SLATE OF THE ART FROM GOOGLE
<DD<A: GOOGLE PLAY CATCH WITH IPAD
THE iPad is still the king of the tablets but Google is attempting to steal its crown.
The all-new Pixel Slate arrives in stores later this week.
It offers a 12.3-inch LCD screen, 12-hour battery life and access to Google’s popular Chrome OS operating system. Like the new iPad Pro, Google has also created a clever case which instantly turns this tablet into a mini PC.
The £189 keyboard cover even includes a trackpad and backlit keyboard which makes this tablet feel even more like a laptop, and its clever magnetic design offers the ability to tilt the screen to almost any position.
There’s also a digital pen which allows you to scribble on the screen, with the stylus magically turning your handwritten scrawls into editable text.
Other treats include a fingerprint scanner for added security, two USB-C ports so you can charge and connect external devices at the same time, plus there are some very loud dual firing speakers for a surround-sound experience when you fancy a quick Netflix binge.
Depending on your needs you can buy the Slate in a number of different specifications with the base model costing £549 and the top-end device rising to £1,549.
If you’re looking for a tablet that isn’t made by Apple then the Slate has plenty of appeal but it’s not without some irritating flaws.
First, there is a very chunky bezel around the screen which gives the design an old-fashioned feel.
It’s also quite heavy and its long rectangular shape can make it feel a little awkward to hold. The model we used also seemed to stutter at times and lacks the fluid performance of Apple’s latest offering.
Then there’s the price. You can pick up a basic Chrome Book laptop for under £200 but the starting price for the Pixel Slate is £549 and that doesn’t include that £189 keyboard. VERDICT
There’s no question that Google has made a decent tablet with the Slate and it even has some features you won’t find on an iPad. However, the dated design, high price and overall usability simply can’t match the might of the new iPad Pro.