UPDATED 00:56 EDT / NOVEMBER 28 2013

NEWS

Microsoft brings in the Pawn Stars Crew to bash Google’s Chromebook

Microsoft just can’t stop making fun out of Google’s efforts in the laptop industry and to help it do so, it’s just hired the guys from the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.

Rick Harrison and his crew are famous, but if you don’t know them, they are the stars of the History Channel’s Pawn Stars, a reality-based TV show that features people going in to have their items pawned or sold if it is of great value, if not, they walk away with their item still on hand.

In the video clip, a lady wants to sell or pawn her Chromebook so she can buy a ticket to Hollywood.  The pawn shop is in Las Vegas, so to get to Hollywood, she either needs a bus ticket or a plane ticket.  A plane ticket for Las Vegas to California costs somewhere between $70-$350 depending on the airline and the seat.  But Harrison stated that the Chromebook is not even worth a ticket to Hollywood.

“Unfortunately, I can’t buy everything.  Specially when it’s not what it appears to be.  and this is not a real laptop.  I’m not buying this one.  I don’t want to get Scroogled,” Harrison concluded.

Scroogled! is Microsoft’s way of telling people how Google screws with people.  It may sound like Microsoft is all for looking out for consumers, but in reality it’s just a way to sell more Microsoft products and services.

Google introduced the Chromebook back in 2011, and since then it has received a major upgrade.  Earlier this year, Google released the Chromebook Pixel, a Google device that costs $1,299 for a WiFi only version and $1,499 for the WiFi-LTE version for people on the go.  Aside from having web-based applications, it has a stunning touchscreen display, and is lighter compared to regular laptops.  Considering the limited functionality of the device, many were quick to conclude that the price is way too steep.

Its constant need to be internet-connected is what Microsoft sees as the major flaw.  The software giant doesn’t consider the Chromebook as a laptop, as it has limited functionality when not connected to the internet and even if you are connected, Google tracks your every move so it can push targeted ads towards you.

But is the Chromebook really that bad?  Is the need to be constantly online really that big a handicap?  Honestly, no. Whatever device you are using, be it a PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet, people always want to be connected to the internet so they can log into Facebook, search websites, go online shopping, and pretty much everything else they do with their devices. Google released the Chromebook to cater to people who are always online and do not need too much computing power.  So it’s not that bad if you look at it that way.

If you’re a Microsoft Office user and you live and breathe Windows, then the Chromebook is not for you.  But if you’re not afraid to jump from Office to Google Drive, and you think Drive is very useful especially when you need to access your files anytime, anywhere, then the Chromebook actually isn’t too shabby. Office offers the same thing, but for a price, unlike Google Drive which is free to use.

Plus if Microsoft’s point of being constantly connected is not needed, then why are people investing in pocket WiFis?  Why do people use their smartphones as hotspots so they can connect their laptop to the internet?

Microsoft brags that real laptops have native apps that can be accessed even without an internet connection, which makes it so much better than a Chromebook.  Harrison gave the example of Office and iTunes as native apps, but they are not native to Windows or laptops for that matter.  You have to download and install those for them to be usable.  Also, there are offline Chrome apps which means you can still get some things done even without an internet connection.  Plus, do people really want to be offline?

Though this is a pathetic attempt for Microsoft to take another hit at Google, at least it is somewhat funny, or amusing, even if they didn’t get their facts right.


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