HP's Chromebook 11 Features Innovation Not Found In Apple's MacBook

Hewlett-Packard HPQ has developed a new Google GOOG Chromebook that contains a unique feature not found in Apple's AAPL MacBook. Instead of designing the Chromebook 11 to use a big and bulky, unit-specific charger, HP created a notebook that can be charged with a micro USB charger. On its website, Google illustrates how this charger can be used to rejuvenate a cornucopia of tablets and smartphones, such as the Nexus 4. As a result, consumers will be able to carry one charger to charge all of their devices. The micro USB charger will allow consumers to replace lost or damaged chargers very cheaply and easily. Unlike most laptop chargers, which are expensive and often specific to each make and model, micro USB chargers can be purchased for $10 to $20. By comparison, many third-party Dell DELL laptop chargers retail for $20 and up. Sony SNE laptop chargers typically fall within the $35 price range. If consumers want one that is made by Sony, they will have to pay more. Apple-made MacBook chargers retail for $79.99. Related: Hewlett-Packard To Launch iPhone Competitor In 2013 Solid Features For Under $300 While HP did not achieve the ultra-desirable price point of $199 (the starting MSRP for the first round of Chromebooks), the Chromebook 11 appears to be a solid machine for $279. Caesar Sengupta, the VP of Product Management at Google, detailed the notebook's features in a blog post. First and foremost, Sengupta said that the display features a 176-degree viewing angle. This will allow users to see the screen "even when looking at it almost completely sideways." The Chromebook 11 also has a sturdy, magnesium frame that may have been inspired by a famous comic book. "We took a page out of X-Men," he told CNET, hinting at Wolverine and his adamentium body. Instead of placing speakers on top or underneath the laptop, the Chromebook 11 has put its speakers underneath the keyboard. Sengupta claims that this allows HP to deliver sound that is "crisp, clear and pointed up towards your ears." The Chromebook 11 comes with two free years of Google Drive storage (100GB), a 60-day free trial of Google Play Music All Access and 12 free sessions of GoGo Inflight Internet. Select (unnamed) retailers are supposed to begin selling the new laptop today, but it can also be ordered at hpshopping.com/ starting on October 16. As of this writing, the computer is not yet available at BestBuy.com BBY. Verizon VZ will release a 4G LTE version later this year, but the price and exact release date have not been announced. Disclosure: At the time of this writing, Louis Bedigian had no position in the equities mentioned in this report. Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ