Perhaps we should have expected this, but we were a bit underwhelmed. The current build is extremely slow and one of the key features — the apps panel — is not accessible.  Start up took about 15 seconds to present us with the log in screen at right, though it’s hard to say how accurate our start time was, considering that we were running Chrome as a virtual machine in Sun VirtualBox, which was a window on our Windows 7 ($79.95) workstation.

The login screen here caused us a bit of a hassle as it requires you to enter a valid Google account username and password and apparently it can be a bit finicky about the definition of a Google account. For example, we have an e-mail address and password that we use to access Google Analytics every day, but Chrome would not accept it as valid. However, another Google account worked.

After typing in the username and password, we were presented with a full screen version of the Chrome browser. Initially it had tabs open for Google Calendar and Gmail, though we closed these and moved on to browsing the Web. As you might expect, the browser in Chrome OS behaves identically to Google Chrome for Windows. We were able to visit various sites and flash was supported. Either because of a lack of video drivers or because of some issues with VirtualBox, we were only able to get a resolution of 800×600, which meant we had to scroll horizontally on most Web pages.

However, everything moved in slow motion. Web pages loaded and rendered slowly, videos on YouTube were so pokey that they looked like slideshows, and attempting to play a video in Hulu actually caused the system to choke so badly we had to force it to reboot. Even doing something as simple as typing a new URL into the browser’s address bar was painfully slow as letters appeared on screen a couple of seconds after we typed them.

We know from watching Google’s demo videos that the tiny Google Chrome icon in the upper left corner of the screen is supposed to give you a menu of Web apps you can load. However, on the build we tried out, clicking the Google icon brings up a username and password prompt that requires a google.com e-mail address as the username. As google.com e-mail addresses are used for the company’s employees, we must assume that only they can use this feature right now.

The upper right hand corner of the screen has icons for battery status, Wi-Fi / Ethernet status, and for an options menu that offers some very basic browser configuration choices like what SSL certificates to accept or whether or not to store passwords. The only really interesting thing we were able to do was change the Chrome theme so the color of the menu bar and the shape of the menu icons were different.

Just to shake things up,we selected a colorful theme by designer Mark Ecko. As these themes also work on Google Chrome for Windows, there are already hundreds of them.

The only other major thing we noticed about Google Chrome OS is that there doesn’t appear to be a shutdown or restart button. If there is, we couldn’t find it. We shut down by using the “power off the machine” option in VirtualBox.Unlike other OSes that often give you all kinds of nasty error messages after being powered off, Chrome seems no worse for wear after it is forcefully restarted.

How to Try Chrome OS

That’s really all there is to see now in Chrome OS and it isn’t much. However, if you’d like to take it for a spin yourself, here’s how:

1. Download and install Sun VirtualBox. You can also use VMware Player, but VMware requires a complicated registration and takes a while to download so we recommend VirtualBox instead.

2. Download the VMware disk image from gdgt (registration required). There’s a VirtualBox image file too, but gdgt users have reported problems with the VirtualBox image and VirtualBox is capable of using the VMWare image file.

3. Create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox. Give it at least 1GB of RAM and add the Chrome disk image you downloaded as your The storage device that holds your OS, programs, and data.
Learn Morehard drive.

Are prices low because Black Friday and the holiday shopping season approaches? Or is the phone so popular that someone is hoping the extra sales volume will make up for the loss?

This follows on the heels of news that the Palm Pre and Pixi dropped in price as well — $80 and $25 respectively at Amazon.

Hat Tip: 9to5Mac

• Four USB 2.0 ports (up from one)
• Improved transcoding, and wider support for streaming video to the Web or Pogoplug iPhone app
• The ability to automatically sync content from iPhoto, iTunes, Windows Media Player
• Tighter Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter integration
• Automatic organization of music, photos, video

All in all, these sound like very nice additions to an already winning device, and we’re digging the more streamlined design (if not the very neon pink cradle). If you’re interested in giving the new Pogoplug a go, it will be available for purchase before the end of year for $129.

Check out our list of the top iPhone games worth paying for. The list includes puzzle games, retro games, games where you shoot zombies, sports games and more. I’m partial to Arrr! Pirates vs. Aliens because I love both pirates and aliens, but there’s nothing more satisfying at the end of a long day than punching a virtual boxer over and over during a long commute.

1. It’s speedy. The focus of Chrome OS is speed and simplicity. Users should expect everything from booting to loading Web pages to be much snappier than today’s PCs. The system you’ll see at the end of this video boots in about 7 seconds, and when it does it puts users right into the browser. Google also claims that sleeping netbooks will wake up in under a second.
2. All applications will be Web-based. Chrome OS is essentially a browser users will have to rely on Web apps for everything they do with their netbooks. However, since there are still times when people need to use their machines when not connected, the operating system will cache data and apps to the local drive when needed, similar to the way Google Gears works. This is possible because of the HTML 5 standard.
3. Not only are your apps synced and stored in the cloud, so is all of your data. Every document, IM/chat, picture, song, or any other piece of information or media you create, access, or download will become part of the cloud of data that makes up your Chrome OS environment. The netbooks will have local storage, but it will act as a cache rather than a traditional local drive. Everything will sync with the cloud, including personalization and settings such as stored Wi-Fi networks, and will be encrypted.

4. The OS is the browser and the browser is the OS.

   
   The tabs we’re used to seeing at the top of the browser serve dual functions now. You get separate tabs for web pages (in the browser) and for Web apps (above the browser). And, like a taskbar, you can pin apps to the tab bar. An applications window lists a user’s apps and will, at some point, help people find new apps. This particular style of app presentation reminds us of Android and the iPhone OS. It’s also reminiscent of netbook-specific Linux distros like Jolicloud, Moblin and Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Discrete elements such as music players and notepads can open up in panels, which are separate and persistent windows that can stay on top of the default browser environment.

5. Chrome will keep itself up to date and secure automatically. Every time you turn on your netbook Chrome will make sure that the latest version of the operating system is installed and, if not, will automatically download updates. Along with speed and simplicity, Google’s focus is on security. If malware, viruses or other undesirable elements happen to creep in, Chrome will identify and hopefully destroy them without the user having to do much except reboot. Like the Chrome browser, each tab — be it a web site or a web app — is locked down and separated from other tabs. If something goes wrong in one, theoretically it won’t affect any of the others.
6. Chrome OS features will also show up in Chrome browser. Again, the OS is a browser, so the same developments Google is working on for the operating system can also be rolled out in the Chrome browser. This also allows for Chrome users to test and experience features that will make up much of the Chrome OS experience later.
7. Chrome OS will work only on specific hardware configurations. Google is going for an Apple-like level of control over what machines Chrome will work on, making it less like traditional Linux distros and more like OS X. This is because Google wants the operating system to work at maximum efficiency and exactly the way the developers envision it. Solid state hard drives are mandatory, for one thing, so the machines can achieve the speed Google is looking for. This will put a damper on most netbook modding enthusiasts as they may not be able to test Chrome OS without some complex hardware mods.
8. No Windows killer . . . yet. Right now, Google is exclusively targeting Chrome OS towards secondaryPCs like netbooks. It’s not trying to replace Windows or Mac OS on your high-powered laptop or desktop.
9. No beta yet. Developers can download the source code, but there’s no installation disk or files yet.
10. It will be a year before we see the final product. Today Google opened up the project to open source developers and showed off some of the operating systems features, but there’s still a long way to go before consumers will see Chrome OS machines on the market. Hardware specifications are expected to be out by the middle of 2010.

We look forward to learning more about Chrome OS in the months ahead. Does Chrome OS make you excited or make you yawn? Which features intrigue you most?

]]> http://blog.laptopmag.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-chrome-os/feed http://blog.laptopmag.com/rumor-apple-tablet-delayed-how-much-would-you-pay http://blog.laptopmag.com/rumor-apple-tablet-delayed-how-much-would-you-pay#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:24:18 +0000 K. T. Bradford http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23626 This morning Digitimes reported that Apple has pushed back the launch of its tablet from the first quarter of 2010 to the second. The site is also claiming that the device will have a 9.7-inch OLED display, which would mean less power consumption but at a greater price. How does $1,200 – $1,500 sound? Or $2,000? Take the poll below and tell us how much you’d pay.

I’m less excited for this tablet by the day. Not just because it keeps getting more and more ridiculously expensive, but also because it keeps floating further and further away.

I don’t know if I’m ready to jump on board with Ian Paul of PCWorld who says that the tablet is dead, vaporware, and the dream of Apple fanboys who really want such a device and have convinced themselves that Apple is making it. Then again, there is a long history of Apple tablet rumors. It’s not looking good.

Apple may bring out a tablet or they might not. But due to everyone assuming they would there is now more interest in slates than there have been in many years. Other tablets that actually exist are coming out soon, and next year may be as filled with tablet announcements as the last two years were with netbook announcements.

So, am I excited about a $2,000 Apple tablet? No. Are you? I suspect not. The results of the poll below may surprise me, but I’m sure most people don’t want to pay that kind of money for something without a real keyboard.

Google’s new OS is being developed specifically for netbooks and as Google has the Midas touch these days with Android popping up everywhere it’s easy to get excited about shades and shadows — but what about specifics?

Linux distros haven’t traditionally done well on netbooks. High return rates plus the lure of an operating system most people are already familiar with led the way for manufacturers to drop Linux in favor of Windows XP altogether early in the life of the category. Many people say Chrome OS could change all that, but I wonder what features it would have to include to make that happen.

Forget what Google may or may not reveal later today, what do you think Chrome OS will be like? And, more importantly, what should it be and do in order to pull Windows (or even Mac OS) users into the fold? Should the GUI attempt to emulate Windows or go for something closer to Android? The promises of a simple, web-based OS are great, but what would you like a Chrome OS netbook to be able to do when it’s not connected?

Today we got a first look at the Eee PC 1201N, which will sell for $499 with Windows 7 Premium. This 12.1-inch system looks a lot like a larger 1008HA, a design we like. It’s a sleek 1.3 inches thick, only 3.2 pounds, and sports the same dimpled trackpad as the 1008HA but the chiclet-style keyboard seen on the 1000HE.

The port spread is standard but includes HDMI for attaching the 1201N to a high-def monitor or TV. With this GPU and the addition of Flash 10.1, owners will be able to output full 1080p video from the 1201N and watch full screen HD Hulu and YouTube clips without a hitch, as we’ve proven.

In addition to the Ion GPU there’s an intriguing CPU: a dual core Intel Atom N330. This processor is usually found in nettops, and we’re psyched to see how this processor will affect performance and battery life. Add in 2GB of RAM and a 250GB The storage device that holds your OS, programs, and data.
Learn Morehard drive and you have a very well equipped machine for $499. In fact, the 1201N costs $80 less than a similarly configured HP Mini 311, and that netbook has a single-core processor.

This is shaping up to be one compelling Ion netbook.

ASUS Eee PC 1201N Specs:

• Display size/resolution: 12.1 inches/1366 x 768
• CPU: Intel Atom 330 dual core processor
• Memory/Expandable to: 2GB/3GB
• Graphics: Nvidia Ion
• Hard drive: 250GB (plus 500GB online storage)
• Ports: VGA, HDMI, 3 USB 2.0, Ethernet, headphone/mic
• Card Slots: MMC/ SD(SDHC)
• Wireless: 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Size: 11.7 x 8.2 x 1.3 inches
• Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Battery Life: Up to 5 hours with Super Hybrid Engine
• Available colors: Black, Silver

The 1201N will also come with ArcSoft SimHD, which upscales standard definition video content to high definition, according to the ASUS press release. What remains to be seen is how energy-efficient the 1201N’s Atom 330 processor is; the Mini 311’s single core Atom N270 processor  saw 4 hours and 45 minutes of runtime on Windows 7 Premium.

Check out the images and hands-on video below and tell us how you think the 1201N stacks up to the Mini 311. Stay tuned for a full review.

]]> http://blog.laptopmag.com/asus-eee-pc-1201n/feed http://blog.laptopmag.com/mainstream-netbooks-now-below-300-huge-bargains-to-be-had http://blog.laptopmag.com/mainstream-netbooks-now-below-300-huge-bargains-to-be-had#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:37:05 +0000 Avram Piltch http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23532 Everyone was disappointed when the One Laptop Per Child project promised to usher in a new age of $100 notebooks, only to fall flat with its underwhelming XO laptop selling for well over $200. But that was over two years ago, and the for-profit netbook market has been hugely successful at pushing price points lower. Now, fresh for the holiday season, we see powerful netbooks selling right now for under $300.

These aren’t underpowered systems running some unheard-of Linux flavor either. These systems all have 1GB of RAM, a standard Intel Atom N270 or N280 CPU, and either Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter edition. Many of them even have 6-cell batteries.

Here’s a sampling of what’s available right now:

• The Samsung N120 can be bought for just $295. The N120 is one of the best netbooks around, because of its extremely-wide keyboard and 7+ hours of endurance. It’s available with a 1.6 GHz CPU, 6-cell battery, and 160GB.
• The Samsung N130 is now available for $285 and sports a 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 160GB The storage device that holds your OS, programs, and data.
  Learn Morehard drive, Windows XP home and a long-lasting 6-cell battery. We have not reviewed this system, but other Samsung netbooks, such as the Samsung N120 mentioned above and the Samsung N110 and have been among our favorites, because of their awesome keyboards and long battery lives.
• Acer’s Aspire One AOD250 is on sale for a mere $254.99 if you’re willing to settle for 3 hours or less of endurnace. The system comes with a 3-cell battery and also has Windows XP, a 1.6 GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive.
• The HP Mini 311 is a splurge at $399 but offers an 11.6-inch screen and Nvidia ION graphics that make it capable of playing HD video.

If you want more information or none of these appeal to you, check out our detailed list of netbook gift ideas.

After reviewing the preview version and spending some quality time with the beta of Office 2010, we’ve come up with the list of 10 things to keep in mind as you research and test the software for yourself.

1. Backstage view is the new name for File and Print menu. Where in Office 2003 and before you had the File menu and in Office 2007 you had the magic Office orb in the upper left hand corner of the screen, you now need to click on the File tab and go to a whole separate screen called Backstage view to see your file, print, and settings options. Microsoft touts Backstage as giving users “easy, organized access to tolls that were previously spread across several locations.” We see it as a bit cumbersome, because it makes covers over your work while you’re just trying to do a simple task like save or print, something that previously was accomplished with small dialogue boxes that floated above your documents.

   However, in Backstage, you do get a nice preview thumbnail of the document that is being obstruced and some interesting specs such as the file size, total editing time, and number of Words in a Word document.

   

2. Office 2010 can coexist with earlier versions of Offices, but not Outlook. Many Microsoft programs wipe away their prior versions on install, giving you no way to compare them with their predecessors. For example, you simply cannot have multiple versions of IE on the same computer, but the good news is that you can keep Office 2007 while you play with Office 2010. Just make sure to select Customize when you install the Office 2010 beta and then choose Keep Previous Versions from the Upgrade tab. One possible exception: we were unable to keep using Outlook 2007 after installing Office 2010.

   

3. Outlook now has threaded conversation views, but you can disable them. One of the most polarizing features of Gmail is the way it shows e-mail conversations in a threaded view that forces you to scroll past earlier e-mails in order to see the latest message in a conversation. Outlook’s inbox handles this much better by giving you the ability to open each conversation as an indented list.

   Even better you can choose to ignore a conversation by right clicking on it and selecting Ignore. All future messages in that thread will then disappear.Still,some will find it annoying to have to open up each conversation, just to get to individual e-mails. Fortunately, unlike Gmail, Outlook makes its easy to disable or customize the conversation view by going to the View tab and selecting from the Conversations pulldown menu.

   

4. You can preview before you paste, but it’s not always helpful. One of the cool new features of Office 2010 is that you can now get a real-time preview of what content would look like in your document before you paste it in from the clipboard. You can do this by right clicking in your document and hovering over 3 different paste options: Keep Source Formatting (use fonts and styles from what you are pasting), Merge Formatting (combine fonts and styles from the original with those in the current doc), and Keep Text Only (paste as text).

   While this works quite well, we noticed one instance where hitting Ctrl+V to paste gave us a different look than using any of these three options. In that case, we were copying and pasting images and text from a Web site and hitting Ctrl+V preserved the image, but using Keep Source Formatting or Merge Formatting gave us a tiny thumbnail of the paste image instead.

5. Office 2010 apps open faster. We’re in the middle of developing test macros to measure this improvement, but throughout our testing we noticed that Office 2010 applications such as Word and Excel opened much faster than their Office 2007 counterparts.

   Next Page: Online Collaboration and Ribbon Customization >>
   

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