The Google Pixel Slate i5 is a powerful Chrome OS device that shines at both work and entertainment. The only issue is that you’ll have to pay a high price for the portability and convenience of having a tablet and a laptop in one device. In this article we will be discussing about its configurations, functions and disadvantages.
Google Pixel Slate i5 Configuration
- Display: 12.3 inch Molecular Display
- Resolution: 3000×2000 pixels, 293ppi
- Processor: Intel Core i5 8th gen or i3 8th generation
- RAM: 4GB DDR4 and supports up to 16GB
- Storage: Up to 256GB
- Operating System: Google Chrome OS
- Camera: Two 8MP Full HD cameras, front- and rear-facing
- Battery: 48Whr battery, up to 10 hours
- Weight and Dimension: 721 g and 291x202x7mm
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2
Overview
The Pixel Slate is Google’s latest push into the growing tablet-laptop hybrid market. It attempts to be a device for all of your work and multimedia needs, including Chrome OS, a removable keyboard, a pen, and support for Android apps. The Pixel Slate is capable of functioning as your primary computer. There are multiple configuration you can opt for which include the latest i5 and 16 gigs of RAM.
Design and Build
The sleek tablet form of the Pixel Slate immediately attracts your attention to its simplicity and quality. Anodized aluminum chassis in midnight blue or “slate” blue feels sturdy and durable. Despite being by far Google’s largest tablet, the Slate is quite light and thin.
You can find two USB-C ports, volume buttons, and the power button by tracing your fingertips around the device’s borders. The power button serves as a fingerprint reader for added security, which is a simple yet smart function.
The tablet’s two USB-C connectors can be used to charge it, connect external storage devices, or connect displays up to 4K. You can also listen to music using the included 3.5mm headphone jack to USB-C dongle.
Performance
There are eight options available, running from an Intel Celeron processor at the low end to an Intel Core i7 processor at the high end. System RAM ranges from 4GB to 16GB. Performance can vary greatly, but given the minimal power requirements of most Chrome OS software, they should all run smoothly. When using more demanding commercial apps or tools, you should closely review how much power you want.
The 8th Gen Intel Core m3 model with 8GB of RAM that we have selected to examine should perform similarly, if not quite as well, as the iPad Pro or Microsoft Surface. On a Google Pixel Slate i5, gaming will be limited to the Google Play store and casual gaming. Because of the low integrated Intel graphics, some high end games, such as COD Mobile, are yet to be adapted for Chrome OS.
Display and Speakers
The Pixel Slate’s front is dominated by a stunning display covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which wraps around the tablet’s corners. The sleek wrapped appearance of the glass balances for the slightly bigger than expected bezels that cover the front firing speakers used by Google devices.
The display is a molecular display, which uses low-temperature polymer crystals to transfer electrons faster than traditional displays. This allows the 3000 x 2000 pixel display to have a higher pixel density (294 PPI) than other similarly spec devices in the same category.
Simply put, the Pixel Slate screen is fantastic. To match the display’s quality, the front-facing speakers are among the best on a tablet. They don’t have Dolby Atmos, but they have a rich and clean sound with outstanding bass response, especially at higher volumes.
Pixel Slate Keyboard and Pixel-book Pen
Google’s keyboard for this tablet is really nice and simple to use. You could be concerned about the round keys, but with some practise, you’ll be able to attain decent speed in no time. The keys have a reasonable amount of travel and are backlit, while the keyboard draws power from the tablet through the magnetic connector.
A big glass trackpad with multi-gesture functionality correctly detects your input and allows for seamless document scrolling. The keyboard’s reclining fold enables for more positions than other folios, reaching the superb Surface Pro kickstand.
If you wish to get the most out of this tablet/laptop hybrid, a Pixel-Book pen is an optional (and pricey) addition. Although it only has half the pressure sensor of the Surface pen or Galaxy S pen, it does support Google Assistant.
Basically, you can use the Pixel-Book pen to mark an image or text and then ask the Assistant to help you identify what you marked. It’s a lot of fun circling faces you don’t recognise in press clippings, but it’s also a useful research tool.
Operating System and Drawbacks
Many users choose Chrome OS because it includes a standard desktop web browser rather than a trimmed-down mobile version. Any of the Slate models has no trouble navigating web-based apps like the Google Suite or multitasking with several tabs open.
When the keyboard is attached, the Google Pixel Slate i5 functions similarly to any current Chrome OS laptop. A system tray displays any pinned or running apps, as well as a start-menu-style launcher in the bottom left corner.
Problems start to appear when trying to use it as a tablet without the keyboard. Recently, Chrome OS has been made more mobile-friendly, with the launcher matching a home screen and loaded with iOS or Android-like apps.
The majority of Android apps, however, are still not completely prepared for Chrome OS and do not effectively utilise the larger screen. Some applications, like City mapper or Wire, won’t function in landscape mode, while others will simply expand themselves to fit the extra space on the screen.
Camera
Both the front and rear cameras of the Pixel Slate are 8MP. You can shoot images with it, like with other tablet cameras. But don’t expect it to beat the smartphones in your pocket. You’ll also look ridiculous doing it. The Pixel Slate lacks the Pixel 3’s camera features. But Google utilises the same machine learning techniques for portrait mode photos as the Pixel 3 phones.
Verdict
The brand-new Google Pixel Slate i5 has a lot to love. Because Chrome uses so little power, it may have a battery life of up to 12 hours. It has USB-C connectivity for external storage, and has good front-firing speakers. However, the price can vary based on the setup, when you include in the price of the keyboard and stylus. Read the above article for detailed information on its specs, features and drawbacks.
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