Arkose: I can't see how this OS will possibly succeed. Since the OS is centred around web applications running in a browser, all of which will work in
any standards-compliant browser on
any platform, why would anyone bother using Google's OS rather than a more established one with far superior hardware and software support? I can't even see it succeeding on netbooks all that well; the outstanding Windows 7 will displace the ageing XP on netbooks as soon as OEMs get their hands on it, ensuring Windows' netbook market dominance, and those specifically wanting Linux on the go would surely be better off with a more established distro such as
Ubuntu. It's also not related to Google's other OS, Android, which could lead to some confusion.
Khalan: Wonder what compatibility will be like with DirectX and existing Windows apps and formats.
Google Chrome OS is just another Linux distro. Windows compatibility will be non-existent. Unless they bundle
Wine with it only native Linux software will work.
EDIT: Also, "Google Chrome OS" has to be one of the worst and most confusing names for an OS.
Google already has deals in place with major netbook manufacturers like HP and Acer. Chrome is more appealing to them because, unlike Windows XP or Win 7, it has very,
very low system requirements, which is essential for a netbook OS. Frankly, there is almost no way Win 7 can run effectively on a netbook, so Chrome or some other Linux based system makes much more sense. Outside of the netbook market, I agree, I don't see how this is any different than every other Linux distro out there, other than the Google brand slapped on it, so I don't see how this could be at all successful (in that market).