We were there just over four weeks ago in Times Square in New York City when Microsoft launched Windows 8. The company turned over 30 of the location's electronic billboards into big Start screen logos and also showed off a bunch of Windows 8 devices from third party PC makers, as well as Microsoft's own Surface tablet.

Chromebook laptops are Google's way of showcasing its "cloud computing" philosophy, in which everything you need is available on the Internet. Google believes storage and services are better handled by Internet-connected data centers located far from you. Computers running Windows tend to keep files and programs on individual machines.

In just one short day (June 15, 2011), Acer and Samsung will launch the long awaited Chromebook based on Google's Chrome OS software, which potential buyers will be able to purchase from Amazon.com and Best Buy. Or at least that's how the script is supposed to go. Trying to throw a cog in the wheel is ISYS Technologies and subsidiary Xi3 Corporation, who filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that the search giant is infringing the trademark for its ChromimumPC Modular Computer.

Google made a serious business pitch Wednesday afternoon to convince reporters and analysts that its Chromebooks were tools for business.
Citrix showed off what essentially is a business apps store for its Citrix Receiver virtualization tool, which provides a connector between the Chrome OS and standard Windows apps. And Google brought up a couple of customers, who talked about their early experiences using the Cr-48 prototype Chromebook in business and education environments.