Google is reportedly getting out of the Chromebook hardware business but we don’t know why, or if it’s even true. If it is, the negative impact is minimal and there could even be some positive aspect to come.
Browsing: Chrome tablets
Benchmark tests showing a device with internal similarities to the Pixel Slate surfaced this week. It looks like another Chrome tablet option but this time coming from Asus based on Chromium code approvals.
Asus is chasing the fast-growing education market with its first Chrome OS tablet, but you may have seen this one before. Essentially, the Asus Chromebook Tablet CT100 has the same hardware specifications as last year’s Acer Chromebook Tab 10.
Turns out that Google has known about the tablet overview mode animation lag since before the Pixel Slate even shipped, based on bug reports. One trace indicates 1.5GB of memory in use for the graphics, which help explain issues in the Celeron model.
Debating between the $799 Core m3 and $999 Core i5 Pixel Slate? See if you can tell which device is which in a performance demonstration of both on video.
Yup, a Celeron-powered Chromebook can be underpowered. But if you expect the Celeron-based Pixel Slate to be a performance powerhouse and replace an iPad Pro, maybe it’s your expectations that need an upgrade.
The mobile-friendly web page option for Chrome tablets is available in the Chrome OS 72 Dev Channel. Here’s how to enable and use it, although if you have a large-screened slate, you might not ever need it.
Although designed for the Acer Chromebook Tab 10, Belkin’s USB-C desktop keyboard with stand works well with the Pixel Slate and costs $50. There are some limitations but it’s worth the look if you want to type away on a desk or other flat surface.
Is the Pixel Slate a tablet first and laptop second? Can you be productive solely with a tablet or do you really need a keyboard? We tackled these and other related questions on This Week in Google, where perhaps some initial device perceptions were changed.
Got a 2-in-1 Chromebook or Chrome tablet like the Pixel Slate? You might have noticed that the relatively new automatic Desktop and Tablet modes cause an upside down screen in tent usage. Here are details on the upcoming fix for this issue.
Here’s why larger screened Chrome OS devices will benefit from virtual desktop workspaces while Chrome tablets with small screens will have a better web experience with mobile versions of sites.