Google's Chromebook : First Impression

I purchased Google's new Internet Computer called Chromebook on Amazon and was delivered last week. The one I purchased is Wi-Fi version from Acer Computer.

It is very well made compared to some of the netbook and Android based subnote PCs. I thought the Chromebook was based on Google Mobile OS (Android) but it is not. It is running Chrome OS based on open source (Linux) platform. But you don't need to know Linux to use it.

Google says Chromebook is all Internet. When you start Chromebook (it starts up in less than 10 seconds), it starts up with an Internet browser. As a matter of fact, there is nothing but a browser on Chromebook user interface. There is no desktop. There is no application to click. And if you do not have Internet access, you can do almost nothing with Chromebook.

So, quickly I found out there is no software I can install on Chromebook. Everything you install is basically a bookmark to a web page or a web application page. I don't understand why it needs 16GB of disk space. I cannot install no software. Not even an email software. I have to use web mail, mainly Gmail. Gmail is a good system except it does not support external email server (like PSPINC.COM) using IMAP.

There is a plus side too. Since there is noting being stored including application and data, even if you loose Chromebook, you lost nothing but a hardware. You can access all your data and application from your desktop.

Do I recommend Chromebook?

I must say "Not Yet". I really would like to see what Google going to do on next version. At least, Gmail needs to support external IMAP. That will make Chromebook more useable.

If you have a question or comment, please feel free to post on this blog or email me.

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