Netbooks Running Google Chrome OS to be Launched Soon [Unconfirmed: Chrome OS to be Available in Netbooks for Asia in November 2009]

Chrome OS is definitely an unexpected blow coming from Google. Microsoft and Apple should be extra careful as it looks like Google is preparing to fully make its official debut as a desktop/laptop operating system provider. And it looks like the first machines to get Chrome OS are netbooks. That might happen sooner than you expect as netbook manufacturers in China are struggling to offer their customers netbooks running Chrome OS sometime next month.

That’s definitely a nice but very unexpected surprise. Google announced the Chrome OS a while ago and the first computers capable of running Chrome OS were supposed to be released later next year. Has Google changed its mind? Is the giant taking advantage of the huge Asian market to test Chrome OS officially before bringing it to other markets? Are we going to witness a “soft opening” of Chrome OS in November?

These are all questions for which we don’t have any official answers right now. Word on the street is that Chinese netbook makers want to release the first Chrome OS-running netbook in various Asian markets this November. This wouldn’t be possible without Google’s authorization of course, so we’re in for a short wait before this rumor can be properly confirmed.

The company making these laptops is called Lemote and it’s currently making netbooks running Loonux, a Linux version, in the background and relying on a MIPS-based CPU aka Loongson to do all the heavy lifting. As you can immediately notice there’s no Intel Atom processor mentioned which means these Chrome OS netbooks might be available for just under $200. Bundle the price with the holiday season and you might have a great seller. After all who wouldn’t want to test out Google’s first operating system made for actual computers?

Chrome OS could shape up to be just what the doctor ordered. If you fancy Android phones than you’re probably going to love Chrome netbooks. Sure we don’t have facts to base our speculations on but if Chrome OS will crush and burn we can always return to our Windows 7 and Mac OS X routine. In case you’re anywhere in Asia this November and happen to snatch one of these babies, make sure you drop us a line about Chrome OS performance!