Pixelbook Explained

The Pixelbook (codenamed Eve during development) is a portable laptop/tablet hybrid computer developed by Google which runs ChromeOS. It was announced on October 4, 2017, and was released on October 30.^[1] In September 2022, Google canceled future generations of the product and dissolved the team working on it.^[2]

Unlike most typical Chromebook devices, the Pixelbook's retail price is much higher at around $1,000, comparable with laptops such as the Microsoft Surface Laptop.^{[3] [4]}

History

A rumored Pixel-branded Chromebook was anticipated to be launched at Google's annual fall hardware event in 2017 as a successor to the Chromebook Pixel;^[5] it was potentially a spinoff from the prior year's Project Bison, which was anticipated to be a laptop that could convert into a tablet mode.^[6] Google developed and launched a similar tablet with a detachable keyboard in 2018 (codenamed 'Nocturne') as the Pixel Slate.^[7]

The Pixelbook was planned as the next generation of Google laptops after the Chromebook Pixel laptop was discontinued in 2016.^[8] The company realised the Chromebook line 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.^[9]

Limited details, the name, and preliminary pricing for the Pixelbook leaked ahead of the official announcement; in addition, a stylus accessory would also be available.^[10] The Pixelbook was officially announced on October 4, 2017, at prices starting at .^[11]

The Pixelbook Go was announced in October 2019 as a Chromebook with similar performance to the Pixelbook and also equipped with a touchscreen, but the Go dropped tablet mode and stylus support. By September 19, 2020, Google had de-listed all models of the original Pixelbook from its online store, effectively marking its discontinuation.^[12]

Features

The Pixelbook features a 12.3inch touchscreen design, allowing the device to be used like a tablet. The device also features Google Assistant with a dedicated button. It runs ChromeOS and can launch Android applications natively.^[13] There is a front-facing camera capable of recording video at 720p, 30 frames per second. The hinge allows nearly a full 360° range of motion, enabling the computer to operate in "laptop", "tent", or "tablet" modes, depending on the opening angle.

It features instant tethering; if a wifi signal is dropped, the Pixelbook will automatically connect to a suitable smartphone signal.^[4] Either of the computer's two USB-C ports may be used for charging;^[14] using the provided 45 W charger, charging takes up to two hours. The 41 W-hr battery has a claimed life of 10 hours.

The top-end version with a Core i7 processor was exclusive to the Google Store and availability lagged the other models; it was not available to order until December 2017, with first shipments in January 2018.^[17]

Accessories

The device is compatible with Pixelbook Pen, a stylus designed for Pixelbook and sold separately for $99/£99.^[18] The stylus is pressure- and angle-sensitive, and features latency of just 10 ms.^[16] It is powered by a AAAA battery.^[14]

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."^[19]
• A review in The Guardian said "the king of Chromebooks is pricey but first rate."^[20]
• A review in Engadget described it as "a premium Chromebook that's worth the price."^[21]
• A review in Wired suggested that "I'm not sure anyone will buy one" in October 2017.^[22]
• 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.^[23]

Notes and References

1. News: Hardawar . Devindra . Google's Pixelbook is a 2-in-1 premium Chromebook . . November 30, 2017.
2. https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/12/23348999/google-pixelbook-canceled-team-shut-down Google canceled its next Pixelbook and shut down the team building it
3. Web site: Google Pixelbook, Laptop with Google Assistant . October 18, 2017.
4. News: Google launches Pixelbook – the most expensive Chromebook yet . Which . October 12, 2017 . October 18, 2017 . August 28, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190828104239/https://www.which.co.uk/news/2017/10/google-launches-pixelbook-the-most-expensive-chromebook-yet/ . dead .
5. News: Exclusive: Google plans to launch a new Chromebook Pixel, mini version of Google Home alongside new phones . Ruddock, David . August 21, 2017 . Android Police . 15 March 2021.
6. News: Exclusive: Google is planning a 'Pixel 3' laptop running the 'Andromeda' OS for release in Q3 2017 . Ruddock, David . September 26, 2016 . Android Police . 15 March 2021.
7. News: [Update: Pixel Slate name, renders] Everything we know about 'Nocturne', the first of a few potential 'Pixelbook 2' prototypes ]. Bradshaw, Kyle . September 5, 2018 . 9 to 5 Google . 15 March 2021.
8. Web site: Google discontinues the Chromebook Pixel 2 VentureBeat. venturebeat.com. August 30, 2016. en-US. December 25, 2017. September 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160902042451/https://venturebeat.com/2016/08/29/chromebook-pixel-2-discontinued/. dead.
9. News: Google Pixelbook review: the Chromebook grows up . TechCrunch . October 26, 2017 . December 14, 2017.
10. News: Google Pixelbook, a laptop-tablet hybrid with a $99 "Pixelbook Pen," will start at $1199 and top out at $1749 . Gao, Richard . September 19, 2017 . Android Police . 15 March 2021.
11. News: Google's Pixelbook is official, starts at $999 with an optional stylus for $99 . Palmer, Jordan . October 4, 2017 . Android Police . 15 March 2021.
12. News: Google seemingly discontinues the original Pixelbook but won't quite say . Hollister, Sean . September 21, 2020 . The Verge . 15 March 2021.
13. Hands on: Google Pixelbook review . Tech Radar . October 18, 2017.
14. News: Google Pixelbook hands-on: Stunning hardware with the usual limited OS . Amadeo, Ron . October 5, 2017 . Ars Technica . 15 March 2021.
15. Web site: Pixelbook specifications . Google Inc. . 15 March 2021.
16. News: The Google Pixelbook brings back to the $1,000 Chrome OS halo device . Amadeo, Ron . October 4, 2017 . Ars Technica . 15 March 2021.
17. News: The high-end Pixelbook with Core i& CPU is now available on the Google Store, ships in January . Whitwam, Ryan . December 20, 2017 . Android Police . 15 March 2021.
18. News: Fingas . Jon . Google's Pixelbook Pen searches for what you circle . . November 30, 2017.
19. News: Google Pixelbook review: emperor of Chrome . The Verge. December 25, 2017.
20. News: Google Pixelbook review: the king of Chromebooks is pricey but first rate . Gibbs . Samuel . December 7, 2017 . The Guardian. December 25, 2017 . en-GB . 0261-3077.
21. News: Google Pixelbook review: A premium Chromebook that's worth the price . Engadget. December 25, 2017 . en-US.
22. Google's new Pixelbook packs a punch – but is it enough for pros? . Wired . October 4, 2017 . October 18, 2017.
23. News: Review: Google's Pixelbook — nearly everything breaks new ground . Waters . Richard . October 26, 2017 . Financial Times. October 29, 2017 . United Kingdom.