As leaked previously, Google has unveiled their latest Chrome OS based Pixel device, the Google Pixelbook which will offer users both tablet and laptop modes, starting at a premium price of $999USD.
Pixelbook
The Google Pixelbook has a 4-in-1 design, you can use in either laptop, tablet, or in tent or entertainment mode. The device has a 12.3″ backlit QuadHD LCD touchscreen with 235PPI in a variety of configurations including Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The Pixelbook will come with a battery offering up to 10 hours of use with fast charging that can offer 2 hours of use in just 15 minutes from the USB-C charging port.
Google is positioning the Pixelbook as a workhorse that will integrate with your workflow easily including offering instant tethering with your Google Pixel phone. It’s also super-light at under 1Kg and super-thin at just 10.3mm thin.
The Pixelbook is the first laptop with Google Assistant built-in. Assistant can be activated by using either the familiar ‘Ok Google’ voice command, or the dedicated Google Assistant Key on the keyboard. Google Assistant on Pixelbook will offer all the same features you will find on the phone, and other Assistant powered devices letting you have access to search, send emails or check calendar events, or even control all your smart home devices and more.
Of course the Pixelbook will include full support for Android Apps with Google Play available and there’s even a unique Snapchat experience coming to Pixelbook soon.
Pixelbook Pen
Pixelbook’s touchscreen is also compatible with the WACOM powered Pixelbook Pen which will be an accessory that’s available separately for $99USD. It’s a low-latency (10m) stylus that will be the perfect companion when using the Pixelbook in tablet mode, offering handwriting recognition that you can use to take notes from the lockscreen with Google Keep, or draw with Infinite Painter – and there’s more uses for it.
A button built-in to the Pixelbook Pen will let you circle text or images on the screen to get more information, or let you take action on it. as well.
Availability
Unfortunately the Pixelbook and Pixelbook Pen are not coming to Australia: Google has only announced that the Pixelbook will only be coming to the US, Canada and the UK from October 31st for $999USD. If you are visiting the US though you will be able to walk into Best Buy and pick one up.
Just as an update – if you are interested you can get the Pixelbook shipped directly to Australia from Amazon. They don’t have the pen available currently, but buying direct should make any warranty claims easier.
Have the baseline model already on order through an importer. Couldn’t justify getting the top of the line model unfortunately.
Hmm, well it would be OK if they had a minimum of 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, ran Android as well, had VM capability built in so you could run Windows and/or MacOS as well …. oh and halved the price.
Then I’d be interested.
I’m sure they’re bummed about missing out on the champagne tastes on a vb budget market.
I love that it weighs 1kg. I have the 2015 Pixel and it’s a beautifully sculptured piece of aluminium. And weighs it too.