Okay, Google… What happened? - Google Pixel Slate
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Promos
Google is taking another swing at a premium Chrome OS device with the Pixel Slate, a tablet that CAN replace your laptop. Wait... this sounds familiar... Buy Google Pixel Slate : On Amazon: geni.us On Google Store: geni.us On Newegg: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Get Private Internet Access today at geni.us Linus Tech Tips merchandise at designbyhumans.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our Test Benches on Amazon: amazon.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com
The video is a detailed Linus Tech Tips review of Google's Pixel Slate, evaluating whether a Chrome OS tablet can truly replace a laptop. It begins by framing Chrome OS ambitions and the Pixel Slate within Google's Chrome OS hardware history, noting the Pixel Book and earlier Chromebooks as context. The host then dives into tablet-centric strengths, highlighting the Pixel Slate’s bright display, slim profile, and surprisingly strong front-facing speakers, while contrasting these with shortcomings like limited storage, premium pricing, and an awkward lap experience due to a flappy keyboard hinge and weak palm rest build. He also compares the slate’s features with the iPad Pro and other competitors, emphasizing two USB-C ports, keyboard compatibility, and external storage support as notable advantages over Apple’s offering. The software discussion covers Chrome OS's blend of Android app support with desktop-style capabilities, acknowledging progress but questioning whether it truly matches a full desktop OS like Windows or macOS. The reviewer argues that while the Pixel Slate showcases exciting concepts and engineering ambition, its execution and value for money fall short, painting a picture of a device that is exciting on paper but inconsistent in everyday use, especially for those seeking a single, polished workhorse. The conclusion reflects on the broader lesson Google might draw from this product, suggesting that future iterations could improve the experience, but for now the slate remains an ambitious but imperfect entry in the 2-in-1 space, with the surface pro and iPad Pro occupying more solid ground for most users. The video weaves together hands-on impressions of typing on an underwhelming keyboard, pen input comparisons with the Apple Pencil, and a candid discussion of software workflow, before offering context about price and storage constraints. The host wraps up with a frank verdict: the Pixel Slate hints at a possible future for fusion devices but, in its current state, it does not represent a compelling or complete laptop replacement at the given price. The closing remarks acknowledge that improvements via updates are possible, yet suggest that competing devices remain stronger options for most buyers today. Overall, the review balances admiration for Google’s concept with practical skepticism about real-world usability and value.
Topics · technology · consumer_electronics · device_reviews · software_evaluation
Questions answered
- What are the Pixel Slate's main hardware strengths as a tablet, and how do they compare to its laptop replacement potential?
- The Pixel Slate offers a bright high-resolution display, light and thin form factor, strong front-facing speakers, and dual USB-C ports with charging capabilities, which make it excellent as a tablet. However, when evaluating it as a laptop replacement, issues like a weak palm rest, a mushy keyboard, a problematic hinge design, and limited onboard storage at a high price hinder its viability as a daily laptop substitute.
- How does Chrome OS fare as a desktop replacement on the Pixel Slate, according to the review?
- Chrome OS runs Android apps alongside desktop-style extensions and the full desktop Chrome browser. While this enables a lot of desktop-like tasks, it does not reach the level of a full desktop OS like Windows or macOS in terms consistency and polish, especially for more demanding workflows such as traditional word processing or heavy multitasking.
- Is the Pixel Slate considered a good value for money based on this review?
- No, the reviewer argues that the value is poor given the price and limited storage, compounded by mixed usability issues in keyboard and lap usage. The device is praised for its potential and some hardware strengths, but overall it is not seen as a compelling buy at its $1000 price point.