Google’s Pixelbook Go is set to be announced in just a few short days but the gadget has now been subject to a hands-on ‘leak’ via an unnamed source and 9to5Google. So there may not be a whole lot left for Google to reveal when the time comes.
The biggest move from the leak may be that the overall design of the Pixelbook Go, is different from previous leaks. If accurate, since this is shown incognito with a placeholder logo and branding, that’s not a bad thing.
To begin with, it appears, at least in the orange-tinged “Not Pink” hue shown, much less bulky than prior media suggested. The bezels on the screen seem to be slimmed down ever-so-slightly as well.
The most notable change may be in the placement of the speakers. Rather than occupying an edge or the underside, the speakers are top-firing. They line the keyboard to either side in a long, thin strip of holes.
The Not Pink variation is arguably going to be the more stylish of two proposed colors — the other is Just Black. That’s shown with a coral-colored casing on both the keyboard bottom and in a ring around the display. The top of the keyboard, lid, and the edge are an almost-white pink coloration. The keys color-match with the frame.
The color not only gives everything some pop. It also highlights a ruggedization-related feature on the bottom plate of this clamshell laptop. That’s lined with ridges for added grip, in contrast to the lid.
The lid is described as nearly as smooth as the back glass on a Pixel handset. Google probably made that decision deliberately, since all of the edges are rounded smoothly off. The result is that this device almost resembles a modern smartphone shape when closed.
What a Pixelbook Go hands-on leak doesn’t say
The new images purportedly showcasing Pixelbook Go highlight an industrial design direction. That’s very obviously geared at the tech-savvy and for work. From the rigged bottom plate to the clearly visible fasteners coupled with an otherwise slim but basic aesthetic, this just looks like a device to get things done.
That will carry over to the internal specifications too but there are a couple of big changes to get out of the way first. The first is that although Google is reportedly keeping the touchscreen, it isn’t keeping stylus support. There’s not going to be a Not Pink Pixelbook Pen.
In tandem with that, there’s not a 2-in-1 mode either. While not surprising since Google revealed earlier this year it isn’t working on tablets anymore, this can’t be used as a tablet.
This device will be much more diverse in terms of options.
Prior Pixelbook Go reports and the most recent hands-on leak point to three processor options. Users can select from an Intel Core m3, Core i5, or Core i7 backed by either 8GB or 16GB RAM. Storage comes in at 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB. Underpinning that is a Titan C chip for added security and a chip for “Normal Wi-Fi” and Bluetooth. Presumably, that’s Wi-Fi 5 and not Wi-Fi 6.
The touchscreen comes in at 13.3-inches and will be available in either FHD or the 4K “Molecular Display” option similar to the Google Pixel Slate. That will only come in a 16:9 ratio, with Google abandoning the more popular 3:2 ratio. Above the panel, a 2-megapixel camera is embedded. That’s capable of capturing at 1080p and 60 frames-per-second.
For ports, Google builds in two USB Type-C plugs capable of outputting display in addition to charging. Both have an LED indicator. There’s a 3.5mm audio combo jack as well.
The end of speculation is just days away but what about the device?
Other details that haven’t been confirmed yet include news about exclusive wallpapers. Spotted in the Chromium Gerrit, reports have indicated those could arrive alongside Pixelbook Go at the upcoming hardware-focused event. Google is holding the event on October 15, so that will be confirmed or rebutted soon enough.
For now, there’s also been some speculation that those could be live wallpapers. That’s based on the fact that Google’s Pixel smartphones also feature exclusive wallpapers. Those typically feature landscapes with one or two elements that appear to be in motion. There is likely any number of other features and hardware aspects still unknown too that should become clearer during the event.
The devices themselves won’t necessarily be available immediately following the Made by Google conference though. Historically, devices have gone up for pre-order soon after but haven’t launched until weeks and sometimes months later. Pixel Slate was promised before the end of last year, for instance. But some versions didn’t become available until the very last moment and others never materialized at all.
It bears reiterating out that this ‘leaked’ device was a prototype, as shown by the mockup logo and branding. So Google may have changed at least some of it prior to its official launch. But it does appear relatively polished too.
Google will also unveil its newest Pixel phones at the upcoming event.
