Last week, Google started shipping the Pixel Slate 2-in-1 device. With a 12.3-inch screen, the Google Pixel Slate works as a laptop and a tablet. At the top left of the Pixel Slate is a power button that also works as the Pixel Imprint fingerprint sensor. The Pixel Slate is 7mm thick and it has a full day of battery life.
To help you decide whether to buy a Google Pixel Slate, here is a breakdown of the pros and cons:
The Pros:
Pro 1: Meticulously Designed Device With A Large Display
The 12-inch screen on the Google Pixel Slate has a 3000 x 2000 Molecular display (229 pixels per inch). The large display is sharp and it provides an immersive experience.
The bezels around the edges are round. And the Pixel Slate has powerful forward firing speakers to provide solid sound. This makes watching YouTube videos and playing gaming apps a better experience.
The Pixel Slate ships with Google Play so you have access to more than one million Android apps along with your favorite music, movies, and TV shows. But since most apps are designed to work on devices at around 5 to 6 inches in size, the borders around the sides are rather large. Fortunately, the Pixel Slate allows you to change the window size so that it feels immersive with the Pixel Slate’s larger screen.
The larger display makes watching video content a great experience. I can see myself using the Pixel Slate to watch Netflix shows or sports games while chilling in bed during my downtime.
Pro 2: Touch-Friendly
The Chrome OS supports tablet mode and a desktop mode. And the Pixel Slate automatically changes when the keyboard is attached or detached (more details about the keyboard below).
When it is in tablet mode, the home screen looks like an Android device and it has multi-window support. Chrome OS has also been updated to support touchscreen devices, making the Pixel Slate even more touch-friendly.
Pro 3: 12 Hours Of Battery Life
The battery life of the Pixel Slate is 12 hours based on mixed usage. So you should be able to use it throughout the day without having to constantly recharge it.
Plus the Pixel Slate has a 45-watt charger that provides two hours of battery life with 15 minutes of charging. And it is fully USB-C Power Delivery compliant. The Pixel Slate can be charged using your phone or a charger.
Pro 4: Powerful Cameras
The Pixel Slate has cameras on both sides of the devices. On the front is an 8-megapixel “Duo Cam-optimized” camera with 1.4um pixels and a ƒ/1.9 aperture that can record 1080p video at 30fps. And the rear camera has an 8-megapixel (1.12um pixel size) sensor with a ƒ/1.8 aperture that can take video at 30fps.
Google Pixel Slate / Photo Credit: Google
The Cons:
Con 1: On The Pricier Side
The highest option of the Pixel Slate tops at $1,599, which puts the 2-in-1 on the pricier side. This is priced quite a bit higher than Apple iPads. But the Pixel Slate seems to be targeting Microsoft’s Surface Pro and these prices reflect that.
There are five options for the Pixel Slate. This includes a $599 option with 32GB storage, 4GB RAM, Intel Celeron; a $699 option with 64GB storage, 8GB RAM, and Intel Celeron processor; a $799 option with 64GB storage, 8GB RAM, and an 8th generation Intel Core m3 processor; a $999 option with 128GB storage, 8GB RAM, and an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor; and a $1,599 option with 256GB storage, 16GB RAM, and an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor.
Con 2: Accessories Not Included
In order to use the Google Pixel Slate like a proper laptop, you would have to buy a separate Pixel Slate Keyboard for $199.
The Slate Keyboard has quiet circular keys that are backlit and it has a built-in dedicated Google Assistant key. And it pairs with instantly with docking pins and magnets.
One of the disadvantages of the Slate Keyboard is that it does not work well while it is connected to the Pixel Slate and is sitting on your lap. I would recommend using the Pixel Slate Keyboard connected to the Pixel Slate on a hard surface like a desk.
If you would rather use a laptop device powered by Chrome OS, then you may want to look at the Pixelbook instead. The Pixelbook is the first laptop that has Google Assistant built-in. And Chromebook laptops made by HP are priced for the budget-conscious as well.
And the Pixel Slate display works with the Pixelbook Pen, which is a stylus Google designed with pressure sensitivity and tilt support. Like the Apple Pencil, the Pixelbook Pen costs $99.
Want to buy the Google Pixel Slate? You can buy one here:
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