The ongoing reports recently have claimed Google to have launched a wide range of new Chrome OS products – incorporating the cheapest Chromebooks to date and a brand new device that can be best described as a computer on a stick.
Google’s most affordable laptops are at a cost range of US$ 149 i.e. Haier and Hisense Chromebooks (since the company launched the line back in year 2012). Initially the cheapest Chromebook had begun its journey from US$ 199.
What Google revealed are the first Chrome OS devices from Haier and Hisense featuring 11.6-inch displays, two gigabytes of RAM, 16 gigabytes of storage and promise all-day battery life. Not to mention, they are the first to be powered by Rockchip processors (Google’s new companion).
On informing further, The Haier Chromebook 11 will be available from Amazon, while the Hisense Chromebook will be sold through Walmart. Pre-orders begin today.
Later this spring is Google’s is to launch first convertible Chromebook for consumers, the Asus Chromebook Flip, which is similar to hybrid PCs like the Lenovo Yoga 2 and HP Pavilion x360, having a 360-degree hinge that allows it to bend its 10.1-inch HD touchscreen all the way back to use the laptop as a tab too.
As per features, the Chromebook Flip measures just 0.59 inches thick and weighs less than two pounds. Also using a Rockchip processor and can be configured with up to 4GB RAM and a 16GB solid-state drive costing US$249.
Asus Chromebit is another of Google’s best launches: Packed into a device about the size of a mobile broadband stick is a full Chrome OS computer.
Google said Asus was able to design such a small computer in part thanks to the Rockchip processor. The chips have been optimized for power consumption and heat dissipation, so the Chromebit should be able to provide all-day battery life and shouldn’t overheat. While Asus is still finalizing pricing, Google said it will cost less than $100 and will be available later this summer. The company also expects other device manufacturers to come out with Chromebit models.
In addition to the new hardware, Google will be updating Chrome OS with some new features. One is a more touch-centric user interface built to work with convertible devices.
Google is also working to provide a more seamless experience across its Android and Chrome OS devices. A redesigned app launcher in Chrome OS now brings Google search and Google voice search right to the top, similar to the Android experience. The launcher also incorporates Google Now cards.
According to Caesar Sengupta (vice president of product development):
“Google is worried that the recent trend of cheap Windows laptops like the US$ 200 HP Stream might hurt Chromebook sales.”
