Why will Chromebook fail?

The Chromebook is attractive. It is in theory, but in fact, a cloud laptop is not the best for consumers, nor good for businesses.

Why will Chromebook fail? Picture 1

Everyone wants what Microsoft has, it's billions, billions of dollars of profits from dominating the computer platform. That seems to be Google's wish. The company recently announced new Chromebook computers, using its Chromium web, open source operating system. The first laptops will be manufactured by Samsung and Acer, and cost $ 499 for a 3G version, and $ 429 for a WiFi-only version. They will be sold at Best Buy and Amazon.com. From June 15, buyers can order online in the US, UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

Users can also 'rent' Chromebooks. Business will pay 28 USD / month, and the school is 20 USD. The software will be updated automatically and continuously. The hardware is replaced automatically when something goes wrong or a new version is released. The company emphasizes that data will not be lost if the laptop is broken, lost or stolen.

Unlike Chrome web browser, built-in Chromium Flash operating system, PDF files can be viewed and other auto-update features. But…

Chromebook is not best for users

Businesses may prefer Google's cloud model, because it protects internal users. Schools may also like Chromebooks because students will not be able to do what teachers and schools do not allow, like downloading malicious code. But very few consumers choose to restrict, this protection of Chromebooks, in exchange for freedom.

If users really want a computer with only a browser, they will simply choose a computer that surfs the web. It could be a $ 350 15-inch laptop at Walmart, then download the Chrome browser and then perform all computer operations in Chrome.

Nobody buys Chromebooks because it's unattractive. People like to install applications, and they will do so. People who want to replace old and outdated Windows PCs will have more attractive options than Chromebooks. For example, the application model Apple created for iOS, or Android tablets like HP TouchPad and RIM BlackBerry PlayBook. Attractive touch-sensitive tablets partly thanks to the application.

Not to mention, Chromebook is bad. Bad hardware, Web interface is also bad.

After having the iPad, consumers always seem to be looking for devices that are highly aesthetic, attractive and interesting. Chromebooks look rough, rough. Touch tablets will appeal to consumers far more than Chromebooks.

Chromebooks are not best for businesses

Browsers are not completely safe and reliable, so are websites and Internet connections. The three most popular Interent browsers today are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Each browser has its own limitations and problems. But at least users of regular computers are still using, changing the browser. As for Chromebooks, if Google offers an error-prone update, users will get stuck. If it breaks your settings, everything will be bad. And if it doesn't support certain favorite websites, give it up.

Internet connections also have their own problems. Both 3G and Wi-Fi have challenges. Mobile broadband connection does not work in many places. Home Wi-Fi devices may malfunction and stop working. Of course, these problems also occur with normal PCs. And Google had to deal with it by allowing offline browsing. But with normal PCs, at least when the connection is cut off, users can use all file applications.

And this is the most important thing: the Internet itself cannot be trusted to handle 100% of computer tasks.

The big question: is this Google project credible?

Cloud computing is great, but only when combined with conventional computing. The only reliable way to control data is to save and backup it. Chromebook models require users to have a fully functional machine, with browser, connection and full web services. If one condition fails, the Chromebook is no longer anything.

Google was once famous for canceling projects. The company dropped Wave, Lively, Answers, Dodgeball, Video and many other roaming projects. Most recently is Google's Nexus One phone. The company said it would sell the phone in a new way and launch the product in January 2010. The Nexus One is only available online and is unlocked (unlocked). Google believes that users will be more interested in receiving each other's support, so the company does not set up any support mechanisms. Finally, the phone disappeared from the market in July 2010.

Google said one advantage of Chromebooks is that they do not have applications that must update and patch. But that's not true. Web applications must be updated. The only difference is that the update occurs without the user knowing, agreeing or controlling it. This makes people think whether cloud computing is not related to servers or hard drives. Actually, it does. Chromebooks are not without software, no patches, no servers and no hard drives. It's just a Chromebook that makes it impossible for users to control these.

In fact, the idea of ​​a Chromebook is still very attractive. It is about theory. In fact, a cloud laptop is not the best for consumers, nor good for businesses. Chromebook will fail.