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Loading ...Chrome OS on Dell Mini 10v
Round Rock (ip-192.com): Dell has modified the new Google Chrome OS to enable wireless access to the Internet. While the hardware manufacturer does not expect to have a product available until next year's holiday shopping season, it has ported an experimental version of Google's Chromium OS to the PC maker's Inspiron Mini 10v netbook.
"Without a network connection, Chromium OS is not very interesting," said Doug Anson, Dell's Linux technology strategist, on the Direct2Dell blog last week. "With a network connection, Chromium OS shines. Boot time appears quick, too - about 12 seconds from hitting the power button."
Dell has made the 7.5 GB USB image file available for download but cautions that the file is appropriate for avid Linux experimenters only, not consumers. "Use this image at your own risk - it comes to you totally unsupported and very minimally tested," so Anson.
Open Source developers may run into a number of issues along the way. Anson cited the software's connection manager and underlying components as an example of a potential problem spot, which "can easily break or get hung. When in doubt, reboot and give it another try." Current issues include that it takes "more than five to 10 minutes for the ChromiumOS network connection manager to 'see' the access points and allow you to select and connect," Anson warns.
Google's Chrome OS is an Open Source, lightweight operating system initially targeted at netbooks. It's designed around speed, simplicity and security, according to Google, and promises quick boot times focused on getting users quickly to the Web.
"While (Dell) continues to promote and use Windows for most machines, the demonstration of Chrome on the Mini shows Dell's interest in and commitment to other operating systems," so 451 Group analyst Jay Lyman in an interview with Linux Insider.
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