Arriving soon after search specialist Google Inc. introduced the open-source version of its upcoming streamlined and Internet-based Chrome operating system (OS), computer heavyweight Dell Inc. has officially begun offering a customised build of the ‘ChromiumOS’ platform.
ChromiumOS comes to Dell\'s little Mini 10v. Image: Google.
Dell announced Chromium on Friday of last week, outlining that it will be made available via a free and simple download for use alongside Dell’s popular Mini 10v ultra portable Netbook.
Those budding developers keen to contribute to the evolution of Chrome will require 8GBs of data space on a USB flash drive, which, once home to the “USB key image file” download, then needs only to be plugged into a waiting Mini 10v for creativity to ensue.
Of course, being such an early build of the operating system, a lack of stability is to perhaps be expected, and has already reared its ugly head, if initial feedback reports are to be believed.
“Use this image at your own risk – it comes to you totally unsupported and very minimally tested,” warned Doug Anson, a technology strategist at Dell.
According to the tech watchers at liliputing.com, there are presently issues associated with Wi-Fi reliability, which can see the ChromiumOS network connection manager needing up to 15 minutes to find an access point before enabling Web connection.
However, on the plus side, Google’s boast of super swift boot speed appears to be true, thanks to start-up times of around 10 to 12 seconds.
The final build of Google’s Chrome computer operating system is expected to arrive on select Netbook platforms during the latter part of 2010.
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