Pixel Slate 2019?

[bigsmoke79]

So I've purchased a Pixel Slate and Keyboard for the black friday price, the M3 version.

I'm a Android guy and have owned alot of Android phones and Tablets but never used Chrome OS, was going to get a Tab S6 to have with my Note 10 plus but wanted a desktop browser and Google's EOL support to 2026 made me go for this.

Its actually going to replace a MacBook Pro 2012 that's no longer really used and very very slow.

Is there much of a learning curve using Chrome OS? and after the updates is this now a decent tablet?

 

[ezdoit]

My Pixel Slate arrived last night, the M3 version. I charged the battery and did some preliminary "setting up" and didn't find the "learning curve" to be all that difficult.
I'm sure questions will arrive as I get deeper into the use of the Slate, but I'm also sure answers can be found here in this forum.

May The Slate Be with US.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Tab S6 is great, and has essentially 0 learning curve since it's the Android interface you know.

But if you want a desktop browser, and the larger size isn't a negative, the Slate was the right move - full desktop browser that can manage a LOT of open tabs without showing a hint of a slowdown (and I'm likewise running the M3 version).

I can't speak to how it was before all the updates other than to point to all the rabid reviews at release (par for the course with Google), but I have yet to have a single issue.

So far I'm a fully slateisfied customer.

 

[ezdoit]

Question 1 - How can I set the slate up to automatically sign in when I start it up. Personalisation/Screen Lock and sign in shows Sign in automatically - but it doesn't.
I have set and re-set this several times - I'm missing something here.....

Question 2 - Brydge keyboard arrived today, I'd like it a lot if I could figure out how to connect it to to the Slate.

Another learning day in the world of electronics.

 

[B. Diddy]

So far I'm a fully slateisfied customer.

Niiiice.

 

[B. Diddy]

Is there much of a learning curve using Chrome OS? and after the updates is this now a decent tablet?

Although Chromebooks do work a little differently from Windows PCs and Macbooks, the learning curve shouldn't be too steep, especially considering how much simpler the OS is compared to the massive bloat of Windows (and I presume MacOS -- I wouldn't know, though). Using Android apps is pretty straightforward, but switching between and closing apps takes a little getting used to -- there may be an extra swipe or two here and there to bring up the Overview screen.

 

[B. Diddy]

Question 1 - How can I set the slate up to automatically sign in when I start it up. Personalisation/Screen Lock and sign in shows Sign in automatically - but it doesn't.
I have set and re-set this several times - I'm missing something here.....

Are you talking about when you cold boot it? You always have to sign in from a cold boot. If you mean when the device is asleep, then try going to Settings>People>Screen Lock And Sign-in, and turn off the "Show lock screen when waking from sleep" switch.

Question 2 - Brydge keyboard arrived today, I'd like it a lot if I could figure out how to connect it to to the Slate.

Do you mean how to pair it via Bluetooth, or how to physically connect it to the Slate?

 

[ezdoit]

@B.Diddy - both issues solved. No wonder I couldn't find a way to avoid signing in after a cold boot - there isn't one - who knew?

Keyboard all set up and paired. I like the feel of the Slate with the Brydge keyboard - a little bulkier - but much easier to hold onto IMO
I would like to have a "sit down" with the person responsible for the Brydge directions - I don't think there is a smaller font in the world than the one used - I had to use 2 magnifying glasses to read them -

After using Windows for 30+ years - getting used to Chrome OS is going to take some "getting used to"

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Mike Dee]

@B.Diddy - both issues solved. No wonder I couldn't find a way to avoid signing in after a cold boot - there isn't one - who knew?

Keyboard all set up and paired. I like the feel of the Slate with the Brydge keyboard - a little bulkier - but much easier to hold onto IMO
I would like to have a "sit down" with the person responsible for the Brydge directions - I don't think there is a smaller font in the world than the one used - I had to use 2 magnifying glasses to read them -

After using Windows for 30+ years - getting used to Chrome OS is going to take some "getting used to"

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah its take a lot getting used to much faster boot ups and updates and if something goes wrong you just to a quick and dirty factory reset. My pixel book does 95 % of what I need windows to do.

 

[bigsmoke79]

@B.Diddy - both issues solved. No wonder I couldn't find a way to avoid signing in after a cold boot - there isn't one - who knew?

Keyboard all set up and paired. I like the feel of the Slate with the Brydge keyboard - a little bulkier - but much easier to hold onto IMO
I would like to have a "sit down" with the person responsible for the Brydge directions - I don't think there is a smaller font in the world than the one used - I had to use 2 magnifying glasses to read them -

After using Windows for 30+ years - getting used to Chrome OS is going to take some "getting used to"

Thanks for the reply.

I'm gonna be learning too! so expect posts from me around Xmas when I open mine and set it up! got the free keyboard and have also ordered the Brydge as I will want to use it on my lap.

 

[ezdoit]

Yeah its take a lot getting used to much faster boot ups and updates and if something goes wrong you just to a quick and dirty factory reset. My pixel book does 95 % of what I need windows to do.

My computer use has diminished a lot in the last few years - once I get the hang of the Slate I'm sure it will meet pretty much all of my needs.
@bigsmoke79 - I think you'll be very happy with the Brydge keyboard for lap use - gives the true meaning to "laptop" -

 

[Jeremy8000]

Slate tones chime, are you listening?
Desktop chrome, it is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Typing in a Pixel wonderland

 

[B. Diddy]

Slate tones chime, are you listening?
Desktop chrome, it is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Typing in a Pixel wonderland

I think Google needs to hire you for some ad copy.

 

[Mike Dee]

Slate tones chime, are you listening?
Desktop chrome, it is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Typing in a Pixel wonderland

Drinking in a winter wonderland....

Might as well finish the verse

 

[Scienceguy Labs]

Do any of you suffer from random app crashes?

 

[B. Diddy]

I haven't used too many apps on mine. I'd expect some degree of glitchiness, though.

 

[Scienceguy Labs]

I haven't used too many apps on mine. I'd expect some degree of glitchiness, though.

Yeah. It's not every day, but once one app crashes, it's like a cascade effect. All of my installed apps start to crash one after the other. A restart solves the problems for a few days.

 

[cert15z]

I am thinking about getting a Pixel Slate but I just saw the Asus and Samsung are releasing new Chromebooks this month. Now I am second thoughts and trying to decide if I should go with one of the newer Chromebooks.

Want to know if there are any advantages to using a Pixel Slate with a Pixel compared to using a Pixel 4 with other Chromebooks?

 

[B. Diddy]

No specific Pixel phone advantages that I can think of. I will say that the Slate has a really excellent screen and astonishingly good sound (with fairly rich bass for a tablet/laptop). The quality of Google's folio keyboard cannot be overstated, and the Brydge keyboard is also excellent.

 

[cert15z]

No specific Pixel phone advantages that I can think of. I will say that the Slate has a really excellent screen and astonishingly good sound (with fairly rich bass for a tablet/laptop). The quality of Google's folio keyboard cannot be overstated, and the Brydge keyboard is also excellent.

Thanks for your response. Can you use the Slate with the folio keyboard while it's sitting on lap? And would you recommend the i5 or the i7 model? I plan on keeping it for about 5 years .