"Why Chromebook Pundits Are Out of Touch"

[Graham]

Lenovo have released two new Chromebooks:

http://www.omgchrome.com/lenovo-unve...oks-education/

What I found particularly interesting was that these are being marketed as Thinkpads with a choice of operating system available between Windows and ChromeOS (at $100 less):

Prices will start from $349 for the Chrome versions, and Windows 8.1 versions available from $449.

That's the way netbooks were marketed previously, where the choice was between Windows XP and Linux. It will be interesting to see if that works for against Lenovo's initiative here.

Graham

[afv011]

Interesting chromebooks, but Lenovo may struggle against the considerably cheaper Acer offerings.

[forsooth]

Originally Posted by afv011

Interesting chromebooks, but Lenovo may struggle against the considerably cheaper Acer offerings.

Lenovo recently bought IBM old **86 sever line and 7500 personnel, and bought Google's Motorola.

Lenovo intention to compete everywhere.

I use Lenovo. Excellent!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by forsooth

Lenovo recently bought IBM old **86 sever line and 7500 personnel, and bought Google's Motorola.

So much for Google turning Motorola into Nexus.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

So much for Google turning Motorola into Nexus.

Yes, didn't see that one coming. We'll have to see what Lenovo does with Motorola, they were certainly in the right path with a next to pure Android experience, no bloatware and timely updates. We won't know for about 2 years due to product cycle times, but I hope they keep the same philosophy rather than going back to the old days of skins and bloatware.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

So much for Google turning Motorola into Nexus.

I think it'll work out better for Google this way. I imagine that they were getting some backlash from the other decive manufacturers who were wary that Google might give Motorola preferential treatment.

And although they've sold the device business, they've hung on to the key patents.

Graham

[afv011]

Originally Posted by Graham

I think it'll work out better for Google this way. I imagine that they were getting some backlash from the other decive manufacturers who were wary that Google might give Motorola preferential treatment.

And although they've sold the device business, they've hung on to the key patents.

Graham

There's no doubt of that, and this deal may have been a cornerstone in the agreement with Samsung. But the question is, how will this affect us, the consumers? I was considering Moto as my next phone because they were releasing nice hardware, free of bloatware and timely updates, but I don't know if Lenovo will keep it the same, so I will probably be looking at a Nexus device for my next update cycle instead, just to be safe.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by afv011

Yes, didn't see that one coming. We'll have to see what Lenovo does with Motorola, they were certainly in the right path with a next to pure Android experience, no bloatware and timely updates. We won't know for about 2 years due to product cycle times, but I hope they keep the same philosophy rather than going back to the old days of skins and bloatware.

I didn't see it either and I hope Lenovo doesn't change things. Motorola was definitely on the right path with the Moto G and Moto X.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Graham

I think it'll work out better for Google this way. I imagine that they were getting some backlash from the other decive manufacturers who were wary that Google might give Motorola preferential treatment.

And although they've sold the device business, they've hung on to the key patents.

Graham

Motorola's patent portfolio was the main reason for the buy in the first place. Maybe Google hung onto the hardware business long enough to get a near Nexus device to the market that was viable and could stand on its own - a blueprint for other device makers.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by afv011

There's no doubt of that, and this deal may have been a cornerstone in the agreement with Samsung. But the question is, how will this affect us, the consumers? I was considering Moto as my next phone because they were releasing nice hardware, free of bloatware and timely updates, but I don't know if Lenovo will keep it the same, so I will probably be looking at a Nexus device for my next update cycle instead, just to be safe.

I'm very happy with my Nexus 4 (I use it as a tablet - not a phone). The Moto X is a near-clone of the Nexus 4; only more expensive. The key thing with the Moto line is the unlocked, inexpensive, near-stock Android devices it's producing. I hope Lenovo continues going in that direction.

[ApK]

If Lenovo is offering the same hardware with Windows or with ChromeOS, does that mean the Chromebook will allow consumers to install Windows on their own if they like? Dual boot a la the Pixel perhaps?

And does it mean that the keyboard will have all the normal keys...?

[pl001]

I was also looking at buying a Moto X, one of the reasons being the light skin and frequent updates. Will Lenovo continue to offer such good support? Considering their past history, I wouldn't bet on it.

It's so frustrating to see the company that was bringing jobs back the US sell out to the Chinese.

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by afv011

There's no doubt of that, and this deal may have been a cornerstone in the agreement with Samsung. But the question is, how will this affect us, the consumers? I was considering Moto as my next phone because they were releasing nice hardware, free of bloatware and timely updates, but I don't know if Lenovo will keep it the same, so I will probably be looking at a Nexus device for my next update cycle instead, just to be safe.

Well, I am not sure about the timely updates, but (at least in the United States), you can get bloat free phones straight from Google Play.

I have the Moto G, its a great phone at great off contract price.

--
Bill

[afv011]

Originally Posted by bill_mchale

Well, I am not sure about the timely updates, but (at least in the United States), you can get bloat free phones straight from Google Play.

I have the Moto G, its a great phone at great off contract price.

--
Bill

Right, US only - the play editions are not available here. At least we get the Nexus line, plus the Chromebooks now, so it's not as barren as it used to be.

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by afv011

Right, US only - the play editions are not available here. At least we get the Nexus line, plus the Chromebooks now, so it's not as barren as it used to be.

Well I know HTC has rolled back some of their heavier skinning, and I believe the latest rumor is that Samsung will as well. So hopefully things will get better in the future as well.

--
Bill