[Arm-netbook] Google ARM Chromebook

[Alain Williams]

On Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 07:19:50PM +0100, Paul Kench wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/18/3521492/google-new-samsung-chromebook-249-monday
> 
> Very interesting. Await screen specs etc.

The google description:

    http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/landing.html

Specs:
    11.6 (1366x768) display
    0.8 inches thin - 2.5 lbs / 1.1 kg 
    Over 6.5 hours of battery 1 
    Samsung Exynos 5 Dual Processor 
    100 GB Google Drive Cloud Storage2 with Solid State Drive
    Built-in dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 
    VGA Camera 
    1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 
    HDMI Port 
    Bluetooth 3.0 Compatible

So, as far as I can see, NO local storage, you always need to be connected. The
100GB Google storage is only free for 2 years. If you buy 2 of these things you
still only get 100GB. If you sell the machine, the new owner does not get storage.
I wonder if you can get it to use storage off your local file server ?

It also makes it hard to wipe & reinstall a real OS rather that ChromeOS.

Interesting: no hard wired ethernet, connect via WiFi - I wonder if, for
consumer PCs, the hard wired cable will go the same way as the floppy; if you
really want one get a USB plugin one.

Also talked about here:

    http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/12/10/18/2048243/arm-based-chromebooks-ready-to-battle-windows-8-tablets


SUMMARY

A device to enable consumers use lots of google services.

All in all - something to avoid.


-- 
Alain Williams
Linux/GNU Consultant - Mail systems, Web sites, Networking, Programmer, IT Lecturer.
+44 (0) 787 668 0256  http://www.phcomp.co.uk/
Parliament Hill Computers Ltd. Registration Information: http://www.phcomp.co.uk/contact.php
#include <std_disclaimer.h>