Could Google's New Laptops Challenge Microsoft?

(Wall Street Journal) - Google demonstrated Tuesday its first laptops running on the company's coming Chrome operating system, a move by the internet giant to challenge Microsoft's lucrative Windows franchise.

The Chrome laptops -- which resemble the low-end variety known as netbooks -- will first be manufactured by Acer and Samsung, and will go on sale in mid-2011. Pricing was not disclosed.

The Chrome computers use Google software that is based largely on its Chrome web browser. They are designed primarily to run web-based software, as Google hopes to shift software development away from applications anchored to personal computer operating systems such as Windows.

Because they rely on web-based software, the Chrome devices boot up in a matter of several seconds.

"We're delivering nothing but the web," said Sundar Pichai, a Google vice president who led the Chrome team, at a launch event in San Francisco.

The devices will have limited capability when users are not online. In order to ensure that Chrome device users always stay online in the US, Google said it is working with Verizon Wireless to offer them free wireless internet connectivity -- allowing users to send and receive up to 100 megabytes of data every month for two years.

More robust Verizon wireless data plans are available for purchase starting at $9.99 per month, Google said.

Google also launched a long-awaited online applications market called the Chrome Web store that includes apps from news organizations, game makers and other developers.

Read more: Wall Street Journal