Dell joining Acer and HP in Chrome OS hardware party?
A list of config files has been spotted within Chrome OS listing not only long-standing likely suspects Acer as hardware partners, but HP and Dell too.

Dell is strongly rumoured to be a third hardware manufacturer working on a Chrome OS netbook for release later this year, alongside Acer and HP.
Google's open source operating system was first announced nearly a year ago, and since then the identity of Google's hardware partners has been the subject of much speculation.
Acer was the first to throw its hat in the ring, announcing to the Taiwanese press back in December that it would release a Chrome-powered netbook in the second half of 2010.
Industry site VentureBeat added to the momentum by insisting an Acer-branded Chrome OS netbook would appear at Computex in Taipei at the start of the month, only to be proven wrong.
But with Google confirming that the first Chrome hardware will be arriving "in the fall" from select partners, the rumours are now gathering pace again, with the latest developments naming not just Acer, but HP and Dell too as likely manufacturers of Chrome hardware the three biggest computer makers in the world.
According to Download Squad, a list of files within the .git repository, which look after Chrome's hardware support in the build process, indicate that the three hardware makers are advanced enough in their preparations to be specified in config files.
While Acer has been among the likely suspects all along, and even HP was named in Google's initial list of partners back in July last year, Dell's name appearing is somewhat of a surprise, though it does have plenty of history working with open source Linux builds.
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Google itself has announced it will release own-brand Chrome OS netbooks for both business and consumers by the end of this year or early next year, but with the HTC-made Google Nexus One smartphone proving that Google isn't a hardware company, it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see one of these three doing the honours underneath the Google badge.
-
The Dell Pro 14 Plus laptop is a pro that comes with cons
Reviews A solid business laptop, but awkward pricing and bland design see it struggle to make a mark
-
Dell says Windows 11 migration is a prime opportunity to overhaul ageing PC fleets – and AI devices are in the spotlight
News The shift to Windows 11 means IT leaders can ditch old tech and get their hands on AI PCs
-
Dell grows AI laptop line with Dell Pro Max Plus at Dell Technologies World 2025
The new Pro Max Plus laptop swaps Nvidia chips for Qualcomm to ‘supercharge inferencing at the edge’
-
Dell Technologies World 2025 live – all latest news and updates live from the Venetian Conference Center, Las Vegas
Keep up to date with the news and announcements from Day Two of Dell Technologies' annual conference as they happen
-
Four things I expect to see at Dell Technologies World 2025
These are my Dell Technologies World predictions ahead of the conference kick off next week
-
Dell kills off XPS and other brands for PC simplicity
News Pro and Pro Max will be used in place of Latitude, Inspiron, and Precision naming convention
-
Work and innovate everywhere
whitepaper Protection across AI attack vectors
-
Dell, HP post underwhelming returns as PC market remains in a state of flux
News Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are contending with an impending Windows 10 EOL and a burgeoning AI PC market