Google Chromebook Pixel laptop: 5 must-know features

Zeebiz Bureau

“With the Pixel, we set out to rethink all elements of a computer in order to design the best laptop possible,” Google said on the release date of its new laptop — the Chromebook Pixel.

The Chromebook Pixel is a homegrown laptop by Google, unlike the previous Chromebook Series which was made by Samsung and Acer.

Chromebook Pixel fills in the other end of the gamut created by Chromebooks; a high-end, powerful machine with impressive hardware. While many would claim that the Pixel combines the lucidity of Windows 8 and the functionality, not to mention the impressive screen that is the Retina Display on the MacBook, the Chromebook Pixel brings something more to the table: a comprehensive integration with the Cloud.


Let’s take a look at some of the features the Chromebook Pixel packs:


Hardware:

Under the hood the Chromebook Pixel is powered by a dual-core 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory and integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics. With new computing power, the Pixel gets listed on the same page as Windows PCs and Mac. The overhaul marks a major shift from previous Chromebook iterations which ran on ARM and Celeron processors. 

Display:

The one feature that puts Google ahead in the game is the new Gorilla Glass-covered multi-touch screen which is 12.85-inch and has a 2560 x 1700 (239 PPI) touchscreen panel. The screen also packs a massive 4.3 million pixels and has 400 nit brightness with 3:2 aspect ratio. 

According to the company, this is the highest resolution display they have put in to a laptop. With such massive specs, the battery, rated as 59WHr, will surely take the toll, though Google claims a five-hour runtime of the Pixel.


Operating System:

Announced in July 2009, Chrome OS is an operating system designed to work exclusively with web applications. The user interface of the system only has a browser with a media player and a file manager. All the documents and applications are stored and based in the Cloud.


Cloud Storage:

In the Chromebook Pixel, the local solid-state storage is 32GB and 64GB SSD, however; consumers can get one terabyte of free cloud storage space with Google's Drive service for three years.

According to Google, the Chromebook Pixel “is designed especially for power users who have fully embraced the cloud."


Price:

The basic Wi-Fi version of the laptop will retail for USD 1,299 in the US. In April, Google will launch a model with built-in LTE with a price of USD 1,449.

The Wi-Fi model will come with 32GB of storage and has hit the shelves for USD 1,299 in the United States and £1,049 in the UK. The LTE model of the Pixel will have 64GB of storage and will be priced at USD 1,449.The LTE version will be shipped in early April.