When Chromebooks launched back in 2011, no one really knew what to make of them. They cost as much as Windows laptops, yet they only ran one program: Chrome. Thanks to advances in technology, however, the price of Chromebooks quickly started coming down, and now they’re the most popular “laptops” in the sub-$300 price category. Google’s software optimizations have also made Chrome OS fly, despite running on what a PC user would call modest specifications. Slap Windows 8 on an Intel Celeron with 2 GB of RAM and you’ll be miserable. Buy a Chromebook with the same specs, and you’ll be in heaven.
Now I have no problems recommending Chromebooks to people who don’t ask much of the internet, but I’ve yet to see a Chromebook that screams awesome. Toshiba’s new Chromebook is pretty, but that’s because it’s a rip-off of Apple’s MacBook Air. Here’s where Lenovo comes in. Jay Parker, Head of Lenovo North America, recently sat down with CNET for an interview and said that the company will launch “multiple Chromebook models” at multiple price points this summer. The word “multiple” technically means two or more, but I’m thinking we’re going to see at least three or four, possibly even more devices. What would be the perfect Chromebook? Dear Lenovo: If you’re listening, please make a 12 inch ThinkPad with a 4:3 inch screen that pushes 1600 x 1200 pixels. Slap whatever slow Intel processor you want in there, but make sure it’s paired up with 4 GB of RAM. Sell it for $499 and I’ll buy one for myself and one for my mom.
