On Wednesday 5th September Google launched a new programme which lets customers rent Chrome devices. The laptops and desktop PCs can be hired on a monthly basis from one month up to three years. The new initiative focuses mainly on Google’s business customers, especially businesses which hire temporary workers or new businesses which are strapped for cash.
A blog post written by Divya Agarwalla, a product manager for Google, states that the new programme will be particularly beneficial for companies with short-term workers, saying:
“Imagine you’re setting up shop for a local political campaign and will have an influx of new, temporary workers. You can rent a Chromebook for each worker for the next few months, and return them when the campaign is over.”
The Chromebook rental programme will only be available for a limited period, according to the official Chromebook website. Prices start at $30 a month for a Chromebook laptop and Chromebox desktop at $25 per month. The cost per month decreases each year until the maximum rental term of three years. Up to 25 Chromebooks may be applied for by each customer. The agreement also includes a three year warranty and a contract for 24/7 support.
Google’s initiative will encourage more individuals and businesses to interact with the web, possibly with a lower outlay than purchasing a device outright. As Google plays an integral role in SEO, this could be positive news for businesses, although search engine optimisation may become more complex due to advances made by Google.
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