Google Pixelbook review

Would you spend $1000 on a Chromebook? Google hopes you will on the new Pixelbook, a hybrid laptop with excellent hardware that runs both web and Android apps. Subscribe: goo.gl/G5RXGs
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[@backlon]

Yes, I called it "Chromebook Pixel" instead of "Pixelbook" in LITERALLY THE FIRST LINE and I am ashamed and abashed. Force of habit!!!

[@HenningGu]

Fake

[@blur5e]

How about the speakers? are they loud enough?

[@AlexanderCaley]

R u really not gonna re-record that audio? Like your part of one of the top tech publications and you said the name of the product your reviewing incorrectly.... in fact you didn't even say it incorrectly you said a different product entirely

[@backlon]

KZbin doesn't let you upload new versions without deleting the original :(

[@spoopydoopey6845]

i think is the second line... the last one was the Pixel C

[@NateCress]

I just got a Pixelbook. This thing is awesome. I keep finding new things it can do that I didn't think a Chromebook was capable of. This is the future of personal computing. I love this thing. It's blazing fast. It does everything I need including graphic design with linux software. I can only see this getting better over time.

[@Dino-yu4nj]

Hey, im an illustrator/artist and use affinity designer and photo, is that possible here?

[@TheHolyMustard]

This is one of those things that's so pretty I wish I had a reason to buy it.

[@ScottGibbs]

This is by far the fairest Pixelbook review I've seen from a non-Chrome OS enthusiast. Thank you.

[@Fabio-rg9nv]

Saying „it has an Intel Core i5“ is like saying „it has a CPU“.

[@smorisch]

Super awesome review. I've never bought an actual Brand New laptop and I'm a huge Google fan., I broke down and spent the grand for the new box and I'm so excited to get it. :) I'm so glad this review is as good as it is! I have a Galaxy 9S phone, the Google Home, and 2 Chromecasts, so super thrilled with this purchase.

[@oscarv1234]

This is a great laptop what people need to understand is that the fact that there 10% behind when chormebook is relatively new is amazing and I'm sure most of the software issue will get fixed by updates

[@NAKROMOTO]

Dieter Bohn is a beast and probably the best reviewer at the verge :)

[@Dennis-Ong]

ORKAN Agree, don't seem biased

[@bartdemczuk7111]

Ya he's awesome!

[@BballerPete]

Facts

[@deathstar001]

Agreed. He’s my favorite reviewer.

[@nevmiku]

"You can click the mouse."

[@ErMac2187]

I just bought a chromebook and i'm really really liking it so far.

[@mohsinazmi5032]

I watch only your review videos Dieter Bohn sir. Your reviews are really really honest about every device.

[@mistamaog]

I like this guy, he's really good at providing an unbiased review

[@AnandRao19]

0:54 Primitive Technology ❤️

[@backlon]

Maybe my favorite channel.

[@efp722]

hands down, the best channel.

[@archiewebster4277]

REMEMBER TO WATCH PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY'S VIDEOS WITH CAPTIONS!!!!

[@RichardTapia42]

I barely found the channel. Glad to know that it's actually popular

[@priyanshu4434]

Anand Rao 7

[@MHandlykken]

Nice review! I like your style Dieter and always appreciate your reviews.

[@jonepaulfagan9360]

I love this review.. Being honest and not dissapointing other with comment like "oh don't buy it because it not worth the price". It to worth it to some people like me.

[@dubswagen]

This guy made me resubscribe to TheVerge a couple videos back 👌🏽

[@brodyjames4126]

i ended up going with the pixelbook over an ipad pro 12.9 inch as my mobile driver computer/tablet. the keyboard is way more enjoyable for me than what apple has to offer with the new keyboard as I suck with it. the design and quality makes me feel like i am not missing out and I don't regret getting this over a tablet or macbook. when people ask me is it a mac killer i say flat out no, but it is an excellent ipad killer as an Apple head for so long. i really don't regret the purchase and this review helped me in educating myself in what i what to spend my money on. thanks verge!

[@Seanseanseanseanseanandsean]

Very appreciative of the CPGGREY shout out at 6:30

[@professionallylay703]

The "10%" is covered by Linux.

[@kaidms]

Yes and I know this is 2 years later but, don't think Linux is getter premier, or a couple music production programs.. so I guess that's like 2%

[@goinginzane]

What a great review! Well thought out and logical, Dieter's killing it yet again! Also, what a cool location for this shoot, video has some beautiful shots!

[@Sauceyjames]

I shelled out $350 for a Pixel in 2016, and $520 for a Pixel 2 (flipped it for $950). I'll get this when prices dip on it, but I don't see that happening until 2019. It great for my work place.

[@postxtito]

im still a few years away from getting a laptop - but im certain, if not confident that it will be a Google Chrome book - fo sho! im loving what im hearing - and i think this review is pretty unbias. The Verge Rocks!! Yes there are cheaper chrome books out there but i want a premium Chrome book.

[@ScottGibbs]

I love that people STILL come to Chromebook reviews just to bash it in the comment section. What drives that insecurity and sadness? Who exactly do you think you're swaying with your misplaced anger?

[@nanobreaker]

Half the folks also complain about how it lacks certain power applications people use. As if most of the population uses Adobe products or photography apps. And the folks who complain about the lack of those apps should be somewhat knowledgeable of the capability to install linux (if you need it of course).

[@Alejoblocks]

Scott Gibbs We are consumers, we can bash whatever we want.

[@nanobreaker]

Jacob Woods by all means bash away?

[@paulverteller9095]

You only want to spend time in your fantasy bubble reading how great and competitive your google thing is? This pixel thing is not exactly for sale in a safe haven, it's competing in a complex market with better offerings and the review is on a public site. At least google knows from negative comments what to do to make a better product and if this thing was actually knocking down the competition you sure wish the same people who bash it were able to see it too and you would have facts and reasons to counter the bashers, you should thank them to encourage google to improve their product. Only fierce competition creates brilliant products.

[@terrywimberlysr663]

+Paul Vertell mo

[@parwaazkothariya4178]

I spent almost about $600-700 on a Windows laptop (HP Pavillion G6), it lasted 6 years. My sister bought a $1K MacBook Air and damn that thing floats so smoothly. Guess what? You can even buy a $300 laptop that can run CHROME! $1K for a browser? No way, no matter how "cute" it looks or however types of Yoga it can do.

[@sSHARPZz]

Your sister.... not you.

[@arress2052]

Have you ever used a high end Chromebook? Probably not but keep making comments about a product you have never used.

[@BaconFaceMcGee]

Parwaaz K I bought the HP Pavilion 15-cc055od for $630 on August 4th (tax free weekend) and I love it. It's a lot better than any Chromebook will ever be.

[@NathanKeen]

It's not just a browser anymore, Chrome OS has the Google Play Store and runs Android Apps now

[@NathanKeen]

I use a Asus C302 and Android Apps run fine for general use, some are still just bloated up mobile apps but more are being optimised for Chromebooks. If there is anything specific i need i still have a high end Windows Laptop but there is pretty much nothing in general i cant do on this and its much quicker/better at it. Chrome OS hasn't matured enough yet to fully justify replacing if you need a high end computer with specific applications but for the average user Chrome OS is far better. Boots up in 10 seconds, doesn't slow down, built in security, doesn't fragment, etc.

[@dark3nough]

My wife bought me this for Christmas on the recommendation from a best buy guy that Apple and this are comparable. I really love using this thing. I have a Google pixel XL 2. I would compare this to the being exactly where the Android Wear watches are.. not quite ready yet.. needs more oven time.. apps, and directional evolution. I swear I love it though, it will go back to the store. Hardware.. that needs software.

[@daanvissers]

Very good review. I just wish it weren't as expensive as it is, and that ChromeOS could do more stuff. I think it would be cool to run Linux on this, but I wonder how well it would be supported.

[@simonfein3095]

The wallpaper for the chromebook is pretty nice. Kinda want it

[@shelleybevacqua]

Loved this review and that you liked the Pixel book. You were fair with your assessment.

[@calden74]

Sam Bao Yes, there are touch drivers for Linux, I can’t believe you even had to ask. In fact you can download and install Ubuntu 17.10, their newest version to a ChromeBook, even Debian or Arch, etc. if Ubuntu isn’t your distro of choice . I use my PixelBook as a development machine and it’s utterly fantastic at this, how, well I have a full LAMP server installed under Debian, than I use CodeEnvy, a cloud based IDE to write my code in, as well as compile. Though Netbeans and Eclipse are available to me, as well as Adobe’s Cloud Suite. Simply install PlayOnLinux’s fantastic app for Wine and your off to the races. If you don’t want to install Linux, no problem, you can simply stream any desktop application over the browser. There are tons of services now that do this, example, I use rollapp.com for all of my Linux applications like Blender, yes, Blender works. Of course it does, I mean you can even stream Photoshop and it’s fast. Why do you think people are buying the HP X3 phone, no, it;s not because of Windows 10 for mobile, it’s because HP has a service that streams the most used business desktop applications, I.e. MS Office. So you can actually use a phone as your desktop. The issue here is that most of you simply do not know what you can do with a ChromeBook, let me fill you in, everything, yep, there is absolutely nothing a ChromeBook can’t do. Okay, yes, you are restricted to the type of hardware your using, I mean your not going to play Doom on an ARM ChromeBook, however, Steam works just fine on a i5 or above ChromeBook. I personally use RetroArch, in which allows me to play all of my favorite N64, SNES, NES, Sega, DreamCast, PlayStation 1 & 2, PSP, GameBoy, NeoGeo, etc. games. I even have replica USB game controllers for all of them, the N64 controller is friggen awesome. No, the PixelBook is not expensive for what your getting, A full i5u version, not the Y version you get when buying a MacBook 12", a absolutely gorgeous design, I dare say the best looking 2 in 1 laptop on the market today. As such I have zero regrets as there is nothing I can’t do on it. Now for the average user, I would say no, simply because most of you simply do not know what your doing and are to lazy to ever properly learn how to use ChromeOS to it’s fullest. I say lazy because you could learn how to hack the ChromeBook into a beast but most just don’t want to learn. As such all they’ll ever see is a browser, like most of these reviewers, they simply do not understand what ChromeOS can offer. Which is, the fastest OS there is, the most secure, awesome UI, Linux based, upgrades are in the background, Android built in, the ability to run full Linux Distro’s alongside ChromeOS, at the same time, awesome Citrix terminal so it’s the perfect machine for businesses and schools, did I say it’s fast, etc. Look, their not for everyone but those who say Chrome OS, the PixelBook is garbage, simply do not know what the hell they are talking about.

[@michaeltibus1238]

Well done sir! Honestly, I didn't know what you could do with ChromeOS. Thank you for the enlightenment!

[@KeiranB]

Shout out to CGP Grey...

[@jmanninja]

Keiran B and brady....

[@MattUebel]

Great review! For me, the assistant integration is a big differentiator for this laptop. One question, when you've got the keyboard facing down, how do the keys hold up? That's one concern I have with this and other convertible laptops. Seems that, over time, the keys would suffer.

[@jitkr1489]

you got Cortana which will do everything this thing will do!! for less.. Dell XPS 13 will be yours for about that much

[@mongots7216]

Thank you for a honest review, with detailed parts. You gave me some things too look out for when buying one. But it mostly seems like it had pros rather than cons, which is good.

[@JK-xz1lt]

Finally a computer you can run Chrome on and not have to worry about the ram filling up.....

[@shaynemcallister]

Well done easter egg with the guy drawing a heart around a picture of Sen. Jeff Flake.

[@KusoTrevor]

Would like to see a new review considering the updates coming down the pipe where Linux apps can be installed. Seems like a full OS instead of an expensive Android laptop.

[@TenWolf-wb7pc]

Can a chromebook replace... Mac OS: No; it doesn't have the power for video and photo editing that Macs have, which is why a lot of people use them Windows: No; the freedom of windows and gaming side of it is not replaceable by chrome os IPad Pro: Maybe??? It's less portable, but more versatile. Plus, it can do what an IPad can do but better and faster. Just summed up the video.

[@ShawnZiemba]

Thanks for the review! I hope the 8GB version of this is as fast as my 16GB 2015 LS. I use it for my business and so far its been the only machine that handles the 100+ tabs I have open constantly, and the other 100+ tabs I have open on two other screens I have connected to my LS.

[@castle_novelist]

The Pixelbook handles 100+ tabs?

[@nic_ccc3366]

Great review. Might be an option in 2 years. I don't do any video editing so I think this could possibly serve me as a daily driver for social media, word processing, emailing and light entertainment.

[@avicohen2k]

The only thing I noticed was the room. Where are you filming this??

[@BoogieBunny]

7:59 You're tired of Chrome OS. you're tired of everything being related to Chrome OS.

[@aratyal]

Thinking of getting this for my dad. He needs to open the odd document/pdf. And search the internent but prefers laptops over. Tablets. Perfect for him

[@sabretoothz3]

Lol.. 2 seconds in and Dieter incorrectly calls it the Chromebook Pixel..

[@backlon]

AAAH I FEEL LIKE AN IDIOT

[@TheBlooRayChannel]

You pay a max of $400 for a Chromebook. I have one and it's bloody brilliant. $1000? Just get a decent Windows machine.

[@nanobreaker]

And have the hardware (I'm looking at you Dell) fail on me? No thanks.

[@TheBlooRayChannel]

I have had the Toshiba Chromebook 2 2015 for nearly two years now. As good as new. Purchased for about $300.

[@nanobreaker]

TheBlooRayChannel no I'm sure you've had a good experience with your Toshiba. I've heard decent things about Acer and Toshiba in particular. But I've also had good experiences with ChromeOS specifically the 2015 Chromebook Pixel model as well. Even though I installed Linux for coding purposes I found myself using ChromeOS mainly for everything else.

[@TheBlooRayChannel]

Agreed. ChromeOS has a place of course. But nowhere near that price point for what it offers. Plenty of excellent Windows options out there.

[@matthieulucas9059]

This. Chromebooks are outstanding machines when you get cheap ones. Acer R11, Asus Flip are great examples. Expensive chromebooks are just not worth it.

[@chronos4573]

Cloud computing thin client like Chrome is not primitive, but is the future. I'm done with messing around with updates especially for windows, third party security apps to maintain and dealing with thermal issue and fans on a laptop, now that is the legacy old technology that is beginning to look primitive.

[@MarsorryIckuatuna]

These are really good quality videos, one can see a lot of work going into these. I prefer if they called it the Chromebook Pixel - having a hard time saying Pixelbook out loud.

[@dumb9300]

Thanks! This was a really helpful video :) Subscribed!

[@stevenjames1138]

Great review! I think I might just spend the money I had earmarked for the Pixel 2 XL on this machine instead!

[@kamraniqbal270]

I would totally buy this if I wasn't a developer. Man just look at it's design😍

[@MroStudios]

Your shoes on the sofa killed me at 0:20

[@gintomino4136]

He is the best host of The Verge. Nice quality here as well.

[@brooklyn560]

Can't wait to get mine!!

[@learnedits5341]

I don't understand the big confusion and why people are saying it's too "expensive". It's basically a bigger and more powerful Pixel phone with a keyboard. The Pixel XL 2 phone is $850 base, why would this be any lower?

[@shanghai_city]

You sir are very good reviewer. Plz review more tech stuff on verge.

[@TheShapingSickness]

Wow Verge this was an incredible review.

[@fieryblazeking639]

Its only six years old true but, it has the biggest company supporting it

[@williamchapman2371]

but they won't spend some of their piles of money developing software for it.

[@agro0]

"It's very good at doing chrome things...." Wow, how impressive.

[@upsizemotivation]

Verge, Dieter.. you are the best ( Super Review ) ..

[@XKurrA]

If you just need a pc for work or schools get a chromebook, if you want pc apps, I think you can download another os that support them.

[@gandalfwiz20007]

As an advanced IT user, i can say that nothing can replace a windows laptop with decent specs

[@Jordan-cz5hc]

one of the best reviewers ive seen lately.

[@Jack29165]

About $200 - $400 is ok for a chromebook. But if you have $1000 to spend on a laptop, there are some very good windows and Mac OS laptops out there that can do almost all of this and so much more. Chrome books are ok, it’s just the software that lets it down in my opinion.

[@GabrielDalposso]

"that's how it should be with this machine BUT I'm really happy to report that it is" xD

[@Atulnavadiya]

Wut??

[@masonford5977]

The only thing that's not included that I really want is a black option or *at least* a gray one

[@djhokey]

Whoah the It Runs Chrome edit jumped out

[@surge5240]

Believe me Chromebook and chrome os / web based os is future.

[@tizzlebakin]

I was torn between this or a Samsung Chromebook Plus and an upgrade to Ryzen for my desktop. I chose the latter and I'm happy.

[@tizzlebakin]

I upgraded to the Pixelbook and it is so much better than the Samsung.

[@ButteredToast]

I found one for about 6 bucks and 50$ shipping Should I get it?

[@ButteredToast]

$50*

[@raymundmagturo]

still an apple fanboy but the google assistant is a BEAST

[@justinmedvin]

Raymund Magturo same on both accounts but that’s available as an app

[@Lostcause1974]

While I appreciate that you looked at this from a software perspective first. It's 2017, so many options to choose from under $1000 that offer more software options. Heck a decent Android tablet with a bluetooth keyboard cover can meet most people's 90% needs well under $1000. Pen - $100 for a battery that lasts a year? What happens after? Buy another pen? Hardware - It does look great. Specs weren't exceptional for the price. Is that a good resolution compared to this device? What kind of RAM? With an i5, it should scream running just Chrome OS. IMHO, I appreciate that you don't want to answer if it will meet the '10%' for everyone.That said, tech blogs need to help answer that question more effectively. For $1000, is this the best option for either the '90%' or '10%'. You mention that this should be the shape of laptops moving forward? Why because the tent or presentation modes? Other devices do that a better price points. Because it can charge on a plane? I agree all devices should be chargeable on a plane. I have considered switching completely from Windows to Chrome, but not if I am paying the same price for less functionality just because it looks nice. Name the things it does better at that price point for either the 90% or 10%.

[@EdgarVillegasG]

By installling Real VNC on any Chromebook you may access any Linux, MacOS or Windows computer as a remote graphical terminal You need to install and configure Real VNC also on your MacOS, Linux or Windows computer

[@brocklee3768]

Can we have an open discussion about where to buy that beautiful couch he is sitting on? GORGEOUS

[@williamchapman2371]

hey, yeah, again, the couch is still the best part of the review.

[@4rtificial1dioty]

If the touchpad is sunk and the device has zero flex - how do you click the mouse with the lid being closed? oO

[@AidanHU4L]

If the review is gonna be 9 minutes I think y'all should at least briefly go over the ports Looks really nice! But Im not sure if Ill ever buy a laptop thats too skinny to have a usb A port

[@MrSushant3]

7:56 *when you realize the thing costs $1000*

[@eandean]

why you have to fold it with keyboard facing the table surface when you can view it the normal way? just curious.

[@TRU2Sk9ng1992]

that screen shaking when he's typing or tapping is a huge turnoff.

[@elokarl04]

I agree

[@soberanisfam1323]

Corey Forde so what turns you on baby?

[@nathanows7]

Soberanis Fam ewwwww🤧🤧🤧🤧

[@iant6943]

0:46 you played yourself.

[@cheng1994]

I wish someone reviewed it after installing Linux os via crouton or dualboot. It's really the real reason this Chromebook exists.

[@jagnoorsingh2031]

I would say, give google a few years. Now they've entered the premium laptop segments. Next step would be an improved chrome OS. A few years from now google would give Microsoft or Apple a run for their money like they did with smartphones. I remember when Android phones first came people bashed them because they were uglier, inferior to ios but now look where they are. As for now spending 1000 Dollars on a web Browser is insane but definitely Google is going in the right direction. I have always believed if google had created windows, they would have done a better job than Microsoft.

[@NathanKeen]

Chrome OS isn't just a browser anymore as it runs Android Apps and has the Play Store. Although i wouldn't say its worth that much for one still though. I have a Asus C302 and it works great

[@jagnoorsingh2031]

Nathan Keen eh.. I was trying to be sarcastic.

[@Arrkam_]

I like Dieter Bohn's review much more than other host at Verge

[@abc456f]

Nov. 18 google store will have it on sale for $700. Need to replace my broken samsung tab s and I'll be buying it.

[@an14s]

Too much uncertainty about too many things in this Chromebook! I'm happy with my real Linux laptop, thanks. :)

[@KeithTomlinsonPhoto]

Is it worth getting one of these today?

[@zd111809]

I’m late on watching this but ugh it’s so beautiful

[@eumaios]

Dieter's got a bohner for all things Google lately, but it's good to see Microsoft and Google close in on Apple. I wouldn't expect something half the price of a MacBook to have 100% of the capability. But he says it has great performance and tablet mode is an obvious advantage. Also if you're in the Google ecosystem (as most people are), there are obvious synergies here. Like unlocking the Chromebook from your phone. It could indeed be bohnerworthy, but lack of good apps in the short term could be a deal breaker to many pro users

[@prabhatbhandari]

If this had windows.

[@ashzerodude]

Been using a chromebook flip for a year now; y'all have to be very well off in life to think this purchase is worthwhile.

[@jenorosity2047]

Great review. I want to know if the Citrix receiver works well on this.

[@missvanjie905]

Because of the current state of ChromeOS I ended up going with the Macbook Pro. I mean, just 2-3 months ago the google shop Chromebook section was a disaster - almost as if they forgot about it. They haven't been consistent with promoting ChromeOS and other companies that make Chromebooks are doing a terrible job at it. They're also hard to find - every store I go to has very old ones only. I have no problem with ChromeOS being revived but they should have found a way to keep the hype up.

[@technogj]

Cool but Expensive 😧

[@tcavale]

On sale for $750 right now in US. They should keep that price if you ask me!

[@jackharington3126]

Loves that CGP Grey!

[@PlayErrday]

This will be great for those who use a Chromebook as their main computer, but honestly there’s probably not a lot.

[@postxtito]

this is a objective good review - thanks!

[@mbouhsina]

There you go, see how simple it is to make a transparent review

[@sersou]

That's a good nope-book.

[@Robertosungureanu]

Sersou Amine no pun intented:)

[@sSHARPZz]

Haha

[@brasilcr4962]

x_MySecretShadows_x the MacBook is at least running full desktop apps

[@Matti861]

Neat gs lot of people out there no longer need full desktop applications. Chrome os is just a fluid machine at doing the tasks people do majority of the time like KZbin, email, pay bills, social media, music, and running office. Why people need a $1500+ MacBook for these tasks baffles me

[@sriramsundar8388]

The surface is a nopebook too

[@ahoymatie9286]

I've had a 200 dollar Chromebook 2 years ago and I don't really see any apps that take advantage of a i5 or 128gb of storage. Can someone who still currently uses a chrome book explain how either of the 2 hardware overkill is being used effectively with the software.

[@RankaNikunj]

If Google can shift mobile apps to PC os , then why can Microsoft shift PC software to their Mobile os?

[@AlexSchwartzATV]

12.3" chromebook for $1k+. I can't do it no matter how well built it is. I have a pixel 2 xl on the way and i dig google home and the earbuds and stuff... but this is just too expensive.

[@spudalicious9509]

So basically I'm a student in highschool, most people are getting MacBook Airs which are quite expensive. Do you think this will be suitable for me?

[@ashwn]

Is no one going to talk about the fact that there are no regular USB ports?

[@mguanipa2]

AshFTW everything is going to USB C. Its a a pain in the ass right now but its whatevef

[@ashwn]

Where is the criticism? Apple got criticised *heavily* for doing so and they even include 4 of them! Yet he didn't even mention that there are only two USB-C ports. No one else in the comments is even complaining about it. Maybe because they have no intention of buying it. But all the Apple haters are no where to be found to be complaining about a lack of regular USB ports in this machine

[@pluslucas6382]

AshFTW I don't think many Chromebook users would plug in a lot of things. But yeah, a regular USB port would be good

[@amatsu5848]

Sure, it competes against ultra books which mostly does things like browsing, world docs, KZbin etc. So i think it's fine if it runs chrome OS since i don't think any ultrabook can fully harness the power of say video editing on win 10

[@hilmyakatsuki1665]

Mind touching review . Thump up!!!