The Google Pixel Slate i5 is a 2-in-1 tablet that runs on Chrome OS, Google’s operating system for laptops and tablets. It offers a sleek design, a stunning display, and a powerful performance, but it also comes with a hefty price tag and some drawbacks. In this article, we will review the features, pros, and cons of the Google Pixel Slate i5, and compare it with some of its competitors.
Fact
- Design and Dimensions:
- The Google Pixel Slate i5 has a sleek and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry around.
- The tablet has a height of 7.0 mm, a length of 290.85 mm, a width of 202.04 mm, and a weight of 0.73 kg.
- The tablet has an anodized aluminum body and CorningⓇ GorillaⓇ Glass 5.
- The tablet has a midnight blue color.
- Display and Touchscreen:
- The Google Pixel Slate i5 has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 3000 x 2000 pixels, which Google calls the “Molecular Display”.
- The screen is bright, sharp, and responsive, and supports the Pixelbook Pen, a stylus that costs $99 extra.
- The screen has a pixel density of 293 pixels per inch.
- Processor and Performance:
- The tablet is powered by an Intel Core i5-8200Y processor, which is a low-power chip that can handle most tasks smoothly.
- The tablet also has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which are sufficient for most users.
- Battery and Charging:
- The tablet has a long-lasting battery life of up to 12 hours on a single charge.
- The tablet supports fast charging, which can give up to 2 hours of use in 15 minutes.
- The tablet comes with a USB-C™ 45W charge adapter that also works with Pixel phones.
- Ports and Sensors:
- The tablet has two USB-C ports that can be used for charging, data transfer, and connecting external devices.
- The tablet lacks a headphone jack and requires an adapter or wireless headphones.
- The tablet has a fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button, which allows you to unlock the device quickly and securely.
- The tablet also has a Titan C security chip for better on-device security.
- The tablet has other sensors such as a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, an antenna proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a magnetic sensor.
- Operating System and Apps:
- The tablet comes with Chrome OS, which is a web-based operating system that relies on cloud services and apps.
- Chrome OS is fast, secure, and easy to use, but it also has some limitations. For example, some apps may not work offline or may have fewer features than their counterparts on other platforms.
- You can also install Linux apps or Android apps on the tablet, but they may not run as smoothly or as reliably as native Chrome OS apps.
- Keyboard and Stylus:
- The tablet can be used as a standalone device or as a laptop with the help of a keyboard cover.
- The keyboard cover is sold separately for $199, which adds to the cost of the tablet.
- The keyboard cover is magnetic and attaches to the tablet easily. It also has a trackpad and backlit keys that are comfortable to type on. The keyboard cover can also be adjusted to different angles to suit your preference.
- The stylus is also sold separately for $99, which adds to the cost of the tablet.
- The stylus is compatible with the touchscreen and can be used for writing, drawing, or navigating. However, the stylus attachment scheme and the screen palm rejection need improvement.
Features
The Google Pixel Slate i5 has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 3000 x 2000 pixels, which Google calls the “Molecular Display”. The screen is bright, sharp, and responsive, and supports the Pixelbook Pen, a stylus that costs $99 extra. The tablet also has two 8-megapixel cameras, one on the front and one on the back, that can capture decent photos and videos.
The tablet is powered by an Intel Core i5-8200Y processor, which is a low-power chip that can handle most tasks smoothly. It also has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which are sufficient for most users. The battery life is impressive, as the tablet can last for up to 12 hours on a single charge.
The tablet has two USB-C ports that can be used for charging, data transfer, and connecting external devices. However, it lacks a headphone jack, which means you will need to use wireless headphones or an adapter. The tablet also has a fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button, which allows you to unlock the device quickly and securely.
The tablet comes with Chrome OS, which is a web-based operating system that relies on cloud services and apps. Chrome OS is fast, secure, and easy to use, but it also has some limitations. For example, some apps may not work offline or may have fewer features than their counterparts on other platforms. You can also install Linux apps or Android apps on the tablet, but they may not run as smoothly or as reliably as native Chrome OS apps.
The tablet can be used as a standalone device or as a laptop with the help of a keyboard cover. The keyboard cover is sold separately for $199, which adds to the cost of the tablet. The keyboard cover is magnetic and attaches to the tablet easily. It also has a trackpad and backlit keys that are comfortable to type on. The keyboard cover can also be adjusted to different angles to suit your preference.
Pros
- The Google Pixel Slate i5 has a sleek and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry around.
- The display is gorgeous and offers a great viewing experience.
- The performance is fast and smooth for most tasks.
- The speakers are loud and clear.
- The battery life is long-lasting.
- The fingerprint sensor is convenient and secure.
- The keyboard cover is well-designed and functional.
Cons
- The Google Pixel Slate i5 is expensive compared to other Chromebooks or tablets.
- The keyboard cover and the stylus are not included in the price and have to be purchased separately.
- The tablet lacks a headphone jack and requires an adapter or wireless headphones.
- The stylus attachment scheme and the screen palm rejection need improvement.
- Chrome OS may not support some apps or features that are available on other platforms.
- Some Linux apps or Android apps may not work well on the tablet.
Comparison
The Google Pixel Slate i5 faces some tough competition from other 2-in-1 tablets in the market. Here are some of them:
- Apple iPad Pro: The iPad Pro is one of the most popular tablets in the world, and it offers a sleek design, a stunning display, a powerful performance, and a rich app ecosystem. However, it also costs more than the Pixel Slate i5, and it requires an expensive keyboard cover and stylus to use as a laptop. It also runs on iOS, which may not be as versatile or compatible as Chrome OS for some users.
- Microsoft Surface Pro: The Surface Pro is another popular 2-in-1 tablet that runs on Windows 10, which gives it access to more apps and features than Chrome OS. It also has a good design, display, performance, and battery life. However, it also costs more than the Pixel Slate i5, and it requires an expensive keyboard cover and stylus to use as a laptop. It also has some issues with reliability and quality control.
- HP Chromebook x2: The HP Chromebook x2 is another Chrome OS-based 2-in-1 tablet that has similar features and performance as the Pixel Slate i5. It also has a lower price than the Pixel Slate i5, and it includes a keyboard cover and stylus in the package. However, it also has a smaller screen size, lower resolution, less storage space, and shorter battery life than the Pixel Slate i5. It also has a bulkier and heavier design.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel Slate i5 is a premium 2-in-1 tablet that offers a lot of benefits, but also some drawbacks. It has a beautiful design, display, performance, and battery life, but it also has a high price, a lack of a headphone jack, and some issues with Chrome OS. It may not be the best choice for everyone, but it may be a good option for those who value the Google ecosystem, the web-based experience, and the versatility of Chrome OS.