For those like me who missed out on a CR-48 Chrome OS notebook, more Chrome OS laptops are coming to stores. Starting with the Samsung Series 5 running the latest Chrome OS that offers cloud storage, Netflix/Hulu/Amazon/Pandora/Google Music Beta/Google Movies support from out of the box, offline productivity, Dropbox support, and built-in security. The Samsung Series 5 will offer a 12.1 display w/ 1280 x 800 resolution, 16GB SSD HD, “all-day battery life”/8.5hrs of continuous usage, Intel Atom dual-core 1.66GHz processor, built-in dual-band Wi-Fi & optional 3G, HD webcam + noise-cancelling microphones, two USB 2.0 ports, SD card slot, mini-VGA port, and clickable optical trackpad. This can be purchased at Best Buy or Amazon starting June 15th for $429 (Wi-Fi only) and $499 (Wi-Fi + global 3G). Check out the official release below after the break.
SAMSUNG AND GOOGLE INTRODUCE THE WORLD’S FIRST CHROMEBOOK – SAMSUNG SERIES 5
Samsung creates another industry-first device.
SAN FRANCISCO – May 11, 2011- Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, today announced its stylish Series 5 Chromebook, the world’s first Chromebook built on the principles of speed, simplicity and security.
“With the creation of the Series 5 we are again pushing the boundaries of innovation by introducing an entirely new product category to the notebook market,” said Scott Ledterman, director of mobile PC marketing at Samsung Enterprise Business Division. “This partnership has allowed us to combine Samsung’s design and engineering expertise with Google’s simple, secure software to provide consumers with a revolutionary notebook to fit today’s web-centric lifestyle.”
“Samsung’s reputation for innovative design and hardware development makes it a great partner to introduce one of the first Chromebooks,” said Caesar Sengupta, Director of Product Management, Google. “We look forward to bringing a much better computing experience built around the speed, simplicity and security of Chrome.”
Elegant Design, Power PerformanceWith its elegant shape, slim 0.79-inch body and simple Titan Silver or White finish, the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook embodies fashion and function.
The 12.1-inch Super Bright display is both anti-reflective and anti-glare for a consistently vibrant visual experience across a variety of light conditions, from outdoors to dimly lit environments. The Series 5 display’s 300nit brightness brings all forms of media alive in vibrant color.
Today mobility is a deciding factor for consumers. The Series 5 weighs 3.3 lbs. and has a battery life of up to 8.5 hours, including five hours of video play for all-day use without the need to recharge. The Series 5 battery has a lifespan up to 1,000 cycles, three times longer than conventional batteries, which reduces the need for replacements. *
The Samsung Series 5 packs power with an Intel® Core™2 Duo N570 1.66Ghz processor, giving you the versatility and performance you need for a one-of-a-kind web experience.
Simple, Secure User ExperienceGoogle developed the Chrome operating system with three key factors in mind: speed, simplicity and security. The average out-of-the-box laptop starts up in 45 seconds. By contrast, the Series 5 starts up in less than ten seconds. When waking from sleep, a user simply opens the lid, and it’s ready to go. This means that wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, your computer won’t slow you down.
For a secure experience, Chromebooks run the first consumer operating system designed from the ground up to defend against the ongoing threat of malware and viruses. They employ the principle of “defense in depth” to provide multiple layers of protection, including sandboxing, data encryption, and verified boot.
The Chromebook has also reduced concerns about security and data loss by moving everything to the cloud. If the Chromebook is ever broken or lost, all of your files are saved online.
Web-centric Entertainment, Unrelenting WorkhorseThe Series 5 enables today’s digital entertainment lifestyle by simplifying browsing, social networking, application usage and multi-media viewing. An optional VGA adaptor can connect to a second monitor or television, while audio inputs connect to a microphone, headphones or external speakers. The HD Webcam completes the Series 5’s audio-visual package.
When there isn’t time for entertainment, the Series 5 can get down to business. Productivity is enhanced with the Chromebook’s stylish and comfortable island keyboard, which delivers performance that can’t be matched by a virtual keyboard.
ConnectivitySamsung Series 5 will connect you to your data anytime, anywhere through 3G, WLAN and a 4-in-1 Card Reader. Verizon Wireless has partnered with Samsung and Google to provide 3G connectivity for the Series 5 in the U.S. Verizon will provide up to 100MBs per month of Mobile Broadband service included with device for two years. Simple and easy additional data packages are also available for users requiring additional space.
The Samsung Series 5 will launch in the U.S. June 15, 2011 from Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. The Wi-Fi + 3G model will retail at $499.99, and the Wi-Fi only model will retail at $429.99.
Key Specs:0.79-inch thin case designed for comfort and mobilityFull-size Chrome keyboardOversized multi-touch trackpadIntel® Core™2 Duo N570 1.66Ghz Processor16:10 resolution12.1-inch SuperBright Display – 36% brighter than standard displayStarts up in less than 10-secondsResumes instantly from standbyUp to 8.5 hours battery life*HD Webcam, built-in digital microphone and stereo speakersTwo USB ports capable of charging mobile phones and accessories, connecting digital cameras and media storage devicesSupport for removable media cards (SD, SDHC, MMC) for photos, videos, music and documents
Specifications and designs are subject to change without notice. Non-Metric weights and measurements are approximate MB = 1 million bytes, GB = 1 billion bytes, TB = 1 trillion bytes.
*Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, power management settings, applications used, and wireless settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will decrease with time and use. Test results based on independent third party Mobile Mark (or Battery Mark) tests. Total amount of available memory may be less based on configuration.
