Are you looking for the top of the line Chromebooks? Then get Google’s Pixelbook.
In the past, I’ve enjoyed Chromebooks since the first Cr-48 launched in the latter half of 2010. Then, when Google introduced its first high-end Chromebook, 2013’s Pixel I was convinced. I gradually but surely removed the Linux-powered Lenovo ThinkPads and began changing them to Google’s top-of-the-line Chromebooks. Why? because they’re better than every other laptop on the market.
What’s that? It’s not as easy to do with the Chromebook as you could with something like the MacBook Pro 13 or the Lenovo Yoga 920. Please!
You’ll need internet to benefit the most out of Chromebooks. Chromebook But ask me when was the last time that you worked on a serious project using macOS or Windows without an internet connection? That’s right. In the early 2000s. If you’re editing videos, you’ll need an extremely powerful computer. However, for the majority of us our jobs, it’s all about and dies on the internet.
In addition being a tech-savvy device, as my friend Mike Elgan points out, the latest top-of-the-line Chromebooks “run more apps without dual- or multi-booting than any other computing platform. Chromebooks can run apps from Android, Linux, and Windows concurrently in the same session.”
It’s not a flimsy idea. I’ve seen it happen myself.
The latest Chromebooks are capable of running Android applications. With the assistance with the CodeWeaver‘s CrossOver it is possible to run Windows applications on the Chromebook. If this isn’t your style it is possible to use Office 365 natively on some Chromebooks. Also, and last but certainly not last, Google is bringing Debian Linux natively to Chromebooks through Project Crostini. This isn’t a surprise since the Chrome OS operating system is an Linux distribution.
However, there are some who be thinking, “OK, fine, for an individual or a small business, but our IT department runs on Active Directory (AD), we can’t use Chromebooks!” Then why is that?
Google recently announced Google recently introduced Chrome Enterprise the business-focused variant that is a more enterprise-oriented version of Chrome OS. For the cost of $50 per year for a device IT staff members get access to Google Play managed Google Play via an certified Enterprise Mobility Manager EMM and AD integration.
And did I mention that you could also make use of Chromebooks using Citrix and the Citrix Receiver application for Chrome for the Chromebook and it connects with XenApp along with XenDesktop? Also, if you’re a VMware customer, the equivalent options include Horizon Client for Chrome OS and Horizon 7. Horizon Client on Chrome OS and Horizon 7. Horizon 7..
That said, perfectly good inexpensive Chromebooks like that of the Acer Chromebook 14 and the Dell Chromebook 13 3380 are able to do the majority all that the Pixelbook can accomplish. The different between them is according to Mark Twain put it, “the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
The most expensive Pixelbook runs on the 1.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7-7Y75 processor. It’s a premium Kaby Lake CPU that is specifically designed for fan-free ultra-thin laptops.
Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a shock to find out that the dimensions of the Pixelbook are 11.4 8.7 x 8.7 and 0.4-inch and weighs only 2.4 pounds. It’s so light that I’ve needed to look through the laptop compartment to confirm that I’ve put it in my bag.
It’s true that I consider it a laptop , and use it as such 90 % of the time however it’s actually a mini-TV and tablet also. The sturdy hinges can easily turn so that the screen is in a flat position on the body and I can make it tablet, or even to play Lost in Space on Netflix. The cutouts on the hinges will be where the speaker are which means that even when it’s not in laptop mode, the sound is still great. Pixelbook as a laptop, the sound is still excellent.
The full-featured Pixelbook also includes an SSD of 512GB. It also comes with, when purchasing it, a terabyte of Google cloud storage for one year. It’s unlikely that you’ll run out of storage space any time soon when you have this laptop.
It also comes with 16GB of RAM. I’ve had as many as 257 tabs open simultaneously and still have enough memory. Even if I do exceed, using all the SSD to swap memory I’ll be running at a high speed.
How is it fast? I tested Principled Technologies“Chromebook-specific” CXPRT benchmark. Principled Technologies, which is a cousin of Ziff-Davis Benchmark Operations, is one of the most reliable private benchmarking firms around the globe. The Pixelbook was able to score an average score of 226. For the sake of context this is the highest score ever recorded on this test and more than twice faster than the majority of the other systems that were tested.
For graphics the Pixelbook makes use of its Intel HD Graphics 615 chipset. It’s backed by an 12.3-inch 2,400×1,600 LCD touchscreen screen. It’s stunning. The display has sufficient Nits — which is the unit of intensity of visible light and not the parasites your five-year old brought from kindergartenthat it can be used even in bright sunlight. Because of the Corning Gorilla Glass screen, the Pixelbook will also be able to deal with your child’s ability to bounce its stylus away from the display.
The laptop made of glass and metal is attractive in its own way and, while it feels like it could take a little lick and keep ticking. The keys are comfortable, but they also provide enough feedback from the tactile that it is enjoyable to use. The glass trackpad is just as great as any trackpad that you can find on the top of the line MacBook.
The Pixelbook is a great but not exactly amazing battery life. Through my tests and usage I can get around nine hours of battery life from it. This is very good? I’ve had better results from other Chromebooks. However thanks to its USB-C charger I can get two hours of battery in just 15 minutes, while rushing from one plane to the next. Now, that’s great.
Similar to earlier members of Google’s Chromebook family The Pixelbook excels with Wi-Fi. I’ve used it at conferences in which everyone else was cursing over the inability to connect and I was cruising along with even a thought. It works with all the typical Wi-Fi specifications, up to even 802.11ac.
The new Pixelbook is also compatible with Bluetooth 4.2. It also has two USB-C ports. One or both of which doubles for the power ports of laptops. Additionally, it has a 3.5mm audio output port. It doesn’t include an USB 2.x port, or the SD slot.
It’s a 720p, 60 frames per second camera, you will not be taking pictures with the tablet in tablet mode. However it is equipped with four microphones that can block noise. This makes it the perfect choice for video conference.
Pixelbook is the first laptop to have Google Assistant built in. Pixelbook was also the very first laptop that has Google Assistant built in. Google Assistant built into. You can use the dedicated Google Assistant key on your keyboard or type “OK Google” to get it up and running.
Are you still too rich to be your own blood? Up to June 17 Google will discount its laptop to $250. The deal is valid on Google’s store on the internet as well as the Best Buy. It’s also possible to buy its smaller cousins and the Pixelbook that comes with Intel Core i5processor, 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD, typically $749 for $999 as well as the Pixelbook with the 256GB SSD is usually around $1,199 at $949. In addition to the offer, students can get 10% off of the price of any Pixelbook.
Who should purchase this? Anyone who needs or wants a powerful, no-nonsense laptop. I have friends who are high-profile Linux CEOs and developers who utilize Pixelbooks. They have the option of having any kind of device they like, but they’ve selected the Pixelbook.
Me? I bought it with my own money full price for this laptop and am glad I paid for it. It’s not just the most efficient Chromebook I’ve ever had but it’s the best laptop I’ve used.
