Google Pixelbook first impressions: A true ‘premium’ Chromebook

Like Lenovo’s Yoga laptops and 2-in-1s, Google Pixelbook has a 360-degree hinge, meaning you can use the device as a tablet, laptop or stand it in a tent mode. You’ll find a USB-C port on either side, something that tells why Google believes the Pixelbook is a modern day system. And the good news doesn’t stop here. The Pixelbook has a 12.3-inch Quad HD display. The display looks beautiful, which is what we’ve come to expect from a flagship Pixel device.

In case you wondering how the keyboard on the Pixelbook feels like, well, it is par with any high-end notebook I can think of. The backlit chiclet keyboard does feel nice to click to it. Moving on, the touch pad has the accurate size, which didn’t struggle during my use. Yes, it feels responsive.

Google Pixelbook doesn’t look like an ordinary Chromebook with a plastic chassis.

Like Lenovo’s Yoga laptops and 2-in-1s, Google Pixelbook has a 360-degree hinge, meaning you can use the device as a tablet, laptop or stand it in a tent mode.

Then there is the Pixelbook Pen, an optional stylus that retails for $99 (or approx Rs 65,000). The Pen felt responsive and was comfortable to hold.  I still don’t think that the Pen is a necessary accessory at the moment,  but if Google comes with a killer app, chances are people would like to spend $99 on a stylus.

Google Pixelbook runs Chrome OS, which relies heavily on internet for every possible task. But I still believe that the Pixelbook’s biggest feature is the Google Assistant. The virtual assistant is now found on every possible Google product, be it a smartphone or a smart speaker. Google bringing the Assistant to Chromebooks is a nice addition. All you need to say “OK Google, or simply press the button in the keyboard’s bottom row  that displays the Assistant logo.

Google Pixelbook runs Chrome OS, which relies heavily on internet for every possible task.

It’d be hard to justify the Pixebook’s $999 price, without mentioning the hardware. The entry-level Pixelbook  features an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB  RAM, and 128GB flash storage. Those looking for a superior performance cam choose the model with Intel Core i7 chip, 16GB  RAM, and 512GB of storage. During my demo time, everything runs well on the Pixelbook – from apps to multiple browser tabs.

Google’s vision to blend both the hardware and software seems to be working out. I don’t mind saying that Chrome OS has its own limitations as compared to Windows 10 or Mac OS. However, if I consider the Pixelbook strictly on the basis of hardware, Google has a winner without a doubt. But the biggest pro with the Chrome OS is that works beautifully on a low-end hardware, so you don’t need to spend close to $999 on a premium Chromebook and that’s a catch-22 situation for Google and its new Pixelbook.

Disclaimer: The author is in San Francisco on the invite of Google India, which is paying for accommodation, travel.