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Fast Forward: Chrome Won't Shine

Posted 10/07/09 at 02:00:25 PM  by Tom Halfhill

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If there were such a thing as post-traumatic stress disorder for weary veterans of OS wars, I’d have it. Frightening flashbacks of MS-DOS vs. CP/M... Windows 3.0 vs. Apple System 6... OS/2 vs. Windows NT... Windows vs. Mac again... then Linux vs. Windows vs. Mac. And that’s not counting the smaller conflicts that engaged OS-9, CP/M-86, AmigaDOS, and others too numerous to mention.

Now Google’s Chrome OS is challenging Windows? Please.

Look, I’ve railed at Microsoft as much as anyone, sometimes in these very pages. And my other computer is an iMac. But one thing I’ve learned is that a new OS needs a strategic advantage before it can defeat a deeply entrenched OS.

MS-DOS overwhelmed CP/M in the 1980s because Microsoft’s OS was basically free with the 16-bit IBM PC, which was more powerful than 8-bit CP/M machines and legitimized personal computers in corporate America. The Mac’s graphical OS debuted in 1984 with a huge advantage in usability over the primitive MS-DOS command line, but Apple’s reluctance to license Mac clones allowed Microsoft to retaliate with Windows and win 90 percent market share.

Chrome OS isn’t totally outgunned. With Google’s resources, Chrome OS could become, in effect, the leading Linux distro. A united front would help Linux, which suffers from the same dispersal of forces that weakened Unix. Also, the trend toward cloud computing favors a secure, nimble OS designed to run network-based software. And Microsoft’s adoption of an XML-based format for Office allows challengers to offer file compatibility with the world’s most popular productivity suite.

Unfortunately for Google, Windows 7 looks like a worthy atonement for Vista. The widespread rejection of Linux-based netbooks shows that people still expect a PC to run their familiar Windows software. Although the success of Apple’s App Store proves that a newcomer can build a software library faster than ever before, most iPhone apps are toys, not replacements for serious desktop programs.

To fight Windows, Chrome OS needs heavier artillery or a faster transition to the cloud-computing battlefield than I anticipate. A smarter strategy is a flank attack on Microsoft. Google’s Android OS can capture the new high ground of smartphones and other next-generation computing gadgets.

Tom Halfhill was formerly a senior editor for Byte magazine and is now an analyst for Microprocessor Report.

COMMENTS:10
TAGS: tom halfhill, fast forward, columns
COMMENTS
avatarCould Chrome OS

Submitted by MeTo on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 8:21am

Could Chrome OS take a 1% market share away from Microsoft Windows? If it did do you know how many sales Microsoft Windows would loose? I would think it would be in the millions.

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avatarIt won't even lead linux...

Submitted by 1337Goose on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 4:16pm

I don't even think Chrome OS has the power to unite the Linux front. 

~Goose

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avatarThis article is about Chrome

Submitted by lunchbox73 on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 1:38pm

This article is about Chrome OS. Not Chrome web browser. Duh.

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avatarI don't see the point of

Submitted by JIFF on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 1:08pm

I don't see the point of this so called war, it is not as if tou had to pick one and that's it

We can very well use Win+linux, the only ones that see this as a  all or nothing war are the completely free software hippies and the manufacturers that want to lower prices by not paying the windows licence, the end users like you and me can benfit from the strenghts of both platforms

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avatarI didn't think smoking crack was very popular anymore.

Submitted by JDK on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 12:58pm

I get the point but I think you are underestimating Google a bit when you factor in the bigger picture above and beyond just the financial resources.  Looking at Google search, iGoogle, Chrome, Wave, Gmail, the supposed forthcoming Google OS, the fact (so I heard) that all Windows 7 will be IE free in Europe which by default means all the other browsers are about to see huge increases, and cloud computing as a whole I would say Chrome has a fairly good chance even if only based on brand name and potential.  I use Chrome as my sole browser with iGoogle and Gmail all incorporated and I couldn't think about going back to anything else (and I've used them all minus Opera...because...well...please.).  I love the simplicity of Chrome with the ability to seamlessly incorporate a much bigger picture and frankly once witnessing the speed first hand everything else seems like accessing with dial up.  Thats a tough thing to turn away from once experienced.  I personally have zero use for the app approach like Firefox...I just want a simple and fast browser and thats exactly what Chrome is.

 

Is it ever going to over take IE...probably not simply because IE comes with Windows and the vast majority of PC users aren't folks that are typically going to be checking out Maximum PC anytime soon.  They dont know any better and the term ignorance is bliss is very applicable.

 

But I doubt Chrome is going anywhere but up. 

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avatarwho is smoking crack again?

Submitted by N25PHILLY on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 1:00pm

good search puts out about one good result for every 20 searches

 

chrome just plain sucks, it's fast on the rare occasion it works

 

I've heard good things about gmail, but haven't seen anything too special

 

If you're talking about how a lot of people will jerk off to the chrome os for the sole reason that it's made by google then yes you are probably right.  There will be no shortage of people that will not be interested in what is likely going to be a typical google half ass job modifying linux just because it's got googles name on it

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avatarDid you even grasp the concept of this article?

Submitted by SilverSurferNHS on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 12:58pm

Figure out what he's talking about please, your argument is irrelevant...

BTW i agree with Tom

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avatarWhen it works?  It works

Submitted by JDK on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 1:16pm

When Chrome works?  It works fine for me. 100% of the time.  1 out of 20 results?  Please. Guess I better stop relying on it at work in which I require absolutely accurate results every time.  Which is what Google search provides me and basically everyone else.  You just posted something patently ridiculous N25Philly.

 

Perhaps you both should actually figure out what you're talking about first. It isn't an argument.  It's an opinion.

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avatarLucky.

Submitted by zstadt on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 1:19pm

I wish my job was to search Google all day...

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avatarYou and me both!

Submitted by JDK on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 1:29pm

My job involves constant research and consistent accuracy.  100% of which is accomplished...with ease...with Google search.

 

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