I got a Cr-48! Sunday, December 19, 2010

I've received a Cr-48 from Google to test. My initial thoughts and a short review have been published on Muktware, the open source news site. I encourage you to read the review there as well a my more personal thoughts below.

Google announced a couple of weeks ago that they've been working on Google Chrome OS, a custom Linux-based OS that uses Chrome as the only interface. They opened up a pilot program to allow developers and testers an opportunity to get a Cr-48, a test notebook running Chrome OS, for free.

Being the huge geek I am, I of course signed up immediately. Somebody found a way to tap into the UPS online tracking system and created a web-based tool to check if a notebook was on its way to your city. I checked this site and found that there was one on its way to my city. The day it was expected to arrive came and I had my dad, a UPS employee, check if there were any packages scheduled to arrive at our house that day and there were not. I was bummed, but had accepted it and moved on. Mostly.

The next day I randomly decided to check the web-based tracker and found that there was another package on its way to my city. I had my dad check that say and sure enough, it was coming to my house! He was able to get it directly from the driver and bring it to me earlier than it would have been delivered (thanks, Dad). I opened it up, shot few pictures, and then took it to work with me.

That day at work we used it to stream music throughout the office (via Grooveshark) and I used it for Gmail, Google Docs, and chat next to my main dual-monitor setup. The nice thing was being able to just close it and tote it along with me if I went to another desk or something, then open it back up and be right where I left off.

Overall, I'm pleased with the notebook. Obviously it's sweet that I got it for free, but even if that weren't the case, it's a very nice machine. It reminds me of an older Macbook as far as looks go, but it's not a direct rip off of the design. The whole thing feels pretty high-quality.

I'll keep you posted on my thoughts of the Cr-48 as I test it. Let me know if your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to read my review!