Google Chromebook - disappointing, but a glimmer of hope

Google's long, long delayed "Chromebook" is out.

... Google Launches Chromebooks with Samsung and Acer: Tech News and Analysis

Acer’s Chromebook will start at $349, and Samsung’s model will be priced $429 for its WiFi model and $499 for a model with 3G connectivity...

A price of $150 would be interesting. $100 without batteries would be exciting. $350 and up is just sad. My prognostication rep just took a big hit.

This is more interesting ...

Google Chrome Blog: A new kind of computer: Chromebook

... we’re also announcing Chromebooks for Business and Education. This service from Google includes Chromebooks and a cloud management console to remotely administer and manage users, devices, applications and policies. Also included is enterprise-level support, device warranties and replacements as well as regular hardware refreshes. Monthly subscriptions will start at $28/user for businesses and $20/user for schools.

Completely outsourcing all IT services, including hardware support, isn't pathetic -- especially for public schools. So there's a glimmer of hope for the ChromeOS, but I bet the Parental Controls will be a disaster.

See also:

• The $80 ultra-portable - in unexpected form (9/10)
• Computing for the rest of us: The iPad and the ChromeBook (1/10)
• The $125 Barbie B-Smart Netbook of 2011 (1/09)
• Squeezed 2009: Netbooks, Android and Microsoft