CTL will produce two new models of Google’s low-priced laptops.
BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
CTL, a Beaverton-based computer manufacturer, will produce two new models of Google’s low-priced, durable laptops often used in educational settings.
The CTL Chromebook J2 and CTL Chromebook J4 start at $179, Portland Business Journal reports.
CTL entered the K-12 educational Chromebook market last year when it introduced the CTL Education Chromebook. This device was based on an Intel chipset and has other features such as a water-resistant keyboard and rotating camera. Chromebooks are laptops that use Google’s Chrome operating system. Since jumping into this educational Chromebook market, CTL has seen its business grow significantly. When the Intel-based device launched last year, the education market was about 15 percent of CTL’s business. It now comprises about half the company’s business.
“Since we launched, business is up 65 percent across CTL, mostly from Chromebooks and education,” said CTL COO Erik Stromquist.
Since companies already utilize Google apps, Chromebooks could soon move into the business world, Stromquist said.
The Chromebook has forced Microsoft to slash prices, reports the Associated Press
The Chromebook has served a dual purpose for Google. Like the company’s Android software for mobile devices, the Chrome system is set up so users will automatically begin using Google’s search engine and other services, such as Gmail and YouTube. Google has used the Chromebooks as a prod to bring down the prices of all PCs, something the company wanted to do because it has more opportunities to show the digital ads that bring in most of its revenue when more people can afford to buy an Internet-connected device.
“We cannot be happier that Microsoft is helping drive down the prices of PCs,” said Caesar Sengupta, Google’s vice president of product management for Chromebooks. “If Microsoft is reacting to (Chromebook’s low prices), that’s fantastic. We love it.”
Google saves money on the Chromebook because the device relies on cloud computing and thus doesn’t require a hard drive.
