Prices falling: Google’s cloud computers now start as low as $300
Posted on 21. Nov, 2011 by MikeP in Laptops, Laptops, Netbooks
To spur sales over the holidays Google and their two only Chromebook manufactures have reduced prices and one has started offering free 7-day trials in New York City, New York.
On Monday Google announced that for the 2011 holiday shopping season the 11.6″ Acer AC700 Chromebook would start at $299 and the 12.1″ Samsung Series 5 Chromebook would start at $349. The Acer model normally starts at $349 and the Samsung normally would sell for $429. Both base models only come with Wi-Fi only connectivity for Internet access (which is vital to Chrome OS), but 3G equipped models are also available for $399 (Acer A700 Verizon 3G) and $449 (Samsung Series 5 Verizon 3G).
In New York City the Samsung Experience store is allowing people that are interested in sampling the Series 5 Chromebook to take the laptop home for 7-days at no cost. Samsung’s store requires that you provide valid ID and a credit card (for insurance) at the register before you’re allowed to leave with your 7-day trial Chromebook. If you wish to purchase the Chromebook you can simply have your credit card charged and you keep the model you took-out of the store, and inversely if you wish to return the notebook you will need to bring it back to the store.
Chromebook sales and Google Chrome OS adoption has been stagnant to say the least, Google is definitely not having as easy of a time getting consumers to give their operating system and Chromebooks a try like they are Android phones. These new lower price are a good start for Google, but new updates to the operating system are what the company is most excited about.
According to Google the new Chrome OS update that was dispatched today added some new interface changes that will benefit users. TechCrunch details the following enhancements; “The platform now sports a new swanky log-in screen that simplifies the experience. The New Tab page also looks just like the revamped version found in the latest version of Google Chrome. The app and bookmark icons now take center stage while shortcuts like recently closed tabs are downplayed.”
Google at their own pace is improving Chrome OS, but as of now the operating system just isn’t all that attractive to consumers as a viable choice over Windows or even Mac OS X.
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