The development of the Netbooks is based on
the fact of being lighter, smaller and cheaper, allowing computers to be
simpler. However, as we pursue being light weight, have we lost the computing power?
Cloud Computing maybe the solution to this.
Cloud Computing can be viewed as a
distributed computing technique, breaking up one’s computing needs into
countless smaller sequences, and distributing them over various servers via the
internet. Once completed, they will be sent back to the user.
However, user of Cloud Computing technology does not need to comprehend the complex computing algorithm in the background. From a layman’s perspective, Cloud Computing is a service that brings huge computational power to the user via the internet. User information is not stored in the terminal server but rather in the “Cloud” infrastructure delivered through data centers. However, this does not matter to the end user. What is important is that so long as a user is able to connect to the internet, these computational data will be readily at his disposal.
With the internet highway, Netbooks save on “computational capability”, but can be provided with the additional computational muscle for end user regardless of time and location.
Google’s Taiwan regional manager, Jian Li Feng, a strong advocate for Cloud Computing technology, views that Cloud Computing has a positive benefit for Netbook users. At the same time, Asus EeePC Operation General Manager, Hu Shu Bin, also described the chance encounter of these 2 technologies as a “perfect match”.
Tug of War: Cloud Computing vs Netbook
From the hardware design perspective, Jian Li Feng’s analyzed that Netbook originated from One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program. The simplified design concept was to “replace” harddisk storage with the internet, bringing down the cost of production. Similarly, Hu Shu Bin also places strong emphasis on the relationship between the internet and Netbook. When the EeePC is under development, internet connectivity is a “must”. With this prerequisite, Cloud Computing and Netbook’s “just enough” computational power becomes a “perfect match”.
Nevertheless, between internet service and hardware technology, there exists an interesting “power struggle” between Netbook and Cloud Computing. Google as the leading internet service aims to improve efficiency through Cloud Computing, creating much greater user reliance on its services. With this in mind, Jian Li Feng believes that Cloud Computing will bring sensational changes to reduce the dependence on hardware, and the internet to take the center stage.
However, hardware manufacturers are not about to sit around and allow Cloud Computing recline hardware merchandise to the era of “Dumb Terminal”. During the age of where computation is only carried out on the mainframe, users are on dumb terminals. Even with Cloud Computing, Netbooks strives to achieve user basic needs at times without internet connectivity, and turn Cloud Computing into a complementary tool for Netbooks instead.
Hu Shu Bin believes that there are still room for improvements on the diversity of services and usage for Cloud Computing; thus, we have yet to see how it will really stimulate the sales of Netbooks. As long as Cloud Computing continues to develop, we will be able to leverage well on the technology.
In reality, Netbook manufacturers are well aware of what the future holds for Cloud Computing. Instead of allowing internet companies to dictate the future, they may rather lead this technology themselves.
Manufacturers penetrate Cloud Computing with Storage Space
Both Asus and Dell have included online storage service with the sale of their Netbooks, in order to introduce Cloud Computing. MSI China operation manager Hui Zhen has also expressed the company’s consideration of providing similar Cloud Computing services.
Jian Li Feng extends his support towards hardware firms’ enthusiasm towards Cloud Computing. He pointed out that Google has always been very positive in promoting Cloud Computing and has long released the basic architecture for external usage. He also reminded that cost is a very important aspect in promoting Cloud Computing. It would be meaningless if costs are not driven down. Other than Cloud Computing, he pins higher hopes on hardware firms placing more emphasis on Cloud related services, as Cloud Computing is only a technology infrastructure. It takes outstanding applications to bring out the value of Cloud technology and stimulate growth in the industry.
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