[CB4me]

I just read that Google is requiring a 3 year commitment on the hardware.

The $28 per user monthly subscription fee will be covering hardware, a web console for multiple users, warranty and replacements, support and hardware auto-updates. Google tells Search Engine Land that there will be a three year subscription required and hardware will be upgraded at the end of the three years, if companies continue the service.

That is a pretty long commitment for an unproven product. I would have liked to see a month-to-month commitment, quit at any time. That would make me feel like they really believe in their product.

 

[chromed]

Chromebooks For Business & Education offer monthly plans that bundle hardware and support, with plans opening up on June 15. The business plan costs $28 per user, per month. The education plan costs $20 per month, per users.

Google says there’s a three year subscription required. Hardware will be upgraded at the end of the three years, if people want to continue on the plans.

If hardware breaks, it’ll get replaced under warranty. But if you decide you want a shiny new Chromebook with perhaps better screens, trackpads or whatever midway through the program, there seems to be no provision for that.

 

[modder]

I am sure that will come with time, they probably haven't gotten that far since they are just at launch. I suspect a one time small upgrade fee to change hardware mid-term is just a good business call and Google will incorporate it once they launch the first hardware upgrades.

 

[black.pad]

Yeah they need to work on the subscription plan. As for the 2 plans they off right now its a very good idea. 20$ for students 28$ for business people. But they should offer new hardware upgrades for small fee's and etc.

We will see when they release all products.

 

[modder]

I guess it will also depend on what other OS maker has launched a competitive product during that initial 3 years as to whether Google has to offer a mid-term upgrade

 

[geekyass]

Me thinks a 3 year turn around on hardware is ok, considering the good job Google did of making sure Android OS updates always got to as many devices as possible, I think ChromeOS updates will be effective on the launch hardware for the three year duration.

 

[jwr]

So 1008$ for a Chromebook? I don't think so.

 

[AfroPix]

I have to agree with jwr, those costs will be adding up pretty quick

 

[sobrien9]

I agree

Yeah I dont get the whole subscription idea. It does seem like an awful lot for a Chromebook.

 

[SteveGeller]

Price(s) have to cover the Chromebook, warranty, cloud space, internet packets, cell network, additional software, ... Best if it were all bundled, not a series of surprises. We shall see.

 

[Droymac]

Subscriptions are -NOT- for individual consumers, unless you plan to buy 10+ machines. This service is only for businesses and schools, and the accrued amount (per machine, btw) goes towards many things such as tech support and new machines every three years.

 

[Timmy]

That means you will have to spend a fortune in the end. Even if the product gets replaced I still think it's way too much. It should be cheaper like they projected before they even released the product.

 

[russcasey]

Compared with the cost of providing a set of users with laptop computers and a domain to log on to, the costs are reasonable. A company with a network of chromeos devices could probably make do with a smaller IT dept than one without, making substantial savings. Fewer servers, less maintenance work, less downtime.. it all adds up.

The hardware cost isn't the biggest factor in these sums, and if you think it is you're missing the point.

 

[Jason]

Compared with the cost of providing a set of users with laptop computers and a domain to log on to, the costs are reasonable. A company with a network of chromeos devices could probably make do with a smaller IT dept than one without, making substantial savings. Fewer servers, less maintenance work, less downtime.. it all adds up.

The hardware cost isn't the biggest factor in these sums, and if you think it is you're missing the point.

QFT.

Most costs an IT department has is Body's not gear. You get the write off hardware over a 3 year period for a business expense..You have to pay taxes for every person on payroll.

Think of it like this: average Business Dell (office, dock, monitor, keyboard and mouse) runs you $1300 which you keep for 3 years. 1300/3 = 433.34 per year. Low Level IT Support desk starts at 30,000. 30,000/433.34 = 69 laptops per one person salary. That doesn't include payroll tax or insurance.

Most sites have 1-2 techs and one manager per 3-5 sites. Managers make 60-80k. If your big enough you have domain guys and network guys that your paying too...they are much larger salaries...100k+ easy. See how quick bodies add up.