Google Pixelbook vs Samsung Chromebook Pro best Chromebook comparison

Laptops are not a new concept. They’ve been around for quite some time now, but the modern day laptop is available in various shapes and sizes. Back in the day, the options were between Windows and Mac. But today there are a handful of independent operating systems, most of which dominate the market. We’re talking about Chrome OS, which was started by Google a few years ago. Although the concept didn’t click initially, it is now one of the most popular alternatives to macOS and Windows notebooks. We’re going to talk about two of the most popular Chromebooks available in the industry right now in an attempt to help you choose the best depending on your usage.

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At A Glance: Google Pixelbook vs Samsung Chromebook Pro best Chromebook 2020 comparison

• Google Pixelbook
  Our Top Pick
• Samsung XE510C24-K01US Chromebook Pro

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We’ll talk about the Google Pixelbook, which is Google’s first Chromebook, and Samsung’s Chromebook Pro, which is equally powerful in its own right. While comparing the two devices based on hardware alone doesn’t make sense; it does hold some significance given that performance sometimes is determined by the kind of hardware it’s packing. Pricing will also be a crucial factor. We’re going to discuss all this and a lot more in our article. Be sure to have a closer look.

Google Pixelbook vs. Samsung Chromebook Pro Best Chromebook Comparison

Google Pixelbook

Features

The Google Pixelbook comes with a touchscreen display that can be interacted with the company’s Pixelbook Pen. This is something similar to what Microsoft does with its Surface hybrids. Chrome OS has come a long way since its inception, and features like these are just an example of the platform’s evolution. It also comes with Google Assistant built-in. For those unaware, Assistant is one of the smartest virtual assistants going around and can be found in devices like the Pixel, Google Home, etc.

The Pixelbook comes with a 12.3-inch 360-degree touchscreen display, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, the 7th gen Intel Core i5 processor, and a long-lasting battery. The company claims that this can last 10 hours on a full charge, which is impressive for a notebook. Further, 15 minutes of charging can help you eke out nearly 2 hours of usage from the Pixelbook. So it’s clear that the device is a hard laptop to beat right now.

Pros and Cons

One of the significant advantages of the Pixelbook is that it’s a Google product. This means that it will be the first to receive the latest Chrome OS updates. Think of this as a Pixel/Nexus among Chromebooks. While Chrome OS updates generally don’t take time, since Google has a stake in the sales of this particular device, the chances are that it will take better care of Pixelbook customers. The design of the Pixelbook deserves a special mention as well, especially the silicone palm rests, which is an interesting design choice. We have nothing to complain about with the Pixelbook. Perhaps the pricing of the device could be a con here since the current price is quite high. However, going by customer reviews that we found online, it’s evident that the price tag of the Pixelbook is wholly justified.

Pricing

The Pixelbook will set you back almost a thousand dollars while the Pixelbook Pen will cost you a little more. However, Amazon currently has a sale right now where you can get both the Pixelbook and the Pixelbook Pen for a fair price. So you’re saving on this particular bundle. Be sure to get them both together for the ultimate Pixelbook experience.

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Samsung Chromebook Pro

Features

This can be considered a cost effective alternative to the Pixelbook. It comes with pretty much the same hardware, but for almost half the price. However, not everything is the same here, and you will find some key differences that might sway you in favor of either device. To start with, the Chromebook Pro comes with a 12.3-inch 2400 x 1600 resolution touchscreen display. It comes with 32GB of internal storage accompanied by 4GB of RAM. An Intel Core M3 6Y30 processor is running the show here, so performance is expectedly moderate.

Pros and Cons

Much like the Pixelbook, the Chromebook Pro by Samsung is also touch-enabled. This prompted Samsung to offer the S Pen stylus along with the notebook. This is the same stylus that we can see on the Samsung Galaxy Note range of flagships. The touchscreen is incredibly responsive to the stylus, and it’s good to see both complementing each other very well. The extremely portable and flexible nature of the device enables users to flip the display completely, making it appear like a tablet more than a laptop. It weighs just a smidge over a kilogram, making it a light notebook overall.

The device, however, is not without its issues. I’m not sure if it’s cost cutting or just badly produced, but the keyboard on the Chromebook Pro is pretty average, especially in comparison with the Pixelbook. Given that the keyboard is one of the essential features of a notebook, we feel this is a massive letdown. Barring this, the overall build quality is also somewhat subpar. This is one of the key problems with a polycarbonate body. While it’s incredibly durable in the long run, it looks pretty cheap and flimsy.

Pricing

This is perhaps one of the strong suits of the Chromebook Pro. This is significantly cheaper than the Pixelbook. However, it’s important to remember that the Pixelbook has a handful of features that the Chromebook Pro doesn’t. It ultimately comes down to the customers and what they want from their Chromebook.

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Google Pixelbook vs. Samsung Chromebook Pro Best Chromebook Comparison Verdict

From what I can tell, there’s only one winner here. And that’s the Google Pixelbook. The design, the keyboard, the display, the Pixelbook Pen, and so on, the device doesn’t fail to impress. Also, add the promise of the latest updates and continual support from Google through its life cycle, and it’s a pretty tough combination to beat.

So in what universe would someone consider getting the Chromebook Pro? Well, if some of the big features don’t matter to you, and if you want to save money with your next laptop purchase. In these events, we strongly recommend getting the Chromebook Pro. Despite some of its flaws, the device isn’t all that bad. But if you do have the finances, we suggest going with the Pixelbook. It’s a newer device and is likely to last longer in the industry than the Chromebook Pro. Remember that both notebooks are compatible with the Play Store. This means you can run standard Android apps and games on your Chromebook regardless of which device you get. If this is a feature you’re looking for in your next notebook, perhaps it makes sense to stick with the cheaper alternative.