We’ve laid out the concept of Google’s initiative to roll out Chrome OS-based netbooks — now meet the actual devices.
Samsung and Acer will each introduce their version of a “Chromebook” next month. The netbooks are similar in both concept–web-centric, cloud-based (as in no traditional HDD for storage purposes) lean machines with impressive start-up times and battery life–and their respective specifications.
The Samsung Series 5 and Acer Chromebook are the same size and weight, at 11.6 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches and 3.26 lbs, though the Samsung’s 1280 x 800 back-lit anti-reflective screen, at 12.1 inches, is larger than the Acer’s 11.6 inch, 1368 x 768 display. Both offer WiFi-only or WiFi + 3G service; Acer’s WiFi-only model and both Samsung iterations are powered by a 1.66 GHz dual-core Intel Atom N570 processor with 2GB of RAM and a 16GB mSATA SSD, while the Acer 3G Worldwide model gets an Intel NM10 Atom processor under the hood.
Both include built-in webcams–one-megapixel for the Samsung and 1.3-megapixel for Acer’s Chromebook–though the Acer provides an HDMI port, while the Samsung does not. The latter’s Series 5 Chromebook does have a 4-in-1 card reader supporting SD, SDHC and MMC media cards. Battery life for the Samsung Series 5: 8.5 hours via a li-ion battery with 1,000 cycle lifespan; Acer’s continuous-usage battery life clocks in at six hours.
Pricing also varies. A WiFi-only Samsung Series 5 will run $429, while WiFi + 3G bumps up the sticker to $499. Acer’s WiFi-only model is less, at $349; no pricing has been announced for that manufacturer’s 3G Worldwide model, though expect it to be higher, naturally, than the WiFi-only model. All products will be available in the U.S. on June 15th from Amazon and Best Buy.
Read more at Gizmag.
