Pixelbook Go Complete Walkthrough: More Portable & Cheaper

Along with the Pixel 4, Google also just released a new Chromebook called the Pixelbook Go so in this video let’s do a complete walkthrough on the new device and go through every feature and spec we can, run some tests, etc. so you guys are better prepared should you be in the market to actually go buy one.

With that said, there’s a lot to go through so let’s get started with the hardware.

Firstly, the new Pixelbook Go comes in 4 models.

We have an 8th Gen Intel m3 processor model with 8GBs of RAM, 64GBs of storage, and an FHD display for $649; two Intel i5 models with either 8 or 16GBs of RAM, a 128GB hard drive, and an FHD display for $849 and $999 respectively; and lastly, a top model i7 with 16GBs of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 4K display.

All of the models have basically the same overall design and same weight of 2.3lbs minus the 4K model that adds .1 lbs to that. Either way, they’re light like the Go name suggests.

It’s made out of soft-touch magnesium that has a nice feel to it and comes in either black or pink. We have a rigged bottom to make it easier to grip while holding.

Moving around the device, we have a 2MP f2.0 aperture camera capable of 1080P 60fps video that looks and sounds like this.

And we have a softer keyboard that feels nice to type on that Google has dubbed Hush Keys to allude to the fact that they don’t make a lot of sound (and throw a dig at another laptop company who has gotten some flak for loud keys, I’m sure). Here, though, is what they actually sound like.

These keys are backlit, have a 19mm pitch, and have a Google Assistant button for quick access to the virtual assistant. In addition to talking to her, you can also type which will have her respond in kind and not talk out loud (for when you’re in environments where that would be pretty obnoxious to those around you).

Under those keys, we have a large etched glass trackpad that has an anti-smudge coating that, at least in my initial use of the device, does a decent job of reducing fingerprints and makes the trackpad feel smooth and gestures work well.

For audio, we have dual front-firing speakers that sound like this.

Google put in a 15% larger battery in this Pixelbook compared to the last one and claims a 12-hour battery life. TEST

The included 45W charger can also apparently give the laptop 2 hours of use on a 20-minute charge. TEST

For ports, we have two USB-C ports–one on either side–and we have a 3.5mm headphone jack, as well.

For software, what would a Chromebook be without running Chrome OS. Let’s run through this really quick for anyone new to how the OS works.

When you turn on the device, you are presented with a familiar desktop experience.

At the bottom, we have our shelf. This has any apps that you pin to it, and can be moved from the bottom to the left or right and also be auto-hid if you want.

On the left of your shelf, you have your universal search that allows you to search your device for files, applications, the web, etc. with suggestions beneath it based on your usage, and you can click the arrow here to bring up all of your installed apps.

Speaking of, you can also use the Play Store to download Android apps onto the device in addition to the normal Chrome OS apps.

On the right of the shelf, you have your quick actions. In here you have access to things like Wifi, Bluetooth, notifications, brightness and volume, etc. You can also click the gear to get to all of your device settings.

Honestly, that’s sort of gist of it. The idea behind Chromebooks is that a lot of us do most of our work on the internet in a browser, like Chrome, for example, and this just sort of takes that experience and spreads it to the entire computer basically.

Clicking on Chrome apps like Gmail simply open a Chrome browser window and your mail account instead, same for the YouTube “app” etc.

The nice thing is that it is treated by the web as a proper desktop browser unlike a tablet or phone generally, and so you can do anything you would in a browser for the most part.

The downside here comes when you need to install programs that are not Android apps, or browser plugins that require Mac or Windows, etc. but because it doesn’t have any of that or a full-blown OS like that, the battery can last longer, it’s lighter, needs less storage, etc.

But there you go, a rather quick complete walkthrough since it’s a Chromebook and there just isn’t much to it. You can check out the link below for more info on the Pixelbook Go.

What do you guys think of it though, let me know in the comments below? Thanks for watching!