Mini 2017 Google Pixelbook review

I thought I might post some of my thoughts after having this computer for a few days.

Overall I like the computer and am happy with my purchase ($899, no sales tax for the base i5 8GB model with 128GB storage)

Things I like:
Keyboard feel is very nice
Small power brick is appreciated
Screen is bright and high quality
Plenty of power (for my needs, more on that later)
Tablet mode is nice to have, but I dont know if I will be using that much personally
Fanless cooling is the way forward
USB c all the things (but there are some limitations)


Things I dont like:
The power supply is on the plug instead of the middle of the cord which can block other outlets
Some of the new shortcuts are really strange for me having come from windows and cant be changed
The backlighting on the keyboard is not very even, this is most obvious on the dimmest backlight setting but fixes itself if increased
Not being able to expand the icons on the task bar like windows (this is a big deal for me)

Quirks:
To get 4k 60Hz you have to use a dedicated dongle due to the bandwidth requirements
The keyboard has lower case letters which seems more childish or less mature in a way (personal opinion)
I would rather have a delete key instead of a settings hot button over backspace
The minimum volume though the speakers I think is to loud (have to turn down the volume slider on youtube to compensate)
Finding quality chargers is a pain, might just have to fork over the $50 or $60 to google to get a "real one"
The smart unlock with a pixel phone I dont find useful at all (I have a Pixel 2)
I wish there was a show screen button in the lower right corner of the screen
I wish there was a hotkey to full screen an application


Things I am looking forward to:
The main reason I got this computer was to use as a laptop as opposed to a heating blanket. My old computer is very powerful but gets very hot. One of my goals is to use this for streaming steam games from my other computer. So far it has worked halfway decently. Even with the beta steam link app I can get it to work most of the time and once linux apps are able to be ran I am planning on using the linux steam client to stream games.

Overall I think this is a good computer for entertainment. The only document editing I will need is to update my resume sometime or if I need to make a list for a home project. I dont need full Microsoft office on this computer or other special programs. 95% of what I do is on the browser anyway, unless I am doing a steam game in which case I can stream or play the xbox on the TV.

If you can afford it I say go for it.

 

Nice review, and thank you for including the above tidbit. Project Crostini is news to me and makes me consider Chrome OS more strongly than ever. My relationship to Windows 10 remains ambivalent, and while Windows is still needed for the best game performance and compatibility, the thought of replacing it on a portable workhorse is ever intriguing. Google Fuchsia and its excellent efficiency should make Google's software, replacing both Android and Chrome OS, all the more appealing in five years or so.

 

Few more things that I am finding out about this computer.

I am getting used to the shortcuts and slightly different keyboard layout, nothing to strange.

I am missing some of the customization from windows with the task bar but that is not a great loss,

The android microsoft office does not seems to play that nice with google drive. But I only need docs when I update my resume so that is no big deal.

Sometimes when coming out of sleep it needs the full password rather than just the pin which can be annoying.

The trackpad is amazing, best I have used (including some macs I have messed with in the past).

When the lid is closed when the screen is pressed it will click the track pad (it does not a difference, but was something I noticed).

Using pulse sms it is really nice to get notifications on the computer and texting (same goes for email).

This is an excellent computer that I could still recommend, for basic computing it does everything. A usb A to usb c cable is required though (usb hard drives, xbox controller etc). Eventually I will get a nice hub for it but I have not had that great of a need.

 

They are awesome devices. For a more budget friendly model, the acer spin 13 is another great option too. But the pixel book is dead sexy.