Google has been quite clear that ChromeOS will not be run on general-purpose hardware. ChromeOS is designed for low-cost low-power ChromeOS devices, that will be packaged more like an appliance than a traditional computer.
You might be able to force Windows or Linux onto one of these ChromeOS devices, but you'll have to hack it.
Even if you could hack Windows 7 on to it, I'm sure would lag like hell on any hardware that's Chrome specific. Why else would Google be running their optimized browser, on an optimized OS, on an optimized hardware platform, but to cut down on processing requirements?
Really? You don't think the idea of a 3 second startup is a game changer in the netbook space? Like all silicon valley geeks my laptop is never turned off, but I also happen to know plenty of people who do turn off their laptop after every single time they use it.
Chrome OS needs to prove that it can be better than a full-blown OS in some way
Of course as developers we're in love with the idea of powerful do-all machines. But most people seriously just need a way to check email and login to Facebook. The brilliance of Chrome OS is that Google can patch on the few little things that the masses really need to completely ditch the desktop paradigm. If they get it right users will eat it up because it completely sidesteps all the complexity of modern OSes, which no one likes, and only geeks put up with because we understand and can utilize the power it gives us.
But why not just use a cell phone? Apart from the large screen, it seems to me that a chrome-os system will be similar to a smartphone.
Im unconvinced this is as bad a thing for it as people are suggesting. To be honest I think that will sell it to hundreds of people.
Google have the clout to get it out there and adopted by manufacturers. And it looks like their planning a really slick UI / experience. To me that suggests they've taken a good long look at Apple and learned how to sell Cool.
I can see a really solid niche for these devices.
B) Yes I have to install mac updates. But that is a few times a year.... And the update takes longer then the boot so again the boot is moot.
C) I find closing the lid the normal way I 'shutdown'.
D) The first time I boot a new computer it doesn't actually boot up the desktop because it immediately prompts you for language, make a user, etc. So again booting the desktop doesn't matter in this case either.
Less complexity, less power consumption, faster boot are all plusses. You got me on game-changing, but that's it.