Google announced a new addition to the Chromebook family with the Dell Chromebook 13, which is specifically geared toward business use. It also announced support for various work-related apps and enhancements to the Chrome Device Management Console.

Google says in a blog post, “Today, the new Dell Chromebook 13 joins the Asus Chromebook Flip and Chromebook Pixel in the Chromebook for Work lineup. Built with a lightweight carbon fiber cover, the laptop comes with a 13.3” FHD IPS touchscreen display, 5th Generation Intel Core processor, magnesium alloy palm rest, backlit keyboard and high-precision glass trackpad. And if you’re often on the road or rushing between meetings, you’ll have the machine power to keep moving, thanks to a 12-hour battery life.”

“Using Microsoft infrastructure?” it continues.”No problem. Single sign-on and support for legacy apps mean Chromebooks can now plug right in with VMWare, Dell vWorkspace, or Citrix’s improved Chrome receiver. Connecting to your files is even easier with Windows File Shares (SMB/CIFS), Box, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Need to print? Printing to local printers with Cloud Print 2.0 or to any existing printer using the improved Cloud Print CUPS connector is simple. With the help of a new API, HP supports over 100m+ printers with the HP Print for Chrome app. And connecting just got more seamless –VPN support from Pulse Secure and Dell SonicWall join Cisco AnyConnect on the Chrome Web Store (F5 Networks and Palo Alto Networks coming soon).”

As far as enhancements to Chrome Device Management Console, they’ve added domain autocomplete and asset management in a bid to “make IT admins lives easier”. According to a study from IDC, Chromebooks already require 92% less labor to support than other devices, so they’re already on well on the right path in that department.

The Dell Chromebook 13 starts at$399.00 and will be available starting September 17 in the U.S. and Canada but coming to the UK soon.

Back