eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
1Google Brings Chromebook Concept to New High With Pixelbook Hybrid
Google’s media event Oct. 4 might have focused on the company’s new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones. But Google also introduced a Chromebook model called the Pixelbook, which might catch the eye of business, school and home users. With a base price of $999, the Pixelbook runs the Chrome OS and has a hybrid design, allowing it to be used as a notebook or a tablet. It also supports digital writing with a new Pixelbook Pen stylus. With help from Google Assistant, it should also prove to be perhaps the smartest Chromebook to reach the market thus far. The Pixelbook’s features and design show why Google has won plenty of converts to the Chromebook concept with its cloud-centric Chrome OS. Read on to learn more about the Pixelbook.
2Pixelbook Brings a Hybrid Design to the Chromebook
3Google Assistant Is a Selling Point
Pixelbook features Google Assistant, which Google says is a major selling point. With Google Assistant, users can perform web searches, update their personal calendar, call up data stored on the computer or adjust device settings. Google Assistant can be activated with the Pixelbook Pen or by pressing a dedicated button on the keyboard.
4Google Talks Up the Pixelbook’s Portability
Google has designed the Pixelbook to be among the most portable hybrid notebooks the market, which could appeal to corporate and education customers. The device is just 10.3mm thick and weighs only 2.4 pounds. It’s not the smallest computer on the market, but it’s small enough to accommodate road warriors.
5Pixelbook Pen Optimized For Less Writing Lag Time
6Intel Core CPUs are Inside This Chromebook
There are more powerful computers on the market, but the Pixelbook is no slouch. It runs on a seventh-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and allows for 4K video output to an external monitor. Users can bulk up the Pixelbook with up to 16GB of RAM to enhance its performance with resource-intensive apps. There’s also a TPM chip for additional security.
7The Battery Holds a Usable Charge for 10 Hours
8There Is No Shortage of Storage
9Chrome OS Keeps Pixelbook in Touch With the Cloud
As noted, the Pixelbook runs Chrome OS, which relies on the cloud to access applications and data. Chrome OS supports a wide range of apps from Google and third parties, including Google Docs, Lightroom and Slack. There also are apps that will work well with the Pixelbook Pen, including Evernote and Nebo.
10Pixelbook Connects With New Pixel 2 Smartphone
11This Is Not a Cheap Chromebook
Although Chromebooks are generally affordable, the Pixelbook is pricey. The computer starts at $999 for the base model with 128GB of storage and jumps to $1,649 for the Intel Core i7 version with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The Pixelbook Pen is available for $99. Customers can order the computer now, but they won’t get their hands on it for weeks.