The Lenovo Chromebook: Another Nail in Microsoft's Coffin

[SeaKing]

The Lenovo Chromebook: Another Nail in Microsoft's Coffin
By Anton Wahlman 01/15/13 - 06:00 AM EST The Street


And Microsoft is only one major target.

"NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Many of us have had one. In fact, for those working for corporate America, we have been issued one every three or so years for the better part of the last 20 years.

I'm talking about a ThinkPad laptop, of course. It was first made by IBM and in the last decade Lenovo. It was black, had a great keyboard, a matte screen, and it remains the most reliable Windows laptop around.

Each of those millions of Lenovo ThinkPads ran the latest version of Microsoft's Windows. One could argue that the Lenovo ThinkPad was Microsoft's face of corporate America on the road.

In other words, Microsoft and the ThinkPad laptop were locked in arms against all PC challengers of the past, from Sun to Linux to Apple's Mac. Brothers in arms, locked together in that sturdy black box residing on traveling corporate America's lap, it was Microsoft's Chinese defense wall.

This is about to change.

In 2013, Lenovo will break with its Microsoft Windows exclusivity and start offering PCs -- laptops and desktops alike -- based on Google's PC operating system, Chrome OS. Such laptops and desktops are commonly called "Chromebooks" and "Chromeboxes," respectively.

Why is Lenovo doing this?"

The Nail Gun

[Serpentine]

I don't really see it being much of a nail, considering Chromebooks are almost more useless than tablets for doing anything beyond entertainment/gimmick work.

I mean, sure if you're buying a laptop to use Facebook. Vendor exclusivity sailed ship a few years ago.

[tubemonkey]

Cool; more competition is better.

What I'd really like to see is a Chromebox priced in the $199~$249 range.

[jamadams]

I would definitely buy a Lenovo Chromebook. I rarely use any programs that won't work in a browser and so long as I can open an SSH session, i'm happy.

[BWinmill]

These devices may have a place in corporations, but the article itself is hyperbole. My favourite was the bit about zero support costs. Greatly reduced, perhaps, but any asset will incur costs to acquire, manage, and dispose of. The bit about Office was hilarious too, since it completely misses the point: people use Office for interoperability. No viruses or malware, well that got a few giggles. As soon as a product is worth targetting, someone will find an attack vector.

The Chromebook may or may not be a wonder machine. I don't know. What I do know is that particular article lacks credibility based upon the arguments presented within it.

[QuantumIguana]

I have a Chromebook and like it, but I don't see why it has to be a nail in Microsoft's coffin, I'm not "Team Chromebook". I wouldn't count out Microsoft. Linux hasn't toppled Microsoft. The Chromebook seems to be selling well, but I don't think it is a "there can be only one" situation.

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

I have a Chromebook and like it, but I don't see why it has to be a nail in Microsoft's coffin, I'm not "Team Chromebook". I wouldn't count out Microsoft. Linux hasn't toppled Microsoft. The Chromebook seems to be selling well, but I don't think it is a "there can be only one" situation.

Because predicting the next iPad killer isn't cool anymore.

[din155]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Because predicting the next iPad killer isn't cool anymore.

[Noetic_Hatter]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Because predicting the next iPad killer isn't cool anymore.

Exactly right. The tech press, just like most media, thrives on controversy and conflict. They could just as easily have said: "Hooray! Lenovo will start selling some laptops running Chrome OS for those people who might be interested. It's good to have choices."

But who would click on that story?

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by Noetic_Hatter

Exactly right. The tech press, just like most media, thrives on controversy and conflict. They could just as easily have said: "Hooray! Lenovo will start selling some laptops running Chrome OS for those people who might be interested. It's good to have choices."

But who would click on that story?

Oh, no, we can't have that. Choices would just confuse people, they aren't necessary.

[forsooth]

I watch this closely

big question is connection wifi 3G
if have connection then many uses dont need MS or Apple or Intel hardware

with 3G no need

spreadsheet docs database in cloud

backup automatic
sharing automatic
updates automatic
virus prot automatic

no connection
then question on how operates

my question yet unanswered
will it work over sat phone?

[HoopyFrood]

Wow, servers and work stations, i.e., the Cloud and Chromebooks. What goes around comes around.

I think I'll stick to my stand alone device that will still work even if I don't have broadband. It would even work if I only had, gasp, dial-up.

[HansTWN]

The Chromebook seems more like the final nail in privacy's coffin --- everything online only. Thanks, but no thanks.

[JSWolf]

And if the machine storing your important data is offline, you are screwed if you really need access now.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And if the machine storing your important data is offline, you are screwed if you really need access now.

That's what external hard drives are for.