GDC 2011: Google Surprises GDC Attendees With Free Chrome Laptops

Following its GDC 2011 presentations, search engine giant Google surprised session attendees this week with free Google Cr-48 laptops in an apparent effort to woo game developers to support the web-centric Chrome OS. Company reps on Monday handed out blue cards to attendees which they later exchanged for the free laptops. Google originally debuted Cr-48 notebooks late last year. The laptops are a reference hardware design to test the company’s Chrome OS. After word spread about the expensive Google gifts from Monday, long lines formed outside of Google’s Tuesday GDC sessions. The company’s Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system that works exclusively with web applications. Google is at work on new technology for games including scalable servers and high-speed code and graphics in web browsers. The firm is trying to show game developers the opportunities in technology and reach in the web gaming space. [UPDATE: GDC attendees who waited in line for Tuesday's Google sessions weren't disappointed when Google handed out attendees' choice of either a Motorola Xoom tablet or a Nexus S smartphone.]