Google Chromebook and Chromebox Fail?

Google Chromebook & Chromebox

We no longer have this tablet verses that one, this phone verse that, and so on.  We now have the "ecosystems"- the Apple ecosystems verse the Google ecosystem verse the Microsoft ecosystem.  Each "ecosystem" offers its own variety of products that all have different values to different users.  Apple seems to be the leader in many markets.  They have their tablets, music players, computers, and smartphones.  While Microsoft is a predominate player in the PC market, as well as the tablet and smartphone market.  But are most well known for the Xbox, their gaming system, and their productivity software, Microsoft Office.  But, Google has re-branded itself to be more than just a search engine and has stepped in as an active player in the smartphone market and recently, the laptop computer market with their new Chromebook and Chromebox.

Google Chromebook

Created by Google's partner, Samsung, the Ultra-Slim Chromebook was just announced just today - and it's worth noting, it looks a lot like the Apple MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.  I wonder if Samsung could have another patent lawsuit on their hands courtesy of Apple.  It is rumored to be the "computer for everyone," according to Google.  It is priced at $249 and is available for pre-order at Amazon, Best Buy, and other online and local retailers.  But, what is most interesting is the  positioning of the Google Chromebook.  Google has positioned this laptop as a computer for everyone and as a second or third home computer, a unique move for a firm that is already clearly behind the curve.  Why wouldn't they want to position this laptop computer as a first home computer?  As households move away from the desktop computer, many consumers are purchasing mobile devices, like laptops or tablets as their primary computing system.

Google Chromebox

The Chromebox is priced starting at $349 with 3G connectivity capabilities, which places it right smack dab in the middle of the tablet market.  Since the $349 only pays for the box and doesn't pay for any of the additional items that you would need to run the box, realistically you are looking at spending more than $349 dollars for your "home computer."  However, there are benefits.  Google offers email services, Google Drive, which holds documents (Word, Publisher, Excel, etc.) in the Cloud, and they also offer their web browser, Chrome.  But do the benefits outweigh the costs.  If you could purchase a laptop with a keyboard and a mouse or a new tablet for the same price as this box, wouldn't you opt for that option?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.