Chromebook Pixel 2

[Scott7217]

So, Google is planning to refresh the Chromebook:

Android Central -- Google confirms a Chromebook Pixel refresh is coming soon (article link)

Where do you see Google pushing Chromebooks where they would need a new Pixel?

I was thinking maybe Google wants to make gaming more popular on Chrome OS. I'll admit that's a stretch, but I think it would be cool to have another platform for gaming. So maybe the new Pixel will have new hardware for gaming development?

 

[B. Diddy]

It just seems like there are more and more things that people can do with Chrome OS these days, as demonstrated by this cool collection of Chrome Experiments: Chrome Experiment #1000

I'd say that Google will try to encourage more high-end gaming, graphics, and enterprise development with a powerful Chromebook like the Pixel 2.

 

[Scott7217]

I'd say that Google will try to encourage more high-end gaming, graphics, and enterprise development with a powerful Chromebook like the Pixel 2.

Do you think Chromebooks need to have discrete graphics processors to handle high-end gaming?

I'm also curious about how much penetration Chromebooks have in enterprise development.

 

[B. Diddy]

Can't say that I know enough about graphics processors to say for sure. The more high end processors get thrown in to a Chromebook, the more the battery life will suffer, so there's that balance to think about.

Thus far, I think Chromebooks haven't gotten that much traction in enterprise yet--it's mostly been education (which is still a pretty big deal). That's why I think Google still cares about the Pixel--it allows them to turn their attention to enterprise now.

 

[Scott7217]

Can't say that I know enough about graphics processors to say for sure. The more high end processors get thrown in to a Chromebook, the more the battery life will suffer, so there's that balance to think about.

This is why it's good to have different models for sale. If you want more processing power for graphics and more battery life, you'll have to buy the more expensive Chromebooks.

Still, we should also have low and midrange models. There will always be a market for inexpensive Chromebooks.

Perhaps the midrange will be in the neighborhood of $650? If you double that price, you should be in the Pixel's price range ($1300).

 

[B. Diddy]

I think the current midrange of Chromebooks is pretty darned good as it is, like the Toshiba Chromebook 2, and that's only $330!

 

[Scott7217]

I think the current midrange of Chromebooks is pretty darned good as it is, like the Toshiba Chromebook 2, and that's only $330!

Still, I think there are people who are willing to pay more to get more features. The Toshiba Chromebook 2 is nice, and I think it can get better if you add more features that people are looking for.

 

[Wildo6882]

My issue with Chromebooks right now is that there isn't a middle ground. It seems like there is always something seriously lacking. Screen in some. Battery in others. Processing power in others. And build quality in others. I just want a good solid Chromebook with good battery life, a new Broadwell processor, and then a good IPS screen.

 

[Scott7217]

That's why I think Google still cares about the Pixel--it allows them to turn their attention to enterprise now.

Well, we have a new Chromebook Pixel now.

$999 - Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 32 GB SSD
$1299 - Core i7, 16 GB RAM, 64 GB SSD

Google Store -- Chromebook Pixel (website link)

Screen
* 12.85" display with a web-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio
* 2560 x 1700, at 239 PPI
* 400 nit screen
* 178° extra-wide viewing angle

Processor
* Intel Core i5 Processor, 2.2GHz or Intel Core i7 processor, 2.4GHz

Inputs
* Multi-touch screen
* Backlit Chrome keyboard
* Fully clickable, etched-glass trackpad

Battery
* Up to 12 hours of battery life

Ports & Connectors
* 2 USB Type-C (up to 5 Gbps data, 4K display out with optional HDMI or DisplayPort adapter, 60W charging)
* 2 USB 3.0 ports
* SD Card
* Headphone/Mic combo

Camera
* 720P HD Wide Angle camera with Blue Glass

Memory
* 8GB or 16GB

Storage
* 32GB or 64GB of Flash Storage

Wireless
* 802.11ac Wireless with support for A/B/G/N/AC, 2.4 and 5ghz, 2x2 spatial streams
* Bluetooth 4.0 BR/EDR/LE Smart Ready controller

Audio
* High Power Stereo Speakers, Dual Microphones, Headset jack,
* Support for headset with microphone

Graphics
* Intel HD Graphics 5500 (Integrated)

Video
* Supports 4K video output over DisplayPort™ or HDMI with optional Type-C video adapter cable

Charger
* Type-C USB Charger, new industry standard

 

[CHIP72]

I think the current midrange of Chromebooks is pretty darned good as it is, like the Toshiba Chromebook 2, and that's only $330!

Or $300, which is what my Toshiba Chromebook 2 cost during a pre-Christmas sale on Amazon.

Despite the fact I'm not a developer, I like using Chrome OS so much that I'm seriously tempted to buy a Chromebook Pixel 2 (probably the lower end model). I have plenty of money in the bank so cost isn't a major issue...

 

[CHIP72]

A good mid-range chromebook IMO would include a "true" (i.e. with fan) Celeron processor (or better yet, a Core i3 processor) like what is in the Acer C720 model with a 1080p HD, IPS screen like what is in the Toshiba Chromebook 2. It's kind of amazing to me that no OEMs have built and released such a model yet because THAT would be the true mid-range chromebook a lot of people would be looking for.

 

[Scott7217]

By the way, I didn't see an LTE variant of the Chromebook Pixel 2 on the Google website. Perhaps Google will release that later.

It's interesting that the Chromebook Pixel 2 has two USB Type-C ports. They're on either side, and they're capable of providing power to the Pixel. Now you don't have to worry if your power outlet will be on the wrong side.

I've heard some people joke that if you hook up one of the USB Type-C ports to the other one, your Chromebook Pixel 2 will run forever since the power going out will simply go back in. If it were only that simple.

 

[Wildo6882]

By the way, I didn't see an LTE variant of the Chromebook Pixel 2 on the Google website. Perhaps Google will release that later.

It's interesting that the Chromebook Pixel 2 has two USB Type-C ports. They're on either side, and they're capable of providing power to the Pixel. Now you don't have to worry if your power outlet will be on the wrong side.

I've heard some people joke that if you hook up one of the USB Type-C ports to the other one, your Chromebook Pixel 2 will run forever since the power going out will simply go back in. If it were only that simple.

This looks like the perfect computer to me, but I'm still having an issue forking out the cash for it. $750 for a used MacBook Air almost seems like a smarter buy to me.

 

[Wildo6882]

This looks like the perfect computer to me, but I'm still having an issue forking out the cash for it. $750 for a used MacBook Air almost seems like a smarter buy to me.

Well, came to the conclusion that I'm going to splurge on this computer for myself, and now they're all sold out. I should look at that as a sign, but I'm too dumb for that and I'll be ordering one as soon as they're back in stock!

 

[Scott7217]

Well, came to the conclusion that I'm going to splurge on this computer for myself, and now they're all sold out. I should look at that as a sign, but I'm too dumb for that and I'll be ordering one as soon as they're back in stock!

No worries! I'm sure they'll make more!

The last time I checked, both versions of the Chromebook Pixel will take around 3-4 weeks to leave the warehouse, according to the Google Store.

By the way, I heard the SSD is soldered onto the motherboard, so if you need 64 GB of local storage, you'll need to buy the more expensive model. (The cheaper model has a 32 GB SSD.)

Still, most people probably don't need much local storage for a Chromebook.

 

[Wildo6882]

No worries! I'm sure they'll make more!

The last time I checked, both versions of the Chromebook Pixel will take around 3-4 weeks to leave the warehouse, according to the Google Store.

By the way, I heard the SSD is soldered onto the motherboard, so if you need 64 GB of local storage, you'll need to buy the more expensive model. (The cheaper model has a 32 GB SSD.)

Still, most people probably don't need much local storage for a Chromebook.

Well it came in stock on Sunday morning and I snagged one. Went with the base model. Says it was supposed to ship by the 27th. I hope that's the case. I'm ready for this thing.

It is really expensive up front, but the way I look at it is this:

The cheaper Chromebooks make me want to upgrade when something new comes out. If I buy a $300 Chromebook, then sell it for $200 to buy another $300 Chromebook, I'm now $400 in. If I do this a few times or more over a couple years, then I'm basically at the price of the Pixel. I can't imagine any Chromebook coming out in the next couple of years that will be THAT much better than the Pixel.

Yes, I'm justifying my ridiculous purchase.

 

[Scott7217]

Yes, I'm justifying my ridiculous purchase.

It's not a ridiculous purchase if you get some use out of a Chromebook Pixel. Besides, there are a lot worse ways to spend your money.

One issue I've heard is that it can be difficult to output the display to another monitor because the Chromebook Pixel's native screen resolution is not a standard (16:9 or 4:3) ratio. I'm not sure how big a problem this is. Perhaps someone that actually owns one might be able to comment on this.

Are there any programs that you need that don't have a Chrome OS alternative?

You might be able to get around those by using an old Windows PC or even buying a cheap Windows tablet. I think HP makes a 7-inch tablet with a full version of Windows 8 on it for $99. The drawback is that you're forced to use Windows 8.

Anyway, have fun with your Chromebook Pixel!

 

[Wildo6882]

It's not a ridiculous purchase if you get some use out of a Chromebook Pixel. Besides, there are a lot worse ways to spend your money.

One issue I've heard is that it can be difficult to output the display to another monitor because the Chromebook Pixel's native screen resolution is not a standard (16:9 or 4:3) ratio. I'm not sure how big a problem this is. Perhaps someone that actually owns one might be able to comment on this.

Are there any programs that you need that don't have a Chrome OS alternative?

You might be able to get around those by using an old Windows PC or even buying a cheap Windows tablet. I think HP makes a 7-inch tablet with a full version of Windows 8 on it for $99. The drawback is that you're forced to use Windows 8.

Anyway, have fun with your Chromebook Pixel!

I'm not at all worried about outputting the display to another monitor. It isn't something I've ever done or see me doing in the future.

There aren't any programs I really use that doesn't have a Chrome OS/Google alternative - so again, not worried there. And I do have a 2 year old HP that is the family laptop, so I'll still have access to Windows, if need be. I'm not a huge fan of Windows, and I'm all Google, so the Pixel just seemed like the best bet for me.

I've also thought about getting a Windows tablet just to have access to it, but I'm holding off on any more purchases until the Pixel and my S6 Edge come in. I should probably save my pennies for a bit after this spending splurge!

 

[Scott7217]

A good mid-range chromebook IMO would include a "true" (i.e. with fan) Celeron processor (or better yet, a Core i3 processor) like what is in the Acer C720 model with a 1080p HD, IPS screen like what is in the Toshiba Chromebook 2.

I think Acer has something that would qualify as a mid-range Chromebook:

Acer Chromebook 15 C910 (website link)

You can get a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS screen with an Intel Core i5 processor if you want. The list price is $499.99.

 

[Scott7217]

Well it came in stock on Sunday morning and I snagged one. Went with the base model. Says it was supposed to ship by the 27th. I hope that's the case. I'm ready for this thing.

So, how is the Chromebook Pixel 2? Was it everything you hoped for?