Google Pixelbook

The Google Pixelbook (codenamed Eve during development) is a portable laptop/tablet hybrid computer developed by Google which runs Chrome OS. It was announced on October 4, 2017 and was released on October 30.[1]

Google Pixelbook

Google Pixelbook
Manufacturer	Google
Product family	Google Pixel
Type	Chromebook
Release date	October 30, 2017 (2017-10-30)
Operating system	Chrome OS
CPU	Intel Core i5 or Core i7
Memory	8 or 16 GB RAM
Storage	128, 256 or 512 GB SSD
Display	12.3 in (310 mm), 2,400 × 1,600 resolution
Predecessor	Chromebook Pixel
Successor	Pixelbook Go
Related articles	Google Pixel Slate
Website	store.google.com/us/product/google_pixelbook_specs

Unlike most typical Chromebook devices, the Pixelbook's retail price is much higher at around $1,000, comparable with laptops such as the Apple MacBook Air.[2][3]

Features

The Pixelbook was planned as the next generation of Google laptops and is the successor to the Chromebook Pixel laptop discontinued in 2016.[4] The company realised the Chromebook had become successful after a slow start, obtaining a market share of 58% of schools in the US, and designed the Pixelbook as a serious industry player that can compete with Apple and Microsoft in this field.[5]

The Google Pixelbook features a 12.3-inch (310 mm) touchscreen design, allowing the device to be used like a tablet. The device also features Google Assistant with a dedicated button. It runs Chrome OS and can launch Android applications natively.[6] It features instant tethering; if a wifi signal is dropped, the Pixelbook will automatically connect to a suitable smartphone signal.[3]

The device is compatible with Pixelbook Pen, a stylus designed for Pixelbook and sold separately for $99/£99.[7]

Response

The Pixelbook had a mixed response from the press, who praised the build quality but questioned the market for the device given the price.

• A review by The Verge said "Just like the iPad Pro, the Pixelbook is an incredibly nice and powerful machine that can handle most of your computing tasks — but probably not all of them."[8]
• A review in The Guardian said "the king of Chromebooks is pricey but first rate."[9]
• A review in Engadget described it as "a premium Chromebook that's worth the price."[10]
• A review in Wired suggested that "I'm not sure anyone will buy one" in October 2017.[11]
• The Financial Times published a positive review of the new Pixelbook, saying there was more functionality offline than in prior models, among other fixed problems.[12]

References

1. Hardawar, Devindra. "Google's Pixelbook is a 2-in-1 premium Chromebook". Engadget. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
2. "Google Pixelbook, Laptop with Google Assistant". Google. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
3. "Google launches Pixelbook – the most expensive Chromebook yet". Which. October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
4. "Google discontinues the Chromebook Pixel 2 | VentureBeat". venturebeat.com. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
5. "Google Pixelbook review: the Chromebook grows up". TechCrunch. October 26, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
6. "Hands on: Google Pixelbook review". Tech Radar. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
7. Fingas, Jon. "Google's Pixelbook Pen searches for what you circle". Engadget. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
8. "Google Pixelbook review: emperor of Chrome". The Verge. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
9. Gibbs, Samuel (December 7, 2017). "Google Pixelbook review: the king of Chromebooks is pricey but first rate". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
10. "Google Pixelbook review: A premium Chromebook that's worth the price". Engadget. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
11. "Google's new Pixelbook packs a punch – but is it enough for pros?". Wired. October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
12. Waters, Richard (October 26, 2017). "Review: Google's Pixelbook — nearly everything breaks new ground". Financial Times. United Kingdom. Retrieved October 29, 2017.