Kogan Technologies today announced the availability of the Kogan Agora Laptop powered by Chromium OS; a 11.6in ultraportable notebook that runs on Google's open-source Chromium platform.
The new Agora laptop's main claim to fame is its Chromium operating system, which Kogan claims is the first in the world.
"We've been able to beat the rest of the world to bring the first commercially available laptop running Google’s Chromium OS," Kogan Technologies' CEO Ruslan Kogan said in a statement
Chromium is a browser-based operating system built by Google that attempts to bring the OS template to the cloud. It requires an internet connection at all times, which makes Wi-Fi essential.
Some advantages of the Chromium OS include fast operating speeds, increased backup security, easy access to personal data across multiple computers and integration with Android based devices. Being open-source, it's also free to upgrade.
"While Chromium is still in its early stages, we know the operating system is innovative technology which represents the future of computing," said Kogan. "It may take some getting used to for some to operate entirely in the cloud, but the massive benefits for the end user are driving acceptance of entirely web-based services."
Google's vision of an always-connected device is certainly compelling, but the reality of Wi-Fi blackspots is sure to lead to frustration - especially with no 3G onboard. (To get the most out of the unit, you're going to need a smartphone capable of turning into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot.)
The Kogan Agora Laptop powered by Chromium OS comes with a 1.3GHz Intel Celeron CPU, 1GB RAM and an integrated Intel GS40 graphics card. Storage is limited to a 30GB Solid State Drive, with the majority of applications stored in the cloud.
Check out the full list of specifications below:
| Specifications |
|
| Processor: |
Intel Celeron M ULV Processor (SU2300) - 1M Cache, 1.30 GHz, 800 MHz FSB |
| Memory: |
1GB DDR2 Ram (support up to 4GB) |
| Operating System: |
Google's Chromium OS |
| Hard Drive: |
30GB SATA Solid State Hard Drive |
| Video Card: |
Intel® GS40 integrated (Shared memory - 256MB)
|
| Sound: |
HD Audio, Built-In 2 speakers and 1 Microphone
|
| Monitor: |
11.6" WXGA Widescreen HD LED Display
|
| Resolution: |
1366 x 768 (16:9) |
| Webcam: |
1.3MP
|
| Wireless Card: |
802.11 B/G/N
|
| Bluetooth: |
Built in
|
| Card Reader: |
3-in-1 (SD/MMC/MS Pro) |
| Security: |
Kensington Lock
|
| Keyboard: |
78 keys with 19.05mm key pitch and 2.0±0.5mm key stroke
|
Inputs
|
|
| USB: |
3
|
| LAN: |
1
|
| Microphone: |
1
|
| Outputs |
|
| Headphone: |
1
|
| VGA: |
1
|
| HDMI |
1 |
Battery
|
|
| Capacity: |
4 Cell, 4600mAh
|
Battery Life:
|
Approx 3.5 hours
|
Weight & Dimensions
|
|
| Dimensions of Laptop (approx): |
290195x256mm |
| Weight: |
1.32kg (approx)
|
In terms of build quality and appearance, the Kogan Agora Laptop powered by Chromium OS should be more or less identical to the Agora PRO 12" Ultra Portable Laptop Computer, save for a different coloured lid.
The Kogan Agora Laptop powered by Chromium OS is available to buy now from the Kogan Technologies' website. It is priced at $349, plus delivery.
