Samsung announced today that the Series 5 Chromebook will be available in parts of Europe starting June 24. Folks in the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands will be able to get their hands on the worlds first retail Chromebook for €399 for the Wifi model (£349 in the UK) and €449 for the 3G model (£399 in the UK). Over the coming months the rest of Europe will see these become available as well.
If you're not familiar with the specs, have a look here. The concept is simple -- hardware that runs everything through the Chrome browser. It's a throwback to the days of terminal/server computing, but done with the modern cloud. We had a good look at the new Chromebooks at Google I/O, and I have to admit -- they have me intrigued. They are pricey, but look beautiful and will give the masses a chance to try Google's Chrome OS on hardware designed for it. We should be getting a couple of our own here shortly, and we'll give them a work over. In the meantime, the Chromebook forums are open for business. Hit the break to see the full press release.
Samsung Brings the World’s First Chromebook to Europe
The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook has been designed to make the most of the web by combining optimised performance with sensual ergonomic design. The keyboard comes equipped with a dedicated search key, a new row of web-enabled keys, and a comfortable, full-size layout that doesn’t cramp your fingers.
Whereas the average out-of-the-box laptop starts up in 45 seconds, the Samsung Series 5 starts in less than ten seconds. When waking from sleep, a user simply opens the lid, and it’s ready to go. This means that wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, your computer won’t slow you down. For the user, there’s no waiting around – you’re just straight onto the web and into your apps.
Chromebooks run the first consumer operating system designed from the ground up to defend against the ongoing threat of malware and viruses. They employ the principle of "defence in depth" to provide multiple layers of protection, including sandboxing, data encryption, and verified boot.
The Series 5 has a battery life of up to 8.5 hours, including five hours of video play for all-day use without the need to recharge. The Series 5 battery has a lifespan up to 1,000 cycles, three times longer than conventional batteries, which reduces the need for replacements.
The Samsung Series 5 packs power with an Intel® Dual-core processor, giving you the versatility and performance you need for a one-of-a-kind web experience. The 12.1-inch Super Bright display is both anti-reflective and anti-glare for a consistently vibrant visual experience across a variety of light conditions, from outdoors to dimly lit environments. The Series 5 display’s 300nit brightness brings all forms of media alive in vibrant colour.
Samsung Series 5 will connect you to your data anytime, anywhere through 3G (optional SKU), WLAN and a 4-in-1 Card Reader. You can learn more about 3G price plans in your country by visiting google.com/chromebook.

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