Chromebook Pixel
Google is always innovating. So, it's not terribly surprising that the Chromebook Pixel is the first laptop of its kind to really rely strictly on the cloud. But, is the world ready for it? Are people really willing to give up non-cloud applications and just use a browser?
I use cloud-based applications all the time. Right now, I'm writing this article on a cloud-based site called Draft. I rarely use any of the applications on my laptop anymore. Sometimes, I'll open up Word in order to send a client a document — but only for those clients who refuse to check out new technology. Still, I'm not sure I could switch to the Pixel.
The Possibility Is There
Is it possible to do everything you need to do in a day without installing any software? It certainly is an option. You can use services like Draft, Dropbox, Skype, and many others to get through your day. Calendar apps and all kinds of other cloud-based apps make the whole thing even more possible.
Yet, most people aren't going to embrace the Pixel. No matter how possible it all is. It seems as though people are not about to adopt the cloud idea — not just yet. Remarkably, most people have no idea what cloud-based apps really are, though, and whether or not they are using such apps. Cheap web hosting sites also boast cloud usage, but most people don't know about that either!
A Look At Cloud-Based Apps
Just for fun, I'm going to list a few of the most popular Cloud-based apps.
- Dropbox
- Draft
- Evernote
- Google Reader (although it's about to be killed)
- Reeder
SalesForce
It's also interesting to point out that many cheap website hosting companies are cloud-based. Further, those cheap hosting companies that are not cloud-based tend to claim to be cloud-based because people want the cloud! How crazy is that?
There are many, many, other cloud sites that are used regularly. You probably use many of these sites to get through an average work day, almost every day. And, yet, you probably wouldn't buy a laptop that only works with the cloud…no matter how great that laptop is.
Chromebook Pixel: The End Conclusion
In the end, the world isn't quite ready for Google's cloud innovations. Sure, the Pixel is amazing (albeit expensive) and you can do everything you need to do from cloud-based apps, but are you ready to take that jump? Are you ready to leap? To leave the security of software applications behind in the dust?
If you're like most people, the answer here is a clear: no. Do you think that you could switch to an all cloud laptop like the Pixel? If yes, why haven't you do so yet? If no, why not? I'd love to hear what you have to say. Would you consider cheap web hosting sites if those sites were cloud-based? Or, would you rather stick with sites that are hosted off-cloud? What do you think?
