Who’s ready for the first web-only OS? If you raised your hand, you’ll probably be interested to know the first round of Samsung and Acer-built Google Chromebooks — the first enterprise hardware running the controversial-but-innovative Google Chrome OS — are now available for pre-order from Amazon and Best Buy. These pre-orders are cutting it pretty close to the official Google Chromebook June 15,2011, launch. And of course, it would be nice if that news came with a solid update on when Google’s fledgling channel can begin offering Chromebooks to its customers.
The cheapest Google Chromebook device available, according to Amazon.com, is a WiFi-only Acer Chromia with an 11.6-inch screen and 2GB of RAM for $380. On the other end of the spectrum, the Samsung Series 5 3G Chromebook boasts a 12.1-inch screen, but that same 2GB of RAM, for $499.99. The other specs, such as processor speed and hard drive space, hardly seem pertinent when discussing a Chromebook, but they’re there for your perusal.
Of course, if you’re a business user, Google will offer Chromebooks under a hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) model for $28 a month ($20/month for educational institutions) — and that price includes hardware refreshes. Combined with the fact that Amazon and Best Buy are the launch partners, I get the sense that this is really a consumer launch.
There are still many, many questions around Google’s Chromebook for Business channel strategy — especially since all we know is that there will be one. But with rumors that Google is building its own consulting practice, TalkinCloud probably isn’t alone in hoping that all becomes clear sooner rather than later.
Regardless, Google partners and customers seem to be excited, if a little uncertain, about Chromebook’s potential to shake up the marketplace. And in just a few scant days, we’ll start getting a clearer picture around just how much of that hype is warranted.
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The 
There are many good sites to get info on the Chromebooks besides Amazon and best buy. One thing I can’t find is where can a business owner sign up for the HaaS?
theGoogler: I’m not sure if the Google Chromebooks for Business (HaaS service) will launch exactly on June 15 or shortly thereafter. I’d watch Google’s Enterprise blog for details to emerge soon. I doubt such a service will be promoted by Amazon, Best Buy, etc. Instead, I suspect it will be sold directly by Google to enterprises and schools. But Google has indicated the HaaS push will ultimately include some sort of channel component. We continue to dig for details.
-jp