Buy a Chrome Laptop From Gilt Before Public Sales Begin

Remember when I mentioned that Google was creating their own operating system and giving away free laptops for product testing? Well, I don't know anyone that got selected for the beta testing but I do know that the Chrome laptop will be released in two weeks. Right now, Google has partnered up with Gilt to sell a few early.

With a price tag of $499, the Samsung Chrome comes with two years of 3G connection through Verizon Wireless. I'm not sure what the actual price will be once it officially goes on sale June 15, 2011, but if you really want this new system, I doubt it'll be any cheaper.

With your Chromebook order from Gilt, you'll also receive a limited-edition Chromebook sleeve designed by Rickshaw. Sleeve will be shipped separately.

• 12.1" (1280x800) Display
• 3.26 lbs / 1.48 kg
• Up to 8.5 hours of continuous usage*
• Intel Dual-Core Processor
• Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G**
• HD Webcam
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• 4-in-1 memory card slot
• Mini-VGA port
• Fullsize Chrome keyboard
• Oversized, fully-clickable trackpad

*Engineering specs can change without prior notice. Battery times are estimates, depend on lots of different factors, and may decline over time.

**All Chromebook Series 5 3G models include up to 100MB per month of Mobile Broadband service included with device for 2 years, provided by Verizon. Also available are an unlimited day pass for just $9.99 and pay-as-you-go rates that don't require any long-term contracts.

Side note about Gilt. They are a member-only shopping site that offers sales and discounts until an item sells out. I have never purchased from them before but I doubt that Google would team up with a company that wasn't legit and this sale came to me through a direct email from Google.