Google Pixel Chromebook 2015 launched

by Mark Tyson on 12 March 2015, 10:07

Tags: Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qacpvd

Add to My Vault: x

Google introduced the Chromebook Pixel two years ago. As most of its hardware partners were focussed upon building cheap and accessible Chromebooks it was meant to show "the best in hardware, software and design to inspire the next generation of Chromebooks". However it failed to ignite the premium $1K Chromebook market, and hardware partners continued to pump out cheap Chromebooks. Now Google is trying again.

The Chromebook Pixel 2015 again boasts some tasty sounding portable hardware. It has a 12.85-inch 2560 x 1700 pixel resolution touch-screen with wide viewing angles. Users get a choice between an Intel Core i5 Processor, 2.2GHz or Intel Core i7 processor, 2.4GHz with Intel HD Graphics 5500. Depending upon processor choice users will get 8GB or 16GB of RAM and flash storage of either 32GB or 64GB.

The size of this laptop is a little wider than an A4 sheet of paper and 15.3mm thick. Ports and connections include 2x USB Type-C (up to 5 Gbps data, 4K display out with optional HDMI or DisplayPort adapter, 60W charging – one of these ports on each side of the laptop), 2x USB 3.0 ports, SD Card, Headphone/Mic combo, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Users can also enjoy its stereo speakers, 720p webcam and 4K video output to larger screens. The new Chromebook Pixel offers up to 12 hours of battery life(and get 2 hours use from 15 mins fast charging). It is constructed with an aluminium body, sports a smooth glass trackpad and contextual backlit keyboard.

On the software side of things you have "Google built-in," with easy access to the popular Google apps and Google Play content. If you are a fan of the Google ecosystem - that might well appeal.

Pricing is as follows; the Intel Core i5 powered SKU with 8GB RAM and a 32GB SSD costs $999 (£799) and the Intel Core i7 powered SKU with 16GB RAM and a 64GB SSD costs $1299 (£999). In the UK both models are said to be "coming soon".

Google put quite a bit of emphasis on the use of USB Type-C ports on the 2015 Chromebook Pixel. As I mention above, it sports two of these reversible ports and one will probably be on charging duty most of the time (Universal Type-C Charger, 60W, is in the box). In the video below, focussed upon the new connector, Google says we should expect to see USB Type-C connectors "on a lot of Chromebooks and Android phones in the near future."



HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
It's a lovely device and if it was running Windows (or even linux) it would be my #1 choice for a laptop but for that kind of money I personally would require a ‘full OS’

If I was working for a company that was running Google Apps and I could access an VM with admin tools on it (VMware Horizon via HTML5 works on chromebook) then I would happily justify and use something like this every day :)
It's a Chromebook. I would like to hope no one would pay £800 for one. A budget one is a great idea, I certainly would buy one if I didn't have a Windows laptop but £800-£900 is too steep for a Chromebook.
Very pretty, but looks more like a “look what we can do” rather than “we want you to buy it” kind of product.

With those guts I'm sure you could shoehorn a Linux distro or even Windows on to it without much effort. I'm sure Google know that more people would buy it if that was possible.
virtuo
Very pretty, but looks more like a “look what we can do” rather than “we want you to buy it” kind of product.

With those guts I'm sure you could shoehorn a Linux distro or even Windows on to it without much effort. I'm sure Google know that more people would buy it if that was possible.

The old Pixel ran on a i5 and there were lots of issues getting windows working on it to the point where it wasn't worth it.
nice looking laptop, but overpriced even if it included and ran windows ultimate 7/8/10. not even being able to install windows, at least not simply, makes it seem pointless for anything other than a machine for google to show off, like the swiss army knives for window displays with 100 different bits

poor storage too, albeit not the point of such a machine. is an i7 with 16gb ram really necessary? isn't that like sticking a Ferrari engine in a mini and driving it on a uk motorway with a 80mph speed limit?

I'm sure I read something about chrome going to be changing so you can install another OS, but squeezing it onto a 32gb isn't going to be great, and I presume you can't upgrade the SSD, but even then it's still overpriced. it makes the new MacBook seem like a bargain