Chromebook Pixel LS is nearly perfect [Review]

Mark the date with an alarm. Around May 28, 2015, sellers likely will fill eBay and Craigslist with spanking new Chromebook Pixels, available for bargain prices—if anything less than $999 or $1,299 could be considered a deal. Google's developer conference commences that day, when I expect many attendees will receive and quickly dispatch shiny, new laptops. Big G gave away the pricey Pixel two years ago, and it's good guess will do so again. Smart developers will keep the machines; many will not. Dumb move, but who am I to judge, eh? Pixel rests at the precipice of future computing, for those open-minded enough to welcome it. They are few.

If you are among those who get the Chromebook concept, who thinks about purchasing the laptop, but waffles indecision, watch for short-term selling prices that could meet what your sensibilities and spending budget can tolerate. It's good background for me to finally review the higher-end of the two costliest Chromebook configurations. My primer can help you decide whether or not to bother, either for full price now or for the chance of less later. Why wait? I wouldn't and didn't. I received my Pixel in March, on Friday the 13th, ordered two days earlier from Google. I use no other computer. It's more than my primary PC and could be yours, too.

Just Lovely

Nearly perfect is how I describe Google's newest, and only, computer. If you're going to manufacturer one thing, then it should be exceptional, which is the other way I describe Chromebook Pixel. The company introduced the original in February 2013, available in two configurations. Twenty-five months later, the notebook refreshed—refined rather than revolutionized—beating Apple to market shipping a laptop with USB Type-C, which brings new connectivity and charging options.

Two models are available, both for less than the original. For $999: 12.85-inch touchscreen, 2560 x 1700 resolution, 239 pixels per inch, 400-nit brightness; 2.2GHz Intel Core i5 processor; 8GB RAM; 32GB flash storage; Intel HD graphics 5500; backlit keyboard; glass touchpad; Bluetooth 4; WiFi AC; two USB Type-C ports; two USB 3.0 ports; SD Card slot; and, of course, Chrome OS. The $1,299 model doubles RAM and storage and swaps the processor for 2.4GHz i7. Dimensions: 297.7 x 224.55  x 15.3 mm (11.7 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches). Weight: 1.5 kg (3.3 pounds).

Construction is magnificent. The computer looks and feels solid, like a boxy Volvo might to an auto shopper. From a hardware and operating system perspective, Chromebook Pixel is finely balanced. Performance is generally smooth and the ergonomics are superb. There's a quality about the tight hardware, software, and services integration that can't be completely imitated or fully appreciated by using the Chrome browser as primary user interface on Mac or PC.

Heming Leira owned the original Pixel and received its successor nearly a month ago. Like me, he describes the LS model's performance as "smooth". I am not a big fan of benchmarks, but they matter to some readers who might want performance quantified. I ran Octane 2 on Chromebook Pixel LS: 26230, in Guest Mode.

Keyboard and touchpad are best of class, both improved from the original. I type faster than on any other laptop. Ever. Gregory Mannix agrees: "Trackpad and keyboard are both better (had no idea that was possible)". Mannix, who also owned the original Pixel, is "surprised" to "actually notice the difference in weight. The build is almost identical, but everything seems just a bit tighter and more thought out. It's really the perfect machine for me".

The high-resolution touchscreen is matched by no other notebook. The display ratio is 3:2 rather than 16:9, which is exceeding better for consuming, or creating, web content. Battery life varies depending on use. I consistently get about eight hours, give or take. Google claims up to 12 hours. I don't see it.

Pixel is the writer's dream machine—a responsive extension to the creative mind when matched with webapps and cloud services from Google and third parties. Other content creators could be surprised, too, by the tools available for producing photosets, podcasts, or videos. The major limitation is your thinking—clinging to old, imprisoning habits fostered during the personal computing era—not the selection of meaningful applications.

Acquired Taste

For all its goodness, Chromebook Pixel is an acquired taste. Think of it as the Vegemite of computing. Most people won't like the flavor, but those who do love it. That's the cute analogy; another is more appropriate.

Think Leica cameras. The line of rangefinders are pricey, specialized, and limited. Many other digicams offer more features, for considerably less cost. But measured by image quality, balance of manual controls, and choice of exceptional lenses, Leica leads a category chosen by few photographers but among them many looking to create art. I similarly see Google's Pixel. Not everyone will want one, but those who do will gain maximum value.

Like Leica, Chromebook Pixel is a lifestyle decision. You choose to do with less to do more. Chrome OS doesn't support legacy local applications like Microsoft Office or anything Apple sells. They are the past. Contextual cloud computing is a future quickly becoming the present, and where you will be using this laptop.

The argument against Pixel, or any Chromebook—that there aren’t enough good apps, particularly legacy ones—is pointless, particularly for those users embracing contextual computing. Fear not! Google provides full fidelity for anyone needing to open or edit documents saved in Microsoft file formats, and some Android apps are available for Chrome OS. Additionally, persistent connectivity is no longer required, because many webapps can be used offline. This acquired taste is delicious, if you let it be.

Leira, who is webmaster for Kondis, uses Pixel "for working with my hobbies, sometimes for work, and a lot for pleasure. I almost only miss a good program to look through a lot of pictures, like Bridge in Photoshop". (In a future post, I will review some of the webapps in my content creation toolkit.)

Pixel differs from other Chrome OS laptops in a key aspect: It is meant to be used as a primary computer by people who develop applications or otherwise create content. Design, processor, touchscreen, and price say Pixel is the machine used everyday, all day long.

"The Pixel is my primary machine for everything", says David Hoff. "It's my own personal device, but it is the primary machine that I use at work—at the desk—in meetings, and for travel".

Google's marketing tagline for Chromebook is "For Everyone", which Pixel is not—for either $999 or $1,299, when its siblings typically sell for under $300. But neither are pricier Mac laptops for the masses. As a category, Chromebook is for everyone when including a classy and compelling computer primed for creatives. Pixel presents a choice for the few among the many—people who are willing to spend more to get greater value and who might otherwise choose an Apple.

Think Differently

By measure of hardware, Pixel packs punch rivaling, or exceeding, Mac laptops for the price. The comparison is important because of likely customer overlap. There is perception, much of it engineered by clever Apple advertising, that Macs are the tools of the creative elite. Like Leicas. I again assert that potential Pixel purchasers fall into the same category: Those living on the bleeding edge of creativity and technology.

The new MacBook, which comparatively is underpowered but offers similar screen size (though different dimensions) starts at $1,299. Same beginning price applies to 13.-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, which screen resolution is closer to Pixel's but display isn't nearly as bright and lacks touch. The Macs offer considerably more storage capacity—128GB or 256GB at $1,299 for Pro Retina and MacBook, respectively. They need the SSDs, for all the legacy crap code that the computers run. Pixel packs less because less is needed for the concept: Running webapps in the browser and storing everything meaningful in the cloud (e.g. remote servers).

Meanwhile, Google provides extras that matter: More RAM for the buck—8GB at $999 and 16GB at $1,299 compared to just eight gigs at the higher price on either entry-level MacBook or Pro Retina. You will want the extra memory for advanced creation, like video processing.

Touchscreen is another differentiator, and Google's default font renders more smoothly and better pleases the senses. I find eye strain to be considerably less using Pixel for prolonged periods compared to MacBook Pro. Meanwhile, touch is addictive, adding utility once you really start doing it.

The point: Using Apple marketing lingo, anyone who can "Think Different" should consider Chromebook Pixel before a Mac notebook. Everyone else clinging to old computing habits or bloated, legacy applications should not.

"I completely agree that this device has a very specific market segment", Hoff says. "However, it is an amazing choice for anyone that uses modern technologies".

Are you modern? Answer yes, consider Pixel. Answer no, don't.

Hoff, who is cofounder of and chief technology officer for Cloud Sherpas, falls into the "modern" category. His company helps other businesses better adopt anytime, anywhere computing, which philosophically is the core concept behind Chromebook and how it fits into the larger lifestyle around other Google products, including Android phones, and services. He received his Chromebook Pixel 2015 the day before I did.

Mannix also fits the "modern", anytime, anywhere computing category. He is a web developer for Charles Koch Institute.

Measuring Benefits

Pixel epitomizes the Chromebook philosophy in ways no other computer in the category can. The distinction is important because of the gross misunderstanding that Chromebook means cheap—as in purchase cost. As previously mentioned, the majority of Pixel's siblings sell for less than $300. They offer excellent value but typically don't provide processor and memory enough to be the one and only computer, particularly for content creator types. I badger the point because it cannot be restated enough times.

Chromebook is not about cheap computing. The category is, to reiterate and reemphasize, about contextual cloud computing. Pixel's core benefits embrace and extend the underlying philosophy, which emphasizes simplicity and productivity, while stripping back complexity and distraction that disrupt the mind's creative flow.

Highlighting and reviewing benefits—many of which apply to the original, 2013 laptop:

• Pixel is instant-on, like no other.
• Glossy display is not overly-reflective.
• Notebook charges by way of USB Type-C.
• USB-C future-proofs peripheral connectivity.
• Keyboard is responsive; typing truly is joyous.
• WiFi can remain active even when Pixel is asleep.
• Laptop is well-designed—looks good and is rugged.
• Screen is bright and crisp with excellent viewing angles.
• The 3:2 aspect ratio is excellent for webpages and for photography.
• High-resolution display is joy to look at and to use and improves productivity.
• Audio is excellent, above average, producing rich bass and fidelity, even streaming.
• Pixel can be used as your primary PC, which isn’t typical scenario seen with lower-cost Chromebooks.
• Touchscreen is exceptional value-add for price. No Mac has one, nor Windows laptops in this cost range, with same resolution.
• Touch accuracy is excellent, which is especially important considering the browser motif was not designed with the finger in mind.

Like other Chromebooks, Pixel setup is this: Access WiFi network, sign in to your Google account. "From unboxing to inbox, it takes about one minute to setup and fully configure a Chromebook", Hoff says. "The new Google Pixel is a great machine". I can't disagree.

The only questions remaining: Should you buy Chromebook Pixel, and should you wait for dumb developers selling their swag—presuming Google gives away the laptop later this month? My answer to the first is yes. if you:

• Have embraced the contextual cloud computing lifestyle or want to.
• Do not depend on legacy software applications or devices like iPad or iPhone.
• Are considering purchasing an Apple computer mainly to create content consumed on the web.

I answer the second question with another: Why wait, if you really don't have to?

Photo Credits: Joe Wilcox