Google Notebook Boasts Google OS

Google Chrome is less than 3 years old, but it has already gobbled up 14.2 percent of the usage share of Web browsers in the world.

Google always finds new ways to innovate it seems, but its flagship Web browser has had to compete with a loyal fleet of Mozilla Firefox users (30.7 percent of browser use). Even more difficult, Chrome is up against Microsoft's Internet Explorer (46 percent of browser use), which comes pre-installed in every version of Windows.

What if Google could bypass Windows?

I know what you're thinking, but no—Google is locked in a fierce competition with Apple, putting their Android operating system up against the dominating iPhone. Besides, Apple computers are far too expensive for a company like Google, whose image was built around accessible, free-to-use services.

No, Google is a company that thinks even larger—what if Google could bypass an operating system altogether? That is exactly what the Internet mogul has attempted to do with their prototype notebook computer, the Cr-48.

The Cr-48 is Google's first attempt at making a notebook computer than runs the yet-to-be released Google Chrome OS (operating system). The device is unbranded, meaning that it was not manufactured by any company we've ever heard of.

The first thing that stands out about the Cr-48 is its finish. So many high-tech devices these days have a glossy finish that looks nice for a minute or two until it collects a gallery of fingerprints. The Cr-48 has a matte and slightly rubberized finish that sets it apart from other devices.

Also instantly noticeable is the keyboard of the Cr-48. Google decided that some keys are simply unnecessary, removing a caps-lock key, delete key and the function keys like home, page up, page down, etc. The "F" keys (F1-F12) are also absent from the Cr-48's keyboard.

It's not all about taking. The "F" keys have been replaced by keys that are actually functional, like volume keys, screen brightness, back, forward, reload and more. All of these shortcuts on the keyboard allow room for a spacious layout that is nearly the size of a full keyboard. Google also added a designated "search" key in place of caps lock that opens a new tab and allows the user to search instantly.

It is not completely accurate to state that the Cr-48 runs without an operating system. Chrome OS is a modified a version of Linux based off of Ubuntu. Still, the system boots fast.

About 12-15 seconds after turning the device on, the Cr-48 is ready to browse the Web. Now 12-15 seconds may not sound that impressive, but many desktop computers take up to a minute or more to boot completely after hitting the power button. What's even more impressive about the Cr-48 is when it wakes from sleeping.

Closing the notebook's lid puts the device into sleep mode almost instantaneously, saving precious battery life. Opening the lid again wakes the device. Google estimates that the Cr-48 can wake from sleep in 1.2 seconds—most of the time, the device wakes before I can fully lift the lid. This allows for fast in-and-out computing on the go. The Cr-48's quick start up and wake times allow the user to get the maximum amount of work done in a short amount of time.

The track pad on the Cr-48 is large and supports two finger scrolling. However, there are no buttons to click—the pad itself clicks and the user must click it with two fingers for right clicking. It can be difficult to keep the cursor stationary while right clicking. Highlighting large amounts of text can be cumbersome as the user must click and drag his finger while still holding the pad down.

In terms of on-the-go computing, the Cr-48 connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi; there is no ethernet port. The good news is that it supports 802.11n, meaning that it's compatible with both the widely-used "g" networks and newer, faster "n" networks.

It's not without some hitches—currently, Chrome OS cannot connect to networks with WPA or WPA2 security (meaning that if at CSU, it has to connect to the guest network). Interestingly, Google partnered with Verizon Wireless, which offers Cr-48 users 100MB of free 3G data per month for two years. In short, this allows the Cr-48 to connect to the Internet anywhere Verizon has coverage for emergency use.

Being connected to the Internet is essential when using the Cr-48 since it's really nothing more than a Web browser. There are some apps available that allow working offline and then later syncing. For most purposes, Chrome OS requires Internet access to function practically.

When I show people the Cr-48, I say "This is it, it's a Web browser. There's no task bar and no desktop." After a brief spat of confusion, most people ask "What can you do? Can you use Microsoft Word?

Surprisingly enough, Chrome OS is very functional. Google Docs is a free, online word processing suite with full Microsoft Word compatibility. For rudimentary graphic editing, there's the Picnick extension. A company named Aviary has also developed online programs for image and audio editing, though I've had trouble getting the graphic editing program to work. Finding these programs is easy thanks to the new Google Chrome Web Store. It's as easy as searching and clicking a button.

Likes:

* Rubberized, Matte Finished

* Keyboard

* Extensive library of extensions, customizable themes.

* Quick start up and wake time

* Free, albeit limited, 3G from Verizon

* About 8 hours of battery life of a single charge

* Includes built-in microphone and Web cam

* SD card reader

* VGA Monitor Out

* Dedicated volume and brightness keys

* Security

* Regular and simple updates

* 2GB of RAM