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Published Mar 6, 2013

Chromebook Pixel Review!

Marques Brownlee delves into the Chromebook Pixel, a premium device with an exceptional design and advanced Chrome OS, discussing its role as a halo product in the laptop market, but also examining its challenges in app support and usability that could limit its appeal.
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  • Advanced OS

    The Chromebook Pixel's version of Chrome OS stands out with advanced features not found in cheaper Chromebooks. highlights the improved window management and a dock-like bar for easy application access, enhancing the user experience 1. Despite its stability and quick boot times, the Pixel's performance is still less powerful than some high-end alternatives 1. Brownlee notes, "This is like the ultimate Grandma surf the web machine, though it feels very much like a beta product."

    This is like the ultimate Grandma surf the web machine, though it feels very much like a beta product.

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    Battery life is average, and while the hardware is impressive, the lack of native app support remains a significant limitation 2.

       

    Touchscreen

    The Chromebook Pixel's touchscreen is both a highlight and a challenge. Its high pixel density and brightness make it visually stunning, but points out the lack of touchscreen-optimized apps as a drawback 3. The hinge's wobble during use also detracts from the experience, requiring users to stabilize the screen manually 3. Brownlee suggests that enabling Android app compatibility could unlock the Pixel's full potential:

    If you give the Chromebook pixel the ability to run Android apps, prepare yourself to sell out, because that would be a real unlocker of the potential of this machine.

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    Overall, while the hardware is top-notch, the software ecosystem needs significant development to match it 2.

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