Google’s New Chromebook Pixel Looks to Target the Retina MacBook Pro

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Google today announced their new Chromebook Pixel, their latest notebook offering:

Today we’re excited to announce our newest laptop—the Chromebook Pixel—which brings together the best in hardware, software and design to inspire the next generation of Chromebooks. With the Pixel, we set out to rethink all elements of a computer in order to design the best laptop possible, especially for power users who have fully embraced the cloud. The philosophy of Chrome has always been to minimize the “chrome” of the browser. In much the same way, the goal of the Pixel is to make the pixels disappear, giving people the best web experience.

Chromebooks run Google Chrome OS, essentially a system based on Linux with Google Chrome as the web browser, which means the system runs best when connected to the internet. Here are the specs of the latest Chromebook Pixel, which comes with a touchscreen display:

  • Intel Core i5 dual core processor at 1.8 GHz, integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics GPU
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 12.86-inch touch screen with 2560 x 1760 pixels; 239 pixels per inch (13-inch and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros have 227 PPI and 220 PPI respectively)
  • 32GB or 64GB of flash memory storage
  • Five hours of battery life
  • 1TB of free Google Drive cloud storage for 3 years
  • WiFi version: $1299
  • WiFi + LTE version: $1449

Below is Google’s promo video for the Chromebook Pixel, check it out:

Youtube video

The Verge went hands-on with the Pixel and you can see from their tests the touchscreen is not perfect by any means.

Not sure what Google was thinking with trying to price these notebooks starting at $1299 when the device relies on an internet connection to be completely useful and also has limited local storage options. To put this insane pricing strategy into perspective, a refurbished 13.3-inch Retina MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of flash storage is actually cheaper, priced at $1269.

Anyone going to buy a Chromebook Pixel?

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FragilityG4
FragilityG4
13 years ago

It’s a tablet on steroids.

Gary
Reply to  FragilityG4
13 years ago

Wait, isn’t that the PS4?

FragilityG4
FragilityG4
Reply to  Gary
13 years ago

Maybe … If we ever saw it!

Mark
Mark
Reply to  FragilityG4
13 years ago

Hardly. It’s a one trick pony on drugs.

wstoneman
wstoneman
13 years ago

If this sells well… I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.

Gary
Reply to  wstoneman
13 years ago

LOL

SimOllik
SimOllik
Reply to  wstoneman
13 years ago

well said.

cyruskafaiwu
cyruskafaiwu
Reply to  wstoneman
13 years ago

limited production on this pixel.

Anthony W
Anthony W
13 years ago

I actually like the concept but definitely not the price. For $1300+, I could get a fully functional power laptop that can play anything I throw at it.

JMCD23
JMCD23
Reply to  Anthony W
13 years ago

Same. You could get far more functionality, better specs etc for the same. The screen is about the only thing that would be better on the Google product.

Ken
Ken
13 years ago

Meh…I’d rather save some money and get an iPad /w a ultra-thin Logitech keyboard.

Jon
Jon
13 years ago

So it costs more than a gamers pc yet does less than a tablet. Am I missing something here or has Googlr completely ignored what a laptop is supposed to do? I.e. be useable OUTSIDE the office?

Try one
Try one
Reply to  Jon
13 years ago

Obviously you have never used a chrome book before

GiantWatermelon
GiantWatermelon
13 years ago

I thought this was gonna be priced around $550-$650. Then I check the price… guess I’m not getting this computer anymore.

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