News Analysis: Chromebooks are available to consumers now. Although they might not be the best options for every customer, there are some that see good reasons to buy such a device.
Now
that Chromebooks are available to consumers at Best Buy and Amazon, speculation
abounds over how Google's Chrome operating system will fare in the increasingly
competitive desktop OS space.
Some
say that Chromebooks will catch on with customers, thanks to their small
footprint and unique operating system. Others say that Chromebooks don't have
what it takes to compete against Windows- and Mac OS X-based devices and simply
won't catch on.
As
with any other product,
Chromebooks aren't necessarily for everyone. There are solid reasons
consumers and enterprise customers might opt for an alternative, like Apple's
iPad 2, rather than a Chromebook. But there will still be folks out there who
do buy Chromebooks because of the value they see in the hardware and Google's
Chrome operating system.
Simply
put, Chromebooks might prove to be a perfect fit for some customers looking for
specific things from a cloud-based netbook computer.
Read
on to find out what kind of customer would be most likely to buy a Chromebook.
1. The cloud lover
If
there is anything that makes Chromebooks unique, it's their operating
system. Google's Chrome OS is entirely cloud-based, making it an ideal choice
for those who want to jump head first into cloud computing. Those looking for a
more robust desktop experience will still find that in Windows or Mac OS X, but
customers who want something new might just opt for Chromebooks from Samsung or
Acer.
2. Google fans, rejoice!
In
the early days of Android, many of Google's fans flocked to get their hands on
smartphones running the OS. Nowadays, it's a mainstream success. With Chrome
OS, expect the same initial response from Google fans. Like Apple fanatics,
Google's fan base is extremely loyal, and they are already jumping to get their
hands on Chromebooks.
3. An anti-tablet customer
Though
Chromebooks don't necessarily hold up against Apple's iPad 2, those who
don't want a tablet might find something to like in Chromebooks. After all, the
devices are lightweight, easily mobile and offer a new-age feel that tablets
also deliver. Chromebooks seem like fine alternatives for customers who don't
want tablets and fail to see value in netbooks.
4. The Windows hater
Speaking
of netbooks, that's yet another market where Microsoft reigns supreme. But
there are still millions around the globe who look at Microsoft as the "evil
empire." Windows, in turn, is a platform that they won't even consider using.
But if those same customers want a netbooklike device and don't want to buy a
Linux option, choosing a Chromebook seems like the logical step. In other
words, some customers' decisions to buy a Chromebook might have more to do with
their distaste for Microsoft than their love for Google.
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