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Earlier this month, we introduced a new Chromebook in development by the name ‘Rowan’. We’ve already uncovered its display, processor, and the fact that it will feature a fingerprint scanner.
But there’s more to the story.
In addition to ‘Scarlet’, it looks like ‘Rowan’ may also be a Chrome OS tablet.
Chrome Pad? Chromelet?
Anyway, there are a few details emerging that give very strong clues that ‘Rowan’ will also be a tablet, and we want to break them down quickly for you.
New Display Additions
First, a change has shown up since our first report on the screen. Earlier, we found reference to an LG display measuring 12-inches. While there’s a possible variant setup happening, it is more likely that the 12-inch display was a test unit just used for device bring up.
In this newer commit, we are seeing drivers being added (not simply reused as in the older panel that was being referenced) for a BOE display that measures 9.7″ with a 2048×1536.
Buy the Samsung Chromebook Plus on Amazon
Sound familiar? It is the same size and resolution as the iPad. Like them or hate them, Apple got the size and aspect ratio right with their tablets. 4:3 is perfect in a near 10-inch device. I’m excited to see a Chromebook (Chromepad?) take this route.
Keyboard Removal
Similar to what we saw with the ‘Scarlet’ commits, ‘Rowan’ is also being tweaked not to search for or utilize a keyboard. Taken on its own, this could be a Chromebox or Chromebit, but with the clear references to screens and (as we’ll see in a second) batteries, this is clearly a Chromebook device.
Smaller Cell Battery
One trait tablets tend to share is a smaller battery than a similar-sized laptop or convertible. Laptops and convertibles tend to utilize 3-cell, larger batteries.
It looks like, in this commit, ‘Rowan’ will be employing a 2-cell power source instead.
Sound like a tablet to you?
Chrome OS is Rounding Out
Now that we are seeing multiple tablets, convertibles, and detachables, 2017 simply keeps looking more and more interesting.
We can’t wait to see some more of these devices getting closer to launch!
Thanks to +Ondřej Pokorný for the heads-up!
