The Pixelbook Go is designed to be a lighter, better and more affordable Chrome laptop than the really good but really expensive Pixelbook Google made two years ago. The Go has a larger screen (13.3 inches), but it’s lighter (2.4 pounds), shifting to a magnesium chassis. Google’s product team took me through what’s new, and why a more comfortable laptop experience was the most important goal this time around.
The Pixelbook Go will be sold alongside the older Pixelbook and last year’s Pixel Slate, which aren’t going anywhere, Google says. The Go is meant to be yet another option in Google’s device portfolio. The laptop is more affordable, starting at $650, but its price can rapidly ramp up based on configuration. The $649 model has an eighth-gen Intel Core M3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 64GB of nonexpandable storage. There’s a $1,399 model with 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and a Core i7 processor. There’s also a 4K display option (the default display is 1,920×1,080 pixels).
There are already plenty of less expensive Chromebooks out there already, though, many of which cost less and offer more flexibility and tablet transformation tricks. When I asked Google why the Pixelbook Go isn’t cheaper, the Pixelbook team indicated that OEMs already do a fine job of filling that need. The Pixelbook Go is trying to be a great midrange laptop. At a $700-range price, it better be.
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