This article conflates Chrome OS with the low-cost devices it will be running on. In reality, these devices will be able to run full-blown Windows or Linux as well; Chrome OS needs to prove that it can be better than a full-blown OS in some way (beyond just boot-up time, which is basically irrelevant).
I think any conflation is quite intentional. For all practical purposes, ChromeOS will be inseparable from the devices that run it, much like the iPhone and the iPhone OS.
Google has been quite clear that ChromeOS will not be run on general-purpose hardware. ChromeOS is designed for low-cost low-power ChromeOS devices, that will be packaged more like an appliance than a traditional computer.
You might be able to force Windows or Linux onto one of these ChromeOS devices, but you'll have to hack it.
The goal isn't to replace your desktop and "full-blown OS" with a Chrome OS device, but to supplement it with a purpose-built internet device.
Even if you could hack Windows 7 on to it, I'm sure would lag like hell on any hardware that's Chrome specific. Why else would Google be running their optimized browser, on an optimized OS, on an optimized hardware platform, but to cut down on processing requirements?
beyond just boot-up time, which is basically irrelevant
Really? You don't think the idea of a 3 second startup is a game changer in the netbook space? Like all silicon valley geeks my laptop is never turned off, but I also happen to know plenty of people who do turn off their laptop after every single time they use it.
Chrome OS needs to prove that it can be better than a full-blown OS in some way
Of course as developers we're in love with the idea of powerful do-all machines. But most people seriously just need a way to check email and login to Facebook. The brilliance of Chrome OS is that Google can patch on the few little things that the masses really need to completely ditch the desktop paradigm. If they get it right users will eat it up because it completely sidesteps all the complexity of modern OSes, which no one likes, and only geeks put up with because we understand and can utilize the power it gives us.
3 second bootup time is not a game changer. After I got a mac and suspend just worked I never once thought about boot up time. When I am done I close the lid, it goes to sleep and suspends if I don't use it for several days and the battery is going to die. Then when I open the screen ... shocker it actually resumes, every time! I know coming from windows and linux this is amazing. Anyway the point is that with proper suspend/sleep boot time doesn't matter one bit
That's true, but my nifty 13" Macbook Pro cost $1400 or so. Chrome devices are likely to be in an entirely different price range. Three second bootup there _is_ a game changer.
Maybe my choice of words was too strong, but it really is nice for those times when A) you completely run out of power B) you need to reboot after updates C) Decide to turn it off as many normal people do, even with Macs D) The first time you turn it on.
A) When a macbook is about to run out of power it suspends to disk. Then when you plug it in and turn it on it restores in seconds. I honestly don't understand why linux and windows laptops don't behave this way by default. Closing my linux laptop lid, having it go to sleep, run out of battery over the weekend and then just die loosing everything is stupid.
B) Yes I have to install mac updates. But that is a few times a year.... And the update takes longer then the boot so again the boot is moot.
C) I find closing the lid the normal way I 'shutdown'.
D) The first time I boot a new computer it doesn't actually boot up the desktop because it immediately prompts you for language, make a user, etc. So again booting the desktop doesn't matter in this case either.
It will. With a large screen and a proper keyboard.
Im unconvinced this is as bad a thing for it as people are suggesting. To be honest I think that will sell it to hundreds of people.
Google have the clout to get it out there and adopted by manufacturers. And it looks like their planning a really slick UI / experience. To me that suggests they've taken a good long look at Apple and learned how to sell Cool.
