Reports Hint At Upcoming Chromebook Models

Google Chromebook

(Image Credit: http://www.pcmag.com)

Following the reports of the addition of the Linux kernel into Chromebook support, reports have emerged indicating the popularity of Linux-based Chromebooks will continue until the end of the year.

A number of device manufacturers have already thrown their hats into the ring including Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. It also appears that some devices using the Chrome OS may be unveiled before the end of the year. Another manufacturer that may enter the fray is Asus, while Acer may unveil a new Chrome OS-based device into the market.

Acer and Asus are supposedly optimistic in the market of the Chromebook in the future. Digitimes reported that new models may be introduced by the two manufacturers before the end of the year.

The Chrome OS-based device of Acer was able to perform well in the market despite the sluggish sales for Windows 8 devices along with cancellation of deliveries in the latter part of the year. Digitimes revealed that the cancellations were mainly due to the reduction in volumes of the device.

Recent reports have revealed that the company is aiming at releasing an 11.6-inch model designed for students by July. Asustek currently does not have its own Chromebook in the market, but reports have hinted at the possibility that it will release its own device before the end of the year.

Digitimes also revealed that HP, Lenovo, and Samsung will launch their own Chrome OS-powered devices.

Despite the cooperation between Google and device manufacturers, sources cited by Digitimes have indicated Microsoft has reportedly put pressure on these manufacturers. This has resulted to some caution on their part. These manufacturers are careful in their marketing strategies in connection to licensing and producing the hardware itself.

Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, had positive reviews of the Google Chromebook Pixel which is being sold at around $1,299.

Touch Screen Capabilities on Google Chromebook Hinted

Google Chromebook

(Image Credit: http://www.pcmag.com)

The upsurge in the sales of tablets has left many laptop manufacturers in a quandary, whether to shift their R&D to design tablets or to innovate and offer products that combine the user-friendliness of tablets with the productivity of laptops. Apparently Google has opted to do both. The internet search giant has collaborated with a number of tablet manufacturers to produce its own line of tablets. In addition to the Google Nexus tablet devices that the company has offered in the market, recent reports have hinted at the possibility that the company will be offering a Google Chromebook with touch screen capabilities.

According to a DigiTimes report, a 12.85-inch Google Chromebook will be offered by the company before the year ends. Although the other features of the new Google Chromebook remain uncertain, adding touch screen capabilities into the device may increase its appeal in the market, especially when it is already being offered at a rather affordable price tag.

Since the Google Chrome OS is already designed with touch screen compatibility, it will easy for the company to simply add a touch screen display on any of its upcoming Google Chromebook offerings. According to the report, the company already placed orders for touch screen netbooks from a Taiwanese manufacturer, Opal. The company is already offering two other models of the Google Chromebook manufactured by Acer and Samsung.

There is also a possibility that the next model of the Google Chromebook will have the Google brand since the company itself placed the order for the devices. The current models of the Google Chromebook are being offered at a price tag that range from $200 to $450. The low price tag is mainly aimed at appealing to a number of budget-conscious consumers. However, the low price also resulted to its reliance on the cloud application suite of the company since the two current models of the Google Chromebook only offers a 16GB SSD.

Despite its low price point, the Google Chromebook has not made much of an impact in the market. Some industry watchers have indicated that the low price point may not be enough to offset the limited capabilities of the device when it is offline.

With the possible addition of the touch screen capability on the Google Chromebook, some industry watchers are speculating on a possible increase in the price of the device. In fact, the increase may even bring it up to the level of its competitors, which may take away its low price advantage.

It remains to be seen whether the search giant would release a Google Chromebook featuring touch screen capabilities since no statements were made by the company in connection to the report.