Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsAmazing laptop - assuming you know the limits of its strengths
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2018
I purchased the base model Pixelbook about three weeks ago for $820. I love it.
There are a lot of other good Chromebooks - including the new high-end Samsung and HP ones. So why did I feel so compelled to buy this pricier Chromebook - and write a lengthy review on a Saturday morning when I rarely write reviews?
I have a Windows 10 PC, but I bought a Chromebook because I value the simplicity, speed, and reliability of it far more than I value the ability to install very specific desktop software.
I was tired of all of the automatic updates and bloated features that Microsoft would randomly roll out. I noticed I haven't installed software in some time.
Instead, I was spending nearly all of my time working in Chrome - between Google Apps and a variety of web-based software (which is far superior to its desktop counterparts in most cases, sans with very specific technical/creative work). And instead of things like Microsoft Office, I rely on GoogleDocs because I value the ease of creation and sharing far more than I value all of the extra features I don't need.
After realizing that I spend 90%+ of my time utilizing my web browser for everything (including work), the decision to get a Chromebook was a no-brainer. And it helped that I started on an HP Chromebook 14 5 years ago - which still worked, though I wanted something faster and sleeker.
As stated above, there are a few other high-end Chromebooks to choose from, as well as some good middle-range ones, so why the Pixelbook?
I'll say that the discount on the device to $820 (from $999) was the catalyst.
I determined that I'd much rather spend the extra ~$200 on the absolute best Chromebook over another certainly good Chromebook - in order to get the improved build quality and most optimized Chromebook that I could get, including with the Google ecosystem. I love my Google Pixel 2 phone, so I've seen how Google's hardware is top-notch. Also I know HP and Samsung hardware can be a bit iffy, and Samsung has had a bloatware issue with installing extra things.
The Pixelbook looks/feels super sleek, the keyboard + trackpad are fantastic, and the wrist rests are a very nice touch. The screen is bright with great resolution.
At a few of my previous employers, we all received a Macbook Air. I essentially was looking for the sleekness and build quality of the Macbook Air, without the Apple OS (which I couldn't stand / I always found cumbersome). I believe the Pixelbook reaches that standard.
When it comes to performance, this computer is super fast, with a ton of RAM and a high-end processor. You can be confident this thing will continue to fly through whatever Chrome tabs / extensions (and probably Android apps) you throw at it.
I have only one main qualm with the Pixelbook which doesn't bother me too much - the bezels (the black empty space between actual display and the frame of the computer) are insanely big. I share the same gripe with my Pixel 2 phone. Hopefully Google stops this in the future.
The only other qualm is that the Pixel Pen stylus is insanely expensive. With a lot of research, I purchased a ~$15 off-brand stylus which I look forward to gently trying (researched to ensure it didn't scratch the screen).
Who will love the Pixelbook: someone who uses mostly a web browser when on the computer (and open to continuing to use web applications over desktop ones) - and really values the premium on high-end hardware and ensuring that they have the best performance. From standard web browsing to the continually increasing number of business applications that by default run in the cloud.
*If you fit a lot of the above in terms of computer usage but don't usually have a ton of tabs open / don't need the fastest thing and price is definitely more of a priority, there are some great Chromebooks from brands like ASUS and Acer in the $250 - $400 range, some of which even have metal bodies and touchscreens, which you'd likely be very pleased with. My mother is approaching 70 and consistently has a ton of problems with her Macbook Pro, so I'm continuing to work to get her to sell that and get one of these instead. I think Chromebooks in general are perfect for seniors and young children.
Who will not like the Pixelbook: if you are super huge Mac enthusiast and love their ecosystem (get a Macbook Air then), if you are super into gaming, or if you rely on demanding desktop software for creative/technical purposes. What comes to mind is if you're a full-time pro and need the advanced features of software for video production, Adobe CC, specialized finance requiring extremely complex Excel functionality (though maybe the cloud version of Excel has those features), data scientist requiring desktop-only software, or even someone like an Architect that needs industry-standard CAD software.
But for the majority of us doing basic computer things, a Chromebook is an extremely wonderful breath of fresh air. It boots super fast, updates are quick and barely noticeable, and it's a reliable computer. If price happens to be a priority, Chromebooks have you very well-covered.
It is a tremendous relief not thinking about renewing licenses, installing updates, or other things getting in the way of you just firing up a browser and doing your normal things.
And if having the best speed and hardware is something you really appreciate -- I would highly recommend the base model Pixelbook. To be totally honest, I'm not sure if I'd recommend it at $999, but I'd recommend it for as high as $850 (remember I bought it for $820). Good news is that I've seen a bunch of other sales like that, and it's even gone multiple times down to $750. I personally don't see the value in the higher-end Pixelbooks in terms of noticeable performance differences for the significant price boost over the base model.
