????云計算已經火了一陣子。不過沒多少人認為所有的計算都能在云端完成?！皼]多少人”的意思是——除了谷歌（Google）總部的智囊們，沒多少人這么看。

????谷歌之前已經開始與多家硬件商聯(lián)合生產Chromebook，現在，它開始認真測試技術用戶是否完全能在云端實現數字生活這個想法。采用Chrome系統(tǒng)的低成本筆記本最早在2011年發(fā)售。它們只運行基于網絡的應用，而不運行傳統(tǒng)的桌面程序，也避免了光驅和大硬盤這類傳統(tǒng)的筆記本配件。

????Chromebook起初反響平平，后來卻逐漸受到市場青睞。不過總的來說，人們購買它的主要原因還是價格便宜。我個人對250美元的三星（Samsung）Chromebook贊不絕口，不是因為它有多么好，而是因為：第一，我家里已經有幾臺蘋果Mac電腦了；第二，以這個低價位就能買到一臺筆記本，而且我能接受一臺只能上網的電腦的各種缺點，比如說沒有iTunes或iPhoto，沒有Skype，沒有Minecraft（如果你不知道這是什么，隨便問個三年級小孩吧），而文字處理和電子制表程序也不夠好。

????現在，谷歌相信一些人想要完全過上云生活——不僅僅是因為它便宜——還因為它更好。周四谷歌發(fā)布了Chromebook Pixel。這款筆記本的時尚感和速度能與任何超級本媲美?！境瑯O本始于英特爾（Intel），以提振一路下滑的PC機銷量。不過到目前為止，好運尚未降臨。】谷歌的Pixel擁有全尺寸鍵盤和高分辨率觸摸屏，像許多新PC機一樣采用Windows 8系統(tǒng)。谷歌分管Chrome和應用的高級副總裁桑達?皮采上周四在舊金山發(fā)布Pixel時說：“我們認為這是一款革命性的產品，它將引領人們的云生活?！币苍S吧。不過關注點在于，即將運往全球各地的Pixel價格高達驚人的1,299美元，這還是只支持Wifi的版本。將在四月發(fā)行、使用長期演進技術、連接高速細胞網絡的版本價格將高達1,449美元。

????這款產品很可能不好賣?；ㄉ媳冗@臺基礎版少100美元的價錢，你就能買到13英寸的蘋果Macbook Air。起初正因為它的人氣，才促使了超極本的誕生。Air可能沒有觸摸屏，不過你可以在上面進行任何你想要的云計算，同時還可以運行任何桌面程序?？梢詢Υ嬲掌?、音樂和視頻。如果你愿意，還可以把它們備份在云系統(tǒng)里。

????誰會買Pixel呢？皮采說大多數公司已經接受了云計算的概念，同時使用Gmail和其他谷歌應用來滿足自己的生產需要。市場缺少的就是真正好用的Chrome系統(tǒng)筆記本，尤其是對軟件開發(fā)商、以及需要高運算速度和高分辨率屏幕的超級用戶而言。皮采說：“就我個人經歷來說，這是我用過的最快的筆記本?！?/p>

????Cloud computing has been around for some time now. But not many people believe they can do all their computing in the cloud. Not many, that is, outside the brainaics at the Googleplex.

????With its line of Chromebooks made by various hardware partners, Google (GOOG) began testing in earnest the idea that tech users could live their digital lives almost entirely in the cloud. The low-cost laptops, which are powered by the Chrome operating system first went on sale in 2011. They only run Web-based applications, not traditional desktop programs, and eschew the trappings of traditional laptops such as an optical disc reader or large hard drive.

????After a sluggish start, Chromebooks are gaining momentum. But by and large, people buy them because they are cheap. I personally raved about the $250 Samsung Chromebook not because it's a great computer, but because a) I already have a couple of Macs around the house, and b) at that price, I could afford to get an extra laptop and put up with the shortcomings of a Web-only device: no iTunes or iPhoto, no Skype, no Minecraft (if you don't know what that is, ask any third-grade boy), and subpar versions of word processing and spreadsheet programs.

????Now Google is making a bet that some people will want to live entirely in the cloud -- not primarily because it is cheaper -- but because it is better. On Thursday, it unveiled the Chromebook Pixel, a laptop as stylish and fast as any ultrabook. (That category was created by Intel (INTC) to help boost flagging PC sales; so far, no luck.) Google's Pixel has a full-sized keyboard and a super-high-resolution display that works as a touchscreen, like many newer PCs running Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 8.

????"We think this is a real game changer in how people can start living the cloud," said Sundar Pichai, the senior vice president in charge of Chrome and apps at Google, as he unveiled the Pixel in San Francisco on Thursday. Maybe. But the catch is that the Pixel, which will ship next week, costs a jaw-dropping $1,299 for a WiFi-only model. A version with LTE to connect to high-speed cellular networks is coming in April and will cost $1,449.

????That's likely to be a tough sell. For $100 less than the base model, you can get a 13-inch MacBook Air from Apple (AAPL), the popularity of which essentially spurred the creation of the ultrabook category in the first place. The Air may not have a touch screen, but you can do all the cloud computing you want and run just about any desktop program. You can store your photos, music and videos, and yes, back them up in the cloud if you want.

????So who will buy the Pixel? Pichai says that plenty of businesses have already embraced the concept of cloud computing and use Gmail and other Google apps for most of their productivity needs. What's been lacking is a really good Chrome-based laptop, especially for software developers and other power users who demand speed and high-resolution displays. "In my personal experience, it's the fastest laptop I used," Pichai said.