We finally got around to prepping a USB key so we could boot to
Chrome OS natively, and let us tell you: it's a world of difference. Of course, running something natively instead of virtualized is always going to be a treat, but what we're seeing with Chrome OS is actually on par performance-wise with our crazy expectations for a stripped-down OS. It boots in mere seconds and loads websites with the best of them. The build we're using, courtesy of @hexxeh on Twitter, who made all this possible with some great instructions and a masterfully-built chromiumos.img, was also able to log into the apps pane -- something we didn't pull off on
our virtualized rig. We wouldn't call this our main Linux jam just yet, but even as we strut cockily back to our "big people computer," it's hard not to feel the love for something this simple and swift. If you want to do this with your own netbook, hit up Hexxeh's instructions at the read link below (we found the Windows how-to easiest to follow, for what it's worth), and if you want to be a
mere voyeur you can hit up a video demonstration after the break.
Update: if you're having trouble with the source link you can try mirrored links to the torrent
here and
here.
posted Nov 24th 2009 4:52PM
You only moved the camera from the screen at login because your login's "LittlePrincess445" isin't it...
Apparently they didn't like me putting his actual username :-D
lmao paul loves twilight!
And The Mighty Ducks
Wow I just booted MSDOS 1.0 from a USB drive and it took less than a second, beat that Chrome! Can't wait to be productive & getting things done with a browser!
@zorcaguy2 Although I agree with you, man. We're so gonna get lowest ranked... :D
msdos is maybe the only Good think microsoft has done. imho
bye
@zorcaguy2
Your browser sir!
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Services/PDA/DosBrowsers.shtml
@zorcaguy2 Dos has USB support? It can't even boot of a CD
Love the "Oh wow thats gettin pretty intense"
@CJisohsocool
that was a good hearty laugh he gave me
That's about as exciting as browsing a website on a wii in mere seconds!
@Talys No way you've used a Wii to browse! The Wii browser channel takes an eternity to load, The spinning blue circle and high pitched 'ring' as it loads will haunt you until the day you die. At least it's now free, but Nintendo could really take a tip from Google with regards to speeding up the web browsing experience. I thought it was my internet connection, but have since brought a PS3 and that is buttery heaveness in comparison to the Wii experience.
hmms yes but the ps3 browser happens to be plain slow compared to chrome on windows. which is why i can't wait for chrome to get its own operating system up and running
@Talys
Actually the Wii loading its browser much less bringing up an actual page in anything under 30 seconds would be cause for ticker tape parades.
Me wants!
Hey, thanks for the post! :D
Finally I can replace that bartPE boot on my flashdrive?
I would like instant-boot into Crysis, Dragon Age, WoW, Outlook, Word, Excel... and the browser would be great too thank you :)
Wait a minute. Didn't we hate ChromeOS like 3 days ago? Inconsistency.
@N900 As slow and choppy as it was in the VM there is much to hate. Besides that, a developing product you hate today you may love tomorrow. Chrome OS will see a lot of changes and Engadget will be there to document most of them.
@N900 We did, that said, sometimes virtualized instances of OSes don't give a good impression. I want to see this booting from my mini before the day is out.
is it me but would this look really good and have more of a use on something like a tablet computer
@Terrillo I agree, with the page/icon layout, it looks very 'touchable'
Thanks to the guy for doing the demo but next time don’t choose a video link with the guy from Twilight that you have in your YouTube history.
Also, tech vloggers need to learn how to use a camera better, get an assistance and learn to edit video. Love the info but tend to hate the execution. In his defense, he didn’t sound like an 8yo girl like most of them do.
@(Unverified)
I agree. I've seen many of these types of videos... whether they are unboxing videos or reviews. FIND A DAMN FRIEND TO HELP YOU!
Maybe it's the videographer in me... but I wouldn't let a video shot like this get out to millions of people...
No, I agree - if it's a tech website, they should have plenty of nice HD camcorders, and I'm sure they could find a tripod.
Seriously, Engadget. Bring the vid-quality up.
I agree. Let's get Paul and teach him a lesson.
i just tried this its a great piece of work
My man-bits hurt. Can someone here give me some expert medical advice?
much obliged.
@(Unverified) Which ones?
"Oh wow its getting pretty intense!"
@(Unverified) like the way i hated unfinished vista but i absolutely love win 7 ?
I just got flashed by Robert Pattinson........SMH
I've said it before and I'll say it for the first time now: Chrome OS is good only as an "instant-on" OS. Otherwise it's too stripped down to be useful.
@(Unverified) are u saying the web is not useful? that's all is meant to do, browse the web
I'll wait for this to quieten down before I watch the video, getting rather thrashed by requests right now. XD
"Oh wow, that's getting pretty insense. Let's uh...let's change that out."
LMAO!!! xD
If Google can pack a capable media application with a reasonably functioning offline mode, I'll jump on with my next netbook purchase, even if I can't run Wine.
I'd be willing to not be able to play a couple dumb Windows games if I get a blazing fast OS. But to not be able to listen to music or watch videos in my personal collection is asking too much.
I had the image and could not login to the apps in vmware, do they have some type of updated image?
OK - wasn't convinced by ChromOS ... and still not ... but willing to give that a go.
Why is everyone so caught up in "instant on" or "boot up times." Have you never heard of standby?
@HexiumVII
Well, not everyone put their desktop on standby overnight and it would be perfect for just web and email checking before commuting in morning.
That would be assuming you get out of the house 1 minute after you wake up. Why not wake up, turn on the computer, do something like eat breakfast/take a shower, and then come back and check your e-mails?
@HexiumVII
I like the idea of a little OS that'll take care of me 75% of the time. We have a Vista laptop in the living room that we like to use to check email or something on the web. It takes FOREVER to boot. If we could be doing our thing with it in seconds, that'd be great. I won't give up other operating systems, but I'd definitely like something like this on a USB key for those occasions.
@HexiumVII
Yeap, until I can get this Chrome OS USB key working, I'll have to struggle with my ( just verified ) 30 second boot in Kubuntu. From power on to internet access. Boofuckinghoo eh?
so he doesnt appear to like ubuntu so much but he likes the queer vampire robert pattison more than enough to show that as a youtube example.... -______-
I might replace the linux in Acer Aspire One with this one.
I know the standard 8GB SSD in Aspire One is very slow writing, but if the root file-system in Chrome OS is read-only it should be pretty fast anyway :P
I would never see myself using this. What if you wanted to listen to your collection of music and didn't want to have another computer on all the time streaming it?
I think its only advantage is its instant-on capabilities. I can't see it requiring much less in the realm of hardware as you need a certain level of specs to be able to run things like flash videos. It would probably require less RAM and obviously a smaller HD, both of which are neither expensive nor cumbersome these days.
I'll stick with the instant-on ExpressGate OS on my ASUS... I barely use that as it is. Chrome isn't going to replace Windows 7, and ExpressGate handles the need for a quick, instant OS. I'll need to see more from Chrome before I consider it worth my effort.