Google's next laptop attempt: These are the first Googlebooks
Google is not giving up on notebooks. With more AI and better smartphone integration, Googlebooks are intended to be more successful than Chromebooks.
Google has further developed Chrome OS. As Googlebook OS, it connects Android smartphones better with the notebook. In addition, more AI tools are available to assist you. The first five notebooks with the new operating system come from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo – and they are not exactly cheap.
Source: Acer
Source: Asus
Source: Dell
Source: HP
Source: Lenovo
Overview: What distinguishes the Googlebooks
Before we get to the hardware, a brief look back at what distinguishes Googlebook OS. Or in other words: These are the biggest visible changes compared to Chrome OS.
Interaction with Android smartphones:
- «Continue on»: Pick up exactly where you left off on your smartphone on the notebook.
- «Quick access»: Browse files on your smartphone from the Googlebook.
- «Stream my apps»: View and use apps from your smartphone on the Googlebook.
Source: Google
AI tools:
- «Magic Pointer»: Wiggle the cursor to invoke Gemini. After that, I can point the cursor at an object on the screen that I want the AI to examine.
- «Plain text»: Intended to turn spoken thoughts into well-structured text.
- «Create your own widget»: Describe in everyday language what a widget should do, and the AI will try to create it for the desktop. Initially only in English and only in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Furthermore, as with Chrome OS, Android apps can be installed on the Googlebooks. Google announces that it will provide Googlebook OS with «regular feature drops and updates for up to ten years».
Hardware overview
The shared features of the Googlebooks include a light bar that indicates the battery level. It also shows that the notebook is charging. With the G-key, you can call up Gemini as an AI assistant – just like the Copilot key on Windows. The built-in Titan C chip is intended to ensure the security of your data.
The most important key data of the five Googlebooks at a glance:
The manufacturers are providing information to varying degrees, which is why there are still some gaps in the overview.
Notable special features include:
- The XPS Googlebook from Dell is the only model without an OLED display and has the smallest screen.
- The Acer Googlebook is the only device with a 360-degree hinge.
- The Lenovo Googlebook has the largest touchscreen.
- The Googlebook from Asus is the lightest.
- The HP Googlebook with the Snapdragon processor has the longest battery life.
Price and availability
Manufacturers are slowly starting to accept pre-orders. However, sales of the devices are not scheduled to start until October 5th. To ensure you can fully utilize the AI tools, Google is virtually including 12 months of Google AI Pro worth 263.88 euros with every device.
The currently known recommended retail prices start at 1199 euros and go up to 1399 euros. I have not yet seen any prices in Swiss francs for Switzerland. The XPS Googlebook from Dell does not currently appear to be intended for Europe.
As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
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