It’s not easy to shop for a laptop when you don’t know what to look for. The appearance of a laptop’s screen is a major selling point for many consumers. But there are many additional factors to think about. That’s why I’m writing this review of the 12-inch Google Pixelbook for you guys.
You’ve found the ideal place if you’re curious about the Google Pixelbook or Chromebook laptops (particularly if you’re a student). My thoughts and experiences with the Google Pixelbook, a touchscreen laptop that costs $999, are detailed here.
See Also : All of the features and characteristics of the Google Pixelbook 12 in
My Take on the 12-inch Google Pixelbook
I put the Google Pixelbook 12in through its paces, from its speed to its durability, for a whole week. Take a peek at my experience with this laptop after I used it.
See Also : Apple MacBook Air 11-Inch (2015) Review
- Layout
Compared to other 12-13 inch laptops, I found that this one felt more compact thanks to its 3:2 aspect ratio. It may be smaller and more compact, but that only made it easier for me to transport. This is partly because of how light it is: 1.1 kg.
Style of the 12in Google Pixelbook
The aluminum silver tone gives it an attractive sheen, and the design is quite shiny. This configuration makes the Chromebook appear sleek and modern, which is far more appealing to me than a sea of RGB lights.
This Chromebook has a more distinct look than others because silicon was used for the accents.
Second-Level Software
ChromeOS is Google’s proprietary operating system built from the ground up for Chromebooks and Pixelbooks. ChromeOS computers are said to be much safer than Windows laptops because of their superior security measures.
See Also : Unbeatable Google Pixelbook 12in — The Ultimate Review For 2023
Chrome OS-powered Google Pixelbook, 12″
I appreciated how quickly it started up, with the operating system ready to go in under 10 seconds. As a student, I think ChromeOS is great because it supports so many Google products out of the box, including Drive, Docs, Sheets, and more. They can now be accessed without the need for a web browser.
Because it is powered by Google’s ChromeOS, it is fully compatible with all Android apps out of the box. Therefore, you may forget about installing BlueStacks on your laptop to use these apps.
- Exhibit
The screen on this laptop has a 3:2 aspect ratio, making it narrower than the screens on other Windows laptops. This is because its 12.3-inch screen is significantly smaller than the panels on most laptops, which are typically 13- or 15.6-inches in size. When compared to the Acer Predator Helios 500 17 AMD, this laptop appears enormous.
For a laptop that costs less than $1,000, I think the screen viewing angles are fine. Each video I saw on YouTube looked especially lively in that color. The screen’s brightness, though, makes it more challenging to read in direct sunlight. Corning Gorilla Glass contributes to this effect.
A 12in screen on a Google Pixelbook
The 12-inch touchscreen version of the Google Pixelbook is likewise excellent. The responsiveness of the menu scrolling impressed me. In addition, I preferred using my fingers to draw on Google Drawings to a touchpad or mouse because of how natural it seemed. In addition, sketching using the Pixelbook Pen is a pleasant experience.
See Also : Everything You Need to Know About the Twelve-Inch Google Pixelbook
As a result, it’s a great choice for streaming video from services like Netflix and YouTube. But I’d rather use it indoors during the day than outside in the dark. With a brightness of 400 nits, the screen is noticeably brighter than the standard laptop.
- A Camera, Microphone, Speakers, and Keyboard
The keyboard on the 12-inch Google Pixelbook is illuminated. Due to its compact form factor, this laptop does not feature a right-side numeric keypad. The minimal travel distance and accentuation force make the keys feel light and easy to press. The keyboard’s key spacing is also uniform, which speeds up your typing.
This laptop’s touchpad is exceptionally spacious, facilitating its use for any task. I also found its responsiveness to be satisfactory, since all of the mouse gestures I attempted were properly acknowledged.
Keyboard for Google Pixelbook, 12″
This touchscreen laptop’s speakers sound good up close. Nonetheless, there is nothing exceptional about them, and I found that I was more satisfied with the results I got from using my Monoprice 110010.
In the same vein, the quality of the webcam leaves a lot to be desired. It seemed like all of the footage I took for online chats was dim and blurry. It also lacks an autofocus function.
- Duration of Use
I have found that the battery life of most laptops, including gaming laptops like the Dell Alienware 15 R4 and the Asus ROG GL753, is rather short. Still, the Macbook 12″ M7 is a step above.
See Also : Google Pixelbook 12in — A Great Handler Of Chrome OS — 2023
For simple work like utilizing Google Docs and Sheets, I was able to use this laptop for up to ten hours straight. When I switched to streaming Netflix and YouTube in 1080p, however, that time dropped to 8 hours.
Powered by a Google Pixelbook battery
The battery and its charger are also decent. The Google Pixelbook 12in took less than 2.5 hours to charge, which is around the norm for laptops. The 41 Wh battery and the 45 W charger are responsible for this.
When it came to the laptop’s ports and other means of connecting, I was unimpressed. There were just two USB 3.0 Type C ports, which was disappointing. In any case, the SD card reader was a pleasant surprise.
Connectivity for a Google Pixelbook 12 in.
This notebook would have benefited greatly from additional ports for external devices, in my opinion. The RJ45 ethernet connector is a crucial missing port. Because of this, I was restricted to using WiFi to access the web.
Seventh, Execution
The Google Pixelbook 12in’s functionality varies widely depending on the task at hand.
This laptop is great if you plan on using Google Docs and Sheets for the vast majority of your work. The same is true for students who will spend a lot of time using Google applications like Docs, Sheets, Meet, and others.
I utilized this laptop for a wide range of tasks, the majority of which included accessing various Google services. Unfortunately, Google Meet was a shambles, as I had predicted. The 720p camera’s subpar quality was mostly to blame. Even though I had the lights on in my room, I came across as very dim and fuzzy.
When it came to browsing, there were zero hiccups or other problems. I gorged myself on YouTube 4k videos, which displayed in breathtaking clarity. The same holds true for Netflix, where movies may be seen in crystal clear HD.
Chromebooks and Pixelbooks’ native support for Google Assistant is one of its best features. This notebook has four internal microphones, so it can hear and recognize your voice very well. This means I can easily perform commands by saying “Ok, Google” and leaving the rest to the search engine. If this is implemented in more laptops in the future, people will be able to do more with their hands free.
Speed of a 12-inch Google Pixelbook
However, because it uses ChromeOS, there is very little in the way of third-party software support. Therefore, producers with an eye for creativity and familiarity with tools like Adobe’s Creative Suite and others. The vast majority of these programs are incompatible with ChromeOS.
See Also : Is the Pixelbook, at 12 inches, Google’s last great achievement?
The same holds true for computer and video games. All PC Windows games outside of web games are unsupported. However, you can still watch them via NVIDIA GeForce Now, although with subpar performance and frame rates.
Therefore, it is not a good choice for gamers or creative producers who rely on these Windows programs.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Many people, including students, office workers, and parents, have questions about the Google Pixelbook 12in. My responses to their questions are as follows.
Is Google Pixelbook No Longer Supported?
Answer: No further laptops will be made by Google with the Google Pixelbook brand name. Support and updates for the current generation of Pixelbook notebooks will continue until 2025. This change was made to reduce laptop production costs.
How Different Is A Pixelbook From A Chromebook? Q2.
The Google Pixelbook and other Chromebooks are distinct from one another in terms of hardware and software. Chromebooks are low-cost computers designed particularly with students in mind. Pixelbooks, on the other hand, are designed for professionals and students and are a little more pricey and powerful.
Does Google provide a pen with the Pixelbook?
No, the Pixelbook Pen is not included with the purchase of a Pixelbook or Chromebook from Google. This pen can be purchased independently at checkout for $49.
Should You Buy A Google Pixelbook 12in In 2023?
If your schoolwork or job requires you to use Google products, I highly recommend the Google Pixelbook 12in. If you’re looking for a ChromeOS laptop that won’t break the bank, this one is very solid.
Its primary flaw, though, is that it is built on ChromeOS, which is still in its infancy and therefore extremely basic. It’s not bad, but it’s not as user-friendly or flexible as Windows and isn’t as safe. Many users will be uneasy using it since it lacks industry-specific apps.
Therefore, this laptop is not a good investment if you need to run a wide variety of business apps that are not compatible with ChromeOS. This laptop may not be ideal, but it should be adequate for your needs as a student and occasional laptop user.
