The best a Chromebook can get
Remember netbooks? Tlrey were the simpler alternative to laptops, with just enough processing power for web browsing and other basic tasks. There were just two problems: netbooks were too rubbish for anyone to want them, and too cheap to make manufacturers any money. So they went away. But not completely.
Tire day the netbook died, even if it didn't know it yet, was 30 January 2010. That was when Steve Jobs stood up and announced a new thing called the iPad. He explained why netbooks were doomed: “They’re not better than a laptop at anything.” Sure enough, the innovative iPad took over the world and the boring old netbook disappeared.
Today, the challenge is not only to be better than a laptop at something, but better than an iPad too. Google reckons the key to that is an operating system that makes a web browser look like a better approach to everyday keyboard-based computing than Windows, instead of being just part of it cut off from the rest.
Its operating system. Chrome OS, is the basis for Chromebook and Chromebox PCs (laptops and desktop PCs respectively), which are made by Google and other hardware companies. We tested three of the latest models.
First off, we have the Pixel, which is Google’s flagship model, and mostly exists to make the point that Chrome machines aren’t just cut-price PCs. At £799, it’s an expensive way to surf the web. Of course, that’s not all it does. Many of the tasks you’d normally use programs for, such as playing music, looking at photos and writing documents, are catered for by web apps. The difference being that they don’t live on your hard drive. In fact, Chrome machines normally come with only very small amounts of SSD storage.
The assumption is that you’ll have a fast internet connection and store everything in the cloud. With the Pixel, you get 100GB of Google Drive storage for three years (most Chrome machines come with two years), after which it costs $1.99 (about £1.25) a month, though 15GB will continue to be free. The Chromebook’s physical storage stores things temporarily when you’re offline, but many of the web apps you might want to use won’t work without an internet connection.
The super-slim Pixel has a modest 32GB of storage, but a generous 8GB of memory and a mid-range 2.2GHz Intel i5 processor. That’s an awfully high specification for web apps. You can even pay £200 more and get a 2.4GHz i7 processor and 16GB. But all this performance doesn’t fix Chrome OS’s basic limitation: no programs. Even online services don’t necessarily work; Skype won’t, so you have to use Google’s nearest equivalent Hangouts.
A better use of your money is the lovely screen. At 2560x1700 pixels, it’s an extra-sharp HiDPI (or Retina) display, and also responds to touch, so you can choose between tapping and swiping the screen or the high-quality glass trackpad. The screen is half-way between an iPad’s dimensions and widescreen, while the keyboard feels great to use.
Playing video, the Pixel’s battery lasted just short of 11 hours in our tests. Most tasks will use less power, so you can expect longer. And thanks to the USB 3.0 Type-C connection (similar to Apple’s new MacBook) just 15 minutes of fast charging gives you two hours of use. Unlike Apple, Google provides two sockets, one on each side, and standard USB ports as well.
All right, Google, you’ve made your point. We like it. But £799 for Chrome OS is too much.
VERDICT
If Chrome OS works well for you and you're made of money, this could be your perfect PC.
SPECIFICATIONS
Intel dual-core i5 5500u processor • 8CB memory • 32CB SSD • 12.9in 2560x1700-pixel display • 720p webcam • 802.11ac Wi-Fi • Chrome OS • 15.3x298x225mm (HxWxD) • Two-year warranty