ChromeBook devices are evolving in a very attractive way, they are going from being modest equipment and with a very striking price has a very capable hardware. The problem is, is Chrome OS really an operating system capable of taking advantage of such hardware? Will there be users willing to pay what they cost?
Chromebooks grow in hardware
2020 can be an important year for ChromeBook computers with Chrome OS, the proposals being seen during CES 2020 seem to indicate this. And, although it is true that they are more expensive, their hardware justifies much of the price. The problem or doubt is to know if what Google’s operating system really offers is able to give you the courage to bet on them.
Among the models that are being seen at the fair there are two proposals that stand out. On the one hand is the Samsung model, and on the other that of Asus.
The Samsung Galaxy ChromeBook is a device with a design and features at the hardware level quite interesting. For starters, it has a 13.3-inch panel with 4K resolution and AMOLED technology. In processor issues it has a 10-generation Intel Core i5, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage plus option to expand memory via microSD.
This is then completed with two USB C connectors and the option to use the S-Pen. The latter is interesting since the screen can rotate 360 degrees, which facilitates its use as a tablet and with drawing applications and notes.
The other interesting model seen at CES has been the Asus ChromeBook Flip C436 . This equipment is essentially very similar, bet on a similar diagonal screen -14 inches touch with 1080p resolution- and a great advantage of the front. Then, it integrates a 10-generation Intel Core i5 processor, up to 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage.
All this also with a fairly light design and something they share as a common value: great autonomy. And it is that these teams promise almost a full day of battery (up to 12 hours of use).
As you can see at the hardware level both proposals are very good. They are teams with a clear vocation of ultraportable, perfect to always carry with you without weighing you. And if we value their price they are not bad either, the Samsung model starts at $ 999 and Asus at $ 900. High prices, although they have not been the first ChromeBook to ask for that amount.
Still, Chrome OS is the main “problem . “ If you look at the needs of 90% of users during 90% of their time it is more than enough. Most all you need throughout the day is access to a browser like Chrome and little else. The Google system offers that and also the possibility of installing some Android applications.
Of course, when you pay certain amounts you want to know that there are no limitations, and that means having a “complete” desktop system such as Windows, macOS or some Linux distribution. We will have to test them and see if Chrome OS gives any surprise this year, not forgetting that project called Fuchsia OS. What is clear is that if Google stopped updating its PixelBook it is because it should know that manufacturers such as Samsung or Asus were going to launch proposals as interesting as these.
