Windows 操作系統(tǒng)與硬盤制造商請小心， Chromebook 來了！Google 期望藉由這款以其 Chorme 網(wǎng)絡(luò)瀏覽器命名的新一代筆記本電腦平臺，實現(xiàn)產(chǎn)業(yè)界長期追求的精簡型聯(lián)網(wǎng)計算機目標(biāo)。該系統(tǒng)的訴求是開機速度比傳統(tǒng)筆記本電腦更快(僅8秒)、安全性更高、操作更容易、價格也更低；首批產(chǎn)品會采用英特爾(Intel)的雙核處理器。 Google在近日(美國時間5月10~11日)舉行的2011年I/O大會上正式宣布，宏碁(Acer)與三星(Samsung)將在6月份推出該套只采用網(wǎng)絡(luò)操作系統(tǒng)與服務(wù)的系統(tǒng)；Chromebook不需要安裝Windows操作系統(tǒng)，也不必搭載硬盤機。 而Google也將扮演“資料載體(data carrier)”的角色，并以簽約三年、管理軟件與服務(wù)月租費分別為28與20美元的模式為企業(yè)或是教育機構(gòu)提供整套系統(tǒng)。消費者也可以透過零售商店，直接以349~499美元的價格買到Chromebook。 Google共同創(chuàng)辦人Sergey Brin在美國舊金山的發(fā)表會親自上陣回答媒體提問，他表示，明年大部分Google員工將開始使用Chromebook；目前該公司員工主要是使用搭載Windows 7操作系統(tǒng)的個人計算機。 Google的Chrome瀏覽器平臺業(yè)務(wù)資深副總裁Sundar Pichai則在接受EETimes美國版編輯訪問時表示，該公司有詳列出Chromebook的所有芯片規(guī)格，每個功能所需芯片都讓OEM廠商有2~3種選擇；但是Google尚未決定是否將公開Chromebook的規(guī)格。 多年來，計算機產(chǎn)業(yè)界高層包括升陽(Sun)的Scott McNealy與甲骨文(Oracle)的Larry Ellison，都曾追尋過精簡型計算機的夢想；Google是否能在前人跌倒過的地方取得成功還有待觀察，但該公司看來已經(jīng)打好了所需的基礎(chǔ)，相關(guān)技術(shù)也已經(jīng)成熟到可實現(xiàn)全部以網(wǎng)絡(luò)為基礎(chǔ)的系統(tǒng)。 “操作計算機的復(fù)雜性折磨過我們所有人──那是有問題的，而Chromebooks提供了全新模式，不會把操作計算機的負(fù)擔(dān)加諸使用者身上；”Brin表示：“不會利用這種新模式的企業(yè)，將無法獲得成功?！彼麖娬{(diào)，該新模式不會叫使用者“只信任Google”，雖然用的是Chrome瀏覽器，但可以上所有網(wǎng)站，使用者也可以連結(jié)Bing或是Yahoo等其它搜尋引擎。

Google的Chrome瀏覽器平臺業(yè)務(wù)資深副總裁Sundar Pichai在Google I/O 大會上發(fā)表Chromebook kPSesmc

［轉(zhuǎn)下一頁：Samsung、Acer公布其Chromebook產(chǎn)品規(guī)格及訂價］ 本文授權(quán)編譯自EE Times，版權(quán)所有，謝絕轉(zhuǎn)載 {pagination} 在Google I/O大會上，Samsung也公布了其預(yù)定6月上市的Chromebook部分規(guī)格；該Series 5產(chǎn)品搭載英特爾Core2 Duo N570 1.66GHz處理器，配備12.1寸顯示器、2個USB端口、高分辨率網(wǎng)絡(luò)攝影機，支持可插拔快SD卡、全尺寸鍵盤，以及續(xù)航力8小時的電池。具有Wi-Fi功能的機型訂價為429美元，3G版本機型則訂價199美元。 Acer也將推出一款尺寸較小的Chromebook產(chǎn)品，電池壽命6.5小時、11.6寸屏幕，訂價349美元起(Wi-Fi版本)。以上兩個品牌的產(chǎn)品都預(yù)定在6月份于美國與歐洲市場開賣，更詳細(xì)的產(chǎn)品規(guī)格應(yīng)會在接近上市時間才公布；首批Chromebook外觀設(shè)計預(yù)期就像是一般的筆記本電腦。 Google先前曾將代號Cr-48的Chromebook原型提供全球數(shù)千位使用者進(jìn)行測試，對此Pichai表示：“我們修正了一些問題，改造了觸摸板，還與Adobe在Flash軟件方面進(jìn)行合作，并升級采用雙核處理器?！? 此外該公司也讓Gmail與Google Docs等程序，實現(xiàn)了可離線使用的功能；很多非Google應(yīng)用程序也能透過本地高速緩存運作，包括熱門游戲Angry Birds以及許多新服務(wù)。Chromebooks還支持能讓網(wǎng)絡(luò)服務(wù)以文件句柄(file handlers)形式注冊的API，例如若用戶插入內(nèi)含照片的U盤，顯示照片的文件夾也會有按鈕讓使用者直接連到網(wǎng)絡(luò)相冊。 藉由完全成熟的操作系統(tǒng)、BIOS、防毒軟件已及所需的各種定期更新，Chromebook的目標(biāo)是消除所有終端系統(tǒng)管理問題；Pichai表示：“多數(shù)企業(yè)花費在維護每臺計算機上的預(yù)算，一年高達(dá)3,000到5,000美元，實在是很繁重?！? 已有數(shù)家大型企業(yè)開始試用Chromebooks，未來Google的服務(wù)也將包含一個統(tǒng)一的網(wǎng)管控制臺，讓企業(yè)的IT部門人員進(jìn)行公司內(nèi)所有Chromebook的管理。而Google提供的三年簽約內(nèi)容，也會包括各種支持、保修與硬件更換服務(wù)。 Brin并表示，他樂見 Android 平板電腦與 Chromebook筆記本電腦同臺競爭：“手中同時有兩個傲人成就，真的很讓人左右為難；不過Chromebook是開創(chuàng)了一個全新的運算模式，而這是我在幾年前甚至不曾想過可能實現(xiàn)的。” “我有一支Android智能手機、有一臺平板電腦，也有一臺Chromebook，他們將會和平共存；”Pichai則表示：“Chromebook是一種截然不同的產(chǎn)品模式，就算我們不做，相信也會有其它人做類似的事情。” 本文授權(quán)編譯自EE Times，版權(quán)所有，謝絕轉(zhuǎn)載 參考英文原文： Chromebooks challenge netbooks，by Rick Merritt

相關(guān)閱讀：
• 平板電腦帶領(lǐng)“精簡”O(jiān)S設(shè)備達(dá)到1.5億臺出貨
• 硬盤廠商大合并暗示存儲產(chǎn)業(yè)風(fēng)險
• Google進(jìn)軍光纖入戶，“1G速度”雄心恐遭冷水kPSesmc

{pagination} Updated: Chromebooks challenge netbooks Rick Merritt SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Lookout Windows and hard-drive makers, the Chromebook is here. The Google notebook named for its Chrome Web browser hopes to make good on the long sought concept of the thin-client network computer. Google officially announced at its annual developer conference that Acer and Samsung will begin shipping in June the systems that use only Web-based apps and services. The systems do not need Windows or hard disk drives. Google will even act as a data carrier, selling to business and education full packages of hardware, management software and services for $28 and $20 a month, respectively for a three-year contract. In the US, Verizon will provide a data plan for up to 100 Mbytes/month for free, charging extra only for users who want more data. Retailers will sell the systems direct to consumers for prices ranging from $349 to $499. The Chromebook aims to boot faster (eight seconds), be more secure, easier to manage and lower cost than traditional notebooks. All the systems initially use a dual-core Intel Atom processor. Google founder Sergey Brin, on hand for a press Q&A here, said in the next year he expects the majority of Google's employees will use Chromebooks. Today they mainly use Windows 7 PCs, he said. In an effort to limit the number of chips it must support, Google qualified each chip in the two Chromebooks which had to pass a performance test for the targeted OEM systems. Google has not yet decided whether it will make its list of approved chips available. Right now the systems only use a dual-core Atom processor. However, the partners are considering an Intel Core i3 chip for a higher performance desktop box being designed by Samsung and an ARM SoC for a future lower power, ultra-thin mobile system. The partners are concerned many current ARM SoCs may not meet performance requirements. They are currently aiming to test a quad-core Nvidia Tegra3 as a leading candidate. One way the current Chromebook hardware differs from a conventional notebook is that they require support for a hardware root of trust as part of the boot process. They also use a unique, secure fast path for boot transactions. One of the selling points of the systems for business users is their higher level of security than conventional PCs. The Chromebooks also have a protected file system which by design prevents download of malware. For years, computer executives from Sun's Scott McNealy to Oracle's Larry Ellison have pursued the dream of a simpler client computer. Whether Google can succeed where they have failed remains to be seen, but Google appears to be covering all the bases and the technology has matured to the level where a Web-only system is becoming viable. "The complexity of managing your computers is torturing all of us--it’s a flawed model and Chromebooks are a new model that doesn’t put the burden of managing your computer on yourself," said Brin. "Companies who don’t use that model won't be successful," he said. "This model doesn’t say just 'Trust Google'" with your data, Brin said, answetring a question about privacy and control. "You are using Google's Chrome browser, but you can go to any Web site out there and they can provide you great functionality--you can go to Bing search or Yahoo," he said. At a press event, one Samsung marketing manager said the partners hope to sell a total of as many as a million Chromebooks in the first 12 months. But other execs said that such a figure would exceed their expectations. Specs of Samsung's Chromebook Samsung published few specs of its Series 5 Chromebook, a device Google said it will provide free in June to an estimated 5,000 attendees of Google I/O where it was launched. More details of the bill of materials of the Samsung system came out at a press event after Google I/O. The Samsung Series 5 packs an Intel Atom N570 1.66 GHz processor (aka Pine Trail) with Intel embedded graphics. For communications, it uses an Atheros 2x2 MIMO 802.11n Wi-Fi chip and a Qualcomm Gobi 3G modem in the US or a Samsung 3G module in Europe. Most of the other major components are all from Samsung. They include a 12.1-inch display, 2 Gbytes RAM, a 16 Gbyte flash drive and an eight-hour Samsung battery. Samsung designed the motherboard and makes it in a Shuzhou, China plant. The system also sports two USB ports, a high def Webcam, support for removable flash cards and a full-sized keyboard. A version with Wi-Fi only will cost $429 in the U.S., and one also with 3G will cost $499. Acer will ship a smaller system with a 6.5-hour battery life, an 11.6 inch display and 16 Gbytes flash starting at $349 for a Wi-Fi only version. A 3G version is expected to cost $429. Both company's systems will be available in June in the U.S. and Europe. Samsung and Acer are expected to host their own product introductions closer to the product roll outs. More details of their specs, such as use of flash, are expected then. The initial systems are uninteresting from an industrial design perspective, looking like generic notebooks. Google has conducted tests of an early version of the system, the Cr-48, with thousands of users worldwide. "We fixed some issues, revamped the track pad, worked with Adobe on flash and upgraded to a dual-core processor," said Pichai. The company has also enabled a wide range of programs—including Gmail and Google Docs--to work when the system is not connected to the Web. Many non-Google apps also work using local cache memory including Angry Birds and many news services. Chromebooks also support an API that lets Web services register as file handlers. Thus, for example, when a user plugs in a USB drive with pictures, the folder showing the pictures can also show a button linking to the user's online photo site. "We're trying to open up your files to the world of the Web," said Pichai. Chromebooks aim to end management issues related to full blown operating systems, BIOS, antivirus software and the regular upgrades they require. "Most companies spend $3,000 to $5,000 per computer per year--it's really complicated," he said. Several large companies are already piloting Chromebooks. Google's service will come with a unified Web management console IT managers can use to manage Chromebooks. The Google three-year contracts will even include support, warranty and hardware replacement services. Brin said he is delighted both Android tablets and Chromebooks could compete in similar markets. "It’s a great dilemma to have two fantastic successes on our hands," Brin said. "Chromebooks is venturing into a really new model of computing that I don’t think was possible even a few years ago," he said. "I use an Android smartphone, a tablet and a Chromebook--they will coexist," said Pichai. "The Chromebook is a very different model, and if we didn’t do a model like this someone else would," he said.