Google releases the first desktop 'Chrome' PC, in another direct challenge to Windows

Google has given a fresh push behind its Chrome operating system - aiming to tackle Windows in the same way that the search engine's Android mobiles tackle the iPhone. Chrome, which was officially released last year, is an operating system that sits almost entirely within an Internet browser, relying on acloud computing-style set-up where documents, music, movies and apps are largely stored on the web. The operating system has some strengths over a traditional Windows 7 machine - such as a start-up time of just seven seconds, but saleswere underwhelming in the light of Window's heritage andavailability. Today, Google prepared to upthe ante, introducing two new machines produced by Samsung - the laptop-style 'Chromebook' and a a desktop-style Chromebox.