Google to Offer Chrome OS for Free

Free OS anyone?

While analysts have been putting question marks all over the Chrome Operating System, Google has recently made them add exclamation points by announcing that it will be offering the program or free.

The Google operating system will debut sometime during the second half of 2010. It will initially breathe life to low-cost netbooks which cater to people looking for a machine that could primarily be used for surfing the Net. The move to focus on the netbook market is hailed by many as a brilliant strategy as the ultra-portable segment of the PC industry is fast outpacing laptops and desktops.

Threatened?

Many expect Microsoft to react by slashing prices of XP, Vista, and its upcoming OS. However, some analysts say that such a reaction might not be needed as PC users are expected to be more critical of Chrome than Windows 7. Even the most rabid Microsoft critic would concede that Google’s experience and reputation as an OS maker is nowhere near that of Redmond’s. And if mistake makes one better at his craft, then Google has a long, long way to go in matching Bill Gates’ expertise.

Even if Microsoft would bite on Google’s price war dare, the former isn’t expected to suffer heavy losses in projected Windows 7 revenues. It should be noted that Windows XP is Redmond’s flag OS in this segment of the PC market. Gates’ has long cashed in on this program of his, and any profit coming from XP is already considered as “surplus.” Hence, Gates isn’t expected to feel the pinch even if he slashes his old operating system’s price by half.

Cold Reception

Every program experiences birth pains during its first few weeks in the market. Cynics abound in the industry, so it won’t be surprising that Chrome will sustain a combination punches from analysts who make a killing by shredding whatever value that the object of their affection has.

Users will most probably take the experts’ skepticisms at face value, too. Many might even make their own deduction as to Chrome OS’ questionable reliability. Indeed, if Microsoft can’t make it right even after decades of trying, then how could anybody expect Google to hit the bull’s eye on its first try?

When it’s free, it’s…

I bet you could finish the phrase above by adding a couple of words that are anything but flattering. While Google may have whetted the interests of cash-strapped users by announcing that its OS will cost neither a penny nor a sweat, it has raised the eyebrows of those who were left hanging or unsatisfied by free programs. Many see freeware as free because it’s not well-written or thoroughly thought out by its authors. Just look at the 10-cent games that are being offered on the Internet for free download and you’ll now what I’m talking about. The fact that the Chrome Operating System is intended for low-cost netbooks that have limited capabilities hasn’t helped quell speculations that there won’t be anything much to talk about on Google’s attempt to get Microsoft’s attention.

Google still has about a year to turn skeptics into believers. Let’s hope that they could come up with an OS that could really spark a price war with Microsoft, especially since the numbers on Vista and Windows 7’s price tags really need some subtracting.