Samsung series 5 Chromebook

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

 
Samsung launches the Series 5 – speed, simplicity, connectivity and security by design
 
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung today lifted the European curtain on the stylish Series 5, the world’s first Chromebook, specifically designed around the principles of speed, simplicity and security, for people who live their lives online.
 
Dinesh Chand, Head of Mobile Computing Europe, Samsung, said: “The idea of the Chromebook is revolutionary – it’s about expanding people’s perception of computing. Many people today are living web-centric lifestyles – they’re online at home, on the move and at work. Rather than start with an existing notebook model and adapt it for the web, we’ve designed this from scratch to meet the needs of those people specifically.”
 
The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook will be available in the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and Italy from June 24, 2011, priced at €399 for the Wi-Fi model (£349 in the UK) and €449 for the 3G-enabled model (£399 in the UK). They will also be available in other countries over the next few months.
 
With its elegant shape, slim 0.79-inch body and weighing just 1.48kg, the Series 5 combines Samsung’s design and engineering expertise with Google’s fast, secure software and simple user interface, forming a game-changing device for people who want to be connected whenever and wherever they are, quickly, easily and securely:
 
Simplicity - by design
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.
 
Speed – by design
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.
 
Security – by design
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 Chromebook has also reduced concerns about security and data loss by moving everything to the cloud. If the Chromebook is ever broken or lost, most of your files are saved online.
 
Long-lasting – by design
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.
 
Performance – by design
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.
Connectivity – by design

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.