Is Using a Pixelbook in 2024 Just As Amazing as 7 Years Ago?

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I remember it like it was yesterday: watching Google announce the Pixelbook on stage at the 2nd-ever October hardware event they hosted in San Fransisco. It was a crowning achievement in my eyes, seeing a Chromebook up on stage right alongside the new Pixel hardware. And, even though it took a lot of the tech media a bit of time to come around on the brilliance that still is the Pixelbook, I was mesmerized right away. I knew it was an important piece of hardware and that it would shape future Chromebooks in significant ways.
It did that - there's no question about it - and much of the Chromebook and Chromebook Plus landscape we have today is thanks in no small part to the impact of this exceptional Chromebook. But what about 7 years later? Does a device that was so amazing in 2017 still hold its luster so many years after its launch?
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[@gordonpearce]

Picked up a refurb i7 16GB around a month ago, amazing hardware. Noticed the software support date just jumped from this year to 2027. Bonus!

[@thisisa52]

How much did you get it for?

[@gordonpearce]

@@thisisa52 Been a while, I think it was about AUD$380.

[@thisisa52]

@@gordonpearce Nice, hope its a good purchase :)

[@gordonpearce]

@@thisisa52 It's a cool thing to have. I use it much less than I should. I'm hanging out for a Snapdragon Elite x Linux laptop ATM.

[@074864]

Still a daily user. Better than any other laptop I've used, Mac or pc.

[@Silver01Son]

Great

[@maverick85]

My thoughts exactly

[@davidyang9902]

I still rock my Asus C302 as my daily driver. It's quite slow now but still great. Looking back I wish I spent a bit more and got a pixel book instead

[@willdarling1]

Me too, only thing that has given out is the battery. (Get about 9 minutes unplugged now)

[@PLJ1948]

what company or factory actually manufactured the Pixel book - Google does not have a computer factory - mine still works great except the video camera quit and I could not get it repaired

[@GregKnee]

Watching this on mine - i7 16Gb - now. I've taken mine around the world and still love it and when the support stops in 2027 I'm reformatting it with Linux. Great machine!

[@joshmv]

Oh nice. I thought support was ending this June at the seven year mark. Glad to hear it is sticking around until 2027.

[@GregKnee]

The support EOL depends on the machine. 2027 is my machine's date@@joshmv

[@AlexanderPerkov]

In 2027 you will be able to install ChromeOS Flex on it and continue to receive updates 🙂

[@mrmohitmsc]

you wont be able to do that. Google finally locked chromebooks.

[@justinmitchell1445]

@@AlexanderPerkov I have been wondering if this would work. It would be a fantastic way to extend the life of some of these devices.

[@Toxophilix]

Using one right now. I haven't seen an adequate replacement for it yet on the market here.

[@kumarkayastha1138]

Still my favorite Chromebook of all time. I carry this and a Macbook Pro with me in my bag... and its keyboard's texture combined with the silent clicks is just SO NICE! It's a slight notch better than the MBP IMO. If they updated this device with today's specs... they would FLY off the shelves. BTW: You CAN clean the silicon palm rests with a pinch of rubbing alcohol on a rag and they brighten right up! (Almost like new!)

[@mcgrud]

0:34 I see you, Palm. ❤

[@VinceButler]

I had one of these as my sole office device along with two other people. Still my favorite Chromebook ever. Alas, all three of them experienced intermittent USB-C port issues that forced us to take them out of service too soon 😢

[@ptotheearl]

I still have mine, my go to daily.

[@CalvinIrby01]

This video made my day! Thanks Robby for making this!

[@DwayneFuhlhage]

I am watching this video on a Pixelbook that I bought used on ebay a few years back. Based on the wrist rest area wear, it was likely a developer machine. The battery is pretty worn, but it is still my daily driver. My wife is using the lower spec Pixelbook that I bought new when it was released.

[@roguedog98]

Still using one today I keep looking for new and the specs are still relevant. Love it's weight and thinness. And that trackpad! For the price, it's still better than what's out there within it's price range.

[@MBlankestijn]

I love everyday my Pixelbook. Its so light..

[@nickthaskater]

If only Google cared as much as you.

[@DKinNYC]

Dude...wow! That's my Pixelbook! 😊. Isn't it beautiful?!? Less than 2 lbs. and stunning. Although I finally broke down and got the awesome 8MB Lenova Duet 3 (for$269, based on your recommendation ...thank you), my Google Pixelbook is still my favorite go to. After so many years! Glad to see that you're still loving it as much as me!

[@kododesign]

Still using mine, same specs! It runs great and compliments my circa 2012 mac mini. some great things last forever!

[@Vincent_Koech]

I have a problem with Google. They quickly give up on their products if they don't hit immediately.

[@MichaelDaniels]

Why why did they stop making the pixel book? I loved my pixel book was awesome. I need to find out where to fix mine

[@jeremiahspiritofjiujitsu4410]

Thank you for this video! I 💯% agree,!!!

[@FigWidIt]

I had the base model i5-Y and 8gb ram. The center bottom would get very warm and battery life was 4hrs-5hrs but damn it was really a one of a kind device. I still haven’t seen something similar to the Pixelbook that I liked. A Flagship + Keyboard/Trackpad Case seems to have replaced the Pixelbook niche but it just doesn’t hit the same. Would love an updated Pixelbook device on a powerful Arm processor.

[@CF542]

Fantastic build and ahead of its time for sure. Resale is pretty low on eBay so I gave mine to a relative. Works as good as the day it was new.

[@Betancourtdm]

Man, I miss that device. It was the best hardware I have ever owned. I am so surprised they haven't made a legit follow up device by now

[@topmech71]

The Pixel book go was pretty good too....I was surprised with how fast the screen refresh rate is on it, it has to be 120hz its so smooth. And some great speakers on it, got one used for about a 100 bucks.

[@jasonboyd3619]

Absolute beautiful Chromebook but those bezels 😱

[@cris1548]

Back in the days when it first launched, I could not get one easily since I am in Europe. But last month, I found a refurbished i5 in my country and bought it. I use it as my daily driver and I love it. The support until 2027 is amazing.

[@cris1548]

I just found out it is an i7 16gb even!

[@jaymywills]

....That Palm Pre tho!!! 🙌🏾 #Nostalgia

[@Chris-ep7eb]

I am still using my i5-128gb version, and works great still (battery length is my only issue, drains when off). I don't understand why they never did a refresher, it's been one of my favorites for office work, writing notes, or even watching shows. I am glad I added a skin to my pads, so it still looks clean.

[@vlesmeries]

That's my pet peeve with the Pixel book. I want full power off and not just deep standby.

[@katherinejackson6021]

I love my Pixelbook ,will get a new battery fitted soon.

[@cailarchitectatopks]

I am still using Pixelbook 2 at home as my primary personal computer. It connects to two 4k Monitors. However, I was so sad I lost the Pixelbook 1 in Orlando airport rental car return.

[@MattK404]

Pixelbook 2? To my knowledge there was no pixelbook 2. Only pixelbook go which isn't really the same

[@cailarchitectatopks]

@@MattK404 I see. The one I lost was Google Chromebook Pixel. Also, I had the CR-48 too.

[@griffin2765]

I still use mine on a daily basis. I switch back and forth with my PB Go, since the battery life on the OG PB is slowly deteriorating.

[@arshad2E5]

Bought one couple years ago, refurbished max spec. It feels smooth even today. Be it Browsing or media cosnumption.

[@theslimshadyist]

I have a Pixelbook Go with 16GB of RAM arriving tomorrow. It has only 67 charge cycles and I picked it up on eBay for $200!

[@billcunninghame8554]

Still have mine and still love it!

[@michaellee316]

I would love to see this exact Chromebook, but updated with a powerful arm processor. Would be excellent

[@ZoltanBuzady]

🎯🇭🇺 wishes from #MyBUDAPEST, Hungary. Still using it, so light!

[@GeorgeK-bp8kg]

You bet! Still using this as my daily driver in my bag. People asked me about this often. Google has also extended its AUE til August 2027 as well!

[@dplj4428]

Anytime life extended is good even if just for security and not full OS upgrades.

[@edwintam2349]

Bought mine way back shortly after it launched. I use Windows at work; Mac at home and travel; and neither were progressing much. I missed my Macbook Air 11" and thought that in terms of hardware, the Pixelbook was what the next gen MBAir should have been. So, I figured I'd try it out, and it "kind of worked" in my corporate environment, and finally just relegated to the sidelines. Now, with Office 365 and everything going online, and the improvements in Chrome OS, it's far more productive than it was. I agree... I wonder what would have happened if Google had kept up its development.

[@JasonBoslow]

Watching this on my daily use Pixelbook! I freakin' love this thing. I have yet to find anything that I want to replace it with yet! This is my daily work laptop and I'm not ready to give it up!

[@ScottWeddington]

The best piece of hardware Google has ever put out, although it was not worth the $999 original price. I got mine in November of 2018 for $699 and that was a solid price for this excellent hardware. My 5-year-old grandson still grabs it every time he comes in the house of all my gadgets. It is his favorite. I never use it any longer but like I said, best piece of hardware Google has ever put out.

[@geoffreyphillips1987]

But even back in the day, it was obvious that those bezels were horrendously large. I remember holding back on it for that reason. In the end, I succumbed and found it wonderful to use. Now I'm a little older, I'd definitely need a larger screen. SO few decent 15 inch Chromebooks! So few quad HD screens.

[@Betancourtdm]

They were horrible for laptop mode, but perfect for tablet mode to hold the device comfortably

[@jebaker2]

This is the device that got me into Chromebooks ❤

[@mariar-v7128]

I still use mine, but the battery is stuffed and it has random crashes a bit more often. It particularly doesn't like Teams calls

[@whouse7]

Still using mine on a daily basis! Works great! I really wish they would launch a new one. The Bluetooth still isn't that reliable.

[@MichelBertrand]

Just found a brand new Brydge G-Type keyboard for my Pixel Slate (because the stupid Google folio keyboard broke like all the others - Google cheaped out on a $200 keyboard and left us *all* hanging - you should do a video about that), and wow it makes the Slate even better now. It's old hardware, but it still runs great 👍

[@chadkittleson5447]

Also still using mine. Battery is getting poor, but I still love the machine. I wish they would re-release the device with updated specs.

[@0080ff]

I still use my Pixelbook. I don't daily drive them anymore as I carry my Macbook Pro, but it amaze me how it still works. I think its still the best hardware for the pixelbook and they were right to go with powerful cpu because it still does what every other chromebook does, if not better. I really hope that they keep on going that route but with their tensor chip and all that stuff, it seems unlikely. Its unfortunate to see them stop making their own Pixelbook.

[@lawrencegt2229]

Can the Pixelbook extend it's display across two external displays? I'm taking my venerable Samsung Chromebook Plus into the office and while it will extend onto a single external display, when I plug a second display in it simply mirrors the first and I don't get a single spread across the two external displays - I've since found that some of the older Chromebooks were never designed to be able to extend over more than one external display but it's not easy to find which ones do allow it. This would be a good test to add to your reviews as more of us are being forced back into offices and looking for a twin monitor solution.

[@earthly81]

Hey!!!!!! The palm pre!!!! That was my first smart phone

[@xXLARzXx]

I still use my 16gb version daily and it really is smooth, quick, and flawless. It's been a pleasure!

[@ChuckWilliamsTechnology]

I will use my today...only the Pixelbook...the OG..loves it and still works light a horse!!!..a great great machine!!!!

[@willlanden3305]

Are the updates still going to stop in June of this year? Hopefully google has expanded the update drop date. My pixelbook is with my son as his backup computer at college. I was still using it until he took a couple of years ago. I purchased the Galaxy Book (Red) last year new for $500 and it is nice but the Battery life driving that OLED is so short compared to what I was able to do while traveling with the original pixelbook. Thanks for the Video

[@willlanden3305]

Well I did look it up and the updates are now 2027. So more years to use.

[@Miles-ahead]

I still can't believe how smooth this pixelbook is. (core i5 / 8gb ram) I recently started using it daily again along with a usb mouse. It would be nice to replace the battery at some point down the road. Great looking machine

[@MichaelDaniels]

I love my pixel book. I miss it everyday. If you have any influence, have them redo it

[@gakster29]

Work started loaning out ThinkPads for me, and offering $100 for surplus ThinkPads; so in 2022 my use of my Pixelbook went down dramatically. I gave the machine to my parents who wanted a device to watch videos when they went abroad to see family. However, a few weeks ago, I saw they had brought it back from abroad and took it right back, because I missed it and I needed something that could be used as a tablet. There are some things that make it on its last legs. I bought it when it came out and had been my daily driver for 5 years, both work and at home. So the battery is a bit rough, only at 50% in its lifespan, and the smaller rubber part near the hinge has been completely removed. However, as a tablet to be used sparingly and something to use in bed when I'm lazy, it's still a dream! I was worried about the price point way back when, but it turned into a great investment.

[@Marcel-dd9ch]

Both the Pixelbook Go and the Pixelbook (both i5) are still my main computers at home.

[@dplj4428]

Is the pixel book battery replaceable?

[@dutchbachelor]

Rocking the Palm Pre?

[@dausk7452]

Watching this on my Pixelbook which i bought used and works perfectly well. The most beautiful looking laptop I have ever owned. I hope Google keeps pushing out updates. I would hate to discard this beauty.

[@GalacticCosmos3]

this guys style is just awesome. his demeanor and personality is just very likeable.

[@StringerNews1]

I'm on my third Pixelbook Go since my Pixelbook died. I love the light weight, but they're not very rugged. In all cases, it's the trackpad that becomes unusable that was the death knell, but before that point, the keyboards become problematic. My two biggest problems are 1. the pointer will go off to random places while typing, and 2. the shift key will stick, capitalizing the second, and sometimes third letter in a word as well as the first. They're just not cut out for any serious work, but the light weight and portability makes them great for web browsing. After using the Pixelbook Go for a while, I think it's a superior design. All those flat aluminum panels weren't that strong. Glass and Sorbothane wasn't all that ergonomic. The one thing the Go has going for it is that it's light, and lightest is king for an ultrabook.

[@andyH_England]

I slapped a case on mine. Makes it bulkier but has protected it from the daily grind. Works perfect even after 3.5 years! I got the i7/16GB Pixelbook Go and it has aged well. I see no reason to upgrade to another Chromebook.

[@scottbrown3385]

Great review! I just purchased a refurbished i7 16 GB with 512 GB after watching this video and enjoy it very much. The only real downside is the loud clicky trackpad. The build quality is exceptional and should hold up as it has done so far. Thankful for the extended OS updates to 2027.

[@rdooley14]

Ironically, outside of literal pixels on the screen burning out, my OG still runs strong. Screen cracked early on, so I lost touchscreen capabilities fairly quickly and didn't think it was worth paying for a full screen replacement, but still functions well as a Chrome beast and Netflix/Prime player. Definitely has its glitches and sometimes struggles to turn on, but has lasted much longer than I expected.

[@MrLoipurz]

Can I install any android app from the play store in this?

[@kingof9x]

I missed this one, but i have been using the pixelbook go since launch. I still think its the best 13 inch 4k laptop. It is covered in stickers and I will use it until it dies. If google re released the pixelbook with 2024 or newer hardware I would definitely buy it.

[@newfnshow031]

also I would like to know what kind of sliding scale or curve are you grading these machines on? bc u describe all of them as great and in person they all look worse than the plastic MacBook I had in 2008 so that's a mystery to me.

Hell yeah! That's the 5th benefit of any Chromebook: longevity. That makes the initial cost even lower. That reduces e-waste. And the new longer support period makes it even more relevant.

[@ChuckMahon]

Who was the OEM for the pixel book?

[@GLH8]

Google Meet still only works on 720p unless you’re using an enterprise account so the webcam isn’t that much of a problem for most.

[@douglaspawlik]

After watching this video, I just got a brand new i5, 128GB on eBay for $150. It had one charge cycle and the AC adapter and cord weren't even opened. When I fired it up, it was on chromeOS version 79. It's still as fast as I remember it.

[@coreypersky927]

Still using mine, this is definitely the best laptop that I have ever owned. I do need to upgrade as the battery is horrible. Maybe you or someone reading this could answer this question for me. I absolutely LOVE the trackpad on this device. Are there ANY devices out there that have trackpads as good as this one? Also, I use Iphone, will Chromebooks ever run Itunes?

[@hawkboy71]

Fantastic video! I love my pixelbook. It is showing some signs of age and I've begun looking for an eventual replacement. I was told the HP Dragonfly Pro is the one... But that doesn't go into tablet mode so I really want a convertible style that measures up to the pixelbook but with a better resolution screen. I'm willing to stick with my pixelbook if I have to because I'm not sure what to get to replace it. Anyone have suggestions?

[@MelissaGalbadores]

I went from Pixelbook to Samsung Galaxy to HP Dragonfly Pro. My ❤ is the OG Pixelbook. Samsung was as close as to pixelbook as it could get, but I kept having issues with it & went through 2 within a year (within warranty timeframe). The Dragonfly is incredible. The only thing I miss is that it doesn't turn into a tablet & its not as thin. Performance wise, Dragonfly 💯 is the way to go.

[@hawkboy71]

@@MelissaGalbadores yeah the fact it's not convertible is a non starter for me.

[@RodolfoCortijo]

Still rocking my Pixelbook

[@TheB1nary]

Sold mine after several years of solid and reliable use. Probably will buy another used - just miss it so much 😂

[@AdamHillis]

This thing has been amazing. Got the i5 with 8gig and it's still my daily machine.

[@drwigglechin]

Oh shit Palm Pre in background! Game Time!

[@vlesmeries]

Still use mine every few days. It's randomly rebooting even after a power wash so I think my battery is going. I'll have to google how to replace it.

[@YellowRandolf]

Is there any kickass-spec Chromebooks currently on the market? 32 or 16 GB of RAM, Fast CPU, great screen, doesn't need to be cheap? Crazy timing (and great algorithmic work by Google to show me your video. Around a week ago I searched for used Pixelbook prices as I couldn't find any decent-hardware current Chromebooks.

[@YellowRandolf]

I couldn't find any and ended up buying an Asus Zenbook Duo (for Windows) 😮

[@AlexanderPerkov]

The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition has a replaceable RAM. You can even install 64GB.

[@TechAfterThoughts]

I just haven't been able to get rid of Mine. Every time I go to sell it on eBay I play with it and decide to keep it.

[@macky65]

Has anyone got their touchscreen working ?

[@jebaker2]

They should update the Pixelbook exactly as you described. I’d buy it!

[@joshmv]

The Pixelbook is my favorite laptop of all time. I've used it daily for more than 6 years. When it finally dies, it will be a very sad day for me. I wish Google would make a new one using the same body... just updated internals and slimmer bezels.

[@paulikxp]

I still think it's the notebook/tablet with the most amazing design ever, nothing is coming even close to it. I also still love my top-spec i7 (the i5 in my first Pixelbook wasn't really slower in doing the everyday tasks I asked from it), although it struggles a bit nowadays, so I'm using it less than I used to, now that I own a very nice Lenovo Notebook that's also very slick. The Pixelbook drains the battery even when fully shut down and sometimes it needs quite a bit of tlc to make it turn on. Nonetheless I was very pleased when I recently read that updates have been extended again by another 3 years to then full 10 years. Absolutely great, thank you Google!

[@alemanjimmy101]

Im getting it soon .. im hoping in 2024 im making rhe right decision.

[@Topaz1112]

I still have one, when ChromeOS was no longer viable for me I Windows 11 flashed it and it still feels great even now

[@MicahClymer]

Looking for some instructions to flash Windows 11. Any chance you could share the resource? Thank you!

[@sawedwa]

@@MicahClymer mrchromebox site. You need standarf google CCD debug cable(or teardown your chromebook)

[@sawedwa]

@@MicahClymer The process looks like this: 1)Get su (by any method, opening the device or via CCD) 2) Using curl, pull up the script from MrChromebox and run it as root. 3)Check that the device is recognized correctly and select fullFlash. Confirm three times that you accept the risks (although the risks are small. With CCD you can restore your Chromebook even without a bootloader). 4)Wait a minute or two. The script itself will open the BIOS flash drive for writing, download, prepare, install, and close the BIOS flash drive for writing). At the output you will get a standard coreboot. The system from Google will no longer be available to you, however, you can download any Linux or Windows installer for x86-64 from a flash drive. Modern Linux distributions work well out of the box; Windows installs the necessary drivers via windows update.

[@ChargedUpJaxLawnCareServices]

We use it every day for my lawn care business!

[@HewhoStandsfirm]

Seriously, if they remade this today, same exact design but with a 14-inch oled display and a better peak brightness, along with thinning out those bezels I think it would do incredibly well in selling.

[@user-pz4ej9gx9s]

I'm still using it.Battery is really terrible now.But it's still the most awesome laptop i've ever seen.

[@sirgreen2792]

It looks great.

[@RobertoGuillermoMartin]

Make a video of the Pixel Slate the tablet

[@justinmitchell1445]

Can't believe it has been 7 years.

[@jusgno]

My touchscreen has been disabled by software (pixel pen still works though). Has anyone found a fix for this?

[@TechAfterThoughts]

I've found that using hydrogen peroxide is the best way to get the oxidation out the pads. Mine are just slightly off color.

[@saanvibahl828]

I got a second hand one from eBay and found the ChromeOS couldn’t be updated… got stuck in the previous version but saying it is the latest version… Any nice guys here got any idea?

[@lightinthedark_]

Still use mine daily, too.

[@artbymiwsher]

I picked up a high spec pixelbook in great condition on eBay for just over $100 which, upon using, I realized is such a steal of a deal! It's zippy, has touchscreen capabilities, folds to a tablet form, is beautifully and considerately designed by Google... the plaudits don't end! I truly love it, even in 2024.

[@PashaSolutions]

Planning to buy one in 2024 😊😊

[@EricLongTX]

I still use mine often. It is fantastic.

[@DaveGhidiu]

Picked up a 16gb model from eBay for $200. I use it at work for my main machine. That thing stands the test of time. I have another one at home. I wish Google would make a new one. That machine is gorgeous.

[@bpier]

Hands down this is a fantastic laptop! It's a daily driver for me, both professional and personal. Sure, I've love it updated and if Google introduced a new model of this line, I'd buy it in a heartbeat! The laptop get looks and comments constantly. The screen, seven years later, is still one of best (crisp, clear, sharp) even of today's laptops!

[@iskalasrinivas5640]

I love it want to get one

[@StephanieLauren]

I love the Pixel book. It still works super amazing and fast! The only thing is the battery is a little bit bad. Otherwise again, everything is great!

[@wmcoley]

I still love mine!