Pixelbook

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]

Pixelbook
Pixelbook
ManufacturerGoogle
Product familyGoogle Pixel
TypeChromebook
Release dateOctober 30, 2017 (2017-10-30)
Operating systemChromeOS
CPUIntel Core i5-7Y57 or i7-7Y75
Memory8 or 16 GB RAM
Storage128, 256 or 512 GB SSD
Display12.3 in (310 mm), 2,400 × 1,600 resolution
Connectivity
Dimensions(W×L×H):
220.8 mm × 290.4 mm × 10.3 mm (8.69 in × 11.43 in × 0.41 in)
Mass1.11 kg (2.4 lb)
PredecessorChromebook Pixel
SuccessorPixelbook Go
RelatedGoogle Pixel Slate
Websitestore.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 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 US$999.[11]

The Pixelbook Go was announced in October 2019 as a Chromebook with similar performance as 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 12.3-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 ChromeOS and can launch Android applications natively.[13] There is a front-facing camera capable of recording video at 720p, 30 frames per second.[14] 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.[15]

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;[16] using the provided 45 W charger, charging takes up to two hours. The 41 W-hr battery has a claimed life of 10 hours.[14]

Pixelbook initial pricing and configurations[14][15]
ProcessorRAMStorageGraphicsPrice
(USD/GBP)
Core i5-7Y57 8 GB128 GBIntel HD 615US$999 / £999
256 GBUS$1,199 / £1,199
Core i7-7Y75 16 GB512 GBUS$1,699 / £1,699

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.[15] It is powered by a AAAA battery.[16]

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]

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