Windows 7 vs. Google Chrome OS – Why Google might fail miserably
When you think of Microsoft, you also think of Intel. Those two names are connected to each other very closely. But will this change soon? Will we think about Google instead of Microsoft when we hear the name “Intel”?
Intel teamed up with Google to work on a OS simply called “Google Chrome OS”. According to heise, there are many other companies who will support Google’s new operating system:
- Acer, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Toshiba and Adobe
Despite the fact that Intel is working on a netbook OS too, they are working closely together with Google now. How can that be?
Intel’s latest CPU’s “Core i7″…
Intel Core i7
… are doing pretty well:
Intel Core i7 Benchmarks hardocp.com
When those fast processors and Google’s (supposedly) lightweight OS are combined could it possibly be the fastest system availabe? And at what cost? Google already confirmed that “Google Chrome OS” will be open source and 100% free. We can expect to get our hands on test builds shortly before Windows 7 comes out.
Will Google's OS be a success?
Why Google might fail
Obviously many people will download it, Google will do it just like Microsoft and build up a system backed up by user feedback. But how can they dare to challenge Microsoft?
- Google Chrome OS won’t be a real OS, it will be a system optimized for the usage of Google Apps. But seriously, are you using Google Docs, Office, Mail and all the other apps regularly? Well, Google Mail is quite popular, but what about the ohers?
- When Microsoft released Windows Vista, people complained about the crappy backwards-compatibility. What do you think will happen when Google releases their OS? Exactly the same and people will move on and buy a copy of Windows 7. There is just too much you have to take into consideration: devices, applications, drivers and so on. Even with Intel’s support they won’t release a full-fledged OS for free. Many things will simply not be compatible. Therefore it will always be a 2nd choice.
Positive side-effects:
- Microsoft finally has some competition. As a result prices will drop, which is always a positive thing.
- Companies, especially start-ups won’t have to spend anything to get their OS. If Google manages it to make Chrome OS as user-friendly as Chrome, it will be a cost-effective office solution, just like Linux.
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I don’t think it will fail completely but there is a problem here. I doubt every single business out there is the exact same and some will require more software than others. Not everyone can live off of an online office suite built on cloud computing, especially when a thunderstorm surges through that cloud.
There are businesses that need heavyweight applications like Sony Vegas or any Adobe Creative Suite product or even proprietary software written solely for that company. Google’s “lightweight OS” is likely not going to support “heavyweight applications” because the two simply don’t agree with each other. Chrome OS may find more support with end users versus businesses.
However, do we trust Google with our data? Completely trust? Is privacy going to be an issue with the OS or can Google clear its name? Remember when Chrome browser first came out and that license agreement had a clause that allowed Google to track your surfing habits. Now that clause was removed and was alleged to be a mistake. Will they make the same “mistake” on purpose this time? I do have my doubts that Google will make privacy an issue but it’s always a possibility.
Even though I do have some reservations for such an OS, I do believe it will gain some foothold among users because of it’s simplicity and usability and I am zealous to test Chrome OS when test code is posted.
Hehe, well you call Adobe “heavyweight”? Didnt you know that there’s already an Online-Photoshop? In a couple years our broadband connections are going to be so much faster and we’ll easily able to work online completely. Other really heavyweight applications like 3d modelling tools like 3dsmax will probably be available in offline-mode only.
I totally agree that Privacy is an issue Google has to consider. Google is collecting massive amounts of data about every person on the web. They recently introdcued a DART cookie to adsense which allows them to track what you searched in past,what site you visited and from where you came. They are using it to improve the service and obviously to make more money. Nothing wrong with that.
Seriously, what could they possibly use the data for other than improving their business? If they would ever abuse any data and there would be a leak .. media would go crazy, people would leave google and their stock price would fall dramatically .. they can’t risk that.
One question that I asked myself.. how could Google “abuse” our data? I can’t even imagine anything. A threat that I would consider is that someone hacks the Google servers and then releases user profiles to the public or something similar.
I will of course test Google Chrome too, it’s free after all.
We must ask ourselves though, will US ISPs continue these “experiments” to cap bandwidth? If so, apps that run online may face a roadblock, the internet service being cut off unless you pay more.
Cloud Computing, is just a new name to an old game, back in the days it was called Mainframe computing. that model broke down. Sadly this ‘Cloud’ model is brought back again and again and each time it fails, fails badly.
Lets see how long before Cloud clears..
Darknight
Google will not replace Windows 7, but it will not fail. the only reason Chrome OS will not replace WIN7 is because it will not impose the dreaded although needed dot.net framework and some critical sys32 files for your run of the mill windows games. on the other hand some game companies publish MAC OSX and LINUX clones of their games, but not in a wide spectrum. All that may change because of the expected popularity of the Google Chrome OS. I have been a windows/MAC/LINUX user since MS-DOS, OSX Lepord, and the first release of Ubuntu. the only reason that MAC and LINUX aren’t as popular as Windows is the simple fact that they don’t play windows games, although the actual OS runs smoother and all around better than Windows, especially LINUX whict at its peak require only half of the needed resources of Windows 7 the achieve the exact same effect, both aesthetically and performance wise.
I agree with everyone so far, this will be one of the first major appearances of Cloud computing to the public, although I must agree with a lot of people that this is a risk that Google is taking basing an operating system off of. Most of the common-folk computer operators won’t be aware of any ‘privacy’ issues with the OS at first or if ever. If there are serious breaches of privacy, someone will unveil it and will spell a lot of trouble. Compatibility along with power and just a little user-friendliness(without the load so much) is what they need to aim primarily at to gain the highest amount of popularity. I don’t so much think the method of cloud computing is ready to be released in an OS on top of the gaining popularity in anticipation of it. I do have hopes for it though, Google has done very well in recent years with its products, and being able to add a slight personal touch to their products and in my opinion, a rather impressive knack for being able to hit the nail on the head as far as what users are looking for. In that being said, I am looking forward to an interesting spin on an operating system that could very well prove useful. I never had a chance to dig into OSX too much, linux quite a bit more but not proficiently enough to feel comfortable. I plan to beta-test it as soon as it becomes available, and with a Linux kernal at its core, i’m crossing my fingers!
No other operating system will not replace Windows 7. Why? Because Windows recognizes device links in proportions of 99%. Any version of Windows are the system requirements. I used Linux and I contstat it’s not the same efficiency as Windows. Abea if Mac can face as how …
i am sure google os will not be successfull as It does not have that experiance in IT field intalking about Os field.As microsoft Vista did not pass the test i am sure Windows 7 will not do the mistake of his elder brother.Bill gates is back to form.I heard a news that Microsoft is helping Google for the new Google Cromme Os.
Sorry mate,
but Google failing seems to be quite unlikely.
If they can make people switch from Mozilla to Chrome, I’m pretty sure beating Microsoft wont be all that difficult. Besides having followed Google quite carefully, I’ve realized they happen to understand what users expect better than other companies.
Hence the confidence.
I’ve used all versions of Windows, WindowsMe was probably the worse, followed by Vista. Seven is good but its missing something, dunno what … just doesn’t feel as great as XP
Maybe Google will be able to pull it off and rid of the monotony/monopoly of Windows/Microsoft.
Hi All,
Google OS is a LINUX based OS and therefor supports a load of hardware. Also boots under 6 seconds and runs on the Google Chrome browser as a interface. It was NOT designed to be a full fledged OS like Windows 7. But rather something you can run on a cheap netbook.
Also.. I run Linux 24/7 and only use windows 7 for games. I do not even use Microsoft’s Office anymore. So the features that come with the browser interface (gmail, google docs, etc) is PERFECT for everyday use.
I don’t mean to sound like a pessimist but seriously, there’ll be even more monotony and monopoly if Google takes over. I prefer both OSes sitting close to the same level. Chrome OS for basic browsing, that OS that you boot if you just want to be on and off quickly, Windows if you need to do something more intense like Modern Warfare 2.
I also don’t trust in clouds as much, they seem to bring rain every so often and when they do, my Gmail goes poof. Now if Google could somehow partner with Backupify and back up your cloud data, there might be less concern here. I’m interested to see what happens in the end though. I will test Chrome OS alongside Windows 7 when a beta is released. No I don’t want a virtual machine image, I want the real deal with most of the features done.
1st Chrome OS will have differing affects in different regions of the world and will be more popular in developing countries.
2nd Since it’s not “time tried and reliable” (MS is time tried and reliability is predicable but not guaranteed) it’ll resort to more of a hobbist or an educational type environment where money spent is far more important than money made.
3rd When Chrome goes live the hourglass will turn over for it also. When MS began in the 80’s programming tools were made readily available and were cheap, some even free. My first copy of Basic 5 was free and my upgrade to 7.0 was very cheap (oop’s I’m telling my age). I was even given a free copy of Visual Basic for MS-DOS (bet some of you never knew such an animal existed) just for attending a MS siminar in Charlotte, NC. That’s where loyalty is generated; give programmers tools for low to no money that they earn money to feed their families with and a following (not love) is built.
4th Marketing is dirty business. MS literally drowned IBM’s OS2 (which I and my brother worked on modules for big blue, now I’m really telling my age) and IBM was forced into the decision of if the chase was worth the prize. OS2 was a much more mature OS early on and had the promise of connecting the PC world to really Big Iron in a more direct fashion than WindowsNT or LAN-Man, but MS had the marketing. Put Windows 7 (full version) on a billion netbooks and pass’em out like candy and it’ll be a very tuff act to follow. Goggle’s marketing machine is geared towards advertising other companies products; when they start touting their own stuff as much or more than the other guys, their purse will drain quickly, remember “a house divided can not stand”.
I’m pretty sure you have the wrong idea.
The Google Chrome OS isn’t a full OS to rival against Windows or OS X or Ubuntu. But it’s rather for netbooks. People usually use netbooks just to get online, and they don’t really do anything else. This is supposed to take the operating system out of the picture to simplify it.
I’m sure Google will eventually make a FULL operating system, but this isn’t it.
The clouds are getting thicker with each round.
Experience?
Have you taken into perspective the psychological and economic trend profiling they have done, They know more about what the people want than shrink. And bear in mind that’s on a global basis.
They also buy every company they see with something unique and nifty to make it there own.
Think about it, they have something like face book, they own you tube, they bought out gizmo5 bump top etc etc, they are going to obliterate Microsoft if they get gaming down on Linux and they indeed have the finances to put into the open source development of it.
What’s that smell, oh yes fear
I don’t want to sound like a conservative as I love the advancement of tech. I don’t understand this sudden excitement of cloud computing. If all of the business in Egypt were all cloud computing they would have been in serious trouble when their government shut down the internet. Did anyone else hear that Obama was looking for an internet kill switch? He claims it is for national security, Google it. Now tell me how safe you feel with your accounting files in a cloud. What if someone hits the pole outside of your business and the internet is down for a few days. Engineers cant even open their CAD program, never mind retrieve the files they were working on. Might as well send all your employees home for the day. I will keep my files right where they are, on my hard drive and redundancy through my back up methods. I will say clouding your backups is a wonderful idea.
I do not see Chrome OS being a major player in at least the next five years simeply because most users are not ready to completely embrace Cloud operating systems. Also, Googles Chromebooks are more expensive then current Windows 7 netbooks of better specs (I am guessing because of the lack of bloatware to bring down the cost of the machines). Since it is more expensive, unknown to most common users, and less capable, users will opt for a Windows 7 machine.
As for the ability to install Chromium OS, we have seen from Linux that most users stick with the OS installed on their machine because most simply are not computer literate enough to instal their own OS, especially one that is community supported like Chromium is (Chrome OS is supported by Google, Chromium is community supported like Linux).
DekuLink’s statement is correct. Chrome OS is not meant to replace Windows, OS X, etc., and therefore the author of this article saying Google will fail miserably is just talking trash. Chrome OS is meant for people who spend the majority of their time working and playing on the Internet. Hello! That’s a lot of people I know — doing basic stuff, like browsing, communicating, watching videos, etc. The Internet is practically king these days and operating systems tend to be its humble servant. Google knows. So why would anyone donate or throw away an old computer and shop for a new one? Generally because they couldn’t run the latest operating system that supported the latest Internet technology!!! Indeed, SOME of us may be engineers, authors, geeks and gamers — so we need full-fledged operating systems and computers to do what we do — however, we are becoming the exception — while the average Internet user, those Moms, Dads and juniors out there will do fine, even better running a slim OS, like Google Chrome OS, for all the Internet-based stuff they tend to do.