Google Pixel Slate review – this half tablet, half laptop is the PERFECT computer for almost everybody
Ditch those huge clunky laptops and embrace the 2-in-1 revolution
SMARTPHONES, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, desktop PCs, smart speakers – it's now seriously expensive to keep up-to-date with the latest gadgets. Enter: Google Pixel Slate.
The company's new 2-in-1 device blends a tablet and laptop, which means you don't have to fork out for two computers. We've spent a week with it – is it any good?
What is the Google Pixel Slate?
The Google Pixel Slate is a hybrid – it's somewhere between a tablet and a laptop.
It's probably Google's closest rival to Apple's iPad Pro, and is a very formidable competitor.
The Pixel Slate runs on Google's own Chrome OS software, and rocks handy accessories like a keyboard-folio and Pixel Pen stylus.
And priced from £549, it's actually not tremendously expensive – given that it replaces two of your devices.
Google Pixel Slate design
The Pixel Slate itself is a large tablet with a sumptuous 12.3-inch screen.
This panel has a very sharp 3000 x 2000 pixels, which works out at about 293 pixels per inch.
It's a touchscreen (unsurprisingly), so you can jab away at it – even when you've got it docked in the keyboard.
And you can also buy a Pixel Pen stylus to go with it for £99.
The Pixel Slate is undeniably attractive. It's slimmer than an iPhone at 7mm, and comes in a spiffing Midnight Blue paint job.
It's large, sure, but feels great in the hand and looks like a very premium gadget.
It weighs in at 731 grams, is a little heavier than Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro (at 631 grams), but it feels light enough to use comfortably as a tablet.
There are two USB-C ports for charging. That's handy, as it's a common port – and the same one featured on the Google Pixel smartphone.l
And there's also an accessory connector that lets you dock in the Pixel Slate Keyboard.
Rather than being bundled, you'll have to pay an additional £189 for the keyboard. It's a shame, but it's fairly standard across the industry. Apple pulls the same schtick.
Admittedly, Google's keyboard folio is very good.
It stands the Pixel Slate up in a bunch of different configurations, and also doubles as a case to keep your tablet scratch-free.
The keys are backlit (which is rare for keyboard accessories), and they're seriously quiet to type on.
Google has fitted the tablet with dual front-firing speakers, which make a real difference compared to other speaker set-ups. The Pixel Slate sounds great, and is an excellent device for media consumption.
There's a fingerprint scanner built into the top of the device for secure log-ins too, which is great.
The only other useful design titbit is that Google has layered the display with Corning's Gorilla Glass 5, which is close to the gold standard for screen protection these days.
Google Pixel Slate specs and performance
I found the Google Pixel Slate a pleasure to use – it's fast, responsive and well-designed.
There are configurations to meet everyone's needs, which range in price from £549 to £1,549.
In terms of processors, you can choose from:
- Intel Celeron
- 8th gen Intel Core m3
- 8th gen Intel Core i5
- 8th gen Intel Core i7
Very casual internet users or students who do a bit of browsing and word processing will get on fine with the top model.
We reckon that the Intel Core m3 version will suit most users, while people with heavier workloads will want to invest in an i5. If this is your main work and leisure machine, and you do a job that relies on powerful computing, the Intel Core i7 is a great buy.
You can choose various other options too, including 4GB / 8GB / 16GB of RAM, and 64GB / 128GB / 256GB storage capacities.
The laptop comes with a generous 48Wh battery that'll get you about 12 hours of usage.
I found this to be largely accurate – it took me through a whole day (with intermittent charging), which is probably how most people will use the device.
In any case, you can use the fast-charging feature to get two hours of charge in 15 minutes, if straits are dire.
The Pixel Slate comes fitted with cameras. Tablet cameras are generally nothing to write home about, and the same is true here.
You get a pair of decent 8-megapixel snappers that can shoot Full HD video at 30 frames per second. You'll probably only be using it for video calling anyway, so it's more than sufficient.
Lastly, the Pixel Slate offers up Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and an ambient light sensor – all par for the course.
Google Pixel Slate software – Chrome OS
It's important that I point out that this isn't a Windows device.
It's also not a Mac, an Android, or an iOS gadget.
Instead, the Pixel Slate runs on Chrome OS, Google's own custom-built operating system.
The interface runs largely through web applications, and much of what you do will be inside the Google Chrome web browser itself.
This can sometimes be restrictive – but Google has significantly improved how the system works in recent years.
Perhaps the biggest boon to Chrome OS is that it now supports Android apps, which massively opens up the amount of software you have available to you.
And don't forget that you also get access to the Google Assistant, built right into the Pixel Slate.
Google Assistant is Google's version of Amazon's Alexa – a voice-controlled smart assistant that can help you get things done.
The Assistant can tell you about the news or weather, set timers and schedule appointments, and even give you interesting info about whatever you're looking at.
Normally you'd access the Assistant by saying "Hey Google" aloud, which works just fine.
But if you don't fancy screaming at your tablet on the train, you'll be pleased to hear that the Pixel Slate's keyboard has a special Google Assistant key built into it.
Tap this and you'll be able to type commands out to Google Assistant, saving you any public shame.
Chrome OS probably won't suit hardcore gamers (look to Windows) or serious video editors (look to Mac), but it's just fine for almost everybody else.
Google Pixel Slate review verdict
The Google Pixel Slate is an exceptional device, and is great value for money at all price points.
The fact that you can get a high-quality laptop and tablet replacement from one of the world's top gadget brands for £549 is impressive.
I loved using the Google Pixel Slate, and while it won't replace my Apple MacBook Pro for everyday work, I'd definitely recommend it to almost anyone looking for a catch-all computing device.
It's within the price range of students, and is a genuinely exciting gadget to use – even if you're a bit of a technophobe.
Chrome OS is also very simple, and therefore easy to pick up. This makes it a great option for people who find Windows a bit confusing.
The Sun says: With the Pixel Slate, Google has created the perfect computing device for almost everybody.
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The Google Pixel Slate is available for order now, and costs £549 / £749 / £969 / £1,549, depending on which model you buy. Shipping starts from November 29.
- Google Pixel Slate at Google Store from £549 –
Are you tempted by the Google Pixel Slate? Let us know in the comments!
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