Chromebook Pixel 2015
I had a Software Development Ultrabook a few years ago and it was the best Ultrabook I had ever tested. You couldn’t buy it. The Chromebook Pixel 2015 is exactly the same. It’s a small-production-run showcase created to tease (or reward) developers, to steer Chromebook designers, to show the competition what can be done and of course to generate buzz in the media.
It will be available at a price of $999 which is just silly for a Chrome OS product. It’s over-specified too. In order that software developed for it doesn’t hit boundaries and that it extracts the maximum discussion Google are dropping 8GB or even 16GB into it. We like Chromebooks but we’re going to tell you right up-front the Pixel is probably not for you, even if you want a fast browser experience. Like the recently launched Macbook though it’s going to work some magic in its sector.
Chromebook Pixel
Specs to talk about.
The 16GB RAM, Core i7 Broadwell, touch, tap-to-check battery, clean design and a slick launch video are there to get the media talking while also appealing to developers. What is genuinely useful though is the USB-C port and the fast-charge feature. The Pixel is currently the cheapest laptop with a USB-C port, at least this week. Next week at CeBIT we’ll probably lose count of them! The entry-level model comes with a Core i5 and 8GB of RAM which is more than enough for a fast Chrome OS experience.
Full specifications for the Chromebook Pixel can be found in our database.
Buzz needed.
It’s been months since anything significant happened in the Chromebook space. The Acer Chromebook 15 was launched at CES just after Christmas and since then the only news has been rumors of Core M chromebooks, software tweaks and of course, the Pixel rumors. Google IO in is May and it’s time to start building-up to it.
It’s the right thing to do.
I may sound quite negative about the Chromebook Pixel but I’m not. It’s great to see it and great to see the buzz happening around it. Pixel will help get more developers on-board, raise awareness of Chromebooks and Chrome OS features, focus some attention on Google IO in May and show manufacturers what can be done at the high-end. I don’t think we’ll see Pixel-like devices from anyone other than Google but some of the technology could filter down the line. I’m a huge fan of touchscreens on laptops and the Lenovo N20p is still my most used laptop at home but it would be great to see some more touch-friendly features. I’m hoping that the Pixel might dovetail with some announcements about touch features and I’m hoping that the 8GB RAM is there to enable development of more Android-in-a-tab features. Google’s developers need software development kits too!
But I want one.
Of course I want one. Who wouldn’t? It’s just that I won’t pay $999 for one even though it’s part of my business to know intimate details about all Chromebooks and Chrome OS software. After Google IO it’s likely that I’ll want a Pixel even more but it’s not going to happen. A fanless Core M Chromebook at $499 is way more appealing, especially if it’s going to weigh a lot less than the Pixel.
Pixel Slim.
How about it Google? Intel are readying Atom x3, x5 and x7 processors and the x5 and x7 could really work well in an ultra-slim, Macbook-like product. The 11-to-13 inch segment could do with some engineering stimulation too so I think it’s time. Or are you waiting for IO for that one?
Other opinions and Chromebook Pixel reviews.
Kevin Tofel, technology writer and long-time supporter of Chrome OS has a Pixel 2015 and he writing about it here.
Dana Wollman has her review up at Engadget.
Dieter Bohn has his review up at The Verge.
Joanna Stern reviews the Pixel at WSJ.
