Google Inc. (GOOG) introduced laptops based on its Chrome operating system that will go on sale this summer, the Internet giant's most significant effort to date to influence the computer hardware market.

Google said the laptops, dubbed "Chromebooks," will be available to purchase on June 15, and plans to ship the computers to seven countries. Customers will be able to purchase Chromebooks through Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) and Best Buy Co. (BBY).

Sundar Pichai, who runs Google's Chrome efforts, made the announcement at the company's annual gathering for developers in San Francisco, called "Google I/O."

Google's foray into laptops represents part of its attempt to expand its influence beyond the Web. The Internet search giant began making consumer and business-oriented devices three years ago when it released the first handsets running its Android mobile operating system. Android has since become a smartphone phenomenon, taking on Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.'s (RIMM) BlackBerry.

Google said Chromebooks will be manufactured by Acer Inc. (2353.TW) and Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.SE, SSNHY). The devices will begin at $349, with higher prices depending on features such as cellular Internet access. Google also said the laptops will start up within eight seconds and will not require any virus protection.

Chromebooks will also be made available to businesses and education customers for a regular fee, which will include replacements and upgrades over time. Businesses will be charged $28 per user monthly while educational customers will pay $20 per user per month.

-By Ian Sherr, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-439-6455; ian.sherr@dowjones.com