A New Gadget
The most awesome box design ever!
As I'm sure anyone interested in tech already knows, Google recently gave away several thousand laptops to allow users to beta test their ChromeOS software. Apparently these devices are quite coveted and many questions have been raised asking what criteria was used to select those that received one. Well, I'm just going to say that I have no idea how Google made that determination, but apparently I made the cut. Yes, that's right, as of four weeks ago I am a proud owner and user of a coveted Google Laptop.
Full disclosure: I signed up for the developer program last year some time and subsequently completely forgot about it. I had no idea that I was selected to receive a CR-48 until it was literally on my front porch. It was delivered in a standard UPS box with no identifying marks. The return address on the label didn't even list a name. Inside was a box (pictured above-left) containing a CR-48.
While flat black is classy, I like the decal better.
The laptop itself is rather plain. The whole thing has a matte finish with a slightly rubberized feel to it, and other than an Intel sticker below the keyboard there are no identifying marks at all. It came with some decals and I opted to put the single large one on it (I really liked the design of that one) for nothing more than to mark which side the hinge is on.
Another interesting thing to note is that the CR-48 does not have a standard keyboard, the biggest difference being that there are no F-keys. I know, it seems odd at first, but when you consider the OS installed it makes perfect sense. ChromeOS is basically just a web browser, so Google decided to replace the F-keys with browser-centric buttons for back, forward and reload along with dedicated keys for screen brightness and volume control. (Yay for no more function key!) The other, far more subtle difference is the absence of a caps-lock key. In its place is the Search key, which basically opens up a fresh tab to run a search in. Granted that there have been complaints about this change, I think it is great. There is absolutely no reason to use the caps-lock key ever (if you think different I hate you for how you type) and kudos to Google for finding an actual use for the key.
Non-standard, yet intuitive keyboard.
Not just a web browser, this is the whole OS.
Over the last month I have been using the notebook off and on and am quite impressed. The battery life is phenomanel. I easily get six to eight hours on one charge, more if I don't watch any videos. The web only philosophy takes some getting used to, but it isn't too bad. Outside of WoW and Microsoft Office (required for school), I have found a web-app alternative for most applications allowing me to use the CR-48 more and more. While I don't think it will ever fully replace a traditional computer, it is the perfect PC to take to the coffee shop or to use for a little light browsing away from the desk.