The Cr-48 running Chrome OS is so dull
After two weeks living in the cloud as part of the Google’s Pilot Program for its Chrome operating system and the Cr-48 laptop, I find the whole thing rather dull; that’s a good thing though.
The Pilot Program is fairly simple and straight forward. On the site Google explains…
The Chrome operating system is a work in progress. We’re looking for the right users to try it out and tell us how we can make it better.
Each participant in the Pilot program will receive a Cr-48 Chrome notebook; in return, we’ll expect you to use it regularly and send us detailed feedback.
Sound interesting? Please note:
- Chrome OS is for people who live on the web.
- It runs web-based applications, not legacy PC software.
- The Pilot program is not for the faint of heart.
- Things might not always work just right.
The Pilot program is open to individuals, businesses, schools, non-profits and developers based in the United States. Learn about Chrome notebooks for business
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. We’ll review the requests that come in and contact you if you’ve been selected.
For the most part I have been able to live in the cloud with little to no use of my Window’s PC or Laptop. My job requires me to use several proprietary programs and a VPN connection when I’m out of the office. In my personal use I have only had one instance that I needed to fire up a Window’s laptop and I’m not sure it was due to the Chrome OS or just bad site design. For some reason while attempting to pay for an airline ticket via Orbitz, the site would give an error message saying that my address was incorrect for the card I was using. No big deal, but had if I didn’t have another laptop/PC available, it could have been an issue.
As an average user, the Cr-48 has been easy to use and for the most part trouble free. Sure there are still issues that need to be addressed, like file sharing, the ability to use external devices (HDD, SD cards, Printers etc…) and the ability to use Netflix. I don’t personally see a reason to worry about these issues until the 2nd or 3rd updates, if Google hasn’t addressed these issues by then “Houston we have a problem…”
Overall I am pleased with the software and the hardware, though under powered, seems to work well enough to give users a good idea of what cloud computing can be like. So much so, it’s actually dull, not a lot of bumps in the road. I know that there are issues for users that build software applications and edit media like photo’s, music and video; in it’s current state, cloud computing isn’t ready for those power users. But for average “joe’s & Jane’s” it’s more than capable. Saying my overall experience with the Cr-48 is dull isn’t a bad thing, it’s a good thing. No malware, viruses or tricky configuration issues, the things that make computing an adventure and a headache. Using the Cr-48 running Google’s Chrome OS on a daily basis is bland, no teeth gnashing, just a flight in the cloud with slight turbulence. I really like Chrome OS and I think millions of other “average users” will be very happy with a Chrome OS PC or laptop and all its dullness.
* This article was created and posted using Google ChromeOS and the Google ChromeOS netbook cr-48.
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I have a CR-48 and have had basically the same experience…. boring. Minus a few problems with flash (which Google says they are working on) I have had no problems with Chrome OS. It's the perfect OS for a casual internet user such as myself. I use my computer to manage my finances (Mint.com), check e-mail, read news, do some shopping, watch online videos, and create a few documents or spread sheets. I imagine this is what 80-90% of personal computer users use their computer for as well. The transition to the cloud was seamless and I imagine it will be for others as well.
Also, I want to note that there is becoming less and less of a need to "plug things in" to your computer. You can now wirelessly download pictures directly to Picasa or Flickr from one's digital camera using Eye-Fi and with cloud print soon printers will be wireless as well. All thats left for the casual user are phones/ipods/etc. for music and I'm sure a wireless solution will appear soon.
In 12 days, I have posted very few bug reports to Google, as well as a few enhancement requests (such as make the damned trackpad work better). The only real problem I have had is with activating Verizon 3G — which I blame on Verizon, not Chrome OS. Still not resolved after 12 days, but I have not been highly motivated because I've always been in places with WiFi access. I have been positively impressed by the things that are starting to show up on the Google store, especially Read Later Fast, which points to the direction that Chrome OS needs to take — things that make the computer usable and useful when offline.
The Cr-48 hardware isn't under-powered, per se, for a notebook, but Chrome OS seems to need a bit of optimization. As comparison, Chrome browser on an Acer AA1 netbook with N270 processor and 2gb of RAM, running Ubuntu 10.04 loads pages 1.5x – 3x faster than the same pages on the Cr-48.
Having spent 28 hours (elapsed, not continuous) setting up an iPod Touch for my wife on Christmas and the next day, I certainly appreciate the potential lack of maintenance that Chrome OS offers.
For the verizon thing call verizon. Google had an error in something after the Chrome OS update on the first day and they have to do it manually now. So give them a call and they will walk you through it.
One more thing… 9 months ago, I replaced the HDD on my netbook with a SSD. I still have the HDD, and fire it up every 2-3 months to update Windows XP and Linux. I did so last night, and the Windows software updates (which included many ominous warnings) took "only" and hour and a half and 4 reboots. And, of course, each product had its own, slightly different user interface for updates, license acknowledgements, etc. o.0. Barf.
Updating Ubuntu in the Linux partition was far easier and faster, but nothing like keeping the Cr-48 up to date, which requires no effort at all.
This person used my tagline "* This article was created and posted using Google ChromeOS and the Google ChromeOS netbook cr-48.". I'll sue!!! Just kiddin'. I think everyone should use it to help spread the word.
I am missing how important I was in taking care of my other operating systems. I now have too much time on my hands. If this is, in fact, the future of the Internet I'm liking it
CR48 is extremely underpowered. A regular Atom based Netbook running Windows 7 with Aero and Chrome loaded with extensions and apps will outperform CR48.
CR48 is great only used in incognito mode without any apps running and NO FLASH. I repeat, NO FLASH. Just Pandora uses 40% of the CPU all the time. Google Books is 30%.
With respect, its not that the Cr-48 is underpowered, its that flash is a terrible mess of a program in general and far worse in linux which is essentially what ChromeOS is. If adobe ever gets their act together and releases a decent flash plugin for linux/chromeos then it will stop choking on pandora, youtube, hulu, etc. The specs for the cr48 are as good or better than most netbooks, its the software thats lagging. And thats what we're helping to test anyways.
Adobe is reportedly working on Flash hardware acceleration on the Cr 48, as hardware acceleration is lacking on the Linux version so far. This should resolve things. Apart from this, Chrome OS should be much faster than a Windows netbook with the same hardware spec because Chrome OS has a lot less overhead.
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most apps today are stand alone apps while web apps are virtually inexistent. as a matter of fact html5 standard is not even completed and no browser is 100% compatible with html5 yet. most important apps don't have a cloud equivalent yet (photo/video editing, office, cad etc.) or if they do they're very basic and featureless. so of course a cloud only computer is not going to be good for you yet, especially one that's in the beta. but the potential is there. 2011 is going to be a big year. there are other issues that need to be solved also. a lot better support for working offline, and most importantly cloud encryption within the browser so noone but the user can access the data, not even the company that hosts the cloud. there is a prrof-of-concept note manager that encrypts the notes in the browser before it stores them in the cloud. it's very basic and we expect to see this technology for office also, but not too soon.
While there are a few apps out there that live up to the name at this point most are just glorified bookmarks. Granted that isn’t so much of a problem for most people, just an annoyance of mine
that I’m sure time will help iron out.
Going ot have to share your sentements. Only problems I seem to have are non-OS related ones (my network is a bit screwy so have to continually reset off the pc/router.) It’s actually telling that the network hiccupyness is the only major problem I have outside of Zoom/font issues with the UI (see my ‘low visibility in the clouds’.)
Other than that it’s now a matter of getting away from ‘ok what do I fiddle with? what settings do I tweak? c’mon where’s the innards!’ and just DO. Granted I don’t want a completely sealed box (looking at you apple) but this is a pleasant change of pace. Especially since when I loan it out to family there isn’t a continual stream of ‘hey how do I do this that and nine other things?’ Sure that’s mostly because i outright stated Chrome OS wasn’t ready for picture uploading and the like, and yes the hardware is a teensy bit underpowered compared to what i’m used to, but it works and it’s a good showpiece.
I read your post; I agree that Zoom needs work, but like most of the problems/inconveniences with the Cr-48 and Chrome OS, there are likely simple fixes. When looking at the list of reported bugs, what few there are, Google is no double focused on fixing them for coming updates. Which leads me to my next point which is to again agree with your statement "getting away from 'ok what do I fiddle with?" A lot of the complaints about the Cr-48 and the OS in general seem to stem from that mindset. A lot of people have a need to tinker, and have an ever harder time leaving well enough alone. I'll bet that after some of the nagging bugs get fixed, we'll hear a lot more complaints from the "fiddlers…"
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wha would happen if you didnt submit reports to google and you had the cr-48??? Jw
Nothing would actually happen but NOT reporting completely defeats the purpose of you having one. They gave these out because they need us to tell us what does and does not work and you are violating the terms by which you agreed to. I know there are a lot of people who got it just for a "free laptop" but your honestly doing this project a disservice if that's the mindset.
from where to get free cr8..thx
Google it! Lolz. Here's: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cr+48
I kinda hope Chrome OS will get an upgraded version that allows you to boot ANDROID 3.0 (HoneyComb) or Chrome OS, or launch Chrome as an application. That would be my perfect tablet.
Chrome OS with an Android tab would be nice. However Chrome OS is a lot cleaner, because keeps everything including configuration and settings on the cloud. This means that if you lose your Chrome OS netbook, you don't lose any data or settings – you just buy another Chrome OS netbook and carry on where you left off. The same is not true of Android.
I'm fully hoping for a device like the Motorola Atrix to run Android when stand alone and ChromeOS when docked. That would be my ultimate phone. Same would be for a tablet as well with a dock, Android when not docked and choose between Android/ChromeOS when it is docked.
Just reading through all these issues that the google notebook is facing, I think the pilot program was really smart… coz if they had released it to the general public, people would have been frustrated and google stocks would have dropped!
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Hi. I too am enjoying my cr-48 and its simplicity. Have you found an app or a way to use VPN on the cr-48? I would like to be able to VPN in on mine to access some intranet folders at work and for teaching.
Thanks,
Amy
I like the cr-48 its really simple, but it keeps it clean and running smooth. Now that I have told my friends about how I got the netbook they're all jealous. Are we the only pilot program testers that there will be?
By we I mean those of us with the cr-48… and basically I am asking can people still apply and be sent a netbook?? or is that all done??
I agree, though for a "beta" product to be so stable you can consider it dull is a pretty nice achievement.
I've had my CR-48 for a couple weeks now, and I've had to fire up my windows 7 laptop all of once, to do my taxes (apparently Turbotax Online freaks if you try and use it with anything other than a windows browser). Not being able to use networked printers without Google Cloud Print is an annoyance, but not a deal-breaker.
I love the simplicity and speed of Chrome OS so far. It has some issues they need to work out (Netflix!!!), but I've been able to use it as my primary with very few hiccups so far.
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