I think the reason Google is trying this rental approach is because it's a way to angle in to a market with relatively little room. They think they might have a

I think the reason Google is trying this rental approach is because it's a way to angle in to a market with relatively little room. They think they might have an advantage in the laptop-as-a-service category, more so then in the low-end-laptop category. That would have been different in 2008. BTW, I don't think it's smart comparing chromebook prices to amazon bargain bin prices. These aren't the same market segments. Laptop rentals for home and small business is a substantial existing market. A quick look at the deals going now shows prices generally ranging from $15-$45 per week. These are not particularly high end machines. http://www.radio-rentals.com.au/products/Computer---Office/Notebooks http://www.radio-rentals.com.au/products/Computer---Office/N... http://www.mrrental.com.au/For-Rent/Catalogue/Computers-Office/Laptop-Computers.aspx http://www.mrrental.com.au/For-Rent/Catalogue/Computers-Offi...