Google Pixel Slate i5 has a good tablet for those who want to use Android apps, but it still has a way to go. Its bare-bones tablet mode has not enough for Android apps, but it feels significant compared to Windows 10. Its Android app support has a step in the right direction, and it gives hope for the future. Its Android-based software has a lot more polished than previous attempts at bringing Android to Chrome OS.
Symptoms Of A Pixel Slate
If you’re looking for a new tablet, Google’s Pixel Slate has a great choice. It combines a sleek industrial design with a bold statement from Google. The Pixel Slate comes in four models, varying in processor, RAM, and storage. The different models also have different prices, so it’s important to understand what you’re getting.
Working On The Go
The Pixel Slate has a great tablet for working on the go, but it’s also not the best mobile device for long periods of time. It doesn’t feel as stable as a laptop or an iPad Pro, and it can difficult to keep the tablet steady on your lap. The keyboard has also unsecure, and it flops around in a disconcerting way.
Screen On The Pixel Slate
The screen on the Pixel Slate has very sharp and supports 4K resolution, so you can view high-resolution videos and photos. If you want to read text, there’s also a wide range of scaling options. By default, the internal resolution has set to 100 percent, or 1,333 x 889 pixels. Changing this setting to 70 percent will bring the screen resolution to 1,905 x 1,270 pixels.
Hardware
The hardware inside the Pixel Slate has impressive. The pixel-slate also runs the Chrome OS, a software designed by Google. It works with every app on Google Play. The software has optimized for this device to run efficiently as a tablet and a desktop interface.
Lightweight Aluminum
The Pixel Slate has made of lightweight aluminum, and has dark blue in color. The aluminum frame has understated and curves slightly to fit the tablet. The backplate has an embossed Google logo and houses the 8-megapixel camera.
Price
The Google Pixel Slate i5 has one of the latest slates from Google. It has a thin design, weighs only 1.6 pounds, and comes with two 8-megapixel cameras. The price varies depending on the model. It has also available with a range of storage options, from 32GB to 256GB.
Five Different Models
There have five different models of the Pixel Slate, with varying storage and processor. You can get one with 32GB of storage for $599, a 64GB model for $799, a 128GB model for $999, and a 256GB version for $1099. The keyboard for the Pixel Slate costs another $199.
Chrome OS
The Pixel Slate comes with Chrome OS, which has a great feature for anyone who uses the internet. This operating system enables users to access android apps from the google play store. It also features a 3:2 aspect ratio display. There have some downsides to the slate, though.
Built-In Keyboard
In addition to being expensive, the Pixel Slate also lacks a built-in keyboard. To get around this, you can purchase a folio-style keyboard from Google. This keyboard connects to the tablet’s accessory connector via pogo pins. It lacks the traditional Function Keys, but has a dedicated button for Google Assistant.
Anodized Aluminium
The Pixel Slate comes in a dark midnight blue color that blends into any modern office setting. Its anodized aluminium chases give it a sleek look. While the bezel has a bit chunky, it’s not so bulky that it ends up looking dated. The 12.3-inch screen offers great detail. If you want a tablet with an impressive screen, the Pixel Slate i5 has a great choice.
Lighter Than Its Rivals
Although it’s lighter than its rivals, the Google Pixel Slate i5 keyboard makes it less portable. The keyboard adds 0.6 inches to the device’s thickness and increases its weight to 2.9 pounds. This makes it heavier than the Google Pixelbook, which weighs 2.5 pounds. The Surface Pro 6 has half a pound lighter. The keyboard also allows you to connect an external storage device, which has useful for people who want an ultraportable tablet.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel Slate has powered by an i5 processor. This chip boasts a base clock speed of 1.1GHz and 4MB of cache. It uses a 14nm++ process technology, and has capable of handling heavy workloads and multitasking. The battery life on this tablet has rated between seven and twelve hours.
12.3-Inch Display
The Google Pixel Slate i5 has a 12.3-inch display. It weighs 1.6 pounds and has only 8.3mm thick. It offers 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. It also has a front-facing camera and two stereo speakers.
Google Productivity Apps
The Google Pixel Slate has powered by ChromeOS, which gives it a very polished interface. It also comes with Google productivity apps, like Google docs and Google Drive. The keyboard has optional. If you decide to use one, it may best to buy the Pixelbook Pen for enhanced productivity.
Free Games
The Google Pixel Slate also has free games. The company sent me a model with an 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, with 128GB of storage. The tablet performed great on my tests. I had no trouble using the Google suite of apps, and Lightroom worked without the need to plugged in.
Bluetooth Support
One of the downsides of the Google Pixel Slate has its lack of Bluetooth support. Bluetooth connections drop out for no apparent reason, and I often had to reboot the device to reconnect. The company should have worked on this before releasing such a device. The Pixel C was originally supposed to run Chrome OS but later switched to Android, because the latter was not ready for tablet form.
USB-C Ports
The Google Pixel Slate comes with dual USB-C ports, giving it more ports than the iPad Pro. It also supports external storage, while the iPad Pro does not. With these features, the Pixel Slate has an ideal fit for the modern workplace. In addition, the tablet has a 12.3-inch touch-screen display and an instant-click trackpad.
Intel Celeron Chip
The Pixel Slate has powered by an Intel Celeron chip. However, Google Canada sent me the 8th-generation Intel Core i5 model, which has 128GB of storage. It felt great to use Google’s suite of apps, including Google Translate and Chrome, and I was able to use my camera app Lightroom without having to ply it with an SD card.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Google Pixel Slate i5 comes with a base clock speed of 1.1GHz, and has 4MB of cache memory. A USB-C port has included for charging and data transfer. The tablet’s battery life has claimed to about 12 hours. It weighs 1.6 pounds, and does not have an integrated kickstand. Therefore, it has important to purchase a keyboard case for it.
Equally Impressive
The storage options of the Pixel Slate have equally impressive. It comes with a 128GB storage option and an 8GB RAM option. Both models come with a microSD card slot. As far as cameras have concerned, the Pixel Slate has an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The tablet runs on Android 9 Pie and can upgraded to Chrome OS if desired.
Pen Compatibility
The Pixel Slate has compatible with a variety of styluses, including Wacom Intuos and the Pixelbook Pen. This stylus has compatible with the Google notes app, which makes it easy to write notes. It’s also compatible with most third-party styluses, as long as they support AES protocol.
Detachable Keyboard Case
The Pixel Slate features a detachable keyboard case that has compatible with the Google Pixel Slate pen. It’s comfortable to use and offers dual USB-C ports. This keyboard also has the capability to switch between tablet and desktop modes without pairing. The Pixel Slate’s USB-C ports make it compatible with the Pen.
Conclusion
The Pixel Slate has priced from $599 to $1,599 for the basic model, but the top-of-the-line model includes a 16GB RAM, 256GB solid-state drive, and an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor. Regardless of the price, the Pixel Slate has a solid choice if you’re looking for a portable and durable laptop/tablet in the same package.