Google unveiled a new Chrome laptop recently. The $249 device and is being made in a partnership with Samsung, one of Google’s main allies in the tablet and smartphone device front.

The laptop will run on an operating system based on Google’s Chrome Web browser. Like other “Chromebooks,” this laptop doesn’t have a hard drive, instead being reliant on Internet portals for information and applications.

This laptop, by far the cheapest Google has ever offered, will go on sale early next week in more than 500 Best Buy stores in the U.S., as well as on various websites. Google appears to be trying to beat Microsoft and Apple off the line with their planned tablet computers.

“This is a big step in the journey for us,” said Sundar Pichai, Google’s senior vice president of Chrome and apps. “I think it’s generally an exciting time in the computing industry.”

The discount Chromebook will rely on a computer chip design known as ARM, which is energy efficient.  It will come with a 11.6-inch screen and will be set up to automatically use all of Google’s services, including its search engine, Gmail and YouTube video site, with 100 gigabytes of free storage on computers kept in Google’s eight data centers.

Google, will try to educate prospective buyers by setting up Chromebook kiosks in Best Buy stores where staff will be on hand to field questions. The company also will promote the new Chromebook in television ads.

Source: CBS News