Google, Intel Team Up For New Chromebooks (GOOG, INTC)

Google GOOG and Intel INTC have teamed up build better Chromebooks. The search engine giant announced that Intel's fourth-generation Core i processors -- commonly known as Haswell -- will be featured in a number of new machines. In a post on Google's official Chrome blog, Chromebooks Product Management Director Caesar Sengupta said that the company has been working on expanding the Chromebook family. "Intel's latest processors sip less power to improve battery life by more than 2X over previous generations, while offering increased performance," Sengupta wrote. "This means these new Chromebooks last almost all day so you can focus on getting things done." Chromebooks are not the only machines benefiting from Haswell's battery improvements. In June Apple AAPL unveiled its long-awaited MacBook Air upgrade, which included Intel's new Haswell processors. In doing so, Apple was able to increase the battery life from five hours to nine hours (for the 11-inch model) and from seven hours to 12 hours (for the 13-inch model). Related: Chromebook Pixel Validates Microsoft's Touch Strategy, Could Force Apple's Hand By providing a 2X battery boost to Chromebooks, consumers will be able to work longer without having to search for a power outlet. Acer and Hewlett-Packard HPQ redesigned some of their older machines to implement Haswell. Asus ASUUY and Toshiba TOSBF, the newest Chromebook manufacturers, will also take advantage of Intel's latest technology. "With today's announcement, now six of the top laptop manufacturers are offering Chromebooks," Sengupta added. "It's been amazing to see the broadening of the Chromebook spectrum and we look forward to continued advances in both the hardware and software." Chromebook sales may have lagged in the past, but unit sales are expected to rise 200 percent this year. 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 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ