Google Pilot Program- USA only

[LiquidSnak]

It doesn't make any difference to me, because I do not intend to apply for this offer, but I found it curious that while listening to AOL Radio just now, it was said that these notebooks are missing the caplock key. Apparently, Google believes that it is for the better good, to prevent anyone from posting something in all caps.

Some might say that this is like looking a gift horse in the mouth, but then with the amount of data that they are going to collect on the users, I wouldn't consider it to be a gift...maybe a horse (trojan).

LMAO that is exactly what I noticed. That, and the one button mouse . I actually read the EULA and the paperwork that came with the laptop, so I feel ok saying that I got one... It is actually a search key. Capslock is the one key I never use, really, except with gaming if it is a necessity.

I believe that it is for the greater good. Since it is an OS built around the internet, it should not come with a capslock key. This will prevent future issues with yelling on the internet

I will post my feedback here as well as send it to Google, so you guys can have an idea of the goods and bads of ChromeOS.

 

[seekermeister]

LiquidSnak,

I believe that it is for the greater good. Since it is an OS built around the internet, it should not come with a capslock key. This will prevent future issues with yelling on the internet

Personally, I believe that the user, not Google, should determine what is good or bad about the computer that they use...I guess I'm just not a good Googler. I did not bother to read the details of the agreement, but are these notebooks to be returned, after the beta period, or are they permanently the property of the volunteers?

 

[LiquidSnak]

It came with no instructions other than to provide feedback, and there was no specified period of testing... I have never actually done a pilot or test program before, but to the best of my knowledge, you usually get to keep what you test. I hope so, though, since as I get used to the chrome OS, using it solely over the last near 24 hours, it is a fantastic netbook OS, though you cannot print unless you have a "google cloud ready" printer. That is the big downside that I doubt will get "fixed."

If Google asks for it back, I will be sad.

 

[seekermeister]

LiquidSnak,

If Google asks for it back, I will be sad.

I did not intend to inject a note of concern. I'm pretty sure that you are right. It's just foreign to me that a company goes to such an expensive means of testing their product. This causes me to believe that the expense is not for the purpose of testing, but for the collection of user data. Since you have it, I hope that you enjoy it.

 

[LiquidSnak]

It's definitely not an expensive netbook, lol. I can imagine full retail from Google on one of these to be a couple hundred bucks.

 

[seekermeister]

Even if that is true, $200 x ? tester = $???????. I imagine that the number of units given away are more than a few.

 

[LiquidSnak]

I was most surprised about the integrated webcam. Not something I expected.

But also, $200/tester x 1000 testers is $200,000. Call it twelve dollars an hour regularly, average user is on the internet X hours of time per day, 7 days a week, for a month? I'll call it four hours, though, because that seems reasonable.

That's $10,080,000 of hourly wages

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

Threads a bit dead as I see, but I just wanted to mention I received my CR-48 Nettop (I consider it a laptop/netbook) today.

So far I think its good, touchpad is a bit quirky. Have yet to figure out how to put Windows on it.

Still trying to get Java to work in the Chrome browser aspect of the Chromium OS.

 

[brianzion]

what has the machine got in its guts can you post a audit please :ar: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

 

[ionbasa]

Actually, I am still waiting on mine, but some tech specs would be really interesting

 

[LiquidSnak]

Processor: Intel Atom Processor N455 1.66GHz 512K Cache
Chipset: Intel CG82NM10 PCH
Motherboard: Tripod Motherboard MARIO – 6050A240910 – MB – A03
Ram: Hynix 2GB DDR3 1Rx8 PC3 – 10600S Ram

Read Only Memory: ITE IT8500E Flash ROM
SSD Drive: SanDisk sdsa4dh-016G 16GB SATA SSD
Wireless Wan: Qualcomm Gobi2000 PCI Express Mini Card
3g Adapter: AzureWave 802.11 a/b/g/n PCI-E Half MiniCard
Bluetooth: Atheros AR5BBU12 Bluetooth V2.1 EDR