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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Google introduced the Googlebook, a brand new premium laptop computer line.
- Chromebooks will proceed to obtain assist.
- Chromebooks concentrate on affordability, whereas Googlebooks intention for a premium expertise.
Throughout a latest briefing forward of its I/O developer convention, Google revealed the Googlebook, a brand new class of laptops that mixes ChromeOS OS and Android right into a single working system.
The appearance of this unique system raises an vital query: Are Chromebooks going away? In line with Google, the reply is a powerful “No”. In a digital roundtable, Alexander Kuscher, Google’s pill and laptop computer lead, clarified “Chromebooks should not useless” — no less than for now.
Why Chromebooks will proceed
Even when Google needed to finish assist for Chromebook tomorrow, it realistically could not, as they’re embedded throughout a number of shopper sectors. Bryan Lee, VP of ChromeOS Enterprise Go-to-Market, instructed ZDNET that “Chromebooks have change into a useful device for instructional establishments, companies, and customers… We completely intend to proceed investing in these experiences and supporting these customers.”
Plus, Chromebook have a 15-year head begin over Googlebooks. It will possible take years for the latter to succeed in an identical degree of adoption.
Additionally: The best Chromebooks for students in 2026: Expert tested and reviewed
The opposite key issue is intent. Chromebooks are primarily designed for on a regular basis customers. Googlebooks, alternatively, are extra premium gadgets, geared toward execs and energy customers — notably with Android smartphones. In truth, one of many Googlebook’s defining options is a merged OS, enabling seamless entry to their Android smartphone on the laptop computer with no obtain required.
And at last, there’s Google’s long-term dedication to ChromeOS. The corporate has pledged to proceed supporting and updating Chromebooks by means of 2034 so they are not disappearing anytime quickly. Nonetheless, that raises one other query: What occurs after 2034? Will Google ultimately part out Chromebooks and ChromeOS in favor of Googlebooks and its working system? Perhaps.
The way forward for Chromebooks
Google, as an organization, has by no means been shy about discontinuing services and products in favor of newer initiatives. Simply have a look at the Google Graveyard; there are 300 entries as of this writing.
Bear in mind: the Googlebook is touted as a “premium” machine. Down the road, it is attainable that Google may introduce a brand new line of midrange Googlebooks that straight overlap with the Chromebook market. Not seeing any level in protecting two inexpensive strains, it might at some point pull the plug on Chromebooks, however the Googlebook market would have to be well-established at that time.
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As of now, nothing has been confirmed. We’re nonetheless eight years away from the presently acknowledged end-of-support date for ChromeOS. Lee additionally instructed ZDNET that extra Chromebooks are presently in improvement, and the corporate is restocking BackMarket with ChromeOS Flex USB drives.
For individuals who do not know, these are flash drives preloaded with ChromeOS Flex. They permit customers to put in Google’s light-weight working system onto older laptops. BackMarket highlights them as a approach to breathe new life into ageing Home windows 10 PCs (and even older MacBooks).
