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Chromebook Archives - The Latest on Accounting Tech for SMEs

Chromebook Pixel: a Key Weapon in Google’s Cloud Strategy

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This week Google announced the Chromebook Pixel. I was personally excited by this announcement; I have been waiting for a premium model since the introduction of the original Chromebooks. The Chromebook Pixel was introduced with a lot of high end specs including:

  • 12.85″ display with a 3:2 aspect ratio 2560 x 1700, at 239 PPI
  • Touchscreen with Gorilla Glass 3
  • Intel Core i5 Processor (Dual Core 1.8GHz)
  • Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Integrated)
  • Dual-band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2×2
  • 4 GB DDR3 RAM
  • 32 GB Solid State Drive
  • Up to 5 hours of active use (59 Wh battery)

The specifications above are very similar to the specifications of an Apple Macbook Air, as is the cost. With the introduction of the Chromebook Pixel, many have commented on the practicality and cost of a premium device.

Many of the comments can be found on a post on TechCrunch. Many of the comments are highlighting the differences between a desktop PC or Mac and the Chromebook Pixel.

For example, one complaint is that ChromeOS is not a “full OS” with access to local applications such as Word, or Photoshop. Chrome is essentially a browser that is available for free on the PC and the Mac.

But these comments miss the point. This product was built to experience the cloud at its best. In Chromebook Review: A Laptop Built for the Cloud I detailed the benefits of the Chromebook. The Chromebook is the first time businesses have seen a low cost, easy to deploy solution for accessing cloud software. Deploying a Chromebook is as simple as giving it to employees and asking them to login with their Google Apps accounts.

By introducing a Chromebook it has built itself, Google is now competing with its suppliers. It did the same thing with the Nexus Phone, which was a showcase Android device that other manufacturers could look to. The same can be said for the Chromebook. They want a device out there that can provide the best experience around Google’s web services.

Google has a very specific strategy here. Yes, Google have released this as a consumer device, and yes it is quite expensive for a product with a very basic operating system. Google has a long term strategy that it has followed before:

  • Release consumer products first
  • Gather lots of feedback on current models,
  • Deliver products derived from the feedback it has received.

I see the Chromebook Pixel as an extra layer in Google’s enterprise and business strategy. They have released the product to the consumer market to find issues and improve the device for eventual business customers.

The Chromebook Pixel is an expensive product but by the time Google releases this as a business product they will have lowered the cost. It will also appear under their managed deployment options which will provide replacement swaps and warranties at a low cost for business.

Business executives will also love this product. Many have been waiting for a premium product to be added to the Chromebook lineup. I am sure that when the Pixel is offered to businesses, the Chromebooks’ general popularity will skyrocket as business execs now have a  premium option to choose for themselves.

Image credit: Google

 

Chromebook Review: a Laptop Built for the Cloud

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I feel this year there will be not just massive growth in cloud in Australia but also it will be the year when we see the Google Chromebook really take off. Here’s a quick Chromebook review on why I expect this will happen.

Chromebooks are essentially laptops running a lightweight operating system called Chrome OS. Chromebooks are well designed for running cloud applications because they are built around the browser – in this case Google Chrome, the world’s most popular browser.

Now that all my applications run in the cloud it is no longer necessary for me to use a fully functional device like a Windows PC or an Apple Mac. I find that 95 percent of my job can be done from a Chromebook. For email and productivity I use Google Apps, sales and support I use Salesforce.com, LogMeIn for access to remote computers, photo editing is done via Pixlr etc. I find for anything that I need to do there is a cloud-software alternative that I can use on the Chromebook.

ChromeOS’ shared roots with the Chrome browser gives the user benefits such as syncing open tabs, bookmarks, passwords, and omnibox data (the box where you type in searches and web addresses). The lightweight design has other benefits over competing operating systems.

  • No viruses or malware. The sandbox design of the Chrome OS and browser means there is no need for anti-spam or anti-malware software.
  • Simple access and storage. All music, videos, documents, etc are stored in the cloud. Your content is available anywhere, anytime, on any device and is backed up by Google’s data centres.
  • Easy to update. Google Chrome OS updates automatically in the background.
  • Quick boot times. ChromeOS is a very small, Linux-based operating system that is very efficient and very quick to boot.
  • No maintenance or setup. You simply log into your Google Account and all your settings and content are available immediately.

At the Chromebook launch there were two manufacturers, Samsung and Acer. This is about to change with new releases by Lenovo and HP.

Below is the base model specifications of one of Asus’s new Chromebooks models.

  • 11.6’’ (1366×768) display
  • 1-inch thin – 3 lbs / 1.4 kg
  • Up to 4 hours of battery
  • Dual-core Intel Celeron Processor
  • 320 GB Hard Disk Drive
  • Dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Ethernet
  • HD Camera
  • 3x USB 2.0
  • 1x HDMI Port, 1x VGA port
  • 2-in-1 memory card slot (SD, MMC)

On top of the increasingly popular Chromebooks, you can now buy the Chromebox. Similarly priced to the Chromebook, the Chromebox offers similar features and specifications by bringing the ChromeOS to the desktop.

The market is starting to gain strength; throughout the year the Chromebook has been the number-one selling laptop on Amazon.
Why is the Chromebook selling so quickly?

Chromebooks are great! They are lightweight, very quick to boot and very user friendly. If you have used Google Chrome you will feel right at home here. There are some real benefits to businesses that deploy Chromebooks.

Businesses can buy Chromebooks at retail or through a partner. Google’s enterprise partners can sell an enterprise licence that replaces broken Chromebooks and adds device management availability via Google Apps. Not only does this allow you to monitor your Chromebook deployment, you can also deploy enterprise security and auditing to your fleet from a central management console.

On top of Chromebooks’ brilliant support and ease of use, they are also well priced to allow businesses to deploy them quickly. Many workers only require access to email and productivity apps on the road, or office workers that only require access to email and internet.

The ease of use, low pricing and quick replacement makes Chromebooks a great platform for businesses wanting a hassle-free way to enjoy the benefits of cloud software.

 

About D1

Digital First covers news and opinions on accounting technology and is read by tech-savvy accountants who understand the importance of technology in establishing competitive advantage.
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