New version of Chromebook unveiled

Google is trying to win more converts to a computer operating system revolving around its popular Chrome Web browser with new lightweight laptops built by Samsung Electronics.

The release of the next-generation Chromebooks will give Google and Samsung another opportunity to persuade consumers and businesses to buy an unconventional computer instead of machines running familiar software by industry pioneers Microsoft and Apple.

The upgraded laptops have high-definition video and run even faster than the original line of Chromebooks introduced a year ago.

The price is 449 US dollars (£287) for models which only connect to the internet through Wi-Fi and 549 US dollars (£351) for a machine which connects on a 3G network.