For the higher a part of the final two years, I’ve been each loudly and quietly beating the drums for Google to carry again the Pixelbook. The drums received louder following the announcement of the Pixel 7, Pixel Watch, and Pixel Pill, just for Google to punch a gap in them after the corporate reportedly “shelved” the Pixelbook 2.
Right here I’m once more, hopefully screaming loud sufficient for somebody in Mountain View to listen to me. It’s time. Like, it was time, however it’s positively time for a Pixelbook successor.
You is likely to be asking your self, “Why gained’t this loopy ginger beard simply let it go?” “Cease attempting to make ’Pixelbook 2’ occur.” It’s apparent that Google cares about ChromeOS and Chromebooks, so why can’t they simply be proud of the Chromebook Plus initiative?
As for the second half, I’m proud of the promise of what Chromebook Plus brings to the market. It’s been a literal hellscape attempting to determine what Chromebook to purchase, even for somebody like me, who usually has a fairly good thought of what to hope for.
The issue that I’ve is that it seems like Google left the door open for one thing extra. Proper now, we have now 4 completely different classes of ChromeOS units, however I’m going to disregard Chromeboxes as a result of they simply aren’t almost as standard.
On this planet of Chromebooks, there are Chromebooks, Chromebook Plus fashions, and Chromebooks that meet the Chromebook Plus necessities and can get the entire cool software program options. The one distinction between the second and third classes is that one thing just like the HP Dragonfly Professional or Acer Chromebook Spin 714 gained’t have “Chromebook Plus” on the lid. However while you boot it up after ChromeOS 118 rolls out, the brand new branding will probably be plastered on the boot display.
The choice to even announce a class of units makes me really feel like there’s one thing extra that Google’s taking part in at.
And I really feel as if that’s what Google is ready for. It’s apparent that AI is the long run, as evidenced by the Tensor G3 introduction alongside the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. My colleagues Jerry, Harish, and Nick have all coated the impact this newest chip has on varied units, and I’m excited to see the way it stands as much as the next-gen chip from Qualcomm.
Nevertheless it’s additionally apparent that AI is the long run due to the plethora of AI-enhanced options that Google introduced alongside the Chromebook Plus announcement. Magic Eraser in Google Photographs, the improved video name controls, and even the partnership with Adobe with reference to Photoshop on the internet (full with AI).
That’s not even mentioning the assorted AI options that Google claims will probably be coming to ChromeOS down the street. I’m not speaking concerning the Google Workspace instruments, however having the ability to generate “customized wallpapers” with “textual content prompts” on a Chromebook? That’s wild to me. Possibly I’m simply being naive, however it’s not one thing that I believed would even be remotely attainable only a 12 months or two in the past.
Okay, I’m getting sidetracked. Again to enterprise.
With Chromebook Plus “out the door” and already being marketed, step one is basically completed. Wait a bit bit longer for market saturation, after which BAM. Announce one other class. The true downside with Chromebooks is the low finish of the market, as there are some actually good choices for underneath $400, however there are additionally much more unhealthy ones.
Check out, for instance, the HP Chromebook x360 13b. For round $349, you’re getting a convertible Chromebook powered by a MediaTek processor. So this already takes the x360 13b out of the working for the Chromebook Plus branding, which requires an Intel or AMD chip.
That doesn’t imply it’s a foul Chromebook, however if you happen to put this subsequent to one thing just like the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 from 2018, you’re most likely not going to have the identical expertise, even with each of those costing across the identical quantity.
You may get both the HP Chromebook x360 13b or Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 for about the identical price, however the experiences will certainly be completely different.
The place the Pixelbook might slot in isn’t amongst the plebs however as a competitor to the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook or Acer Chromebook Spin 714. Hell, you can even embrace the Framework Laptop computer Chromebook, however to a lesser extent, as a result of I don’t foresee a Pixelbook with simply swappable elements.
There’s nonetheless room to develop within the $700 – $999 worth bracket within the Chromebook market, and if you happen to forgot what I stated earlier than — it’s time.
Ignoring the hopes of a “Pixel Excellent ecosystem,” if Google is basically going to push ahead with AI all over the place, what higher manner than with a brand new Chromebook constructed in-house from prime to backside? That’s what we’ve seen for the reason that Pixel 6, and I actually do consider it might occur with a Tensor-powered Pixelbook.
There are lots of of Android telephones, however Google nonetheless gives its personal line in an effort to showcase what Google can do. I imply, the Pixel Fold is definitely a factor, and I’ve it sitting proper subsequent to me. It launched a foldable in a market that’s merely dominated by Samsung, and that’s to not point out how refined foldable telephones are in different elements of the world.
There aren’t as many Chromebooks, however there are nonetheless fairly just a few. So what’s actually stopping Google from “setting the bar” within the Chromebook market? Revenue margins and padded pockets, most likely. Possibly a Pixelbook 2 is within the playing cards for the close to future, possibly not. It simply seems like there’s one thing lacking, and I hope Google can determine it out and make it occur.
