Google May Increase Prices and Processor Performance of Chromebooks

[dgstorm]

So far, the Chromebook hasn't been extremely successful for Google. Even in Asia, the netbooks/notebooks aren't selling well. Marketing teams at Google have identified the problem as a price & performance issue, and that they are simply trying to compete in the wrong market segment. Since their release, the Chromebook has been pegged as an entry-level competitor to netbooks and Apple's iPad. Unfortunately, this leaves the $500 dollar pricing of the Chromebook at the very upper end of the pricing spectrum in that tier of product. Google's solution is to upgrade the processor from the Intel Atom that currently runs it, to the Intel Core i3 CPU, and then raise the price above the $500 dollar barrier to the mid-level product segment. Google is currently planning to make this upgrade and move the product into that consumer tier as early as the fourth quarter of this year.

Ultimately, the real problem for the device is not reality, but perception. Consumers perceive the product as a lower-end and slower device due to the Intel Atom chip that is typically in $300 dollar and less netbooks. Thus, its pricing at $500 dollars seems like too hard of a pill to swallow for consumers that don't realize it can do much more than your typical netbook. From the other side, typical notebook consumers have a perception that the device can't perform many of the same functions as their Windows based notebooks, leaving the Chromebook in a "no-win scenario". Google hopes that by increasing the processor speed and upping the price, they can convince the mid-range consumer that the Chromebook is a less-expensive alternative to a typical notebook computer. Apparently, confidence in Google's ability to make this transition isn't dampened within their OEMs, because Samsung, Acer and Asus, have all agreed to join in with the new upgrades. Now, they just need to translate that confidence to consumers, and perhaps they can make a dramatic turnaround for the fledgling product.

Source: ConceivablyTech.com

[topcat]

Many consumers will have this question, "What is the advantage of using a Chromebook?" Until Google can successfully answer that question, they won't be selling many. I mean, really, you can put Chrome on Windows and do all the stuff online so what's wrong with my existing notebook, or even a new one? The boot time isn't all that important to most people so you don't win many points there. If they were cheaper with better performance, they have that advantage but increasing the price takes that way too. IDK.

[danger-rat]

Agreed - I think Google are heading in the wrong direction...
I think the Chromebooks are great and fast, battery efficient, and slightly more compact, but I don't think they need to be elevated into a higher price bracket - or at least not yet. Make them cheap, so people won't worry about switching to a new conceptual way of doing things, then when people get used to it, make high end devices available for those who care to upgrade...

My concerns with ChromeOS is the fact that you leave everything in someone else's hands. I've become kinda dependent on some of the services and sites I use, and they could simply start charging money for them tomorrow. With installed software, you always have the installed version - even if the latests get's a price hike or even makes changes for the worse. I'm still running some old software on my desktop that was updated years ago but I prefer the older version - how do I use an older version of a cloud or website though?

Just a little unnerving - but not enough to put me off the Chromebook experience...

[CBowley603]

Wow, that is completely the wrong direction. They are missing the point the reason I haven't spent 400 on a chromebook is because, for that price, I'd rather buy a system 76 notebook and install chrome. If the price were less than 300, only then, would it seem like a good purchase. (to me anyway)