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Google Introduces the Chromebook Pixel to Compete With the MacBook Air

Thursday February 21, 2013 12:50 pm PST by Jordan Golson
Google today announced the Chromebook Pixel, a new Chrome OS-based notebook that Google is aiming directly at Apple's MacBook Air.
Chromebookpixel
On the hardware front, Google has built in a high-resolution touchscreen display, as well as 32 or 64GB SSD storage, a backlit keyboard, and a dual core 1.8GHz Intel i5 processor. The unit includes a 12.85" screen with a 2560 x 1700, 239 ppi display -- the same range as Apple's 13" MacBook Pro with Retina, which has a 227 ppi screen -- as well as two USB 2.0 ports, a Mini Display Port connector, and a SD-card reader.

The machine runs Google's Chrome OS, the web-only operating system that the company introduced almost two years ago. As added perks, the Pixel comes with 1TB of Google Drive cloud storage for three years, and 12 free sessions of GoGo inflight Wi-Fi.
So what’s next? Today we’re excited to announce our newest laptop—the Chromebook Pixel—which brings together the best in hardware, software and design to inspire the next generation of Chromebooks. With the Pixel, we set out to rethink all elements of a computer in order to design the best laptop possible, especially for power users who have fully embraced the cloud. The philosophy of Chrome has always been to minimize the “chrome” of the browser. In much the same way, the goal of the Pixel is to make the pixels disappear, giving people the best web experience.

The Pixel comes in two flavors, a $1,300 model that includes 32GB of SSD storage and Wi-Fi connectivity, while the $1,450 option adds built-in LTE and a 64GB SSD. The Wi-Fi only model ships today while the LTE model is expected in 6-7 weeks.

While the Pixel's hardware is appealing, because it runs the Chrome OS there are not nearly as many apps available for it as comparable Windows or OS X machines. Gadget recommendation site The Wirecutter had this to say:
Maybe someday Chrome OS will really be enough of an operating system to replace Mac OS X or Windows on a productivity machine. But at $1,300, the Chromebook Pixel is just too much machine for the software. If you have the money to spend on the Pixel and you need the kind of hardware it's packing, you have so many other better options.
[ 838 comments ]


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samac92
74 months ago
$1300 browser
Rating: 245 Votes
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Peace
74 months ago
Good grief why doesn't google just use a stock intro video from Apple.

:rolleyes:
Rating: 155 Votes
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tigert07
74 months ago
this is not competition for the macbook air.
Rating: 151 Votes
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saving107
74 months ago
$1,300

Tim Cook Responds


Rating: 101 Votes
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Hungry&Foolish
74 months ago
For 499. Definitely
For 699. Probably Not.
For 1299+ Definitely NOT.
Rating: 81 Votes
Avatar
gecis
74 months ago
1300? What are they smoking? Seriously.
Rating: 78 Votes
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MuffCabbage
74 months ago
I feel like I can finally join in on the bashing at this site. This is THE STUPIDEST computer Ive seen released in my life I think. I have to think they have something coming for it to have it make even a little sense.

$1300
5 hours battery
No real OS
No USB 3
32GB storage
Web isnt made for high density displays
Knockoff design
Knockoff marketing
No way to put the Core i5 power to use
Poor touch performance
Rating: 72 Votes
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Vctr
74 months ago
The pricing on this thing makes Macbooks look like a BARGAIN
Rating: 45 Votes
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flux73
74 months ago

Good grief why doesn't google just use a stock intro video from Apple.

:rolleyes:

They used a black background, not white. *Totally* different.
Rating: 41 Votes
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KieranDotW
74 months ago

$1300 browser


YES. IMO the 64GB Air is pretty much a joke. At least that's only $999 with a good OS. But $1300 for an Air clone with the same SSD as the LOWEST-END iPod touch with a useless OS...?
Rating: 36 Votes

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