Review: Chrome OS laptop Cr-48 launched by Google

The Chrome OS laptop, Cr-48 is finally launched by Google. Unconventional in everyway, the Cr-48 will reach its users through a pilot program. Users are required to apply online as beta testers for the Google Chrome laptop which has not been released for sale in any store, even the online ones, since it is still in the black-box stage.

The specs for the Cr-48 are mainly a 12.1” display, 8 hours of normal use and 8 days of standby use with no virtually no hard drive! The mouse-pad on the full keyboard is large. There is also a dual band WiFi and a 3G Gobi chip from Qualcomm. The 3G chip will support all types of connectivity including EDGE, GPRS, GSM, HSDPA and EVDO for users on the move.

The beta version laptops are going to be either Samsung or Acer makes but as of now they are not branded. The most obvious difference between a normal laptop and the Cr-48 is the replacement of the Caps Lock with a Search key and the total absence of function keys. Instead of the F1 to F12 keys, here you get to see mostly forward/backward arrow keys and resolution/volume indicators.

Considering the fact that the laptops come with flash memory, they should ideally be able to support windows as well, but Google chrome has announced that for now the Cr-48 will not be supporting a dual OS. Service is a concern with the Cr-48 since not much support is available on the OS front.

Web-centric computing seems to be the tagline of the Cr-48 with its OS requiring fulltime connectivity for a glitch-free function. Offline function is also available, though it has its limitations. USB support is totally missing and the OS mainly works on a cloud computing level so even printing options are configured this way.

If you need to be updated on the apps front, log into the Chrome Web Store and download the necessary apps into your laptop. Besides this, the OS will be tied to your Google account so the minute you log in, you are all set. There is also a Guest mode for complete anonymity. To top it all, the OS is built to completely wake from the sleep function in the snap of a finger.

Cr-48 with an inbuilt 3G has also tied up with Verizon to provide cost effective connectivity plans to its customers.

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