Choosing between the Google CR-48 and the Wyvern MobLab depends entirely on what kind of user you are.
| Feature | Google CR-48 | Wyvern Moblabs | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 2010 | ~2015 | | Dimensions | 12.1" x 8.4" x 0.9" (clamshell) | 8.5" x 5.8" x 1.8" (rugged handheld) | | Weight | 3.8 lbs | 4.2 lbs (with modules) | | Build Material | Textured matte plastic (rubberized) | Magnesium alloy + TPU bumpers | | Screen | 12.1" 1280x800 (glossy) | 7" 1024x600 (anti-glare, sunlight-readable, glove-friendly) | | Processor | Intel Atom N455 (1.66GHz, single-core) | Freescale i.MX6 Quad ARM Cortex-A9 (1.2GHz) | | RAM | 2GB DDR3 | 2GB DDR3 (expandable to 4GB) | | Storage | 16GB SSD (mSATA) | 32GB eMMC + microSD slot | | Connectivity | Wi-Fi b/g/n, 3G (Qualcomm Gobi2000), Bluetooth 2.1 | Wi-Fi ac, optional 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, LoRa radio | | Ports | 1x USB 2.0, VGA, Ethernet (dongle), SD card slot | 2x USB 3.0, full-size HDMI, Ethernet (RJ45), Pogo-pin expansion | | Battery | 6-cell (8.5 hours claimed) | Hot-swappable 10,000mAh (18 hours claimed) | | OS | Chrome OS (early, no Play Store) | Custom Debian 8 (Wyvern Linux) | | Special Feature | Developer switch (physical under battery) | Modular sensor bays (SDR, thermal, gas sensor) |
Note: The results indicate "Wyvern" is specifically mentioned in the context of firmware tests within the MobLab environment. LVFS documentation Google's CR-48 Prototype Chromebook (2010) - Time Travel
MobLab – modern and field‑ready.
+----------------------------------------+ | Google Cr-48 (2010) | | - Intel Atom N455 CPU (1.66 GHz) | | - 2GB RAM / 16GB SanDisk SSD | | - No Branding (Matte Black Finish) | | - The Original "Mario" Prototype | +----------------------------------------+ The Architectural Blueprint
Powered by an Intel Atom N455 processor (1.66 GHz), 2GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD.
| Feature | Google CR-48 | Wyvern Moblab | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 12.1-inch Notebook Laptop | A Chromebox / "Test System in a Box"| | Primary Purpose | Public beta-testing Chrome OS for end-users | Automated testing platform for Chrome OS developers | | Target Audience | Pilot program participants, tech enthusiasts | Chrome OS hardware partners and engineers | | Core Software | Standard Chrome OS (beta version) | Custom Moblab OS (Chrome OS-based) | | Build & Design | Unbranded, matte black, consumer laptop | Chromebox (likely based on the Wyvern/Puff board) | | Role in History | The archetype for consumer Chromebooks | An early test harness for Chrome OS development | google cr-48 vs wyvern moblab
The Google CR-48 was a physical machine designed to showcase the cloud-based future to consumers and developers.
MobLab wasn't selling a laptop; they were selling a pedagogical platform. The Wyvern was pre-loaded with the MobLab client, allowing students to participate in real-time economic games (auctions, prisoner’s dilemma, supply and demand simulations). The hardware was just a vehicle for their proprietary software.
The CR-48 was famously minimalist. It featured a matte black, unbranded finish with no visible logos. Inside, it ran an Intel Atom processor with a meager 16GB SSD, intended only for the operating system and cache. The "everything is a browser" approach was its defining trait. It lacked a Caps Lock key—replaced by a Search key—and featured a simplified top row of function keys designed for web navigation. Choosing between the Google CR-48 and the Wyvern
But the hardware let it down. The trackpad was famously terrible (cursor drift, phantom clicks). The screen was dim. The Atom CPU choked on YouTube above 480p. Still, it inspired the Chromebook Pixel and every modern Chromebook.
MobLab ("Mobile Laboratory") allows manufacturers to run Chrome OS test suites—specifically Autotest or TAST—without needing a massive, permanent server room.
As ChromeOS grew from a single prototype into an operating system supporting hundreds of different partner devices, manual testing became impossible. Google built . MobLab is a self-contained automated testing environment typically running on specialized local server hardware or high-performance Chromeboxes. The Role of "Wyvern" The Wyvern was pre-loaded with the MobLab client,