Chromebook联网PC颠覆传统市场，无需操作系统和硬盘

Windows 操作系统与硬盘制造商请小心， Chromebook 来了！Google 期望藉由这款以其 Chorme 网络浏览器命名的新一代笔记本电脑平台，实现产业界长期追求的精简型联网计算机目标。该系统的诉求是开机速度比传统笔记本电脑更快(仅8秒)、安全性更高、操作更容易、价格也更低；首批产品会采用英特尔(Intel)的双核处理器。 Google在近日(美国时间5月10~11日)举行的2011年I/O大会上正式宣布，宏碁(Acer)与三星(Samsung)将在6月份推出该套只采用网络操作系统与服务的系统；Chromebook不需要安装Windows操作系统，也不必搭载硬盘机。 而Google也将扮演“资料载体(data carrier)”的角色，并以签约三年、管理软件与服务月租费分别为28与20美元的模式为企业或是教育机构提供整套系统。消费者也可以透过零售商店，直接以349~499美元的价格买到Chromebook。 Google共同创办人Sergey Brin在美国旧金山的发表会亲自上阵回答媒体提问，他表示，明年大部分Google员工将开始使用Chromebook；目前该公司员工主要是使用搭载Windows 7操作系统的个人计算机。 Google的Chrome浏览器平台业务资深副总裁Sundar Pichai则在接受EETimes美国版编辑访问时表示，该公司有详列出Chromebook的所有芯片规格，每个功能所需芯片都让OEM厂商有2~3种选择；但是Google尚未决定是否将公开Chromebook的规格。 多年来，计算机产业界高层包括升阳(Sun)的Scott McNealy与甲骨文(Oracle)的Larry Ellison，都曾追寻过精简型计算机的梦想；Google是否能在前人跌倒过的地方取得成功还有待观察，但该公司看来已经打好了所需的基础，相关技术也已经成熟到可实现全部以网络为基础的系统。 “操作计算机的复杂性折磨过我们所有人──那是有问题的，而Chromebooks提供了全新模式，不会把操作计算机的负担加诸使用者身上；”Brin表示：“不会利用这种新模式的企业，将无法获得成功。”他强调，该新模式不会叫使用者“只信任Google”，虽然用的是Chrome浏览器，但可以上所有网站，使用者也可以连结Bing或是Yahoo等其它搜寻引擎。

Google的Chrome浏览器平台业务资深副总裁Sundar Pichai在Google I/O 大会上发表Chromebook QS0esmc

［转下一页：Samsung、Acer公布其Chromebook产品规格及订价］ 本文授权编译自EE Times，版权所有，谢绝转载 {pagination} 在Google I/O大会上，Samsung也公布了其预定6月上市的Chromebook部分规格；该Series 5产品搭载英特尔Core2 Duo N570 1.66GHz处理器，配备12.1寸显示器、2个USB端口、高分辨率网络摄影机，支持可插拔快SD卡、全尺寸键盘，以及续航力8小时的电池。具有Wi-Fi功能的机型订价为429美元，3G版本机型则订价199美元。 Acer也将推出一款尺寸较小的Chromebook产品，电池寿命6.5小时、11.6寸屏幕，订价349美元起(Wi-Fi版本)。以上两个品牌的产品都预定在6月份于美国与欧洲市场开卖，更详细的产品规格应会在接近上市时间才公布；首批Chromebook外观设计预期就像是一般的笔记本电脑。 Google先前曾将代号Cr-48的Chromebook原型提供全球数千位使用者进行测试，对此Pichai表示：“我们修正了一些问题，改造了触摸板，还与Adobe在Flash软件方面进行合作，并升级采用双核处理器。” 此外该公司也让Gmail与Google Docs等程序，实现了可离线使用的功能；很多非Google应用程序也能透过本地高速缓存运作，包括热门游戏Angry Birds以及许多新服务。Chromebooks还支持能让网络服务以文件句柄(file handlers)形式注册的API，例如若用户插入内含照片的U盘，显示照片的文件夹也会有按钮让使用者直接连到网络相册。 藉由完全成熟的操作系统、BIOS、防毒软件已及所需的各种定期更新，Chromebook的目标是消除所有终端系统管理问题；Pichai表示：“多数企业花费在维护每台计算机上的预算，一年高达3,000到5,000美元，实在是很繁重。” 已有数家大型企业开始试用Chromebooks，未来Google的服务也将包含一个统一的网管控制台，让企业的IT部门人员进行公司内所有Chromebook的管理。而Google提供的三年签约内容，也会包括各种支持、保修与硬件更换服务。 Brin并表示，他乐见 Android 平板电脑与 Chromebook笔记本电脑同台竞争：“手中同时有两个傲人成就，真的很让人左右为难；不过Chromebook是开创了一个全新的运算模式，而这是我在几年前甚至不曾想过可能实现的。” “我有一支Android智能手机、有一台平板电脑，也有一台Chromebook，他们将会和平共存；”Pichai则表示：“Chromebook是一种截然不同的产品模式，就算我们不做，相信也会有其它人做类似的事情。” 本文授权编译自EE Times，版权所有，谢绝转载 参考英文原文： Chromebooks challenge netbooks，by Rick Merritt

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{pagination} Updated: Chromebooks challenge netbooks Rick Merritt SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Lookout Windows and hard-drive makers, the Chromebook is here. The Google notebook named for its Chrome Web browser hopes to make good on the long sought concept of the thin-client network computer. Google officially announced at its annual developer conference that Acer and Samsung will begin shipping in June the systems that use only Web-based apps and services. The systems do not need Windows or hard disk drives. Google will even act as a data carrier, selling to business and education full packages of hardware, management software and services for $28 and $20 a month, respectively for a three-year contract. In the US, Verizon will provide a data plan for up to 100 Mbytes/month for free, charging extra only for users who want more data. Retailers will sell the systems direct to consumers for prices ranging from $349 to $499. The Chromebook aims to boot faster (eight seconds), be more secure, easier to manage and lower cost than traditional notebooks. All the systems initially use a dual-core Intel Atom processor. Google founder Sergey Brin, on hand for a press Q&A here, said in the next year he expects the majority of Google's employees will use Chromebooks. Today they mainly use Windows 7 PCs, he said. In an effort to limit the number of chips it must support, Google qualified each chip in the two Chromebooks which had to pass a performance test for the targeted OEM systems. Google has not yet decided whether it will make its list of approved chips available. Right now the systems only use a dual-core Atom processor. However, the partners are considering an Intel Core i3 chip for a higher performance desktop box being designed by Samsung and an ARM SoC for a future lower power, ultra-thin mobile system. The partners are concerned many current ARM SoCs may not meet performance requirements. They are currently aiming to test a quad-core Nvidia Tegra3 as a leading candidate. One way the current Chromebook hardware differs from a conventional notebook is that they require support for a hardware root of trust as part of the boot process. They also use a unique, secure fast path for boot transactions. One of the selling points of the systems for business users is their higher level of security than conventional PCs. The Chromebooks also have a protected file system which by design prevents download of malware. For years, computer executives from Sun's Scott McNealy to Oracle's Larry Ellison have pursued the dream of a simpler client computer. Whether Google can succeed where they have failed remains to be seen, but Google appears to be covering all the bases and the technology has matured to the level where a Web-only system is becoming viable. "The complexity of managing your computers is torturing all of us--it’s a flawed model and Chromebooks are a new model that doesn’t put the burden of managing your computer on yourself," said Brin. "Companies who don’t use that model won't be successful," he said. "This model doesn’t say just 'Trust Google'" with your data, Brin said, answetring a question about privacy and control. "You are using Google's Chrome browser, but you can go to any Web site out there and they can provide you great functionality--you can go to Bing search or Yahoo," he said. At a press event, one Samsung marketing manager said the partners hope to sell a total of as many as a million Chromebooks in the first 12 months. But other execs said that such a figure would exceed their expectations. Specs of Samsung's Chromebook Samsung published few specs of its Series 5 Chromebook, a device Google said it will provide free in June to an estimated 5,000 attendees of Google I/O where it was launched. More details of the bill of materials of the Samsung system came out at a press event after Google I/O. The Samsung Series 5 packs an Intel Atom N570 1.66 GHz processor (aka Pine Trail) with Intel embedded graphics. For communications, it uses an Atheros 2x2 MIMO 802.11n Wi-Fi chip and a Qualcomm Gobi 3G modem in the US or a Samsung 3G module in Europe. Most of the other major components are all from Samsung. They include a 12.1-inch display, 2 Gbytes RAM, a 16 Gbyte flash drive and an eight-hour Samsung battery. Samsung designed the motherboard and makes it in a Shuzhou, China plant. The system also sports two USB ports, a high def Webcam, support for removable flash cards and a full-sized keyboard. A version with Wi-Fi only will cost $429 in the U.S., and one also with 3G will cost $499. Acer will ship a smaller system with a 6.5-hour battery life, an 11.6 inch display and 16 Gbytes flash starting at $349 for a Wi-Fi only version. A 3G version is expected to cost $429. Both company's systems will be available in June in the U.S. and Europe. Samsung and Acer are expected to host their own product introductions closer to the product roll outs. More details of their specs, such as use of flash, are expected then. The initial systems are uninteresting from an industrial design perspective, looking like generic notebooks. Google has conducted tests of an early version of the system, the Cr-48, with thousands of users worldwide. "We fixed some issues, revamped the track pad, worked with Adobe on flash and upgraded to a dual-core processor," said Pichai. The company has also enabled a wide range of programs—including Gmail and Google Docs--to work when the system is not connected to the Web. Many non-Google apps also work using local cache memory including Angry Birds and many news services. Chromebooks also support an API that lets Web services register as file handlers. Thus, for example, when a user plugs in a USB drive with pictures, the folder showing the pictures can also show a button linking to the user's online photo site. "We're trying to open up your files to the world of the Web," said Pichai. Chromebooks aim to end management issues related to full blown operating systems, BIOS, antivirus software and the regular upgrades they require. "Most companies spend $3,000 to $5,000 per computer per year--it's really complicated," he said. Several large companies are already piloting Chromebooks. Google's service will come with a unified Web management console IT managers can use to manage Chromebooks. The Google three-year contracts will even include support, warranty and hardware replacement services. Brin said he is delighted both Android tablets and Chromebooks could compete in similar markets. "It’s a great dilemma to have two fantastic successes on our hands," Brin said. "Chromebooks is venturing into a really new model of computing that I don’t think was possible even a few years ago," he said. "I use an Android smartphone, a tablet and a Chromebook--they will coexist," said Pichai. "The Chromebook is a very different model, and if we didn’t do a model like this someone else would," he said.