The Google Chromebook Pixel is a premium laptop designed to run Google’s Chrome operating system.

Google launched the original Pixel in 2013, delivering a Chromebook with a high-resolution touchscreen display, an excellent keyboard and touchpad, and a $1299 price tag.

Now Google is updating the Pixel with a new 2015 model. They’re still premium notebooks, but they’re a bit more affordable with prices starting at $999.

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The new Chromebook Pixel features an Intel Broadwell processor, a 12.85 inch 2560 x 1700 pixel display, up to 16GB of RAM, two USB Type C connectors with support for reversible cables, a backlit keyboard, and up to 12 hours of battery life.

The Type-C ports are also charging ports: you can plug your power adapter into a port on either side of the laptop to charge the battery.

The 2015 Chromebook Pixel also supports fast-charging, which means you can get up to 2 hours of battery life from a 15 minute charge.

For $999 you can pick up a model with a 2.2 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 32GB of solid state storage. A model with a 2.4 GHz Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 64GB SSD costs $1299.

Google calls the higher-priced model the Chromebook Pixel LS (Ludicrous Speed).

Other features include 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 standard A ports, a headset jack, an SD card reader, a 720p HD webcam, HDMI or DisplayPort output with a USB Type-C adapter), and stereo speakers.

Google positions the Chromebook Pixel not only as a premium Chrome OS laptop, but also as a device to showcase the Chrome platform. It’s aimed at developers and enthusiasts. Only a limited number are produced… because Google doesn’t really expect to sell a lot of high-priced laptops designed to run a browser-based operating system.

Still, it’s nice to see new models with more powerful hardware and lower prices. And honestly, the prices wouldn’t seem that high for this kind of hardware if it weren’t for the relatively small SSDs and the fact that there are still some things that are tough to do in Chrome OS (although you can get around that issue by loading Ubuntu or another GNU/Linux operating system using Crouton or another tool).

Both new Chromebook models are available from the new Google Store which showcases devices running Chrome OS, Android, and Android Wear as well as other products like the Chromecast media streamer and Nest smart thermostat. Basically it’s like the Google Play Store, but specifically for hardware and accessories.

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17 replies on “Google launches 2015 Chromebook Pixel for $999 and up”

  1. I’m just going to ask the obvious question. Why would i need an i7 for Chrome OS?

    I have an N2840 powered chromebook, and i could definitely use more power (a graphically intensive website, or a good sized GIF will really bog the thing down), but I’m sure an i3 would suffice.

    1. The point isn’t the power… It’s a deluxe experience, think… Apple.

      1. A deluxe experience? Is that marketing jargon for ‘a waste of money’?

        1. Absolutely, I’d never buy this, nor would I buy any other “luxury” device. But the market for it is neither you nor I.

  2. I think if they put the same exact thing out with a good 1080p class screen and an i3 or even Broadwell Celeron for $500 it would sell quite well.
    The speed under the hood of those types of machines is more than enough for a lot of people. Many would pay for the quality build and high quality I/O – screen, keyboard, etc…

    1. Google wants the OEMs to be in that market segment. If there isn’t much movement in that direction over the next year, I suspect Google will consider releasing something themselves.

    2. So basically the Toshiba Chromebook 2 that’s been out for a couple of months now?

  3. This is the Macbook for Linux developers. I use my Dell Chromebook as my poor man’s Macbook Air. Runs Xubuntu great. I’d love to get something like this though.

    1. Well not really, “Macbook” is Apple’s trademark for their own laptops running their own operating system; this is Google’s “Macbook” for their ChomeOS. You can run Linux on it, but then you can just as well on a Macintosh or any other brand of PC.
      I don’t have a “Macbook Air”, I’m not poor either, I’d just rather buy something better.

      1. I think you’re taking what I said a little too literally. Every OS seems to have a flagship device (Macbook Pro, Surface Pro), and this is the best thing that runs on a Linux kernel natively. If I recall correctly, Linus does all of his development running on the original Pixel.

  4. Holy… suddenly an XPS 13 isn’t looking quite so awesome. Here’s hoping the XPS 15 refresh includes all the goodness (design from the 13, USB-C galore, a decent-ish GPU etc etc)

  5. Holy Ubuntu Batman! If this thing is quieter than an XPS 13, I want one!

  6. Do you need 8gb and/or 16gb of ram on a chromebook? Of course, as a crouton machine also running ubuntu … this could be pretty sweet (pricey but sweet).

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