Thanks for the update Paul. Looks dandy. I'd rather say hey check out my Cr-48 than check out my iPad.

It's open, too! In that you can't install anything you want on it at all. Other than that, very open.

Wow! The internet is clearly omniscient and hears every request, large and small. It does look like a lovely machine, but...does it have all those manky, ugly cords and chunky battery pack like my Sony laptop, or is it more Apple-like?

Glenn, we get it. It's for people who don't fucking care if they can't install shit they don't know about or care about. Who are out there in massive numbers with money to spend.

If you think we haven't been over this already, click the first link Paul provided.

I look forward to the posts. I'm thinking about getting a new portable device with my tax refund.

I don't think operating systems have mass. Chrome weighs the same as Snow Leopard as Windows Me as Solaris as OS/360.

If nothing else, the omission of the caps-lock key is a step in the right direction.

so do you end up doing google searches for things you meant to yell about?

@4: You miss my invisible clever (in my head) meta commentary.

I actually agree with you. The Cr-48 won't be sold (it's a review thingee), but if companies like Acer, Dell, etc., don't ruin Chrome OS (what am I saying?) it's a perfect complementary piece with the iPad as something that people who don't like or want computers can buy into. It's a mother-in-law device.

But Google et al is relentless (as as Droidheads) about how Google is open and Apple is closed. Thus, the argument goes, everything Google does is great, Apple evil. Where does Chrome OS fit into this? Kinda on the closed side (though not exactly).

Google is pushing Chrome OS for similar reasons that Apple developed iOS and made an iPad. A closed system is easier to get right. In Google's case, they extract revenue from ads and services they can deliver and sell to Chrome OS users, even though Chrome OS lacks the lock in. You can use Bing and so forth (but I imagine _NOT_ block ads; need to test that) with a Chrome OS device. Google isn't selling you apps and such (yet) in Chrome OS.

Apple's app lock in is the reason most people go ape-shit about Apple being closed. There's no good reason for that except profit, control, and keeping a platform stable. The last of those is a bit of a canard, but it's got some truth in it. Since Chrome OS will only work with Web apps or Web-based whatevers, they don't buy into or out of the Apple closed paradigm. (Of course, iOS can run most any Web app; it just won't run Flash apps.)

After that opening sentence, all is forgiven forever.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAVE AGAINST THE CAPS LOCK BUTTON. AND IF THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING IT SHOULD BE A BUTTON TO BOOST THE FONT SIZE TO 40 PTS.

How the hell am I supposed to scream incoherently at people on teh Interwebz without a caps lock?

"Guess Who Got a Cr-48 in the Mail Today?"

The corporate fanboy whose loyalty can pretty clearly be bought, and for cheap? Oh wait, I'm sure you actually got it because you are so influential. I await your impartial and technically competent reporting on this new device.

"and learn how to use a new laptop...."

Seems like the first strike has been pitched. Is it really that complicated?

SEARCH BUTTON IS NOT CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL

I'm more interested in the graphics on the box. Mouse, helmet, wheel... Can we get a good pic of that?

Actually, anyone can apply to get one:

https://services.google.com/fb/forms/cr4…

However, there is only 1 more hour left to apply (midnight 12/20 PST).

Pity those poor people trying to view the eclipse behind clouds instead of reading SLOG comments and becoming aware of this!

actually you have until midnight of the 21st , i even applied for one. happy begging kid's!