Google Pixel Slate in 2023: A Budget-Friendly Convertible Option?

The Google Pixel Slate debuted in 2018 as Google’s first Chrome OS tablet. With its detachable keyboard folio and 12.3-inch touch display, the Pixel Slate aimed to deliver laptop-class productivity in a slim and portable package. Now a few years into its lifecycle, how does this versatile 2-in-1 device hold up? Let’s take a refreshed look at where the Pixel Slate hits the mark along with areas Google could improve.

Overview of the Pixel Slate as a 2-in-1

On the hardware side, the Pixel Slate remains impressively sleek. The metal body measures just 7 mm thin and weighs 1.6 pounds as a standalone tablet. It makes an ideal device for travel or carrying around the home.

As a 2-in-1, the Pixel Slate Keyboard magnetically attaches to the bottom edge to form a fully functional Chromebook laptop. The keyboard adds some bulk but allows the Slate to adjust between 100 and 165 degree viewing angles. Overall, the fusion of detachable keyboard and high-resolution touch display enables both productivity and versatility.

Google offers the Pixel Slate in a range of configurations based on processor, memory, and storage. The base model runs an Intel Celeron CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. Higher end models can be outfitted with up to an Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The pricing ranges from $599 for the base configuration up to $1,599 for the maxed out version.

Where the Pixel Slate Shines

While not perfect across the board, Google’s first Chrome OS tablet gets a lot right in terms of delivering solid laptop-style productivity with lightweight tablet portability:

Vibrant 12.3-Inch Display

• 3000 x 2000 LCD touchscreen
• Crisp image and text quality
• Wide viewing angles with great color accuracy
• Supports both stylus and touch input

All Day Battery Life

• Up to 12 hours of typical use per charge
• Quick charging capabilities to extend runtime
• Energy efficient processors and OS

Quality Speakers

• Front facing stereo speakers
• Rich sound with decent bass response
• Clear audio playback for music and videos

Versatile Computing Experience

• Full desktop-class Chrome browser
• Access to Google Play and Linux apps
• Attached keyboard transforms Slate into Chromebook
• Can connect to external displays and peripherals

While there are some refinements needed, Google got the tablet basics right with the Pixel Slate. It delivers solid performance for web browsing, apps, media consumption, and lightweight productivity. The hybrid functionality also makes it suitable for a wide range of personal and professional needs.

Shortcomings and Areas for Improvement

The Pixel Slate falls a bit short in a few areas that Google could look to improve on future iterations:

• Base model performance — The entry level Celeron CPU struggles under heavy loads. M3 or i5 processors are recommended.
• App ecosystem limitations — Chrome OS tablet apps lag behind iPadOS and Windows.
• Keyboard cover build quality — The keyboard folio works well but lacks rigidity.
• Price — Starting at $599, the pricing sits on the higher end.
• Laptop form factor awkwardness — As a laptop, the kickstand and detachable keyboard feel precarious on actual laps.

By focusing on performance consistency across CPU tiers, fostering developer relations for more quality apps, and refining the laptop experience, Google could help the Pixel Slate fully deliver on its 2-in-1 potential.

The Pixel Slate for Work, School, and Home Use

Thanks to its lightweight yet capable design, the Google Pixel Slate suits a variety of home, education, and business uses. Here are some examples:

Business Users

• Email, documents, spreadsheets on the go
• Charging and portability for conference travel
• External monitor connections for desktop setups

Students

• Note taking with stylus
• Research and assignment multitasking
• Lightweight to tote around campus

Home & Travel Use

• Catching up on movies and shows
• Casual web browsing and reading
• Quality speakers for music and podcasts
• Gaming and social media

For many professionals, students, and casual users, the Pixel Slate can readily replace a laptop as an everyday carry device. The processor performance and app ecosystem have room for improvement but the foundation is solid.

The Pixel Slate Stands Apart in the 2-in-1 Market

Compared to 2-in-1 offerings from Apple and Microsoft, the Pixel Slate differentiates itself by running a full desktop browser along with native integrations for mobile and Linux apps. The iPad Pro has elegant hardware but still centers around mobile experiences. And while the Surface Pro runs Windows, it encounters quirks switching between desktop and tablet modes.

By combining the best of Chrome, Android, and Linux, Google provides strong app selection and utility without sacrificing the keyboard-free tablet experience. And specs like screen resolution, battery life, and processors rival premium offerings from Apple and Microsoft.

For those seeking productivity with portability, the Pixel Slate carves out a compelling niche among 2-in-1 devices. It brings Chromebook capabilities to a tablet form factor with few compromises.

The Pixel Slate Delivers Impressively Flexible Computing

While it has room for refinement, Google’s first true 2-in-1 device proved that Chrome OS has the versatility to power tablets as well as laptops. The sharp, responsive display, lengthy battery life, and fused operating system environment enable both content consumption and creation. And the computing experience flexes seamlessly between keyboard-driven productivity and touch-based casual use.

For the right buyers, the Pixel Slate provides all-day portable computing with minimal compromises compared to traditional laptops. As Google continues refining the formula, the future looks bright for Chrome OS tablets replacing traditional PCs for many users. The Pixel Slate was an impressive first step that showed the promise of Google’s vision for multi-mode computing.