Introducing: Google's Cr-48 laptop (photos)

Google's new operating system will first be distributed on laptops similar to the company's prototype Cr-48. Take a look at what the limited-edition laptop offers in this slideshow.

Seth Rosenblatt

Dec. 10, 2010 5:30 p.m. PT

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Introducing: the Cr-48

The first computer to run Google's Chrome OS is the limited-edition prototype Cr-48, which Google is rumored to have ordered 60,000 of made to distribute prior to the Chrome OS's public launch in mid-2011.

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Josh Miller/CNET

Minimalist ports

The right side of the Cr-48 offers a power jack, a solitary USB port, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader. We understand not having an Ethernet jack, although we think it's silly. But only one USB port?

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Josh Miller/CNET

VGA outta here

The left side of the Cr-48 sports a VGA out port. At the time of writing, it is decidedly non-functional, although it's not clear whether this is because of a failure in the operating system, a failure of the hardware, or just a failure to communicate.

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Josh Miller/CNET

The secrets of the battery dock

Google has made the Cr-48's battery dock a hidden treasure trove of secrets. Not only is there a slot for a SIM card, if you lift the piece of tape next to the battery contacts, you'll see a physical switch for enabling "jailbreaking" and installing a new operating system.

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Josh Miller/CNET

Slim'n'light

The Cr-48 is lightweight at 3.6 pounds, and reasonably thin at 0.9 inch. Coated with a slightly rubbery, matte black surface that doubles as a grease magnet, it's a surprisingly manageable machine.

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Josh Miller/CNET

Ultimate power?

Google says that the Cr-48 battery will last around eight hours during intensive use, and provide eight days of standby use. Too bad it debuted at the end of Hannukah this year.

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Josh Miller/CNET

Sticker fun

People who attended Google's Chrome OS and Cr-48 announcement event in San Francisco on December 8, 2010 received a package of stickers to decorate their otherwise unadorned, matte black Cr-48s.