Google Pixelbook Go
Google is way more than just a search engine. It’s a major tech company with its own Pixel smartphones and Pixelbook Chromebook series.
Google launched its first laptop/Chromebook, the Pixelbook, back in 2017. A couple of years later, they followed it up with the Google Pixelbook Go.
It’s a standout device that caught a lot of attention when it launched. Even now, people want to know about this stylish and powerful Chromebook from Google.
Today, we’re sharing a full review of Google’s Pixelbook Go.
This Google Pixelbook Go review will answer your questions and help you decide if this laptop is the right fit. Let’s get into it!
Google Pixelbook Go – Overview
Google Pixelbook Go is a premium version of Google’s Chromebook laptops running on Google Chrome OS.
It comes with a reasonable price tag, which is a big part of why it’s been so popular. Plus, it’s backed by Google, which adds some extra trust.
The “Go” in the name says it all. This device is meant to be portable and ideal for people who travel often.
It has a sleek body, solid construction, and everything a professional user needs.
Pros:
- Premium build quality
- Lightweight and compact in size
- Durable construction with long life
- Touchscreen compatibility
- Superior battery life
- Full HD front-facing camera
Cons:
- The pricing is a bit steep compared to other Chromebooks from different brands.
- There’s no biometric login or fingerprint scanner included.
Google Pixelbook Go – Features
Build Quality
Just like the previous version, Google kept this Pixelbook light and slim. It’s super sleek and easy to carry around.
The Pixelbook Go measures just 0.5 inches thick and weighs only 2.3 pounds.
Google released two color options: Black and Pink. Officially, they’re called “Just Black” and “Not Pink.”
The matte texture on the body looks really nice and gives it a premium feel from the outside. Google used a durable magnesium frame that should hold up well over time.
The frame resists scratches and feels solid in your hands.
If you want to go deeper, we have a separate guide on difference between a Chromebook and a laptop.
The keyboard was designed with professional use in mind.
Spacious keys and surprisingly good speakers make this Chromebook stand out. Honestly, the speaker quality might be what impresses you most.
When you compare the built-in speakers on this Chromebook to others, you’ll be surprised. The output is genuinely good with clear sound quality.
The keyboard is comfortable for long typing sessions.
Connectivity Options
The Google Pixelbook Go has all the connectivity features you’d expect. It comes with two USB-C 3.1 ports.
You can use these ports for display output and charging. There’s also a standard 3.5 mm audio jack on the side.
Unlike the previous model, the Pixelbook Go isn’t a convertible. You can’t detach the keyboard, so you can’t use it as a tablet.
Google did include touchscreen support on this version though. Yes, the Pixelbook Go has a touchscreen.
Since the laptop doesn’t convert into a tablet, the touchscreen feels a bit unnecessary in some ways. You’ll always be using it with the keyboard attached since it doesn’t detach.
Display
Google packed a high-end display into the Pixelbook Go. The laptop features a touchscreen running at full HD resolution.
That means you’re getting 1080p visuals, and the color accuracy and vibrancy are impressive. It makes everything look sharp and premium.
There’s also a high-definition front-facing camera built into the display. The 1080p camera lets you make video calls and record videos at 60 frames per second in full HD.
For best results, you’ll want a solid internet connection though.
Performance
The Google Pixelbook Go runs on a 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-8220Y dual-core processor.
Google upgraded the CPU from an Intel Core i3 to an Intel Core i5 for this version, so you get noticeably faster speeds and better performance.
You can handle all the basics on this Chromebook, including photo editing and everyday apps.
For related tips, check out our full guide on laptops for college students under $500.
You can also run your favorite Android games thanks to the 1080p touchscreen.
On top of that, you can stream full HD video without any issues. But when you try to play 4K videos, the system starts to struggle. Better to keep video quality at 1080p.
The Pixelbook Go packs 8GB of RAM, which is solid for multitasking. You can run several applications at the same time without slowdowns.
It comes with 128GB of storage.
Compared to other Chromebooks on the market, this one has double the RAM. Most Chromebooks ship with just 4GB, while this one starts at 8GB. And the best part? You can upgrade the RAM to 16GB if you need more power.
Software
As a Google product, the Pixelbook Go naturally runs Chrome OS. It’s Google’s own operating system, and it runs clean here.
The Pixelbook Go is said to have one of the cleanest Chrome OS installations among all Chromebooks available.
Feature-wise, you won’t find big differences between this and other Chromebooks. It offers the same set of functions and apps. The main thing you’ll notice is that the OS feels smoother and more polished.
Google built in support for Google Voice Assistant. You can activate it from the keyboard or just use your voice.
Most newer Chromebooks already have this feature, so it’s not unique to the Pixelbook Go.
Battery Life
Compared to the original Pixelbook, Google improved the battery life on the Go version.
Tests showed the Pixelbook Go’s battery lasted 11 hours and 14 minutes during local video playback. That’s really impressive, especially when you consider that Apple’s MacBook tops out at around 9 hours.
The first Pixelbook managed about 10 hours of local video playback. Google claims the Go can last up to 12 hours on a full charge.
What’s even more impressive is the fast charging. You can get 2 hours of battery life from just 20 minutes of charging.
Google used advanced charging technology that fills up the battery much faster than other Chromebooks.
Final Verdict:
Why should you buy this?
The Google Pixelbook Go feels premium from the moment you pick it up. It’s super sleek, light, and easy to carry wherever you go.
If you’re looking for a casual-use laptop and you already like Chrome OS, the Pixelbook Go is worth your money.
It delivers strong performance and comes with excellent battery life of up to 12 hours.
You also get all the essential connectivity features and a touchscreen for running your favorite Android apps and games, just like on a phone.
The keyboard is comfortable for daily typing.
There’s also a high-end front-facing camera included. You can use it for HD video calls or recording high-definition videos.
