Google's new Chrome OS to cut PC prices Cheap PC with Chrome OS - operating system from Google..!

NEW DELHI: Google has launched a test version of the Chrome OS, its much-awaited and delayed internet-centric operating system that analysts say could make the personal computer cheaper by up to 25% in India.

"Chrome OS is essentially a free software," says Sundar Pichai, vice-president for product management at Google, and one of the two leaders of a team that developed the new software.

An operating system makes up for roughly a fifth, and in many cases a fourth, of a PC's cost. For this reason, experts expect a fall in computer prices in 2011 because the Google OS is free. For example, a Rs 22,000 PC shipped from an original equipment maker costs as much because it comes with an operating system priced at nearly Rs 4,000.

In the meantime, "technical people can download and install it easily after a bit of tweaking, though," says Mr Pichai. The company will hand out about a few thousand laptops with Chrome OS for education and non-profit use.

For Google, the Chrome OS presents an opportunity to take aim at Microsoft and Apple by offering an alternative to their operating systems, the Windows and Mac OS.

"Provided there is huge demand for the Chrome OS in 2011, PC prices may fall by a couple of thousands, since the OS may come free," says Vishal Tripathi, principal research analyst at Gartner.

Still, it will be interesting to see if Google convinces manufacturers to move away from Microsoft and produce Chrome OS netbooks, he says. "Partnerships of Microsoft with PC makers remain strong as ever and demand for Chrome will depend upon its performance." Microsoft India had no comment on the impact of Chrome OS on the operating system market. Dell, HP, HCL, Acer and Lenovo are the largest PC sellers in India. The partnership with Acer, which has a 10% share in the Indian PC market, is the only one officially announced by Google yet.

Google's other partner Samsung has a less than 2% share in India. In comparison, Microsoft's share in the global operating system market is more than 90%. In India, that rises to 98%, thanks to the Windows OS. The Windows XP is the most-used OS in India with a market share of about 70%, followed by Windows 7 (about 20%) and Windows Vista (8%), says StatCounter, the online tracker of tech statistics. The balance 2% market share is divided between Mac OS and Linux users. And despite Google's best-laid plans, tech analysts say Chrome OS, which is primarily aimed at netbooks might lose out if tablet PCs swamp the netbook market. "Apple has a jump on Google in this market, and it will have a second version of the iPad with an updated version of its own iOS before Chrome is officially released to the world in the second half of 2011."

Adds Ovum: "Given that a USP of Chrome is the 'instant on', will these workers want it on a device such as netbook or even the Cr-48 'pilot device' laptop being offered by Google for testing? No they will want a tablet."

There are other challenges as well. "Awareness of open source software is limited In India, especially amongst small businesses," says Rohit Chaudhary, CEO and founder of the newly-launched eTechies.in, a PC support provider. "Besides, resellers are not pushing netbooks to consumers because they come with lower margins."