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Top PC Makers Show Interest In Google's Chrome

By Ben Charny, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

SAN FRANCISCO -(Dow Jones)- The world's top computer makers expressed interest Wednesday in Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Chrome computer operating system, but won't yet commit to making any new products using the software.

No. 1 computer seller Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) says it's "studying" Chrome, which is initially intended for low-cost netbook computers. "We want to assess the capability it may have for the computer and communications industries," said H-P spokeswoman Marlene Somsak.

Dell Inc. (DELL), the world's No. 2 computer seller, expressed similar sentiment.

"Dell constantly assesses new technologies as part of managing our product development process and for consideration in future products," said spokeswoman Anne Camden.

Google's new Chrome operating system may be indeed what PC makers have been waiting for from Google. Top vendors have already shown interest in selling computers that use Google's Android operating system for cellphones, which was introduced in late 2007. Yet so far, nothing but a few prototypes have appeared, suggesting PC makers wanted a more robust software from the Internet search giant.

Chrome also appears at an opportune time to challenge Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Windows operating system's domination of the market for software that runs PC applications.

Researcher Gartner Inc. (IT) sees worldwide unit sales of personal computers falling 6% this year because of the recession. But unit sales growth of netbooks should double. Google expects Chrome netbooks to go on sale sometime after June 2010.

Hewlett-Packard shares recently were up 0.3% at $36.96. Dell shares were down 1% at $12.85. Google gained 1.1% to trade at $401.13, while Microsoft fell 2.2% to $22.03.

-By Ben Charny; Dow Jones Newswires; 415-765-8230; ben.charny@dowjones.com

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  07-08-091236ET
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