Author Topic: Google Chrome Notebook (CR-48) (Read 29646 times)

ch_123 · « **Reply #50 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 08:41:27 »

Aren't they ARM based?

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #51 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 08:52:28 »

No, that was the initial rumor. It is confirmed that they use some type of Atom.

ch_123 · « **Reply #52 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 08:57:53 »

Well, that's kinda stupid.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #53 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 09:18:12 »

Did I miss some controversy? Is an Atom a bad thing? I think Atom's speed is universally preferred to current ARM stuff, I believe they are working on getting them in phones now.

I had the same card in my box. But I did not get the sticker that some got.

ch_123 · « **Reply #54 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 09:33:33 »

I'm not sure just how fast Atom is compared with some of the latest ARM designs. Certainly consumes a lot more power though.

As far as I can tell, the popularity of the Atom is due to its ability to run standard versions of Windows, and general aggressive marketing by Intel. On its own technical merits, it's pretty meh.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #55 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 18:07:37 »

I've heard that cell-phones' processors are evolving faster than ones for netbooks (such as the Atom).

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #56 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 18:15:20 »

Evolving faster, sure, but the compact/low-power stuff like ARM is still not as fast.

I'm about to run out of battery, for the first time. Well over 8hrs, but I cannot tell exactly how many. I've been playing with it for two days straight. I know I can't do everything with this computer, but over these days, I think I'd have used my laptop for the exact same tasks.

Having hated and disabled sleep states for as long as I can remember, I must say this Sleep is one of my favorite features. It's flawless so far and wakes up in a second. I feel like I'm in a commercial: I can just shut the lid and go, and when I'm ready to work again, I just open the lid and continue. It really is that nice.

CodeChef · « **Reply #57 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 21:28:13 »

Man, if that Chrome OS notebook goes to one of my friends and not to me, I am going to be SUPER pissed.

Phaedrus2129 · « **Reply #58 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 21:34:11 »

Atom delivers the performance of a 486DX with the power consumption of a Celeron E1500. Clearly the greatest technological advance since the lead filled flotation device.

AMD's Zacate and Bobcat chips are looking promising, same power envelope as Atom but performance more akin to what you'd see in a current 65W package.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #59 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 21:52:09 »

Quote from: ripster;261561

Yeah, well. If you have ever tried any of these internet tablets you might not be so pissed.

Dog slow.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #60 on:** Sat, 11 December 2010, 22:34:51 »

Intel is giving the atom way too much attention.

Why would anyone want to torment themselves with a small netbook or a low-power using gutless CPU?

ch_123 · « **Reply #61 on:** Sun, 12 December 2010, 01:53:46 »

Quote

Evolving faster, sure, but the compact/low-power stuff like ARM is still not as fast.

Things like the Tegra 2 seem to be kicking the Atom's ass if some of the comparisons I've seen out there are to be believed, and yet manage to consume less power than the Atom even though they have a GPU built in. So I'm going to stick to my belief that the Atom is a stupid design.

iMav · « **Reply #62 on:** Sun, 12 December 2010, 05:26:37 »

If the google notebook is providing real-world 8+ hours of usage, I think they have got something right. I wouldn't be surprised if they have some sort of deal with Intel regarding these notebooks... (not that I have any inside information).

How has the performance been? Are they stumbling on full-screen HD flash video? They don't need to be latest/greatest...they simply need to be sufficient at providing the in-the-cloud experience.

Has any tried things such as webex, JVM content (I have several web apps that require Java 6)?

WhiteRice · « **Reply #63 on:** Sun, 12 December 2010, 06:11:54 »

Quote from: ripster;261643

Show Image

Flawless victory

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #64 on:** Sun, 12 December 2010, 07:56:56 »

Quote from: iMav;261635

If the google notebook is providing real-world 8+ hours of usage, I think they have got something right. I wouldn't be surprised if they have some sort of deal with Intel regarding these notebooks... (not that I have any inside information).

How has the performance been? Are they stumbling on full-screen HD flash video? They don't need to be latest/greatest...they simply need to be sufficient at providing the in-the-cloud experience.

Has any tried things such as webex, JVM content (I have several web apps that require Java 6)?

I haven't tried the stuff you've mentioned. I have fullscreened a YouTube video but that's it. I could not play the flash game Robot Unicorn Attack smoothly, but they also say Flash performance is abnormally poor and they are working on it.

Quote from: ripster;261643

Well, this was a ViewSonicG tablet I tried yesterday at some Office Depot with 1.6 Ghz N455 Atom and Android 2.2.

Just saying, this better be better than that user experience.

Probably not too far away, but it's hard to say. My phone has Android 2.2. As little as I'd like to admit it, it does have some lag here and there, browsing the internet is "dog slow" at least when compared to a 'computer'. Flash video is nearly impossible unless it's within a dedicated program like YouTube.

The notebook, on the other hand, has almost never slowed down for me. Pages seems to load just about as fast as they do on my desktop, but tons of images (like in this thread) make scrolling a little slower.

Totally different goals though. My phone, honestly, does more and is way cooler to try to mod and get neat interfaces and such. My Chrome laptop, on the other hand, does one thing very very well... web browse. I'm not saying it is the best device to render pages instantaneously, but it is an excellent device to actually use to access the internet, thanks to its simplicity, insane battery life, portability, and theoretical inability to get a virus (oh man I'm turning into a Mac person now? but then again there is more to this than what Mac claims).

I'm still having a hard time with no file system, something I'm only wanting to use because I need to read a huge PDF (that I've saved) all the time. As much as they want to keep it simple, they really need to open this up a bit. I still haven't hesitated to make this my primary laptop. I don't know why I'm not using it right now on the couch instead of typing on my desktop.

As nice as the finish feels, it shows every fingerprint. Stuff that wouldn't normally cause a scratch seems to leave a blemish, I'm not sure if these will ever buff out. It's okay though, I've already told myself I'm not going to baby this laptop... it's going everywhere with me, with no case.

woody · « **Reply #65 on:** Mon, 13 December 2010, 05:50:41 »

Are the mouse and the spinning wheel on the box kind of a message?

CodeChef · « **Reply #66 on:** Mon, 13 December 2010, 08:21:10 »

Quote from: woody;262142

Are the mouse and the spinning wheel on the box kind of a message?

Yep, the retail version will ship with a live mouse in every box.

itlnstln · « **Reply #67 on:** Mon, 13 December 2010, 08:23:20 »

I put my application in on Friday. Supposedly, I am testing for work, but we'll see. I think I might, anyway, but I am a little more interested in something I can **** around with at the house.

Uncle Grandpa · « **Reply #68 on:** Mon, 13 December 2010, 22:02:43 »

Looks like a tidy piece of hardware. If this particular model goes to retail, I'll definitely consider getting one. Beats the hell out of my 16" Asus and its stunning 2 hour battery life for lightweight browsing/emailing activities.

itlnstln · « **Reply #69 on:** Tue, 14 December 2010, 15:07:48 »

I've been using that tracking site, but they haven't shipped anything out (according to the site, anyway) since Friday. I hope I get one. I need something with a bigger screen than my phone for porn. This will be perfect since it opens right to a browser.

iMav · « **Reply #70 on:** Tue, 14 December 2010, 15:11:07 »

I wonder what criteria is used to track that info? Perhaps the specifics have changed (originating address, carrier, etc)

itlnstln · « **Reply #71 on:** Tue, 14 December 2010, 15:14:29 »

That's what I'm thinking. No biggie. If I don't get one by the end of the week, I'll re-apply as a different type of user. It is kind of weird that they can track mass packages like that. I guess they have a contact at Google.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #72 on:** Tue, 14 December 2010, 15:39:23 »

The tracker site is confirmed to no longer be valid. It was using the reference number on the shipping label, which Google has changed/randomized/eliminated.

The bad news is that the distribution is supposedly based on ZIP code. Some people have successfully received more than one, and some can't get any because others in their ZIP have already received some.

EDIT so there is a fan inside.

iMav · « **Reply #73 on:** Tue, 14 December 2010, 15:45:48 »

There were none shipped to my zip code (according to the tracker). But I am in a small town....several have been shipped to surrounding communities. I guess it depends on how intelligently they are using the zip code info.

Has anyone used google wave with one yet? (which still has not been killed off). That is a bit of a resource hog.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #74 on:** Tue, 14 December 2010, 15:51:16 »

Wave takes a moment to load, but is usable after it's done with that.

Having lots of tabs open does slow performance. I probably only notice this because I'm used to going to Fark and opening 20 stories and 20 comments pages in new tabs.

iMav · « **Reply #75 on:** Tue, 14 December 2010, 15:54:53 »

I would assume even the most casual user is going to have several tabs open.

I'm still waiting for the tear down video. Somebody's gotta be posting one of those soon.

EDIT: Aha!

itlnstln · « **Reply #76 on:** Wed, 15 December 2010, 06:57:32 »

It sucks that the tracker no longer works. Oh well. I might have to re-apply.

EDIT: Just checked the tracker, and it seems that they were able to fix it. There are nine more coming to my area, but the zip code is no longer available in the tracker's results, so I have no idea if any are coming specifically to my zip.

ricercar · « **Reply #77 on:** Wed, 15 December 2010, 07:09:57 »

Quote from: ripster;261561

Yeah, well. If you have ever tried any of these internet tablets you might not be so pissed....Dog slow.

Was your Fujitsu dog slow? (not scarcasm)

iMav · « **Reply #78 on:** Wed, 15 December 2010, 07:26:04 »

Quote from: itlnstln;263397

Just checked the tracker, and it seems that they were able to fix it. There are nine more coming to my area, but the zip code is no longer available in the tracker's results, so I have no idea if any are coming specifically to my zip.

None have yet been shipped to my zip code (or city even).

itlnstln · « **Reply #79 on:** Wed, 15 December 2010, 07:52:24 »

Completely OT, but did you guys get dumped on during the snow storms last weekend? I'm heading up to Chicago next Wednesday. I hope nothing happens with our flights. Since we're flying into Midway, we might get shot on the way to my GF's parent's house, but I hope we can at least get there.

itlnstln · « **Reply #80 on:** Wed, 15 December 2010, 07:58:25 »

I hear ya. Low 70's all week here.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #81 on:** Thu, 16 December 2010, 08:58:24 »

I finally flipped the developer switch last night. That gives me terminal access, including a file system and SSH.

Still no text editor, though.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #82 on:** Fri, 17 December 2010, 22:45:45 »

This thing doesn't have a microphone port, only headphones...
No trackpoint, crap.

Watered-down, cheap, and only useful for mindless tasks. Okay maybe that's a little harsh. But being spoiled with *real* equipment, this looks so trivial.

Oh and a HORRIBLE chiclet keyboard, YUCK. I guess if you're into PCjrs...

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #83 on:** Fri, 17 December 2010, 23:11:12 »

Well, sounds like a Lenovo at several times the cost (or of infinitely higher cost?) running Windows may just be the only option for you.

Totally different target use.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #84 on:** Fri, 17 December 2010, 23:23:34 »

Quote from: AndrewZorn;265036

Well, sounds like a Lenovo at several times the cost (or of infinitely higher cost?) running Windows may just be the only option for you.

Totally different target use.

Actually, windows 7 is giving me a lot of problems with my audio hardware (it's really a big mess: FL Studio is awesome, but delphi really screwed them over due to no 64-bit support).
OSX and Linux don't support a lot of my software... and I'd need them to be compatible with my audiphile 2496 MIDI card... oh my.

Lenovo is actually starting to use chiclet keys as well. You'll notice how they're slowly progressing away from IBM designs. It's almost like a weird tactic to get ex-IBM users into buying typical PC stuff (with the glossy plastic and finish).

muchadoaboutnothing · « **Reply #85 on:** Sat, 12 February 2011, 12:14:58 »

Anyone else get 600 emails from chrome-notebook-pilot-users@googlegroups.com this morning?

I applied but haven't received one, then I start getting a ton of emails from that group.

steeef · « **Reply #86 on:** Sat, 12 February 2011, 16:08:23 »

Yup, me too. Looks like they removed all posts and disabled it.

muchadoaboutnothing · « **Reply #87 on:** Sat, 12 February 2011, 21:21:32 »

There goes the surprise, apparently I'm going to get one :high5:

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #88 on:** Sun, 13 February 2011, 00:27:27 »

Unless you're going to hear, "sorry noob, you don't get this tight lappy!!!!11"

EDIT and as an update, I still use this (but not exclusively as my laptop anymore, as I need MATLAB...) but/and the finish is wearing off at the corners. The rubberized feeling is just a coating on gloss plastic. Lots of reports of it quickly tearing at the corners. Oh well, the hardware isn't the point... although it's my favorite part.

muchadoaboutnothing · « **Reply #89 on:** Sun, 13 February 2011, 14:59:34 »

Well, unless they're accepting people into the pilot program now without giving them laptops, that (thankfully) won't be the case.

ch_123 · « **Reply #90 on:** Sun, 13 February 2011, 17:51:59 »

Quote from: EverythingIBM;265039

Actually, windows 7 is giving me a lot of problems with my audio hardware (it's really a big mess: FL Studio is awesome, but delphi really screwed them over due to no 64-bit support).
OSX and Linux don't support a lot of my software... and I'd need them to be compatible with my audiphile 2496 MIDI card... oh my.

Lenovo is actually starting to use chiclet keys as well. You'll notice how they're slowly progressing away from IBM designs. It's almost like a weird tactic to get ex-IBM users into buying typical PC stuff (with the glossy plastic and finish).

Linux has good support for M-Audio cards the last I checked, and there is plenty of decent audio software available for it.

godly_music · « **Reply #91 on:** Mon, 14 February 2011, 04:08:20 »

But if you use Linux, kiss audio hardware acceleration goodbye.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #92 on:** Mon, 14 February 2011, 13:26:07 »

Quote from: ch_123;294543

Linux has good support for M-Audio cards the last I checked, and there is plenty of decent audio software available for it.

But Microsoft Windows has better support for sound cards than Linux, and over ten times the decent audio software available.

That doesn't mean that Linux is useless, as it's got its applications, but I'd say that Microsoft Windows is good for audio.

In terms of usefulness across all computing, I'd put Windows first, then Linux close behind it, and then way far back would be Mac.

.XL · « **Reply #93 on:** Mon, 14 February 2011, 13:38:28 »

Quote from: microsoft windows;294910

In terms of usefulness across all computing, I'd put Windows first, then Linux close behind it, and then way far back would be Mac.

2 years ago I'd be totally in agreement with you...I used to hate macs and their uselessness (business student in college...need citrix and 'windows only' programs for almost every class). When I was looking for a new laptop last Nov (09) I started thinking about a Macbook Pro. I ended up getting one (the aesthetics factored into it, I'm definitely shallow when it comes to computers :wink:) and found that nearly every big-business program is Mac-compatible now.

I use Citrix for everything now, don't need to touch the computer lab. Love it. And coming from someone who has used Windows all his life, dabbling in Linux for a year (Windows was pissing me off, so I threw Linux Mint on my laptop that was about to die), I really like OS X. The simplicity yet underlying complexity are great. A friend of mine's boss knows OS X like the back of his hand...runs almost everything through terminal. He's customized the whole GUI and everything, it looks fantastic. And best of all, it's light, too. It takes up some 8gb on his hard drive.

This leads me to my next point...ripster's on it 100%. Keep everything local, it's the best way to save your data. I know that the hard drive in my computer and the two externals I keep for backups have a failure rate a million times higher than Google's server, but it's still nice to keep everything local. I DO, however, have all class assignments on Google Docs, too. This way when I switch computers I can keep them all (I'm what you would call and 'open source' student :wink:) and give them to friends that are taking those classes.

I put in a personal request and a business request for the Google Notebook, but didn't get it. Had a friend who does a lot of computing that was hoping to use it as his daily computer...didn't like it, wanted to sell it to me, but after much thought I figured 'it's a nice concept, just not quite ready for the real world yet.'

I still stand by that. I feel the Google Notebook is good if you spend all of your days sitting on Facebook/Twitter, using Google Docs for productivity, and playing browser games...but I want to use my own programs and customize the computer. Plus, I get a lot of programs to fool around with from a bay that contains many pirates, and I couldn't do that with the notebook. (Disclaimer: if I like the program and it's reasonably priced, I WILL buy it. Rarely happens though, as I'm usually just messing around with it to see what it's all about)

/rant

.XL · « **Reply #94 on:** Mon, 14 February 2011, 13:53:49 »

Quote from: ripster;294933

MW actually likes Apple a lot.

I took this picture of his desk.

Not included in photo: 15 crts, 8 computers as old as my brother, 20 vintage mice, and 2700 miles of cable keeping it all together.

I bet he has a $5000 rig in it's own room, he just doesn't want to show us :wink: ...and it's probably got 8 screens and an Optimus Maximus.

muchadoaboutnothing · « **Reply #95 on:** Tue, 15 February 2011, 19:17:48 »

Quote from: Google Overlords

Hi (muchadoaboutnothing),

We saw your post in the Chrome Notebook Pilot forum (https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/chrome-notebook-pilot) about not receiving your Cr-48 and wanted to confirm you were accepted into our Pilot program. However, our records indicate that your Chrome Notebook has not been shipped.

Please confirm your shipping address (in the format below) so our team can deliver your Cr-48.

First Name
Last Name
Address (including apartment number, suite, etc.)
City
State
Zip
Country

Regards,

(Friendly neighborhood Google Employee)
The Chrome Notebook Ninja Team

ref: (longstringofnumbersandletters)

Looks like Google didn't reject me after all...

turbocharged · « **Reply #96 on:** Tue, 15 February 2011, 23:49:15 »

Quote from: muchadoaboutnothing;295758

Looks like Google didn't reject me after all...

How long did you wait before posting that in there forums?

How do they decide who gets any way?

muchadoaboutnothing · « **Reply #97 on:** Wed, 16 February 2011, 08:51:35 »

Quote from: turbocharged;295881

How long did you wait before posting that in there forums?

How do they decide who gets any way?

I posted there about 12 hours after I got my spam apology letter and they gave me a reply a couple days later.

Selection is largely pretty arbitrary, although I did go through the trouble to write an actual letter to Google that was snail mailed. I think that may have helped.

Or I could have been selected initially and missed shipping for reasons unknown. Who knows?

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #98 on:** Wed, 16 February 2011, 09:58:44 »

Quote from: godly_music;294751

But if you use Linux, kiss audio hardware acceleration goodbye.

Quote from: ch_123;294543

Linux has good support for M-Audio cards the last I checked, and there is plenty of decent audio software available for it.

It would be fantastic to use linux or something good for an audio rig (my views on windows were never really positive; but it's just what's supported the most). Funny how the bad always overrules the good.
But yeah, FL wouldn't work in it sadly... and other issues. Stuck with XP I'm afraid.
I'm not changing my VST host, as, that would require resequencing all the music to another sequencer. Either that, or, I'd be dealing with two VST hosts... and that's just ugly.

turbocharged · « **Reply #99 on:** Wed, 16 February 2011, 10:52:07 »

Quote from: muchadoaboutnothing;296045

I posted there about 12 hours after I got my spam apology letter and they gave me a reply a couple days later.

Selection is largely pretty arbitrary, although I did go through the trouble to write an actual letter to Google that was snail mailed. I think that may have helped.

Or I could have been selected initially and missed shipping for reasons unknown. Who knows?

What apology letter and how long after applying did you receive that?

I applied last week and am just curious as to what their timeline is.

News:

Author Topic: Google Chrome Notebook (CR-48) (Read 29646 times)

woody