OPINION: Google has a repute for binning main tasks after a number of minor bumps within the street. Google Glass and Google Daydream have each kicked the bucket in recent times.
And this week, The Verge reported that Google is cancelling its subsequent Pixelbook laptop computer, and shutting down the crew behind it. Contemplating Google’s monitor document, this shouldn’t come as a serious shock.
However I actually thought the favored Pixelbook was one of many few gadgets protected from the Google guillotine, and I can’t fairly perceive the corporate’s reasoning for canning it.
The Google Pixelbook first launched again in 2017, and was thought-about a premium Chromebook that confirmed different producers that ChromeOS-powered laptops may provide as a lot model as a Home windows clamshell.
It wasn’t excellent, that includes poor audio system and a value that got here too near high-end Home windows laptops such because the MacBook Air. However it was nonetheless a terrific possibility for individuals who just like the simplicity of ChromeOS but craved a premium moveable.
In my eyes, the follow-up Pixelbook Go was even higher. Google watered down the specs with a purpose to give the moveable a extra reasonably priced value, coming in at simply £629. And whereas it’s doable to search out even cheaper Chromebooks, few had such a high quality metallic construct and the choice for a 4K display.
There are only a few Home windows laptops that may compete with the Pixelbook at that value – solely the Surface Laptop Go 2 springs to thoughts. However sadly, Google hasn’t up to date the Pixelbook Go since 2020, so it’s now feeling a bit outdated.
That’s a terrific disgrace, because it’s a good time for Chromebooks. Qualcomm has made nice strides with its laptop computer processors, seeing a superb efficiency and energy effectivity for portables such because the Acer Chromebook Spin 513. And whereas Google has beforehand caught with Intel chips, I don’t see why it couldn’t strike a cope with Qualcomm for not less than the bottom configuration.
We’ve additionally began to see high-end options trickle all the way down to the Chromebook market. It’s now doable to see Chromebooks with OLED panels and fingerprint scanners, providing an identical expertise to Home windows laptops that price twice as a lot.
ChromeOS has actually matured over time too, and is now a terrific various to Home windows for individuals who need a extra streamlined working system. The rise of cloud streaming additionally allows Chromebooks to play video games, making them extra versatile than ever earlier than.
With Google solely launching Google Stadia a few years in the past, it could make a variety of sense for the corporate to push its personal Chromebook as the perfect moveable platform for the cloud gaming service.
Home windows laptops solely appear to be getting dearer too. The Honor MagicBook collection was once top-of-the-line worth Home windows laptops available on the market, however the newest MagicBook 14 (2022) mannequin is occupying an identical value level as Apple’s MacBook Air. Because of this, I totally anticipate Chromebooks to grow to be a extra in style possibility for these unwilling to spend over £1000 on a laptop computer.
The Chromebook market is wanting more healthy than ever, so it’s an actual head-scratcher why Google has determined to cancel future Pixelbook tasks. It’s not a terrific look from the corporate that develops ChromeOS.
The Verge made an excellent level that the Pixelbook’s job is over, as Google possible solely wished to design it as a means of exhibiting the potential of future Chromebook laptops. However why cease there?
I’d like to see a Pixelbook with a foldable display, or one other clamshell design with a 4K OLED show at an reasonably priced value – think about how a lot of a killing that might make if accessible at an reasonably priced value.
It might be nice to see Google create its personal laptop computer chip, taking place the Apple M1 route. Reports from CNBC recommended that Google was planning on doing precisely that following the reveal of its Google Tensor chip for the Pixel smartphones. However with the Pixelbook seemingly scrapped, I’m beginning to doubt whether or not that Google-made laptop computer chip will ever see the sunshine of day.
I additionally assume that ditching plans for the Pixelbook hurt Google’s repute in the long term. It has canned so many {hardware} tasks at this level, that I’d be hesitant to ever buy Google {hardware} sooner or later.
So with all of that in thoughts, I believe it’s a giant mistake for Google to cancel plans for the Pixelbook. However Chromebook followers shouldn’t be too disenchanted, as I’m certain the trade will proceed to blossom with the likes of Acer, HP, Lenovo and Samsung main the cost.
Ctrl+Alt+Delete is our weekly computing-focussed opinion column the place we delve deeper into the world of computer systems, laptops, elements, peripherals and extra. Discover it on Trusted Evaluations each Saturday afternoon.
