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CHROMEBOOKS have always offered the ultimate budget computing for those who can’t stretch to an Apple MacBook or top-end Windows PC.
But things seem to be changing with Google launching its all-new – and very expensive – PixelBook. This new portable PC lands on your lap for £999 and, at that price, is pushing the Chromebook brand right into the premium end of the market. And there’s no doubting this is a very luxurious device. Its design is sleek and light with an aluminium case that makes it look as good as almost all of the competition. And it’s not just on the outside where things excel, as open up the PixelBook and you’ll find a very nice 12.3-inch high-resolution LCD touchscreen. This screen also features a clever hinge which allows it to flip, turning the laptop into a fully-functioning tablet.
This is a nice added bonus, although it is a bit big and heavy to use as a tablet and the exposed keyboard does feel a little awkward holding it in your hands.
Luckily, things do improve in standard laptop mode with the PixelBook featuring a backlit keyboard and rubber silicon palm rests, which make typing ASSASSIN’S more pleasurable. There’s also a glass-covered trackpad which offers a relatively precise way of interacting with the screen.
If a trackpad feels a little old fashioned, Google is also offering a new Pixel Pen stylus which means you can type without getting fingerprints on the screen.
Powering the entry-level PixelBook is an Intel Core i5 Y-series processor for a slick experience, and there’s 128GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM.
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With these features there’s plenty to like about the PixelBook but it’s worth remembering this device is powered by Google’s own operating system.
This means you can download plenty of apps and games from the Android app store but trying to access more professional programmes, such as Photoshop or movie editing software, will leave you scratching your head.
And this is perhaps the PixelBook’s biggest problem.
At a cheaper price you could forgive it for not having the same top-end features and software as a MacBook or Windows PC. But this is a machine which costs the same as a laptop from Apple and Microsoft.
If you want the best looking Chromebook ever, the PixelBook is the one to buy. But if you want the ultimate laptop, you might want to look elsewhere. APPLE’S iPhone X lands in stores across the UK tomorrow with fans expected to be queueing around the block to be the first to own one.
This stunning new smartphone includes an edge-to-edge display, updated dual-lens camera, and can be unlocked simply by looking at it.
If you haven’t already pre-ordered the iPhone X, Apple says limited stock will be available in store from Friday morning.
StarTech has already taken delivery of this new smartphone and we’ll be bringing you a full review next Thursday.
However, our initial impressions suggest that Apple is set to have a massive hit on its hands.