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

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 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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 "Pixelbook specifications". Google Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 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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