Google Chromebook Pixel is the company’s next-generation laptop. The Google Chromebook Pixel shares many of its predecessor’s characteristics, including a powerful CPU, a luxurious design and a high price. In this respect, the Google PixelBook 12in is very similar to its predecessor, the Chromebook Pixel. To emphasize that this isn’t an updated version of the Pixel but rather an improved successor with significant new capabilities, the name has been changed.
The main question is whether a Chromebook is worth PS999. Although it may seem expensive to buy a computer with no extras, some tasks may require the Pixelbook. Here are some reasons why:
The Google PixelBook 12in Review: What do you need to know?
The Pixelbook is made in aluminum and white plastic carbonate and measures 10.3mm thick. It has a slimline chassis which is inspired by the latest Pixel smartphones in terms both of functionality and aesthetics. It has a 12 inch display that displays at native resolution of 2,400×1,600 pixels. The 3:2 aspect ratio means that scrolling up and down takes less time than with a regular widescreen display. Additionally, the 235ppi density of the pixels means that it is slightly crisper than an Apple “Retina”.
It is also fully multitouch-enabled. This is not a major upgrade, as earlier Pixel models had touchscreens. It is however much easier than ever because the Pixelbook now has full access the Google Play Store. This allows you to download and install Android apps as well as web-based apps.
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The touchscreen shines in this setting because these apps are almost always designed with tablets and smartphones in mind. You can also rotate your Pixelbook’s screen around to make it an Android tablet. You can tap, draw and write on the screen with the optional PS99 Pixelbook Pen. This makes it a flexible laptop.
The internals are also much better than any previous Chromebook. The Pixelbook comes with a seventh-generation Intel Core i5/Core i7 processor. However, these ultra-low-power processors are closer to older Core m processors than to high end laptops CPUs. For maximum performance, they can be paired up to 16GB RAM and up to512GB NVMe storage.
For connecting with the outside world, there is built-in dual band 2×2 802.11ac Wi Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. This device has only two USB 3.1 Type C ports and one headphone jack.
Google PixelBook 12in Review price and competition
The Pixelbook isn’t a cheap computer, as we have said before. The entry-level model starts at PS999. It has a Core i5-7Y57 CPU, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage. You can also upgrade to 256GB storage for an additional PS200. For PS1,699, you can get a Core i7-7Y75 CPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage. This model will be made available in December. The Core i7-7Y75 processor with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage will also be available.
The laptop you get, despite its high price, is an unusual combination of skills. You will have to make sacrifices if you want to save money. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is a great Android tablet that you can use for Android apps. It costs around PS600, plus PS119 for an optional keyboard cover. Google’s Pixel C tablet is another competitor. It can be bought for less than PS500 if the keyboard is included.
If you are more interested on the Chrome OS side, the HP Chromebook 13 may be more appealing. It has a Core m3 processor that is older than the Pixelbook. However, its sleek design and 13.3in screen make it as enjoyable to use. You can find it for around PS550 on Amazon and eBay. The Google Play Store will soon be available. However, the screen is not touch-compatible so Android apps will not be compatible.
What if you only need a small laptop? The Apple MacBook Pro (12-inch) screen is a great choice in such cases. Although macOS isn’t as user-friendly as Chrome OS, it offers more professional applications than Windows. It is also easier to maintain than Windows. The PS1,249 price for the 256GB model is comparable to that of the Pixelbook.
The Dell XPS 13 is our ultraportable Windows laptop. The MacBook Pro is a great value starting at PS1,299 for an entry-level model with an eighth-generation Core i7 CPU and 256GB storage. Although it’s not as appealing as the Pixelbook and has a base display of Full HD, the MacBook Pro is still a great value. The upgrade to the touch-enabled 3,200×1,800 model costs only PS30 less than the standard model. You get Windows 10 Home, which is a great option if you have to run specific applications that aren’t available for Android or Chrome OS.
Google Pixelbook: Performance and Ergonomics
It’s easy to see why the Pixelbook feels so expensive when held in your hands. The design is durable and made from a variety materials, including aluminum exterior shell, warm gripping rubber below the keyboard and smooth, cold glass for trackpad. This gives it both an aesthetic appeal and ergonomic class.
It is also very easy to use. The illuminated plastic keys have very little travel, but they are extremely responsive and give off zero feel, making it one of my most comfortable laptop keyboards. It is also connected to an ambient brightness sensor so it doesn’t turn on when it isn’t necessary.
The trackpad is just as comfortable as the mouse. The trackpad is small enough that scrolling and swiping can be done quickly and with no lags. Only thing I would change is that physical clicks register only at the bottom border. I prefer Apple’s “click anywhere” design which is intuitive.
This screen can also produce a stunning maximum brightness of 462cd/m2 as well as a remarkable contrast ratio of 1,725 to 1. Its lightning-fast internals make everything feel very responsive. We received a score of 140 when we ran the JetStream JavaScript testing on our Core i5 sample systems. This is almost 10 percent more than the HP Chromebook 13.
It’s a laptop you will enjoy using all day, every single day for the foreseeable. You don’t even need to plug it in because Chrome OS has very low power requirements. We were able to watch movies for 8 hours and 25 mins on a single charge. It took just over an hour to fully recharge the device.
Google Pixelbook Review: Software
While Chrome OS seems to be working well, you will eventually have to question whether Chrome OS is the right choice for your computing needs. The answer is no in the case where you have to use AutoCAD, After Effects or Visual Studio while on the road. You can still do a lot more than you might imagine, especially with the addition of Android apps to the mix.
You can also use the full mobile version of Microsoft Office 365 if Google Docs is not your cup of tea. This allows you to create, edit, and save Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents in their original format.
Although they don’t have as many features as desktop counterparts, they are still strong enough to make the Pixelbook a practical daily laptop. They also connect seamlessly with cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive, making it even more convenient.
Adobe Lightroom CC for Android is similar. It allows you to edit and process pictures directly on your Pixelbook. However, the high-resolution originals stored in the cloud are not used by your onboard storage. There is one catch: you will need to purchase separate subscriptions for Adobe Lightroom and Microsoft Office. Apart from that, Chrome OS’s offline capabilities have been quite robust. However, you will be limited in your functionality if you aren’t within range of a WiFi connection.
The Pixelbook has a variety of new Chrome OS capabilities including the ability to connect to Pixel devices. You can place any of Google’s smartphones next to the Pixelbook and the device will instantly recognize it, allowing for you to share your mobile data connection. Although it’s possible to tether to any phone, this is only possible with a little menu navigation. However, it is a smart convenience that makes Chrome OS easier to use.
Google Pixelbook 12in Review
The redesigned Launcher is another item in Chrome OS. It’s not only available for the Pixelbook, but was also released as part of Chrome OS 61. This update is not exclusive to the Pixelbook. Clicking or touching the Launcher icon at the bottom-left corner will bring up a small tray with recently used apps. This allows you to quickly access commonly used functions and features.