NVIDIA working with Google on Chrome OS Tegra netbooks
updated 04:30 pm EDT, Thu September 24, 2009
Tegra-based netbook with Google Chrome OS coming
An NVIDIA executive on Thursday confirmed the company is working with Google to introduce a netbook containing Chrome OS and NVIDIA's Tegra mobile device platform. This is in addition to systems based on Windows Mobile, Windows CE and Google Android, all of which have been appearing. Quoted in a Wednesday JkOnTheRun report, NVIDIA GM of Mobile Business Mike Rayfield said his company is working closely with Google in developing such a product.
Rayfield also cleared up NVIDIA's mission for the Tegra platform. Windows Mobile and Google Android will power Tegra-based smarpthones, while Windows CE and Google Chrome OS will do the same for netbooks. Linux is being considered, but only if a manufacturer requires it.
NVIDIA also sees its platform replacing netbooks running on Intel's Atom processor, as it consumes less energy while providing the same or better performance. While it has limits, the majority of netbook users only perform light duty operations on their netbooks, including watching online videos, playing back local multimedia files and browsing the web or checking their e-mail; all are easily handled by Tegra.
