Google Pixel Slate i5: A Powerful yet Flawed Premium Chrome OS Tablet
Google has just released its newest premium Chrome OS tablet, the Pixel Slate. It aspires to be a multipurpose 2-in-1 gadget with stylish hardware, a high-quality screen, and strong performance from its Intel i5 processor. But it’s not as appealing as other tablets and laptops due to software problems and an extremely high beginning price.
One of many available configurations for the Google Pixel Slate, the i5 variant boasts top-tier hardware and software and retails for $999. The 12.3-inch “Molecular Display,” two cameras (one on each side), and four speakers give it the look and feel of a state-of-the-art tablet. With 8 GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5-8200Y CPU, Chrome OS runs smoothly on this device. We have made a quick review of the Google Pixel Slate i5, read on.
Key Features Of Google Pixel Slate i5
| Specification | Description |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8200Y |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Display | 12.3″ LTPS 3000 x 2000 (293 PPI) |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel HD Graphics 615 |
| Dimensions | 11.5 x 7.95 x 0.27 inches |
| Weight | 1.6 pounds |
| Battery Life | 12 hours 48 minutes |
What Is In The Box?
- The Tablet: The main Pixel Slate i5 Tablet has a 12.3-inch Molecular Display and an Intel Core i5 CPU.
- Power Adapter: The Pixel Slate may be charged using a power adapter.
- Connector: USB Type-C cable for charging and data transfer.
- Manuals: User manuals, quick start guides, and warranty information outline setup and use.
How Was The Hardware and Design?
On the outside, the Midnight Blue Pixel Slate looks stunning with smoothly rounded corners, thin bezels, and clean lines. Weighing 1.6 pounds, it feels lightweight but solidly built. The 12.3-inch LTPS touchscreen display dazzles at 3000 x 2000 pixels with rich colours and crisp text. Four front-firing speakers produce impressive bass and volume.
We have found that the 8MP front and rear cameras capture decent video and photos. Connectivity includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, and dual USB-C ports. Battery life is excellent at nearly 13 hours of video playback. The optional $199 Pixel Slate keyboard neatly attaches via the magnetic connector. Although key travel is shallow, the keyboard is sturdy and backlit. The large glass touchpad is accurate and comfortable to use. With the keyboard attached, Chrome OS automatically enters the desktop-style interface.
When We Tested The Overall Performance
Well, we think that with its 8th-gen Amber Lake Y-series Intel Core i5-8200Y and 8GB LPDDR3 RAM, the Pixel Slate delivers swift performance for Chrome OS. Web browsing remains consistently snappy even with a huge number of tabs open. The tablet aces Chrome OS benchmarking tests, outscoring competing devices. It’s certainly capable of handling intensive tasks like web development or editing giant spreadsheets.
But the Pixel Slate stumbles on software. The Android app experience is still hit-or-miss, with some apps glitching while others work fine. More worryingly, basic Chrome OS functions had problems during testing, like unpredictable zoom behavior in Chrome browser tabs. Settings sometimes froze as well. Google has acknowledged these issues and plans to address them. Stylus, Software, and Apps Of Google Pixel Slate i5 Was Good
Other pain points emerge for specific use cases. The $99 Pixelbook Pen exhibits weak palm rejection and a too-feeble magnetic attachment system. Software-wise, certain web apps like Gogo inflight entertainment don’t work properly. The same goes for many VPN clients used by businesses. Android apps generally run well, but some still have kinks to smooth over. These issues can’t be fully blamed on the Google Pixel Slate i5, yet they still hinder the Pixel Slate’s versatility.
Pros and Cons Of Google Pixel Slate i5
| Pros | Cons |
| Sleek, elegant hardware | Expensive starting price |
| Vibrant, sharp display | Stylus needs improvement |
| Good general performance | No LTE option |
| Long battery life | No headphone jack |
| Backlit keyboard included |
Should I Buy Google Pixel Slate i5?
We think you should buy the Google Pixel Slate i5 as it brings together premium hardware, impressive performance, and long battery life. But its prohibitive pricing and niggling issues with software, stylus functionality, and app support diminish its appeal as a standalone tablet or laptop replacement. As a first-generation luxury Chrome OS device, it shows potential. But most users are still better served by cheaper and more polished alternatives for now. If Google can address the rough edges via software updates while lowering prices, the Pixel Slate could gain more mainstream appeal when version 2 comes around.
FAQs
Does the Google Pixel Slate i5 run Windows programs?
No, the Pixel Slate runs Chrome OS instead of Windows. However, it does support Android mobile apps from the Google Play store, as well as web apps optimized for Chrome.
Can I make phone calls on the Pixel Slate?
No. Since the Pixel Slate is a tablet running Chrome OS, it does not support making regular phone calls over cellular networks. However, you can use voice over IP (VoIP) apps like Google
How long does the battery last?
The battery life is excellent thanks to the power-efficient Intel Core i5 Y-series processor. In our battery rundown test of continuous video playback streaming over Wi-Fi, the Pixel Slate lasted for a very impressive 12 hours and 48 minutes.
Does the Pixel Slate work with a stylus?
Yes, the Pixel Slate does work with the Google Pixelbook Pen stylus, sold separately for $99. It enables you to write, sketch or draw directly onto the screen.
