Samsung Chromebook hits the highstreets

Small, stylish and built for speed; the new Chromebook launched this week receiving mixed reactions from critics. With a hefty price tag, the new netbook is for those interested in internet access only. This is cloud loving territory, which sees Samsung's impressive device deliver almost instant access to the web and data stored in the clouds at breathtaking speed. A long battery life, and a host of apps available (many for free) make this an attractive, if not pricey, alternative to the conventional laptop.

If its price tag puts off potential customers in the retail market, the benefits for the business to business sector may pick up the mantle. While the Chromebook doesn't come with the normal Microsoft Word packages, it's easy (and free) to download a host of apps delivering similar services we would expect from our standard range of business computing tools. This in itself starts to make the Chromebook look a little more appealing - think of the reduction in licence fees for businesses alone...

Similar to other tablets and mobile devices, the Chromebook could seriously challenge traditional preconceptions of the workplace, enabling work to be stored, shared and updated in the Cloud. Work would be undertaken purely online, whenever and wherever required. Whether it is here to stay, or the digital equivalent of a one hit wonder, Samsung and Google have created something which appears to truly reflect how the web is being used now. It is ideal for social networking, downloading and listening to music, updating Twitter etc... But perhaps what is more exciting is the glimpse it gives us of life and work in the future. Highly mobile, highly connected and potentially more collaborative than we can currently imagine.

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