Chromebooks Get OS Update, Holiday Price Cuts

Google is pushing Chromebooks this holiday season with price cuts and a revamped OS.

"'Tis the season for Chromebooks," claims Google on the official Google Chrome Blog. The company states that the Chrome team "elves" have been busy packing a few extra "goodies" into Chromebooks in time for the upcoming holiday season (AKA Friday).

According to the blog, Chromebooks will now sport a simple, streamlined user interface including an 8-second boot process, a "clean login experience," and a revamped New Tabs page that includes a shortcut to the File Manager as well as to music apps and games in the Chrome Web Store (which also just received a facelift).

"We’ve also been working closely with our partners to continually improve the overall Chromebook experience while making them even more affordable," the Google blog reads. "So, we’re excited to share that beginning this week Acer and Samsung Chromebooks will be available starting at $299. The updated prices will be available through our online retail partners."

While browsing through the group of new Chromebooks, Samsung is launching a Wi-Fi only version of its Series 5 12.1-inch Chromebook for $349.99 USD. Acer is the one selling the $299.99 Chromebook via Tiger Direct, the Acer AC700-1099. Here's the entire list:

Amazon
Samsung Series 5 Wi-Fi 12.1-Inch Chromebook ($349.99) (Black, Titan Silver, Arctic White)
Samsung Series 5 3G 12.1-Inch Chromebook ($449.99) (Titan Silver, Arctic White)
Acer AC700-1090 11.6-Inch Chromebook (3G) (not priced)
Acer AC700-1099 11.6-inch Chromebook (Wi-Fi) (not priced)
Acer AC700-1529 Chromebook (3G) ($429.99)

Tiger Direct
Samsung Series 5 Wi-Fi 12.1-Inch Chromebook ($349.99) (Titan Silver, Arctic White)
Samsung Series 5 3G 12.1-Inch Chromebook ($449.99) (Arctic White, Titan Silver)
Acer AC700-1099 Chromebook Wi-Fi ($299.99)

Best Buy
Samsung Series 5 Wi-Fi 12.1-Inch Chromebook ($429.99)
Samsung Series 5 3G 12.1-Inch Chromebook ($499.99)

"If you’re in the U.S. and you’d like to take a Chromebook for a test drive, visit the Samsung Experience in New York City or check one out when flying with Virgin America," Google's adds in its blog. "We’re excited to hear your feedback, as we continue to build a faster, simpler and more secure experience on a computer that always gets better."