Google Pixel Slate Review: half-baked

The Pixel Slate, Google’s first Chrome OS tablet. It should be able to do it all - run a full desktop web browser, Android apps, the works. It should be able to replace your computer and do things the Apple iPad Pro can't. The potential is there, but Dieter Bohn shows us why the bugs ruin the experience.
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[@TheVerge]

What would it take for you to get a Chrome OS tablet?

[@semicognitive]

It being cheaper tbh Also, why didn't you guys mention Linux Apps?

[@dragontechroyale4k447]

The Verge dualbooting with iOS

[@ronit8067]

they should have a separate api for chrome os apps and they should make it easy to port android apps to chrome apps. i think that will make it into a new mac os alternative.

[@earlsimpson333]

A good note taking app (such as onenote) and a great collaboration with window suite apps. I use a surface, but I am a big google fan. If google can get close to windows 10 in terms of apps, I would use it.

[@rafeedredwan1478]

If the iPad gets even more expensive than its already is

[@NickdeBey]

3:30 holy performance drop batman

[@Kysen10]

So laggy, how can they even sell something like that.

[@lightning2940]

@@JediBurrell for a price of 1.5k there shouldn't be any problem with performance not even a minor lag, if it was 400 or 300$ fine considering price this sort of performance could be over look for what its selling for but its not, so chrome slate isn't a great product.

[@andresnecro]

Just like the first Pixel, Google likes to experiment a lot with their products. Evolving them during its life and having constant updates, I'm holding my money until the next itinerations but so far it looks promising.

[@mbuhplus7800]

Jedi Burrell for that price windows devices run pretty smooth and can run almost every app and OS if you want. Google NEED to understand their added value and work on it.

[@dhairya8238]

What he didn't mention is Its a review unit, they aren't out for sale.

[@dhairya8238]

@@JediBurrell o h, well that's kinda bad :p as it has an Intel CPU, you can probably run Linux distros and maybe an android X86 os? Or even windows? Right? I'd love an android os on it lol

[@victorlazo238]

Damn. That hurts. That lag though....how can Google roll out a product with that software??

[@betitocanzion]

Victor Lazo i mean, it’s google we’re talking about here

[@clocked0]

It isn't even the software, the software is fine (Source: I use ChromeOS) This is merely just what happens with a mediocre processor powering that high res display lol

[@nir2594]

imo Google doesn't care about the software issues as long as products keep selling...but they do keep improving with time. Just your hardware doesn't support the changes later. So you buy a new product in few years.

[@MrNxtworld]

@@clocked0 i5 is mediocre? Are you kidding?

[@clocked0]

@@MrNxtworld So is i7, depends on the specific processor. Understand that i5 is an umbrella term and marketing jargon. Source: I have an i5 6200U, which is a mediocre processor at best. However there are excellent i5 processors just as there are excellent i3s, it depends on the actual specific processor model used

[@samushunter0048]

Chromebooks costing a $1,000 is just absurd.

[@bryanmiller476]

The biggest advantage is that’s it’s like a smartphone os and doesn’t have viruses like windows does

[@samushunter0048]

@Asbjørn Exactly! I've thought the same when I was shopping for a laptop.

[@tmorid3]

@@bryanmiller476 come on, it's not like we're in the 90's... Viruses are not that common anymore. Those prices are insane!

[@mistamaog]

iOS devices costing that much is absurd

[@TomTom-lg8oc]

Plus the keyboard!

[@ccjh0806]

The Surface Go absolutely murders this without even trying. Mind the price!!

[@enda0man]

eh, it's subjective.

[@ctrlaltdeldavid]

But for $349

[@fwng69420]

@shawn newton Boxing that's more on Google chrome than it is on the surface go, I think. Chrome tends to run like garbage on lower end hardware

[@asc_near]

The surface go is actually garbage though. It can't even run most apps since it has to go through the windows store. Android Google Play Store > Windows Store. Lol.

[@Thorpe]

@@asc_near You can run programs outside of the Microsoft Store, just like a laptop.

[@stayblack]

Awesome and fair as ever Dieter.

[@robertllobrerajr.]

Google may be delusional with those prices.

[@TechOrigami]

Google - "We're making Chrome OS, and we're making it because Laptops should be cheap and affordable. Should be cheaper than Windows Tablets. We're also going to price it at an even 1000$."

[@EnronnSierra]

Surprised there was no mention of the Surface Pro 6 running a full desktop operating system, with file manager, full desktop browser, support for touch, detachable keyboard, full Office suite.

[@cube2fox]

Also, why does nobody mention the iPad Pro doesn't support mouse input?!

[@alexw4827]

3:30 performance of the slate in 2 seconds

[@alexw4827]

Jedi Burrell the ipad doesnt lag when switching apps and thats a fact

[@evergreen-]

Jedi Burrell, yes, it does. When I buy a device for $1200, I plan to be productive which means MULTITASKING a lot. Also, you mistake animation with awful UX

[@Cisco_24]

Jedi Burrell no you can’t

[@Mark-xw5yt]

@@JediBurrell "I can make the ipad lag too" He wasn't trying to make the slate lag, it just did.

[@DragonEmperor]

Jedi Burrell Dude I get you probably can. But this is an important feature many people use. And that too you're paying a lot for it. I'm guessing you may be able to make the iPad Pro lag in some cases but definitely not where it's important and it would still be hard to find such a bad issue nevertheless. Plus we're talking about Google here so they really did fail with tho product here

[@TheTechPerson]

The point of a chromebook is that they are cheap. What’s the point of a $1000 Chromebook? I can just get a real computer like a Mac or Windows computer with that money.

[@Mark-xw5yt]

And it will preform better than 3:30

[@KarlDag]

Id rather run chromeos than windows 10, personnally. And I like Mac OS, but apple prices are even more ridiculous than the pixel slate's price.

[@christapia6733]

I mean, once you start adding an Intel processor and higher ram, the price makes sense for a 2 in 1. The software itself just needs massive improvement.

[@Mark-xw5yt]

@@christapia6733 I guess but the lowest model had a celeron didn't it? My laptop was 550$ and had an i5 with dedicated graphics.

[@kavinsuresh5468]

@@KarlDag but they sell real laptops

[@dragontechroyale4k447]

This thing is gonna hella flop

[@trchbrr]

Google probably knows it'll flop but they made it anyway lmao

[@nothumanlol]

funny man they want the world to say “at least you tried”

[@louiss146]

They always do tbh.

[@ESPlover707]

are you from california

[@revaddict]

When I as a consumer look at the 2in1 market, the only one that makes sense to me is the Surface Pro.. It is the only thing that can replace my laptop.. The iPad might be stupid powerful but does not give me file system access.. And this, well I don't even want to get started.. And no the lack of USB C on the Surface Pro is just nitpicking..

[@Detren]

I'd honestly tell you, as a consumer, to wait a year for the redesigned surface pros

[@KieronSmithMusic]

Spot on bro

[@shadowblack1987]

Look again. HP Sceptre X360 4k is half the price of the surface, just as powerful. Real 4k display too.

[@KieronSmithMusic]

@@shadowblack1987 That is a lovely device, but not an actual 2in1 where the screen can be detached

[@revaddict]

@@shadowblack1987 "HP"

[@Cambaudio]

You really are the best reviewer out there. Absolutely love your reviews. I agree. Google needs to stop just tacking on features left and right and making the stable channel feel like a developer channel. It's time for them to make it insanely stable and reliable, and have ChromeOS grow up. It's actually ready to.

[@MrSteezy]

So good he literally says the same thing mkbhd did in the beginning of his pixel book review

[@DebraDukes]

Dieter was waiting for the Reviews to this to come out and appreciate your advice on the all you just reviewed .Thanks so much Deb 👍✌

[@abhi0live]

I can't tolerate those laggy animations 3:30 !! This is absolute mess for a $1000 device, can't believe people are actually buying this in it's current form. WTF

[@Knackebrot]

*How could you not fit a headphone jack in that?!*

[@juraj_b]

Knäckebrot same as iPad I suppose 😕

[@JackieWelles]

stupid trend nothing else.

[@nathanows7]

They interviewed a google worker, he said that they expected that everyone else was using bluetooth (I'm paraphrasing) (Edit: It's in an interview video they did a while back)

[@FrankJohn]

Let the headphone jack die. Jeez!

[@voloftn]

Is it in your way?

[@khaldounal-nuaimi3594]

I just love your videos guys! you do such an amazing job!

[@djross95]

Great review as always, Dieter!

[@prathameshpawaskar4136]

better than the unbox therapy review

[@niravpatel9182]

That's a problem with choice of processor also because most of Android apps are not for x86 intel processor. World needs a good powerful desktop class ARM chip that can power this kind of devices. That's the future. It's holding back by intel. They're not making good performing chips for equivalent apple or snapdragons power usage.

[@ryantrevena-ward7413]

Hi Dieter, your question of whats a computer has really intrigued me - and even more so, how are we going to use them in the future has intrigued me further. My Windows computer is dying and I am seriously thinking of moving to ChromeOS. I really want to make the switch away from Windows, but I am waiting for that very good in-between. I liked the verge review on the Yoga Book and the video you did "Intel Doubled Down", they may not be necessarily related, but you are asking interesting questions no one else seems to be asking. Keep these "challenging what is a computer" videos going and I know I will look on.

[@sofyandi]

My favorite reviewer on The Verge. Keep the good job.

[@SrinivasRajkumar]

If Google is really serious about the pixel devices, they need to fire the team and get new people in who actually have experience. The pixel line up is just a joke now.

[@victoralmanzar1273]

My Pixel 2 is still killing it, but the 3 and this have been just dissapointments. Especially the price tags.

[@SrinivasRajkumar]

Victor Almanzar The pixel 3 phones are hindered with problems and the notch looks bad on the xl model. If Google wants this 2 in 1 tablet to succeed they need get developers to make the tablet ready and actually pay attention to the software.

[@victoralmanzar1273]

@@SrinivasRajkumar agreed

[@or1on89]

Pixel 3 user here. Bought it on 40% discount to the local Carphone Warehouse and no issues except the Pie battery draining so far. Also I love the small Pixel design but that's subjective. I'm sure I'll get that slate on discount for 600$ with the keyboard for free and the animation fixed in a couple of months. And I'm sure next iteration will be better. This year's Pixel lineup is victim of bad decisions and bad situations at Google, but the software is copying really fast and I don't have RAM issues (even if it's a manage,entire bug which Google is still working on for a fix). Yeah, lots of problems...but if you look at Noughat, iOS11, iOS10, Marshmallow, Sierra, High Sierra, Leopard, Windows Phone 7/8/10, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 10 latest update...those are all half-baked OSes and people are not raging at them as they're doing on Google...not even reviewers. I am writing from an iPad with iOS12 and the more I use Pie and iOS I prefer Pie because iOS has much more issues with the stuff I use now. I regret the lack of a cheap, ARM based Chromebook...but for 999$ I prefer a product which doesn't bend in my backpack nor gets fire while using Excel...

[@dreikelvin]

What no Beatmaker/Cubasis/Beathawk/Tardigrain/Phosphor/D1/Sampletank/SynthmasterOne/iSEM/Redshrike/Ruismaker/Loopfield/Zeeon/Gliderverb/SynthOne/Impactor/Fuguemachine/Minimoog/Samplr/Patterning/Sunrizer/Poison/Gadget/Wavestation/Gestrument/Turnado/Fabfilter on the Pixel Slate? Bummer!!

[@keshavpujari8132]

It has FL studio... Go do all your music creation in that

[@koushik3722]

Love your reviews man. Waiting for surface pro 6 review.

[@BrandonPowell405]

Did you try it docked to a monitor and keyboard like they talked about at the keynote? That is another one of the differences between it and an iPad. If so did it make any difference in it's usefulness?

[@spark9_]

Little harsh review but I agree: that lag is unwatchable.

[@roasted_guava5706]

as little as 600$...

[@bryanmiller476]

Chris_SiXtY_noScope for only a 32gb model lol

[@GlenMerlin]

Bryan Miller 32gbs + 150gbs of cloud storage i have a Chromebook with only 8gbs in 2018 and i have no problems

[@FredericBiondi]

This is an EXCELLENT and HONEST review. Well done. I personally can do 100% of my work on Chrome OS. I have this HP Chromebook X2 since almost 2 months and I really like it. I was thinking to "upgrade" to the pixel slate but your review holds me back a bit. Definitely I won't take the Google keyboard, and I'm quite disappointed by the laggings you experience on tablet mode. I don't have that on my HP. I think I'm going to wait a little longer and see how Google fixes all these bugs over the next months. Thanks again for this great work

[@noelalfaro]

Great review, thank you for being critical while also pointing out the pros of it all, wish more reviewers had this constructive criticism mindset

[@sarthaktamhankar]

Waiting for the Pixel Lite Launch

[@alliejr]

A $200-250 Chromebook, while plasticky, works just fine for what it is: a web browser with a keyboard (opening up productivity apps like Google Docs and web-based Microsoft Office). Chrome OS is and probably will always be only the Google Chrome web browser. Without a ground-up rethink, adding other stuff like Android apps just shows how Chrome OS was never designed to be anything other than the Chrome web browser.

[@alliejr]

@@JediBurrell The janky implementation of everything else ,except the browser, as demonstrated in this review, proves my point.

[@James-pb8xu]

@@JediBurrell he's also forgetting pixelbook

[@Mark-xw5yt]

@@JediBurrell 3:30 is that an app

[@rrrfrdd4497]

5:43 I love that sequence of reactions: -oh no -AHA -W00P W00P

[@ShellymanStudios]

I knew it's going to be half baked, I saw it coming when I saw the first impression videos it. Great review like always, The Verge!

[@pratheekmp6985]

That lag though!!😮

[@brandonkylemarks]

Too many floppy flapps

[@adeelsoomro5637]

Hi I have a question , I nees a machine for doing office stuff like MS Word , Excel and PowerPoint and other the time for browsing and for videos my budget is 750$ to 1000$ , what would I pick for those kind of work iPad or laptop ? Thanks in advance

[@HendFarid]

So issues are more OS related than hardware ones? Wouldn't an update fix with the lags etc? It would be great if they bundle the pen or the keyboard with it for cut down the price a bit

[@Alphabet7]

I like the tabs4

[@manumandlik5287]

Me too

[@down4665]

Surface beats both of them

[@down4665]

@shawn newton Boxing windows

[@down4665]

@shawn newton Boxing there are better and cheaper android tablets available

[@down4665]

@shawn newton Boxing chrome os is great but this pixel slate is not a good product Spending this much for a chrome os tablet is not worth

[@middletransport]

@@down4665 I agree. Chrome OS is fine but the Pixel Slate isn't. I'd rather get a HP Chromebook X2.

[@pluszero4826]

What was the microphone you've used for the test?

[@SlafJabuka]

Hey Dieter, can you make a video showcasing Linux apps on the Pixel Slate? Love your videos, keep it up the standout work.

[@LegatoStudios]

Soooo should I buy this or a laptop?

[@afd1040]

Laptop.

[@amg9331]

Surface Pro

[@saurabhsingh4285]

Go for laptop

[@huggyuk]

Depends on your particular needs

[@danabram]

Hp pavilion 360 for $650 a tablet and laptop with a real OS.

[@RealBerd]

I just ordered new-age netbook One Mix 2S. What do you think about it?

[@aokijikuzan6453]

Do u ever know where to start with anything?

[@khy8358]

lag comes included with every google's product take that!

[@ahmedfata732]

We want an iPad vs slate comparison

[@jacobberglin5459]

@David Ruddle except that even in the video he said that chrome os can do more than apple os

[@electricreviews1909]

solid review. Great job

[@2FlexVlog]

What usb hub did you use?

[@WilliamSmith-hf8um]

no offense but Surface is better

[@glenbarrington2634]

@shawn newton Boxing No Scrivener, No ACDSee Photo studio. Chrome (and Android, for that matter) is seriously lacking in photo apps for grown-up photographers. Nothing I need to use is compatible with CrossOver.

[@xmark1440]

shawn newton Boxing no offense but your case isn’t ours

[@udaygupta922]

Lol i was wondering only today if the Verge had decided the Pixel slate wasnt even worth reviewing 😂

[@udaygupta922]

Yeah figured :)

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

Excellent review and thanks, think I'll go for the Ipad now.

[@Romeix182]

After Joshua Topolsky Dieter Bohn is the only guy on “the Verge” who does not biased great reviews about Android and Google stuff. Once again, good review!

[@jenishshroff4667]

Nowhere near iPad.. u hv million apps in ipad too.. and that animation is as laggy as it could be.. enjoy ur slate..

[@Qazerty39]

Bruh, it runs Android apps. In fact it has Google play.

[@HerrDerpington]

So where's the file manager?

[@fightnight14]

Android and Linux. It will only get better in time. iOS is iOS, freaking mobile iPhone OS in a tablet lol

[@supertigerman013]

fightnight14 lol no. Android is officially dead on tablet, and it can only get worse over time.

[@fightnight14]

@@supertigerman013 I'm referring to ChromeOS it runs both Android and Linux apps

[@jashmodi]

Never pay $999 for a web browser

[@Red_Panduh]

Jash Modi you are super ignorant to what chrome OS is. It runs Linux and android apps natively now.

[@5698max]

Nice reference to Nilays iPad Pro review in the beginning! :D

[@craiggmelville]

What is the definition of a full desktop class web browser for your workflow Dieter?

[@josethemacho]

3:30 I love android lag.

[@matthewbitter532]

It's chrome os not android.

[@grantapusdonald6105]

The iPad is infinitely better Edit: thanks for all the likes guys! Never got so many before.

[@IntelTV]

And the surface even better

[@isaacbrown1832]

SFS Intel depends on what you want, don’t be so biased lmao,

[@matthewbitter532]

In some aspects. Performance isn't everything. I would rather but iPad though

[@cgnomazoid]

@@IntelTV Well it depends on your ideology of tech. Sure yes you can technically get Cinema 4d, Octane, After Effects, etc... but they run terribly and aren't even worth using but on iPad they have a slightly smaller library but all of that library runs amazing and is beautifully optimized.

[@wisneycosta361]

great review!

[@kwhandy]

can you install something like lyft or uber in that stuff? what about ipad pro?

[@ZAINABBAS]

Another Flop from Google... Yayyyy .

[@yurymol]

It lagged SO MUCH when Dieter tried to to miltiwindow. That's a shame.

[@Pawan-np9ze]

should i buy ipad 10.5 now?

[@UsamaAhmad]

This was actually a really good review, thank you.

[@Shubham-b]

Just buy a laptop. Finish!

[@Shubham-b]

Just buy the $300 iPad and you'll be happy!

[@sophieprinsen2590]

If there were just a touch-friendly mac os... run it on Ipad pro Could this be possible?

[@s3rverlord]

Best review I've seen for this product.

[@cavidnagiyev3678]

Also it's way less powerful than ipad pro

[@cavidnagiyev3678]

I'm not saying the ipad is great. Just pointing out a fact

[@petarprokopenko645]

Because that was cpu designed by apple. Google has to relay on intel...

[@maxkho00]

@dddk sa Yes and yes. Linux apps.

[@maxkho00]

@dddk sa Did I claim it was good? No. But some Linux video editors, such as Open Shot, will definitely get the job done unless you are a dedicated professional (by that I mean actual professionals - not KZbinrs). I just said the answer to your question is 'yes'. There is also a video editor selection on Android, if you want something more lightweight. And wow, thanks for picking out literally the only Chrome OS weakness. Windows and nay iOS have substantially more weaknesses than Chrome OS, including lack of social networks such as Instagram and Messenger on the former and virtually all professional apps (MATLAB, etc) on the latter.

[@Mark-xw5yt]

@@petarprokopenko645 apple relys on intel for their laptops

[@chainlincfence]

Here's what it would take me to consider a full chrome OS tablet... make it run Windows.

[@LzysGraphics]

EndermanOrea or don't cause a 200$ Chrome OS laptop Will run miles vs. a 400$ Windows laptop

[@chainlincfence]

@@LzysGraphics it was a joke. Whooooooosh.

[@LzysGraphics]

EndermanOrea umm actually. You want to take a step back and read that from another point of view? First of all your claim is a legitimate thing a ton of people say. Second, lmao you do know I can't read your body language over a screen right? Please make your sarcastic remarks a bit more clear buddy. You can either make it blunt or frank or add a ton of words like but but...

[@TheSizNation]

Absolutely love this honest review.

[@smackthedevil17]

please, please tell me which watch your wearing?

[@utkarsharyan]

iPad ---- Great Tablet, not so good laptop Surface Pro----- Great laptop not so good tablet Slate ----- Good for nothing....

[@_BlackSpectrum]

I think Google should stick to Android and as for laptops Windows is best !

[@cgnomazoid]

You misspelled MacOS, whoops

[@oldaccount537]

LINUX!

[@xmark1440]

I’m disappointed at Windows honestly. Might find myself switching to an iPad as the main device while using my laptop as a secondary backup.

[@alikhan2655]

Bold review! Good job!

[@vagasideias]

Nice review!

[@jugo3558]

Google = Apple + horrendous execution

[@Aryan-tz7zk]

Just another flop chrome/android tablet. Ipads rule tue tablet game

[@fightnight14]

Watch the whole video. He uses a Pixelbook and admitted that ChromeOS does more than an iPad can

[@matthewbitter532]

The iPad can never best the surface.

[@lthomas63]

I'm thinking about it, I like the fact that you can use Windows apps on it if you use crossover for Android, I want to run Scrivener on it

[@ChadCesaro]

What do you think for the current 600 price with a free keyboard and pen?

[@bankakinmola7385]

Sooo... did they release a day 1 update or something??? Been playing with the Pixel Slate for a couple days now... I've run into two occasions where an element didn't respond to a tap or click (both times after getting a notification for an android app install... had to clear the notification before I could interact with my app again). Other than that very minor inconvenience... I haven't run into any bugs at all. Also haven't had any problems with any of the Android apps I use either... when you minimize an android app from full screen, it does default to a 'phone-sized' rectangle... but everyone has been perfect at re-sizing, and none have had any problems w/ performance. Based on some of these reviews... I expected to be disappointed w/ the software experience, and am now finding myself pleasantly surprised. The biggest issue for me so far is getting used to the lack of a dedicated caps lock key on the keyboard lol.

[@ronnie07ify]

Great and honest review!

[@ofekharary3175]

*Dieter dancing sillily to the Disco* Ah. Such Dieter.

[@EdgarEsc1972]

So if you're looking for a Chrome/Android tablet that does a little more than the basics - would you go Pixel Slate or Galaxy Tab S4?

[@doobeedoo2]

I want to watch films and read books on my tablet. I would like to be able to annotate what I'm reading. Also, I'd like to be able to make video calls over WiFi. And use it as Google Assistant. So what is the best tablet for me to buy?

[@dibidibadibidibou]

This is really a good, fair and smart review. I'm impressed..

[@mto7429]

Awesome review.

[@MarcusThomson]

I am glad you specifically stated the browser features are better than what is available on an iPad. That was the only thing I questioned about my Pixel Slate. Well, one other. I knew I didn't want the Celeron version, but I did go with the M3 with 8gb of RAM. Since the RAM is good and there is nothing that intense in Chrome OS, I believe the processor is the best for the money. Do you believe the i5 is worth $200 more?

[@da_nkemzi]

What will you say is the best tablet to get from 2018. I want something I can use as a tablet most of the time to take notes in class, reply emails, edit photos maybe even video, submit assignments last minute, and all that good stuff. But, something that doesn't feel laggy and inconvenient. Basically not a tablet to replace my computer but one to help me be more productive.

[@21KissCez]

is that Skagen Smartwatch your wearing?

[@motobazuka2535]

Good review!

[@angelolewis419]

What is that smartwatch he's wearing in the video?

[@alpinegizmo]

Can I use the Linux version of the intellij IDE on it? That would make it interesting for me.

[@kirby6-kg8nj]

I bought one in 2023 for $200ish on Ebay. Since Google extended the support date, it was so worth! Love this device. We take notes on Google Keep and it's pretty sweet.

[@FabTBC]

Gotta be honest Dieter, you’re my favorite Verge reviewer.

[@giomjava]

Does an external display work? How about USB-C headphones? Does it charge through either port? Great review, but too many points missed...