When a computer using an open source OS like Chromebooks can be considered a great Mother's day gift, it underscores how far open source software has come on usability for new nontechnical users.
I don't mean that that there aren't any mothers out there that have advanced technical skills, but when you can consider giving a Chromebook to anyone at any skill level it speaks well on how easy to use some user interfaces are on the open source arena. Chromebooks can be the first step to show mainstream users how easy to user GNU/Linux distros can be, and help to bring more people to our side of the field.
Chromebooks can be that missing link that has eluded GNU/Linux to become ubiquitous, and finally take the crown from Microsoft Windows. As such, it would be of great help to the GNU/Linux community at large, specially if Google plays fair and shares the changes it upstream improve the OS.
Not only that, by making aware of how easy to use and good GNU/Linux based distros can be, it could be great news for other distros by sending some users their way. By giving users an easy way in to an open source OS, supported by a company like Google with all that implies, much of the distrust and uncertainty about adopting a GNU/Linux based OS could be dispelled. With that, other distros like Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu and SUSE can have a bigger chance of being adopted by users that have needs that aren't covered by a Chromebook.
If the Chromebook's OS, Chrome OS, was offered on its own for users to install on hardware they already have could magnify the beneficial impact. While Chromium OS is offered for download, it would be nice to have an easier way to use Chrome OS without having to buy a Chromebook.
Yet, that Google's partners have started to meet a certain success selling Chromebooks gives some hope that GNU/Linux is on its way to become a mayor player on the consumer OS markets.
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