ViewSonic Ponders Chrome OS with ViewPad 100
Posted on 03. Sep, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey in Videos
SlashGear has taken a hands-on look at ViewSonic’s ViewPad 100. While purely a prototype device right now, the tablet is getting its fair share of media coverage. The plan is to have the ViewPad 100 run both Android and Windows in dual-boot fashion, and ViewSonic is also looking at loading the tablet with Chrome OS at some point.
Some of the specifications include an Intel Atom N455 processor, 1GB DDR3 memory with a 10-inch 1024×600 capacitive screen. Charbax from ARMDevices recently got some video of the device at the IFA Consumer Electronics Show in Berlin.
Four to five hours of battery life versus seven or eight on Android? Sounds like Android wins there.
Having dual-boot devices with Windows and Chrome OS would be a great option for a transitional period, but don’t expect many devices to hit the market that are loaded with both. It’s both too expensive and prohibitory to higher adoption rates of cloud-based systems.
4 Responses to “ViewSonic Ponders Chrome OS with ViewPad 100”
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Charbax
03. Sep, 2010
Looking for some Chrome OS stuff here in Berlin, let me know if you have some ideas where to find some.
Providing multi-boot option into alternative free OS shouldn’t cost anything should it? Other than eventual support to customize the open OS according to hardware. But if Google and others already have optimized the software, I don’t see why all netbook and notebook manufacturers won’t just install a Chrome OS as dual-boot no matter what.
Daniel Cawrey
03. Sep, 2010
I think you know the usual suspects for Chrome OS devices since it would probably be a reference design only type of device at that conference.
Neither HTC nor Acer have yet to confirm any rumors.
To clarify my point on dual boot devices running Windows and Chrome being more expensive, Windows has a licensing fee, which would cost extra, and the fact that Windows 7 has to run on pricier Intel-based chips over ARM unless you use Compact Embedded. Battery life could be a concern, leading a potential manufacture to offer something more robust than a typical ARM based device requires.
But correct me if I’m wrong on that.
Nigel
03. Sep, 2010
What are your sources Dan? And what brought you to conclude this? I’ve been searching the web with very few leads.
Daniel Cawrey
03. Sep, 2010
Check out the SlashGear article I linked to.