Aussies First to Get Chromebook Laptops

03.06.2011
An Australian device manufacturer has beat Samsung and Acer to be the first company to release a laptop based on Google's Chrome OS. The Kogan Agora will start shipping on June 7. Kogan's Chromebook has features similar to the Samsung Series 5 and Acer Chromebook, which are expected later this month in the United States.

The has an 11.6-inch WXGA display, like Acer's Chromebook. The company says it will come with 1GB of RAM (upgradeable to 4GB), 30GB of SSD storage, a battery that will last 3.5 hours, and HDMI output. There's no 3G option, but Kogan's website says you can stay connected by turning your Android phone or iPhone into a hotspot (the product webpage oddly has a 3G icon under the "always connected" heading).

The Agora is available for order today--but only in Australia--for $349 AUD ($375).

U.S. consumers, don't worry: The Samsung Series 5 and Acer Chromebook--the two Chromebooks Google --will be available for order in just a couple of weeks (June 15). While you wait, here's the and , as well as reasons to wait.

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