Google recently announced the launch of the Chromebook: a notebook PC loaded with its Chrome Web browser as a bare-bones operating system. This Web-based portable is a direct attack on Microsoft's core businesses: the Windows OS and the Office suite. But how much of a threat is it?
Gartner has lowered its laptop-sales forecast for this year and the next, predicting that the popularity of tablets and smartphones will slow laptop sales. Gartner expects worldwide laptop sales to increase 11% this year and and 14% next year, down from a previously forecast 16$ and 15%, respectively.
Samsung is out to boost its laptop sales by 80% this year, and key to that effort will be its supersvelte 9 Series notebook. Aimed directly at Apple's MacBook Air, the new machine is a move to refocus on high-end gear -- with a high-end price to match.
In a move to help it target tablet computers, cell-phone-chip designer Qualcomm has reportedly offered $3.5 billion to buy Atheros Communications, which has developed chips that connect wireless computers to the Internet.
Google's already got deals to supply its Chrome operating system for Hewlett-Packard and Acer laptops. But now rumors are circulating that the company's about to come out with its own laptop, also named Chrome and made by Inventec, later this month.
Mobile-computing device shipments will grow 19% annually over the next four years as more people buy tablet-type products like Apple's iPad, according to research firm In-Stat. The report released Wednesday indicates that notebook makers should do well in the recovery.
