Don’t want to read through a long review of the Pixel Slate? Here’s a special edition podcast I did with my MobileTechRoundup show co-host, Matthew Miller, providing our weeklong impressions of the new Google Chrome OS tablet.
Author: Kevin Tofel
The Pixel Slate and Keyboard aren’t for everyone when there are less expensive 2-in-1 Chromebooks available. But if you want the best of both a Chrome OS desktop and a tablet mode, aside from a few minor issues, this potent package is exceptional.
After a false start with a November 22 retail availability date, my Pixel Slate pre-order has shipped and should arrive later this week. I’d expect inventory at Best Buy to be soon released as well.
Take your pick on discounted Chromebooks ranging from $197 to $699 made by Samsung, Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo this Cyber Monday. If you have the money the Acer Chromebook Spin 13 gets you more performance than a Pixelbook.
Sound support is still in the works for Linux apps on Chromebooks, but the first function will simply be that: Sound playback. Audio recording is slated to follow and camera access — needed for Skype video — isn’t even on the roadmap yet.
The Android version of Google Duo has been quietly updated to support Chromebooks. This is likely in anticipation for the Pixel Slate and its Duo Cam, but it can be installed on clamshell Chromebooks as well.
After adding access in Project Crostini to share Chrome OS folders with Linux, the next function in the works is to bring shared Play Files to Linux from the Android implementation on Chromebooks.
Following up on its 2-in1 Chromebook Spin 13, the non-tablet model is now appearing on Acer’s website. Expect to pay $100 less than the Spin version for the Acer Chromebook 13, which is packed with a powerful processor and a generous amount of memory.
With a wide range of Chromebooks now available for every budget and performance preference, you can find a deal on just about any type of Chromebook. Here’s a list of some of the Black Friday Chromebook deals.
USB support for Project Crostini is finally here, enabling read & write access to a memory card from the Linux Terminal app. Here’s how to enable and use it. Oh, and Android 9 comes along for the ride on Chromebooks.
While you could drop $799 on a Google Pixel Slate, it may make more sense to nab the HP Chromebook X2 on sale for $499 with the included keyboard and pen.