14 DAY TRIAL // When it first launched the Chromebooks, Google figured that only tech savvy folks would buy them. As such, it decided to only sell them online. Since Chromebooks rely almost entirely on the web, those that would buy them would know what they're getting themselves into and would be comfortable shelling a few hundreds of dollars for the laptops without seeing them.
But Google is having a change of heart. It now believes that people just need to be convinced and that some may want to buy a Chromebook, but are unsure what it actually means.
YouTube videos can only tell you so much, being able to actually work on a device would provide a much more compelling experience.
This is why Google has started experimenting with getting Chromebooks in front of people via so-called Chrome Zones, specially designed areas for potential customers to test and maybe even buy a Chromebook.
Google started with a long-time ally, Virgin America, and set up areas in several terminals in the US which showcased Google's devices and their capabilities.
Google also set up a program where passengers would be able to rent a Chromebook during their flights.
But Google is now expanding its physical presence, it set up a Chrome Zone in a large retail store in London and has one planned in Essex.
Apparently, it discovered that people really do want to touch and use the Chrombooks form themselves.
"The vast majority of laptops are bought in physical stores, so that was a deliberate challenge," Google told the New York Times about the decision to go online-only at first.
"But people need to spend some time with them to understand the concept, so this is a testing ground in a retail environment," it added.
So far, Google says it's pleased with the experiments. It says that some tens of thousands of people have already checked out the devices in the Chrome Zones.