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May 11, 2011, 2:35 pm
Google’s Chrome Laptops to Go on Sale in June
By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER
SAN FRANCISCO — Google took another swipe at Microsoft on Wednesday when it introduced a new kind of computer called a Chromebook, which stores everything online.
Google hopes that the devices, which it says will eliminate the need for software updates and hard drive backups and will boot up within eight seconds, will replace PCs running Microsoft’s Windows software in offices and homes around the world.
“Whether it be Microsoft or other OS vendors, I think the complexity of managing your computers is really torturing users out there,” said Sergey Brin, Google’s co-founder and director of special projects, speaking at Google I/O, its developer conference here. “That’s a flawed model fundamentally. And I think Chromebooks are a new model that doesn’t put the burden of managing your computer on yourself.”
Google will not have an easy time challenging Microsoft, which dominates the workplace. While Google has bested Microsoft in operating system software for mobile phones, it has taken on Microsoft in the workplace before and failed to budge it, most notably in word processing and spreadsheet software and collaboration tools.
Google says Chromebooks will attract corporate technology buyers because Google automatically updates the Chrome operating system over the Internet and there is no need to back up computers because if they are lost or ruined, all the data exists online. “We’re venturing into a really new model of computing that I don’t think was possible previously, even a few years ago,” said Mr. Brin. “I think it’s just a much easier way to compute.”
Google’s biggest challenge will be persuading people to do computing in a completely different way. The Chromebooks, named after Google’s Chrome operating system, will store all of a user’s data and the computer’s software online. Google’s idea is that anyone could walk up to an Internet-connected computer anywhere and have access to his or her information.
But since most computer users are accustomed to using desktop software and storing data on a computer’s hard drive, getting people — and corporate managers of information technology — to change will be difficult, said David Daoud, research director for personal computing at IDC. “Large companies are still very much Windows-centric,” Mr. Daoud said. “Yes, Google might find a niche market for this, but it’s going to be very difficult to compete with Microsoft in the large enterprise space, given the complexity of those installed products.”
The Chrome operating system, which Google introduced in 2009, does away with desktop software and storing data on a computer. Instead, it is not much more than a browser, and all of a computer user’s information, like documents, photos and e-mail messages, is stored on the Internet, or in “the cloud.” Instead of desktop software like Microsoft Word or iPhoto, people use Web-based software like Google Docs, Microsoft Office 365 or Picasa.
Corporate I.T. departments are not known for quickly adopting flashy new products. Half of businesses are still running the 2001 version of Windows XP, said Sundar Pichai, Google’s senior vice president for Chrome. However, tablet computers with touch screens, like the iPad, are replacing laptops in some workplaces, so the Chromebook may be late to the game. Microsoft has also seen some softness in its sales for its operating system software.
Google’s strategy is to go after businesses and schools first. If students get used to a Web-based operating system, they might request it in their offices later on, and if people use it at work, they might decide to buy one for their homes.
“There’s a limit to how many people will get a Chromebook on their own, so they’re probing for another entry point into this lightweight computing market,” said Ray Valdes, research director for Internet platforms at Gartner, a research firm.
The first Chromebooks, made by Samsung and Acer, will start at $349 and be available June 15 from Amazon.com and Best Buy. The computers, along with the software and technical support, will also be available to rent for schools and businesses, for $20 a month per student or $28 a month per employee.
Google is selling three-year subscriptions, which include computers, technical support and new machines after three years or if they malfunction earlier. Google said Intercontinental Hotels, Groupon and Logitech had already begun using Chrome.
Since Jason’s Deli, a chain of 230 restaurants, began testing Chromebooks this year, employees have filed 70 help desk questions for technical problems with their older laptops but none for Chromebooks, said Kevin Verde, the chain’s chief information officer.
Sundar Pichai of Google said shifting users to the cloud would ultimately help the company.Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated PressSundar Pichai of Google said shifting users to the cloud would ultimately help the company.
At Logitech, the PC accessories company that has also been using Chromebooks, 90 percent of employees can do their jobs on the Web without desktop software, said Sanjay Dhar, its vice president for I.T.
Still, some analysts who study business computing have doubts that most companies’ technical departments will adopt Chromebooks. “It’s going to take years for Google to convince the enterprise market that they have a very good, safe, compliant product,” Mr. Daoud said.
Businesses worry about the security of storing data on the Internet, in case it gets stolen or cloud computing services break down, as happened with Amazon recently.
And they often rely on desktop software — accounting, publishing or customer relationship software, for instance — that is not available on the Web. Workers also generally need reliable data connections. The Chromebooks use Wi-Fi and cellular phone connections, and won’t do many tasks without them.
Google said it was solving those problems by lining up business partners. Citrix Systems, the virtualization company that lets people access their computers remotely, said Wednesday that it would offer an enterprise app store so people could use business apps made for the desktop, like those from Microsoft, SAP and Adobe, in their browsers. “It’s going to appear as if it is running on the device, but the application is running in the cloud,” said Gordon Payne, general manager of Citrix’s desktop division.
Google also said that many apps would operate offline, including Gmail, Google Docs and Google Calendar and, when workers need a break from all that productivity, the game Angry Birds.
Working with manufacturers to make computers and providing businesses with technical support may seem a long way from Google’s mission to organize information through search. But the more Web users there are, the more people use Google’s products, Mr. Pichai said.
“It makes business sense because I think people are willing to spend money to save time,” Mr. Brin said.
Still, Google seemed to acknowledge that it might take time to persuade most computer users to live in its Web-based future.
The tagline at the end of its promotional video for Chromebooks? “Ready when you are.”
Google’s Chrome Laptops to Go on Sale in June
By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER
SAN FRANCISCO — Google took another swipe at Microsoft on Wednesday when it introduced a new kind of computer called a Chromebook, which stores everything online.
Google hopes that the devices, which it says will eliminate the need for software updates and hard drive backups and will boot up within eight seconds, will replace PCs running Microsoft’s Windows software in offices and homes around the world.
“Whether it be Microsoft or other OS vendors, I think the complexity of managing your computers is really torturing users out there,” said Sergey Brin, Google’s co-founder and director of special projects, speaking at Google I/O, its developer conference here. “That’s a flawed model fundamentally. And I think Chromebooks are a new model that doesn’t put the burden of managing your computer on yourself.”
Google will not have an easy time challenging Microsoft, which dominates the workplace. While Google has bested Microsoft in operating system software for mobile phones, it has taken on Microsoft in the workplace before and failed to budge it, most notably in word processing and spreadsheet software and collaboration tools.
Google says Chromebooks will attract corporate technology buyers because Google automatically updates the Chrome operating system over the Internet and there is no need to back up computers because if they are lost or ruined, all the data exists online. “We’re venturing into a really new model of computing that I don’t think was possible previously, even a few years ago,” said Mr. Brin. “I think it’s just a much easier way to compute.”
Google’s biggest challenge will be persuading people to do computing in a completely different way. The Chromebooks, named after Google’s Chrome operating system, will store all of a user’s data and the computer’s software online. Google’s idea is that anyone could walk up to an Internet-connected computer anywhere and have access to his or her information.
But since most computer users are accustomed to using desktop software and storing data on a computer’s hard drive, getting people — and corporate managers of information technology — to change will be difficult, said David Daoud, research director for personal computing at IDC. “Large companies are still very much Windows-centric,” Mr. Daoud said. “Yes, Google might find a niche market for this, but it’s going to be very difficult to compete with Microsoft in the large enterprise space, given the complexity of those installed products.”
The Chrome operating system, which Google introduced in 2009, does away with desktop software and storing data on a computer. Instead, it is not much more than a browser, and all of a computer user’s information, like documents, photos and e-mail messages, is stored on the Internet, or in “the cloud.” Instead of desktop software like Microsoft Word or iPhoto, people use Web-based software like Google Docs, Microsoft Office 365 or Picasa.
Corporate I.T. departments are not known for quickly adopting flashy new products. Half of businesses are still running the 2001 version of Windows XP, said Sundar Pichai, Google’s senior vice president for Chrome. However, tablet computers with touch screens, like the iPad, are replacing laptops in some workplaces, so the Chromebook may be late to the game. Microsoft has also seen some softness in its sales for its operating system software.
Google’s strategy is to go after businesses and schools first. If students get used to a Web-based operating system, they might request it in their offices later on, and if people use it at work, they might decide to buy one for their homes.
“There’s a limit to how many people will get a Chromebook on their own, so they’re probing for another entry point into this lightweight computing market,” said Ray Valdes, research director for Internet platforms at Gartner, a research firm.
The first Chromebooks, made by Samsung and Acer, will start at $349 and be available June 15 from Amazon.com and Best Buy. The computers, along with the software and technical support, will also be available to rent for schools and businesses, for $20 a month per student or $28 a month per employee.
Google is selling three-year subscriptions, which include computers, technical support and new machines after three years or if they malfunction earlier. Google said Intercontinental Hotels, Groupon and Logitech had already begun using Chrome.
Since Jason’s Deli, a chain of 230 restaurants, began testing Chromebooks this year, employees have filed 70 help desk questions for technical problems with their older laptops but none for Chromebooks, said Kevin Verde, the chain’s chief information officer.
Sundar Pichai of Google said shifting users to the cloud would ultimately help the company.Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated PressSundar Pichai of Google said shifting users to the cloud would ultimately help the company.
At Logitech, the PC accessories company that has also been using Chromebooks, 90 percent of employees can do their jobs on the Web without desktop software, said Sanjay Dhar, its vice president for I.T.
Still, some analysts who study business computing have doubts that most companies’ technical departments will adopt Chromebooks. “It’s going to take years for Google to convince the enterprise market that they have a very good, safe, compliant product,” Mr. Daoud said.
Businesses worry about the security of storing data on the Internet, in case it gets stolen or cloud computing services break down, as happened with Amazon recently.
And they often rely on desktop software — accounting, publishing or customer relationship software, for instance — that is not available on the Web. Workers also generally need reliable data connections. The Chromebooks use Wi-Fi and cellular phone connections, and won’t do many tasks without them.
Google said it was solving those problems by lining up business partners. Citrix Systems, the virtualization company that lets people access their computers remotely, said Wednesday that it would offer an enterprise app store so people could use business apps made for the desktop, like those from Microsoft, SAP and Adobe, in their browsers. “It’s going to appear as if it is running on the device, but the application is running in the cloud,” said Gordon Payne, general manager of Citrix’s desktop division.
Google also said that many apps would operate offline, including Gmail, Google Docs and Google Calendar and, when workers need a break from all that productivity, the game Angry Birds.
Working with manufacturers to make computers and providing businesses with technical support may seem a long way from Google’s mission to organize information through search. But the more Web users there are, the more people use Google’s products, Mr. Pichai said.
“It makes business sense because I think people are willing to spend money to save time,” Mr. Brin said.
Still, Google seemed to acknowledge that it might take time to persuade most computer users to live in its Web-based future.
The tagline at the end of its promotional video for Chromebooks? “Ready when you are.”
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