely on the Internet became possible. Such apps are highlighted in the Chrome web store. Examples are your favorites: Angry Birds and Google Books.

Also, the new Chromebook’s Gmail app enables users to sync email messages when online so you can access them and manage them when you’re without Internet.

4. Printing

The new Chromebook requires the Google Cloud Print (in beta found in Chrome 9) to hook it up with a printer. It works well when set up, but the procedures might be somehow complex. Note that you need a developer build of the Chrome browser it to be attached to the printer. Printing can be done, nonetheless.

 

With the new Google Chromebook, Google intended to convince users that their new “cool” device has got it all—the Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Plus, Gmail, Search, the Chrome browser, and other apps available in the Chrome market. However, one thing is clear: for users who cannot connect to the web most of the time or when Internet is unsteady, this becomes a big problem. The Chromebook is only a network computer, when you’re without wi-fi or 3G connectivity, then you won’t be able to access your files and manipulate much of the data you need.

If you’re a student rushing to write your paper, you can’t do so without the net or the many software that Chrome OS cannot support. If you’re an employee needing to access files from the Google Drive (office workspace), you will only be frustrated when there’s no online connection. If you’re a businessman or an online trader who wants to check the latest trends, peaks and valleys in the marketplace, then the Chromebook is also not for you if you live sans the Internet. If you’re not ready for the web or the functions that can only be used inside a browser, then obviously you’re not ready for the new Chromebook.

Depending on a browser for 80% or above is a big deal. Buying a Chromebook is useless if Internet connection in your area is slow and worse—zilch. Or scratch that. You might want to buy a Chromebook to show it off—aesthetics wins as it’s a pretty sleek device on the outside, after all.

Author bio:

Aubrey Samson is a freelance programmer, an annual mountaineer and a former mathematics Tutor. She’s also into music and song composition, Her influences are pop and R&B. Follow her escapades on her Twitter. You can also write for latesttechnonews.com