Google's Cr-48 Chrome OS Netbook

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HUGE thanks to Google for selecting me for their Pilot Program to beta test Chrome OS. I'm so excited about this! They sent me a FREE Cr-48 to test out. All they ask in return is that I use it often and report back with any issues/feedback. Sweet! I'm one of the first people to try out this new operating system, I'm honored. 

I filled out the form to join immediately after their event on Tuesday. All it asked at that point was my Gmail account, name, phone number, and address. That's it. My new love arrived two days later on my cold doorstep. I couldn't, and still can't, believe it! They've tweaked the application process since then, asking for more detailed information about you and why you'd be a good choice for them to let you into the Pilot Program. Google is taking applications until December 21st here.

Now onto the device itself, the Cr-48!

One of the things I hate most about my Gateway laptop is that EVERYTHING is glossy. The screen, keys, body, just everything. That leads to an abundance of finger prints which drive me crazy. The Cr-48 fixes that entirely. Every inch of the body has that soft touch rubber feel that a lot of smart phones now days have. It's very nice to hold in your hands, very solid feeling as well. The screen is matte also, which is almost nonexistent anymore. Apple has even ditched the option of a matte screen on most of their devices. The individual keys on the keyboard have a soft texture to them as well which leads to a great typing experience.

Speaking of the keyboard, Google's changed a few things to fit the Chrome OS. No more function keys, these are replaced by dedicated back, forward, full screen, next tab/window, brightness and volume controls. They have also done the unthinkable...Google's killed the caps lock key. What will the internet trolls do now? This key is replaced by a search key which is basically just a new tab button.

Flash is a bit of an issue right now, Youtube videos play ok in 360p, a little choppy in 480p, and HD...forget about it. Hulu is unwatchable at the current time. Adobe is aware of this issue and is working on a fix to Flash. When they do come out with a fix, it will automatically be pushed and installed to every Chrome OS devise, just like every OS update will.

Those are the major things that I'm loving, and not so much loving (flash), about my Chromeos. I'll be posting updates about it here and there in the future. I can't wait to see where Google's Chrome OS will go in the next 6 months or so before public release. 

Engadget had a great in depth article up about the netbook yesterday.
For more details check it out. 

Don't forget to apply to the Pilot Program! I did, and it worked out for me! It can't hurt! Thanks again Google!

I'll talk to you guys later.

-Spencer

Oh, don't forget MONtexture 4 is coming this monday! It's a good one, I suspect you'll get a chill from it. ;)

Comments

[Patty]

Appreciate how clearly you break down your points of review on this product. Thanks for sharing your experience and insights with us all.