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| image from Pixel order page |
Google just announced their newest piece of hardware, the
Google Chromebook Pixel. It’s a
Chromebook so it runs on Google Chrome.
Want to know what that’s like?
Run the Google Chrome browser and nothing else. That’s an over simplification but you can get
a good idea of what it is like.
Google has been trying to sell Chromebooks for a while
now and I have always been interested in them.
None of them have been powerful enough for my liking but they have been
set at a good price. Now that the Pixel
is out and available for purchase and that Autodesk is making a major push for
in the browser cloud based CAD software, could the Google Pixel be a viable
candidate for a mobile CAD station? I
can’t honestly say yes or no until I get one (Google can you send me one to
test please?) and try it out but my gut feeling is that it could be useful in
certain situations.
Obviously since it can’t possibly run most of Autodesk’s
programs like AutoCAD or Revit it can’t be a full on CAD or BIM workstation. It’s specs are pretty impressive and fall inline with most Ultrabooks. Let’s take a quick look at some of the spec
points:
- 12.85-inch, 400 nit display at 2560 x 1700 resolution (239 PPI)
- Gorilla Glass multi-touch screen
- 32 GB storage (64 BG Option)
- Backlit Chrome keyboard
- HD Webcam
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- Mini display port
- 2-in-1 card reader supporting: SD, MMC
- Intel Core i5 Processor (Dual Core 1.8GHz)
- Intel HD Graphics 4000
- 4 GB DDR3 RAM
- 59 Wh battery
These specs are nice.
There are two models, the main one with 32 GB of storage and a second
one with 64 GB of storage and LTE. The
storage spec is small I’ll admit but you can’t install software so that
helps. It also helps that Google will
give you 1 Terabyte of Google Drive storage for three years. After three years, well, pay up I guess. This device probably won’t work well unless
you are connected to the cloud anyway, so that LTE and WiFi connectivity mill
probably be a must.
The price is amazing.
Amazingly huge!! The 32GB model
is priced at $1299 (U.S.D.) with the 64GB with LTE model is $1449!! OUCH!!
These are Mac Book Prices. The
screen resolution is better than the Mac Book with Retina and the Pixel has a touch
screen interface. Another question is
battery life. Will it last all day? My gut says no. Google claims that it will give you up to five hours. that probably means two to three.
Besides all of the possible negatives, there are many
positives and many possibilities. The
nearly instant on is a huge deal. Touch interface is very nice to use. No
maintenance is an IT manager’s dream. It’s
always up to date. And the Chrome Web
Store is very robust for a browser only market place. Autodesk alone has AutoCAD WS, Pixlr-o-matic,
Pixlr Editor, 123D Design, Homestyler, 123D Make, 123D Catch, Autodesk 360, and
soon Fusion 360! All of these should run
on this Chromebook. You have an AutoCAD
(ish) program, a Photoshop (ish) program in Pixlr Editor, and soon a design
program in Fusion 360. Plus you can
manage all of your files through Autodesk 360.
That’s just Autodesk. Need to
write a report? Microsoft Web Apps or
Microsoft 360 provide nearly full versions of their Office Programs. The web browser is a valid operating system
that can handle most work. In this case
I think the Google Chromebook Pixel has the potential of being a useful machine.
I may be crazy but I think that this device may be a
viable mobile computer for designers.
Maybe a laptop is cheaper and it can load full AutoCAD. But maybe this is a better machine than perhaps a
tablet like the iPad or Nexus 10. Buy
one of those, add a keyboard, and your cost isn't much lower. The Pixel is higher in cost but it has access
to fuller software like AutoCAD WS for browsers (which can do much more than the AutoCAD WS App) and Microsoft Office 360.
That all being said, why wouldn't we just purchase a Mac
Book Air or Ultrabook and run Chrome on either one? As cool and interesting as this device is to
me, I don’t see myself or many others purchasing it. But I so want it to work.
Full Specs
Screen
12.85" display with a 3:2 aspect ratio
2560 x 1700 at 239 PPI
400 nit screen brightness
178° extra-wide viewing angle
Inputs
Gorilla® Glass multi-touch screen
Backlit Chrome keyboard
Clickable, etched-glass touchpad
Integrated 720p HD camera
Size / weight
297.7 x 224.6 x 16.2 mm
3.35 lbs / 1.52 kg
Industrial design
Machined from anodized aluminum
Active cooling with no visible vents
ENERGY STAR® certified
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5 processor (Dual Core 1.8GHz)
Intel® HD Graphics 4000 (Integrated)
Ports
2 x USB 2.0
mini display port
SD / MMC card reader
Memory
4GB DDR3 RAM
Storage
One terabyte Google Drive cloud storage for three years1
32GB solid state drive (64GB on LTE model)
Audio
Combo headphone/mic jack
Built-in microphone array
Integrated DSP for noise cancellation
Powerful stereo speakers tuned for clarity
Battery
Up to 5 hours of active use (59 Wh battery)3
Connectivity
Dual-band WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n 2x2
Bluetooth® 3.0
Built-in LTE modem (LTE model)
Goodies
One terabyte Google Drive cloud storage for three years1
12 free sessions of GoGo® Inflight Internet
100 MB/month for 2 years of mobile broadband from Verizon
Wireless (LTE model).
