Google's effect on Netbooks

A week ago, Google announced they will be developing a lightweight operating system designed to run on netbooks (Permalink) called Chrome OS. I have been a huge fan of netbooks since their launch, and have neared an impulse buy of one on numerous occasions. However, Google's announcement finally ended this wide-eyed window shopping and I have decided to wait. In this blogpost I will be explaining why.

Looking back at the history of consumer technology, the immense value of software is prominent throughout all devices. Without the right software a perfectly adequate piece of hardware will fail. Microsoft knew this and prospered, Xerox did not and wasted it's potential. When the Apple II was released consumers finally saw the value of desktop computers and why they would want a machine like this in their own home. Microsoft's Windows platform then made computers more ubiquitous and drove prices down through competition and so began the age of computers. Later on we see mobile phones and MP3 players, areas hugely dominated by Apple at the moment. Looking at the infamous iPhone on paper, we see a device no different to hundreds of other phones in production. It has a big screen, an ARM processor, a speaker, a camera, some memory, a headphone jack. What makes this device more appealing that the others is software. The way in which any technophile or technophobe can instantly pick up the handset and use it.

This is my main problem with netbooks and why I have yet to purchase one. Windows was tailor made for desktops, the iPhone OS was made for the iPhone and yet, netbooks have no dedicated operating system. It's easy to bundle laptop software to netbooks because they are hugely similar, but my argument is that the are different enough to require their own new method of usability. With their smaller screens Windows looks horrific and tasks like web browsing require a great deal of scrolling. The advantages such as portability and price are negated by the loss in usability. Retro-fitting Windows and Ubuntu Linux to run on these devices is like altering a large suit to fit on a smaller framed person.

This is why I believe Google will be a boost for netbooks. This is the first major software provider that has stated intentions like this for an operating system. Everyone who is aware of the internet and how to get to and read this blog is familiar with Google and the applications they produce. Very simple and very intuitive. One can only imagine what they have in store for these lovely little devices. Though it is still very early days, I do believe Google's first operating system will do to the netbook market what Microsoft and Apple did to the desktop market. So until that release date I intend to keep my "netbook fund" firmly tucked away.