Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each in and out of the confines of Mountain View.
After Lenovo and Samsung debuted their newest Chromebooks final yr, I figured we might be in retailer for giant issues in 2025. Quick ahead to now, as we’re nearly three full months into the yr, and there actually hasn’t been a lot occurring.
Certain, ChromeOS continues to be being up to date at its common cadence, and there are a number of rumors right here and there. CES got here and went, and HP even introduced greater than 20 new units at its Amplify convention, none of that are powered by ChromeOS. As a substitute, what we have seen up to now is an up to date Acer Chromebook Plus 515, the Chromebook Spin 312, and the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1. That is about it.
Our buddies over at Chrome Unboxed have been keeping track of a number of issues, equivalent to a Lenovo Chromebook powered by the “MediaTek MT8196” and a possible ASUS Chromebook that’s codenamed “Skywalker.” However these have but to reach, and we aren’t actually certain simply how a lot of a splash both of these would make. There’s undoubtedly potential, with the MT8196 stated to match up with the Dimensity 9400 and the Lenovo “Navi” Chromebook probably transport with a “16-inch 4K display screen.”
None of that is to say that we essentially want a contemporary crop of Chromebooks. The Galaxy Chromebook Plus and Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 are nestled properly on the high of the meals chain. Then, there are a bunch of choices as you progress additional down the worth tiers, with the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 providing the perfect ChromeOS pill expertise on the market.
On the identical time, it has been nearly six months because the Galaxy Chromebook Plus and Duet 11 had been launched. That is a very long time with what appears like radio silence, and of those that we’ve got seen, they’re largely simply spec refreshes.
Why have not we seen many new Chromebooks?
It is nearly unimaginable to level to 1 particular purpose as to why corporations have slowed the discharge schedule down. However I do assume a few components are at play, beginning with Samsung’s re-entry into the Chromebook area.
For a number of years, we noticed Acer, HP, Lenovo, and others are available in and revel in time within the highlight. Nonetheless, seeing as Google labored with Samsung to introduce the primary Chromebook with the brand new Fast Insert Key, I’ve to marvel if there is not some animosity. For the reason that launch of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, we have but to see the devoted key make its technique to different Chromebooks.
Google launched the “Launcher + F” keyboard mixture for everybody when it launched ChromeOS M130 in late 2024. Even nonetheless, it simply feels a bit odd that Google form of left all the different OEMs out to dry, giving Samsung yet one more unique. It is the identical form of feeling that I had when Samsung and Google teamed up for the Put on OS 3 revamp. Okay, perhaps it isn’t precisely the identical, however it’s fairly shut.
One other potential purpose for why we have not seen any new Chromebooks could possibly be that they’ve form of peaked. ChromeOS is not meant to do as a lot as macOS or Home windows, and except you are savvy (or similar to to tinker), nearly all of individuals will not even know that you should use Linux apps.
So, does it actually make sense for Chromebooks to be constantly launched on a yearly cadence when the underlying {hardware} is principally overkill? All of us joke about how a lot reminiscence Chrome eats on our computer systems, however that is not as a lot of a problem on ChromeOS. Nearly all of Chromebook consumers are most likely tremendous with 4GB of RAM, though I would argue that we’re long gone the time when 8GB ought to be the brand new minimal.
Then once more, not everybody has 30+ tabs open, together with a bunch of apps at any given time. I simply want Framework to launch a brand new ChromeOS mainboard so I can have as a lot RAM and storage as I would like. However I digress.
Is a Pixel Laptop computer coming?
One thing else that I’ve had rattling round in my head is the concept stemming from the rumors of Google engaged on a “Pixel Laptop computer.” As a substitute of being powered by ChromeOS, which might make sense, it could depend on Android. I am not satisfied that is something apart from Google making an attempt to provide you with totally different concepts and implementations.
Nonetheless, Google has been making some moderately large strides in bettering the desktop mode that lay dormant inside Android for years. Possibly the rumored Pixel Laptop computer wasn’t ever a client gadget and as an alternative supplied Google with a “playground” of types.
To not point out that there is now a Linux terminal app constructed into Pixel telephones, along with rumors that Google is engaged on bringing extensions to the Chrome cell app. The puzzle items appear to be they’re beginning to slot into place, however we’re nonetheless solely working with the sting. So what does ChromeOS need to do with all of this?
Quick tangent apart, we neglect that Google already had a working implementation of ChromeOS working on a Pixel cellphone. Apparently this was by no means truly going to be launched, however in November 2024, one other rumor urged Google was gearing as much as “migrate ChromeOS totally over to Android.”
Such a transfer would enable Google to supply a extra fluid and pure expertise on units with bigger screens, equivalent to tablets and perhaps even foldables. Nonetheless, you possibly can additionally, in principle, join your cellphone to a docking station, together with some peripherals, plug all the pieces into an exterior show, and have primarily the identical expertise as a Chromebook.
On the identical time, this transfer might probably spell the top of Chromebooks as we all know them. I do not assume something drastic will occur with regard to the schooling phase, as there’s simply an excessive amount of cash for Google to scoop up. Nonetheless, client Chromebooks might ultimately get replaced by our telephones, which might clarify how we discover ourselves within the present scenario.
The reality is that whereas it is enjoyable for me to take a seat right here and act like I can work out what Google has deliberate, I do not know what’s truly going to occur. This might simply be me making an attempt to place items collectively for a puzzle that does not exist.
However to me, it is just like the previous saying goes, “The place there’s smoke, there’s hearth.” Clearly, Google is as much as one thing, and I would be prepared to guess we’ll be taught extra in lower than two months when Google I/O takes place.
