14 DAY TRIAL // Google debuted the next-generation Chromebook, a much more powerful device, as well as the new Chromebox, a small desktop computer. Along with the devices though, Google is also upgrading the business and educational program.
Chromebooks have always had a great appeal to businesses and schools since they dramatically reduce the need for and cost maintenance. With that came the inherent disadvantages of using a new, untested platform.
After one year, Google has a lot more experience and is arguing that Chromebooks are better than ever for your business.
With that, it's also introducing a new, simpler deployment service as well as new support for virtualized Windows apps, via a partnership with nGenx. All of this while introducing a new way of paying for business-level support for the devices.
The latest version of Chrome OS comes with a better management tool, a boon for system administrators everywhere.
"With the latest OS release, you can also push network settings and auto-enroll a device for management when a user first logs in, creating a zero-touch deployment experience where you can ship a device directly to an end user," Google explained.
"Once a user is logged in, the Chromebox or Chromebook is automatically configured with the designated apps, networks and settings without any manual IT intervention. Thereafter, you can now control the frequency of OS updates and receive reports on device usage," it said.
This is the third time Google has tweaked the payment method for Chrome OS' enterprise offering. Initially, Google opted for a full rental system, schools and businesses paid a flat rate each month per device, $28, €22.35 businesses and $20, €16 schools. That works out to $1,008/$720 (€805/€575) for three years of support and includes the price of the devices. This includes a device replacement clause.
Shortly after the program launched, Google had a change of heart and also started offering clients the option of buying the device outright and only pay a monthly fee after the first year of use.
Schools paid $5, €4 per month per device and businesses $13, €10.4 per month. This works out to $120, €96 for schools and $312, €250 for businesses for two years of extended support plus the price of the device, $449, €359 for the standard WiFi model, for a total of $569/$761 (€454/€607).
Now Google offers just one option, a one-time fee of $150, €120 per device for businesses and $30, €24 for schools covering the lifetime of the device, three years. That adds up to $479/$599 (€382/€478), the cheapest option for enterprise users ever.