GOOGL Alphabet Inc

Google Inc. (GOOG) on Thursday unveiled a $249 laptop powered by its Chrome operating system and built by Samsung Electronics Co. (SSNHY, 005930.SE), as the Internet company hopes to jumpstart sales of Chrome-based devices.

The Google-based laptops are designed primarily to run Web-based applications, including word-processing and games, as Google hopes to shift software development away from applications anchored to PC operating systems such as Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Windows.

The company Thursday will begin to market the Samsung device in the U.S. through TV ads, and it said the device would be available for sale online through Amazon.com and other sites as well as through 500 Best Buy Co. (BBY) retail stores.

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