Google's Linux-based Chrome OS grows from an industry joke to a steadily-progressing success.

The latest two laptops running Google's open source Linux- and Chrome-based Chrome OS are considerably cheaper than the Windows-based competition, putting them in the same territory as low-cost Android tablets like the Kindle Fire HD. It seems as if the mainstream may finally be ready for Chrome OS.

NPD DisplaySearch says tablet shipments hit 72.7 million units in 2011, and could grow to 383.3 million by 2017.

Here's a ComputerWorld column suggesting that ChromeOS may face a difficult future. "Chrome-based notebooks are still months away from release, but it's not at all clear that when they finally arrive, people will want them. Given that Android tablets and Windows-based netbooks will be likely available at the same price...