Google Chrome OS to directly challenge Microsoft in netbook market, says iSuppli

Press release, July 13; Michael McManus, DIGITIMES [Monday 13 July 2009]

Google 's new Chrome Operating System (OS) represents a direct challenge to Microsoft's hegemony in the burgeoning market for netbook software, according to iSuppli.

Google's Chrome OS will launch in the second half of 2010 and will initially target netbook PCs. However, the OS will not only run on netbooks based on Intel's x86 architecture microprocessors, but also those using ARM-based chips, clearly showing the operating system is targeted at very low-cost netbooks.

iSuppli predicts shipments of wirelessly-enabled netbooks will more than triple by 2012, rising to 36.3 million units, up from 10.3 million in 2008. The wirelessly-enabled category represents the majority - but not all - of the total netbook market, consisting of devices that support Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN), 3G WLAN and Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN) connectivity.
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