Google’s line of Chromebooks have been a hit from the very start. These compact and portable devices essentially overtook the “netbook” market in the early 2010s and have continued growing in popularity ever since. Google’s latest addition to their line of devices is the Pixelbook Go.

The Pixelbook Go offers many advantages over other competitors such as the Macbook Air. This includes a great keyboard, a lengthy battery life and a 1080p webcam.

Google Pixelbook Go-¨Just Black¨ and ¨Not Pink¨Models

The Price

The first area where the Pixelbook Go stands out is its price. This device starts at just $649 for the 8GB RAM variant with 64 GB of storage and Intel’s 8th Generation Intel Core m3 processor.

The other variants are priced as follows:

• $849 for the version with Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage.
• $999 for the version with Intel Core i5 processor, 16 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage.
• $1399 for the version with Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB RAM, and 256 GB storage.

The Pixelbook Go’s starting price is less than 2/3rds of the original Pixelbook price, which starts at $999 for the Intel Core i5 processor variant with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. You may be interested in dropping the extra $350 if you want a device with a better display, stylus support, and more features. However, the Pixelbook Go features a great 1080p camera and a couple more hours of battery life compared to its pricier predecessor.

The Pixelbook Go may have a bit of trouble competing with the other devices in its starting price range. The Asus Chromebook Flip is especially attractive for its dual purpose laptop-tablet design and slightly more affordable price tag. If you are looking for a 2-in-1 laptop-tablet, the Pixelbook Go should not be your first choice.

The Design

Dimensions and Color

The Pixelbook Go is a slim and sleek device that measures just 0.5 inches in thickness. It weighs a mere 2.3 pounds, which is comparable to the weight of a hardcover book. The device comes in two color variations, “Just Black” and “Not Pink”. These labels are straightforward and describe the device’s colors well.

The “Just Black” is plain black with a matte finish. The “Not Pink” is a light salmon-colored shade that is still tasteful enough for a business setting.

The device’s surface features a matte texture, which makes it easy to grip. Its frame is constructed from a robust magnesium alloy that holds up well to minor stress.

Keyboard

The Pixelboard Go features a great sized keyboard where each key is spaced comfortably. This keyboard is a joy to type on compared to other Chromebooks, which never truly offer the typing experience a full-sized laptop can provide. Each of the Pixelbook’s keys provide forceful feedback while still being on the quiet side. Despite this, the keys never feel “mushy” as other silent keyboards normally are.

The keyboard also features a backlight with adjustable brightness. Users can instantly up the brightness by holding the “Alt” key and then pressing the screen brightness keys.

Connections

The Pixelbook Go comes with two USB-C 3.1 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. These connection options may seem limited, but they are on-par with many other Chromebook variations out there. Some users may be disappointed by the lack of Thunderbolt 3, a feature which is found on the slightly pricier 2019 MacBook Air.

This device also does not feature a fingerprint scanner or face unlock, which makes biometric authentication impossible. Users will have to sign into the device using their Google account instead.

Display

The display is arguably the Pixelbook Go’s most attractive feature. This device comes with a gorgeous 1080p touchscreen display that is both sharp and vibrant.

The display is so attractive that you’re almost disappointed the device isn’t a 2-in-1 laptop-tablet. However, most users should be satisfied with the device’s design if they are simply seeking a sleek and compact laptop with a touchscreen.

Camera

The Pixelbook Go comes with a 2MP camera that can record videos at 60 frames per second. This is a cut above most other Chromebooks on the market and many laptops available in this price range.

The Performance

Chromebooks aren’t generally known for their performance capabilities. After all, they are stocked with Intel’s Y-series CPU chips without mechanical cooling. The basic variant with the Intel m3 processor is great for web browsing and streaming media, while the more expensive Intel core i5 processor variant can handle more intensive tasks such as photo editing.

You won’t be able to run the latest high-definition games on the Pixelbook Go, however you can play Android games just fine on the device.

The basic variant’s 8 GB of RAM are more than enough for web browsing. You can have over ten browser tabs running simultaneously without the device being overwhelmed. If you are looking for a device to handle all your web browsing activities, the Pixelbook Go would be a great choice.

The Battery

Battery life is arguably one of the most important features for any portable device. After all, why invest in a Chromebook if you don’t intend to take the device with you wherever you go? Gone are the days when laptops offered only a couple of hours of battery before begging to be plugged in.

The Pixelbook Go offers a whopping 11 hours of battery on a single charge. That’s more battery life than the higher priced 2019 MacBook Air offers. If that wasn’t enough, you can get 2 hours of battery life from just a 20 minute charge! You could theoretically take your Chromebook to work on a full charge and not have to worry about the battery running out before getting home 9 hours later.

The Operating System

Users who are familiar with the Chromebook OS should already be familiar with what to expect with the Pixelbook Go. Google doesn’t offer any new software packaged with the device. However, why change an operating system that has been successful for so many years? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

The Verdict

The Pixelbook Go is a great laptop for anyone who is seeking a compact and portable device with a crisp touchscreen display and great camera. It features a tasteful yet business-friendly design and can handle all the web-browsing tasks you throw at it. The lack of Thunderbolt 3 may be off-putting for some users, but it matches and beats the 2019 MacBook Air in battery life.

This may not be a 2-in-1 laptop-tablet device like the original Pixelbook, but it does make up for it with a stellar keyboard that is a joy to type on. All in all, the Pixelbook Go is a great entry into Google’s line of devices, and will certainly be popular with anyone that is seeking a web browsing device with a relatively high-end touchscreen display.

Google chromrbook go

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