14 DAY TRIAL // It’s been two years since Google introduced the Chromebook Pixel which, unlike most Chromebooks on the market, was a high-end affair.
The device came equipped with a high-resolution display, an advanced processor (for the standards of that time) and sold for the hefty price tag of $1,299 / €1,147.
Well it appears the inevitable will soon happen, as Google is getting ready to launch the next-gen Pixel.
Google confirms the new Pixel itself
Speaking at the Team Work 2015 event, Google’s own Renee Niemi confirmed a Pixel 2 model is indeed in the pipeline and will be coming soon, although she made it pretty clear that the laptop will arrive in limited quantities (as seen at OMG Chrome).
Following the path set up by its predecessor, the Pixel 2 will probably be aimed at developers, so we can only guess it will retain the high price tag.
As for specifications, they are still pretty fuzzy for the time being, but in all probability the Pixel 2 will retain the 12.85-inch display of the original and will bring to the table an advanced resolution. The laptop is also said to be benefiting from the new reversible Type-C USB ports.
This standard is expected to make attaching peripherals much easier and boost charging capabilities. On top of that, Type-C will bring about data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps.
What about internal architecture? It might be possible to see Google’s Chromebook Pixel 2 take advantage of an Intel Skylake chip. As we told you in an earlier report, such devices are expected to start shipping out to consumers in Q4 2015.
It’s interesting to note that just a week ago an Asian report came in claiming Google will finish the development of the next-gen Pixel in Q1 2015.
Could the Pixel 2 be a dual-boot device?
If that’s the case, we don’t really see Google waiting for Skylake in order to launch the device.
But strangely, the same report mentioned that the Pixel 2 is actually a dual-boot tablet/laptop affair.
In tablet mode, the hybrid should run Android, but when the keyboard gets snapped on, Chrome OS will take over.
In her talk, Renee Niemi doesn't mention anything about hybrids or dual-booting, so the Asian rumor is probably a little far-fetched, as Google is more likely to stick to the traditional form factor.
