[video=youtube;0QRO3gKj3qw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRO3gKj3qw[/video] This video reveals that the main objective of chrome OS is S to make a lightweight OS that get you onto the web in a few seconds. Splashtop do the same and will bring you to internet lightning fast without loading any other OS. Check the videos here: http://www.splashtop.com/videos.php
I have a doubt on current software compatibility, especially ones from Microsoft such as MS Office. There were plenty of better OS in the past, including IBM OS/2 but Windows was a winner. Most of OS companies had too much restriction to developers while Microsoft allowed developers use there SDK for free. That's why there are tons of software for Windows by only a few for OS/2 and others. That was a smart move by Microsoft to win over companies. Microsoft made software standard based on Windows only. If Google can go over compatible issues then Chrome would have a chance to win over MS Windows.