Google Pixelbook Go - 13.3" Lightweight Chromebook Laptop - Up to 12 Hours Battery Life - Intel Core M3, 64GB SSD, 8GB RAM Touch Screen - Just Black

I purchased the base model Pixelbook about three weeks ago for $820. I love it.There are a lot of other good Chromebooks - including the new high-end Samsung and HP ones. So why did I feel so compelled to buy this pricier Chromebook - and write a lengthy review on a Saturday morning when I rarely write reviews?I have a Windows 10 PC, but I bought a Chromebook because I value the simplicity, speed, and reliability of it far more than I value the ability to install very specific desktop software.I was tired of all of the automatic updates and bloated features that Microsoft would randomly roll out. I noticed I haven't installed software in some time.Instead, I was spending nearly all of my time working in Chrome - between Google Apps and a variety of web-based software (which is far superior to its desktop counterparts in most cases, sans with very specific technical/creative work). And instead of things like Microsoft Office, I rely on GoogleDocs because I value the ease of creation and sharing far more than I value all of the extra features I don't need.After realizing that I spend 90%+ of my time utilizing my web browser for everything (including work), the decision to get a Chromebook was a no-brainer. And it helped that I started on an HP Chromebook 14 5 years ago - which still worked, though I wanted something faster and sleeker.As stated above, there are a few other high-end Chromebooks to choose from, as well as some good middle-range ones, so why the Pixelbook?I'll say that the discount on the device to $820 (from $999) was the catalyst.I determined that I'd much rather spend the extra ~$200 on the absolute best Chromebook over another certainly good Chromebook - in order to get the improved build quality and most optimized Chromebook that I could get, including with the Google ecosystem. I love my Google Pixel 2 phone, so I've seen how Google's hardware is top-notch. Also I know HP and Samsung hardware can be a bit iffy, and Samsung has had a bloatware issue with installing extra things.The Pixelbook looks/feels super sleek, the keyboard + trackpad are fantastic, and the wrist rests are a very nice touch. The screen is bright with great resolution.At a few of my previous employers, we all received a Macbook Air. I essentially was looking for the sleekness and build quality of the Macbook Air, without the Apple OS (which I couldn't stand / I always found cumbersome). I believe the Pixelbook reaches that standard.When it comes to performance, this computer is super fast, with a ton of RAM and a high-end processor. You can be confident this thing will continue to fly through whatever Chrome tabs / extensions (and probably Android apps) you throw at it.I have only one main qualm with the Pixelbook which doesn't bother me too much - the bezels (the black empty space between actual display and the frame of the computer) are insanely big. I share the same gripe with my Pixel 2 phone. Hopefully Google stops this in the future.The only other qualm is that the Pixel Pen stylus is insanely expensive. With a lot of research, I purchased a ~$15 off-brand stylus which I look forward to gently trying (researched to ensure it didn't scratch the screen).Who will love the Pixelbook: someone who uses mostly a web browser when on the computer (and open to continuing to use web applications over desktop ones) - and really values the premium on high-end hardware and ensuring that they have the best performance. From standard web browsing to the continually increasing number of business applications that by default run in the cloud.*If you fit a lot of the above in terms of computer usage but don't usually have a ton of tabs open / don't need the fastest thing and price is definitely more of a priority, there are some great Chromebooks from brands like ASUS and Acer in the $250 - $400 range, some of which even have metal bodies and touchscreens, which you'd likely be very pleased with. My mother is approaching 70 and consistently has a ton of problems with her Macbook Pro, so I'm continuing to work to get her to sell that and get one of these instead. I think Chromebooks in general are perfect for seniors and young children.Who will not like the Pixelbook: if you are super huge Mac enthusiast and love their ecosystem (get a Macbook Air then), if you are super into gaming, or if you rely on demanding desktop software for creative/technical purposes. What comes to mind is if you're a full-time pro and need the advanced features of software for video production, Adobe CC, specialized finance requiring extremely complex Excel functionality (though maybe the cloud version of Excel has those features), data scientist requiring desktop-only software, or even someone like an Architect that needs industry-standard CAD software.But for the majority of us doing basic computer things, a Chromebook is an extremely wonderful breath of fresh air. It boots super fast, updates are quick and barely noticeable, and it's a reliable computer. If price happens to be a priority, Chromebooks have you very well-covered.It is a tremendous relief not thinking about renewing licenses, installing updates, or other things getting in the way of you just firing up a browser and doing your normal things.And if having the best speed and hardware is something you really appreciate -- I would highly recommend the base model Pixelbook. To be totally honest, I'm not sure if I'd recommend it at $999, but I'd recommend it for as high as $850 (remember I bought it for $820). Good news is that I've seen a bunch of other sales like that, and it's even gone multiple times down to $750. I personally don't see the value in the higher-end Pixelbooks in terms of noticeable performance differences for the significant price boost over the base model.

I have owned a Pixelbook (base model) for 45 days now (having owned a Chromebook Pro, my first-ever ChromeOs product, for 30 days prior) and after reading countless professional and owner reviews I wanted to write one captures the essence of the Pixelbook and what makes it so attractive and why it is worth its price to many who would cross-shop it with Windows and Mac alternatives. I will try to explain why this is the best laptop/convertible currently sold for those with the budget to spend $1,000 give/take for a laptop and, importantly, for those who have been able to determine either that ChromeOs (including Android App access) will meet their needs and/or that they own a Windows or Mac device that will provide the capability needed for use cases that the Pixelbook/ChromeOs presently do not support.I'm about to go down the path of paraphrasing what another Amazon reviewer, Dave Levy, already stated more succinctly than I will, but the purpose of my comment is to add depth to Mr. Levy's review for those who found his words persuasive but may still feel some hard-do-describe level of skittishness to "pull the trigger" on a Pixelbook. In no particular order:1) The Pixelbook ("PB") is absolutely on-par with or well above it's competitors in the premium laptop/convertible market with Mac Os or Windows 10 from the standpoint of user experience.2) The PB is best-in-class (again, the highest end of the laptop/convertible market segment) - or tied for best - in these areas of hardware look, feel and response: a) keyboard; b) trackpad; c) display; d) stylus (with both the Google branded version or several other "Wacom AES" alternatives I've tested); e) connectivity (both wifi and bluetooth [4.2].3) The PB is below class-leading, but still fully acceptable, in the following areas: a) audio quality (acceptable for most laptop use cases, but fair to say headphones or auxiliary speakers are needed for high quality/room-filling sound); b) keyboard backlight (fine for dark ambient light environment but weak for "dusk" type ambient lighting, when some assistance is helpful but the backlighting is not as bright or complete as preferable and as provided by some of its peers, including some lower priced devices; Google should improve this through software update or next hardware update cycle, but it's very far from a deal-breaker); c) user authentification (in 2018, a premium device should have easy, fast biometric authentification as an option and the PB does not; this is a must-fix for first hardware update cycle.)Other than items noted in 3), above, there is no aspect of the user experience in which the PB can't be described as the finest laptop/convertible user experience available today - or ever produced - in this size and price class.4) It is in no way accurate or fair to call the base model "overpriced 'for a Chromebook'" or "overpriced" in any way. This device is so beautifully designed (though this is a matter of taste) and so brilliantly executed that, IMO, it is the finest piece of electronic device kit I have ever had the pleasure behold and use. It's really that gorgeous, that perfectly made, that smooth and fast to respond - in the ways that a fine luxury good (in addition to computers, smartphones and tablets, automobiles come to mind in comparison - might stand out as being. It makes me smile. I look forward to whatever task I approach when I realize I'm about to use my Pixelbook to get it done!I guess you have to be a person who really notices and cares about design and quality for this to matter to you. Nothing wrong with someone who doesn't - in fact, you will save yourself many hundreds of dollars by purchasing either a Chromebook Pro or Asus Flip CS-302 if you want a good, strong, well-made Chromebook and just don't care so much about the finer points of design, engineering and craftsmanship because those alternatives have all the ChromeOs goodness and same features as the PB though they may lack only at the margins some of the storage (though the other 2 have micros SD card support while the PB does not) speed, thermal control, keyboard/trackpad quality and overall excellence of the PB (and, in the case of the Asus, active stylus support.)This is clearly a luxury purchase. And, in fact, I've spent 45 days now - last day of return window: tomorrow! - equivocating over whether I can justify to myself indulging in this luxury. (My decision is a little easier because I got my PB when Amazon had a pre-Christmas deal for $800 and Google had promotions, including a $62 credit against my Netflix bill, $40 worth of free Google Drive subscription fees - that I have been and would've continued paying - and a $50 credit to my Google Store account - for apps or devices - as a concession because Amazon didn't offer the Google Home device and Google was throwing in a free Home speaker if you bought it from Google. Thus my true cost for the PB was effectively $710, a price point many have noted they would feel more comfortable paying. Just between you and me, I would still be buying it if my cost was $999 ;)If you can afford it and you want a very high end device and you've determined a Chromebook has an important place in your device arsenal, you couldn't find a more certain way to spend $400 extra and be certain it would bring you so much enjoyment. I suggest you buy it from a vendor who provides preferably 30 day trial with full refund option. Again, presuming you had already concluded you want/need a chromebook and it must have what for chromebooks are the higher end spes, I imagine you may go through the same process as I have and, what you decide as your return window closes will inform you as to how much you truly adore the design/execution of this product and whether you can justify the $400 luxury indulgence. My guess is that you will make the same decision as I did, even at the full retail price of $999!

I wanted to love the Pixelbook, but I ended up returning mine. Here's why:(1) Too small. After a decade of using a 13 inch MacBook Air I find the Pixelbook to be just too small. It doesn't sit comfortably on my lap and the keyboard is too small.(2) The edges. The Pixelbook is a well-manufactured machine but the design includes lots of hard edges. If I lie down and try to watch a movie while the Pixelbook rests on my body the edge eventually gets uncomfortable. Using it in tablet mode is uncomfortable for the same reason.(3) Google Assistant. I could not get this to work, even with my Google account that I control. And because the keyboard is arranged poorly I kept pressing the assistant button by accident.(4) Netflix. Does not work. This eliminates one of my cost justifications for getting the Pixelbook... thought I could eliminate the purchase of a new tablet for watching movies in flight.(5) Cost. I can get a refurbished 13 inch HP Chromebook with much better specs (m7 + 16GB of RAM) for 40% less.Mine is going back to Amazon... you can have it.