Chromebook Pixel unveiled

[cerebus]

...or ahead of his time ?

Ok... so.... point to some cases where cool hardware has sold severely lacking software:

cool hardware is the first step in luring consumers to a new operating environment.

And just explain why Google's touchscreening of the laptop is so much more of a Killer Feature than Microsoft's? Heck MS has been touchscreening lappies for a while now.

 

[kilobits]

Ok... so.... point to some cases where cool hardware has sold severely lacking software:
<snip>

iPhone 5 ??

 

[cerebus]

iPhone 5 ??

...waste of breath.

 

[kilobits]

 

[AlphaJohn]

Anybody here tried this?

http://chromeos.hexxeh.net/

I've installed it to a virtual machine. Performance is awful, busy downloading the USB installer.

But why?

Just use the browser and you like 90% there.

Oh and at least someone found a use for this overpriced silver box: http://www.androidcentral.com/chromebook-pixel-might-be-new-linux-ultrabook-you-re-waiting

The Chromebook Pixel might be the new Linux ultrabook you're waiting for

After the announcement of the Chromebook Pixel yesterday, a lot of people were in love with the hardware, but thought the price tag was a bit high for a machine running Chrome OS. I'm in that camp as well. I think the hardware is mostly worth the price tag (a 256GB SSD would affirm that in a big way), but can't justify the price for a machine running Chrome OS the way things are now.

We're pretty sure the Pixel is a portent of big things to come for Chrome OS, but just in case, here's a full blown version of Linux Mint running on the sexy thing. Bill Richardson, Chrome OS software engineer at Google, shows it off and gives fairly easy to understand instructions to do it yourself in his Google+ feed.

With devices shipping out today, things might get pretty interesting next week if you've been looking for a high-end Linux ultrabook.

and someone got Linux mint on it: https://plus.google.com/100479847213284361344/posts/QhmBpn5GNE9

Pity you lose touchscreen, and pad support for now.

 

[Fudzy]

But why?

Just use the browser and you like 90% there.

Oh and at least someone found a use for this overpriced silver box: http://www.androidcentral.com/chromebook-pixel-might-be-new-linux-ultrabook-you-re-waiting



and someone got Linux mint on it: https://plus.google.com/100479847213284361344/posts/QhmBpn5GNE9

Pity you lose touchscreen, and pad support for now.

I wanted to know how much I could do with nothing more than a web browser. As much as I thought unfortunately.

 

[BeVonk!]

Insults aside (hope you get an infraction btw) Have you actually used ChromeOS?

Got one. Thanks Bwana.

 

[BeVonk!]

Cerebus, Fudzy, your free MyBroadband gift is on the way:

 

[Fudzy]

Playing with ChromeOS, I feel it cops out by relying almost completely on server side applications. There ARE going to be times when an internet connection is unavailable and there is very little if not nothing you can do without one. As mentioned in many of the reviews I think it's really playing to an extremely niche market over the functionality of a normal ultra/notebook. Google would have something great here if it was more competitively priced and a function allowing for the local caching of apps and an offline mode.

Cerebus, Fudzy, your free MyBroadband gift is on the way:

 

[kilobits]

Chromebook Pixel is a status symbol

Google's first computer isn't about sales but status. Critics who lambast Chromebook Pixel as an over-priced web browser wrapped in pretty hardware miss the point. Badly. The laptop will sell, but not in mass-volume because it's not meant to. Is Lamborghini about sales or style? I ask not seeing much commentary about how the Italian sports car is a failure because Ford sells millions more Explorers.

Chromebook Pixel is the luxury car of computers running Chrome OS and perpetually connected to the cloud. Google's beauty is a status symbol for people willing to plunk down $1,299 or $1,449 and makes, along with newer Nexus devices, a bold brand statement: Google is a premium brand and the company a real innovator. For the people who love the brand and want to identify with it, like all those fanboys adoring Apple with their cash, Chromebook Pixel is an easy sell.

Consider Apple, which engages in a tried-and-true retail practice, with pricey, attractive Macs. Many people see tech gadgets as accessories -- statements of their coolness, superiority -- as much as useful products. They're willing to pay more for good design, for style, like anyone choosing, say, sports car over minivan.

It's good business. Clothing stores take a similar approach. There are teens who must have the newest wears from Aeropostale, American Eagle, Gap or Hollister at full price; they can't wait for sales. They want to be cool. They pay for fashion.

Google joins Apple and Sony selling pricey, fashionable PCs. Chromebook Pixel is beautiful inside (that breathtaking display) and out (fine design and lightbar). The computer is a pricey fashion statement for those who can use it, and the cloud lifestyle sets them apart from others -- quite literally high above them. For people who live the Google lifestyle and want the world to know, Chromebook Pixel is their proclamation.

Status is More Than Cool

Linky for more ... http://betanews.com/2013/02/24/chromebook-pixel-is-a-status-symbol/

 

[Fudzy]

Chromebook Pixel is a status symbol

Linky for more ... http://betanews.com/2013/02/24/chromebook-pixel-is-a-status-symbol/

That article is taking the piss right?

 

[kilobits]

Another OP;

It's been a week now since Google unveiled the Chromebook Pixel, and the reactions have settled into a rough consensus: nice laptop, but not for you.

"The Chromebook Pixel is just too much machine for the software," the Wirecutter's Nathan Edwards writes in a representative take. At CNET, Seth Rosenblatt's review makes a similar point: "the Chromebook Pixel's high price and cloud OS limitations make it impossible to recommend for the vast majority of users."

All of which raises the question -- why release it? Surely Google knew that by introducing a high-end laptop for the bare-bones Chrome operating system, it would court incredulity even from enthusiastic early adopters. When you're charging $1,300+ for a Web browser, "Just look at that screen!" only goes so far.

But while we were scratching our heads over Google's intentions with the Pixel, company executives laid out a reasonably persuasive case for bringing it to market. J.R. Raphael, in a sharp piece at Computerworld, has the relevant quote from Google's vice president of engineering, Linus Upson. Emphasis Raphael's:

The Chromebook Pixel ... brings together the best in hardware, software and design to inspire the next generation of Chromebooks. With the Pixel, we set out to rethink all elements of a computer in order to design the best laptop possible, especially for power users who have fully embraced the cloud.

There are two big ideas there. Let's take them in turn.

The rest here... http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57571963-93/why-google-built-the-pricey-powerful-chromebook-pixel/

 

[cerebus]

I think the Chromebook is a bit like the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 4 - it's Google's way of drawing a line of quality control of what they expect their partners to put into these machines. The problem is their perception of Chrome's value and their partners' perception, not to mention the market's, seems to be quite divergent. I don't have much faith in this one to be honest. Chrome OS has a place but that place is CHEAP.


Unless of course you have this unshakable faith in Google's vision for the future.