A number of industry heavyweights currently offer their very own iterations of Google’s Chromebook, including Acer, HP, Lenovo and Samsung.
Understandably, the screen sizes vary, as does chip architecture, with Samsung’s Chromebook built around the versatile ARM-powered Exynos 5 chipset, while the rest are loaded with various Intel x86 chips.
For the uninitiated, Chrome OS can best be described as a Linux-based operating system designed to work exclusively with web applications and Mountain View’s cloud-based Google Drive.
Clearly, the operating system and related hardware have come a long way since Chrome OS was first announced in the summer of 2009.
Indeed, one can’t help but think about what’s next for the stripped-down operating system, and a developer by the name of François Beaufort doesn’t disappoint. To be sure, the dev says Google is currently testing a slick prototype Chromebook device with a 2560 x 1700 pixel display and touch capabilities.
In addition, a number of images purporting to show a device from an internal Google project known as Pixel has been making the rounds in recent days.
However, as Liliputing’s Brad Linder points out, it is difficult to ascertain if the picture depicts a concept or actual prototype that may or may not have anything to do with any real device.
“Google typically partners with companies such as Asus and Samsung to build phones and tablets under the Nexus brand, and could be partnering with a laptop maker to build a Chromebook Pixel,” he explained.
“Or maybe it’s just a concept meant to inspire the next generation of Chromebooks from companies such as Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung.”
What do you think? What are some of the features you’d like to see in a next-gen Chromebook?
Personally, I’d like a higher-quality display than the one offered on Samsung’s current Chromebook, in addition to more memory, or at least the option to increase my open-tab count without half of them automatically reloading or causing YouTube to stutter.
