thechromesource – Google Chrome and Chrome OS News and Resources

FAQ

Is Chrome OS Out Yet?

Not officially, but there are flavors that have been released by those who are interested in seeing the Chromium Operating System project succeed. See the download page for the most recent updates.

Is Chrome OS Free?

Chrome OS is open source and is a free operating system. However, Google plans on selling a version in the form of a mobile device sometime later on this year.

Can I run Chrome OS in a Virtual Machine?

You can – see my post on running Chrome OS on a VM.

Is Chrome OS Linux?

It is based on Linux, yes. But it’s a very stripped down version. Although you can run terminal commands in Chrome OS, the purpose of the system is clear – to be a simple, lightweight and fast platform.

Is Chrome OS a Network Operating System?

It’s supposed to be. This means that all applications are designed to be run in the cloud – so everything is online. Data and programs will all be networked. This is a substantial change from operating systems in the past but offers many benefits:

• Security will be improved
• Updates will be sent to the machine on an as-needed basis
• No worries about data loss from hardware failure.
• Faster applications (when network connection is available)
• Simplicity

What Kind of Hardware Will Chrome OS Be Run On?

Chrome OS is being designed to run on ARM-based processors, which are used in almost all cell phones. This means that the hardware will be small, light, use little battery power and only emit low levels of heat. Small solid state hard drives will be used for the OS itself, and it is rumored that the machine will sport a 10″ multitouch screen. With that being said, the current builds do work fine with x86 processors.