Pixelbook

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;{{cite news |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/08/21/exclusive-google-plans-to-launch-a-new-chromebook-pixel-mini-version-of-google-home-alongside-new-phones/ |title=Exclusive: Google plans to launch a new Chromebook Pixel, mini version of Google Home alongside new phones |author=Ruddock, David |date=August 21, 2017 |work=Android Police |access-date=15 March 2021}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/09/26/exclusive-google-is-planning-a-pixel-3-laptop-running-the-andromeda-os-for-release-in-q3-2017/ |title=Exclusive: Google is planning a 'Pixel 3' laptop running the 'Andromeda' OS for release in Q3 2017 |author=Ruddock, David |date=September 26, 2016 |work=Android Police |access-date=15 March 2021}} Google developed and launched a similar tablet with a detachable keyboard in 2018 (codenamed 'Nocturne') as the Pixel Slate.{{cite news |url=https://9to5google.com/2018/09/27/nocturne-pixelbook-2-made-by-google-explained/ |title=[Update: Pixel Slate name, renders] Everything we know about 'Nocturne', the first of a few potential 'Pixelbook 2' prototypes |author=Bradshaw, Kyle |date=September 5, 2018 |work=9 to 5 Google |access-date=15 March 2021}}

The Pixelbook was planned as the next generation of Google laptops after the Chromebook Pixel laptop was discontinued in 2016.{{Cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/08/29/chromebook-pixel-2-discontinued/ |title=Google discontinues the Chromebook Pixel 2 {{!}} VentureBeat|website=venturebeat.com|date=August 30, 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=December 25, 2017}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/26/google-pixelbook-review-the-chromebook-grows-up/ |title=Google Pixelbook review: the Chromebook grows up |work=TechCrunch |date=October 26, 2017 |access-date=December 14, 2017}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/09/19/google-pixelbook-laptop-tablet-hybrid-99-pixelbook-pen-will-start-1199-top-1749/ |title=Google Pixelbook, a laptop-tablet hybrid with a $99 "Pixelbook Pen," will start at $1199 and top out at $1749 |author=Gao, Richard |date=September 19, 2017 |work=Android Police |access-date=15 March 2021}} The Pixelbook was officially announced on October 4, 2017, at prices starting at {{USD|999}}.{{cite news |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/10/04/googles-pixelbook-official/ |title=Google's Pixelbook is official, starts at $999 with an optional stylus for $99 |author=Palmer, Jordan |date=October 4, 2017 |work=Android Police |access-date=15 March 2021}}

The Pixelbook Go was announced in October 2019 as a Chromebook with similar performance to 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/21/21449640/google-pixelbook-discontinue-chromebook-laptop |title=Google seemingly discontinues the original Pixelbook but won't quite say |author=Hollister, Sean |date=September 21, 2020 |work=The Verge |access-date=15 March 2021}}

The Pixelbook features a {{convert|12.3|inch|adj=on}} 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.{{cite journal |url=http://www.techradar.com/reviews/google-pixelbook |title=Hands on: Google Pixelbook review |journal=Tech Radar |access-date=October 18, 2017}} There is a front-facing camera capable of recording video at 720p, 30 frames per second. 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.

It features instant tethering; if a wifi signal is dropped, the Pixelbook will automatically connect to a suitable smartphone signal. Either of the computer's two USB-C ports may be used for charging;{{cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/10/google-pixelbook-hands-on-google-builds-a-beautiful-premium-laptop/ |title=Google Pixelbook hands-on: Stunning hardware with the usual limited OS |author=Amadeo, Ron |date=October 5, 2017 |work=Ars Technica |access-date=15 March 2021}} using the provided 45 W charger, charging takes up to two hours. The 41 W-hr battery has a claimed life of 10 hours.

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/12/20/high-end-pixelbook-core-i7-cpu-now-available-google-store-ships-january/ |title=The high-end Pixelbook with Core i& CPU is now available on the Google Store, ships in January |author=Whitwam, Ryan |date=December 20, 2017 |work=Android Police |access-date=15 March 2021}}

The device is compatible with Pixelbook Pen, a stylus designed for Pixelbook and sold separately for $99/£99.{{cite news |last=Fingas |first=Jon |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/04/google-pixelbook-pen/ |title=Google's Pixelbook Pen searches for what you circle |publisher=Engadget |access-date=November 30, 2017}} The stylus is pressure- and angle-sensitive, and features latency of just 10 ms. It is powered by a AAAA battery.

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."{{Cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/26/16550908/google-pixelbook-review-chromebook-android-laptop |title=Google Pixelbook review: emperor of Chrome |work=The Verge|access-date=December 25, 2017}}
• A review in The Guardian said "the king of Chromebooks is pricey but first rate."{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/07/google-pixelbook-review-chromebook-computer-hardware |title=Google Pixelbook review: the king of Chromebooks is pricey but first rate |last=Gibbs |first=Samuel |date=December 7, 2017 |work=The Guardian|access-date=December 25, 2017 |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
• A review in Engadget described it as "a premium Chromebook that's worth the price."{{Cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/26/google-pixelbook-review/ |title=Google Pixelbook review: A premium Chromebook that's worth the price |work=Engadget|access-date=December 25, 2017 |language=en-US}}
• A review in Wired suggested that "I'm not sure anyone will buy one" in October 2017.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/google-pixelbook-release-date-uk-price-specs-pre-order |title=Google's new Pixelbook packs a punch – but is it enough for pros? |magazine=Wired |date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=October 18, 2017}}
• 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7df0f5f6-ba24-11e7-8c12-5661783e5589 |title=Review: Google's Pixelbook — nearly everything breaks new ground |last=Waters |first=Richard |date=October 26, 2017 |work=Financial Times|access-date=October 29, 2017 |location=United Kingdom}}

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Pixelbook

Category:Computer-related introductions in 2017

Category:Google Pixel

Category:Google hardware