Google Pixel Slate: First renders and all the other leaks in one place
In this post, which will be updated regularly, we’ll be looking at the latest rumors surrounding the Google Pixel Slate.
Earlier this year, it became clear that Google would focus on bringing Chrome OS to the tablet form factor. We saw this set into action with the launch of the HP Chromebook X2 and Acer Chromebook Tab 10. As we quickly approach Google’s October 9 event, we have seen leaks of a new Chromebook from the search giant called the Pixel Slate. Here’s everything we know about the Google Pixel Slate based on leaks and rumors.
Google Pixel Slate: Design
The best look we’ve gotten at the Pixel Slate so far is the render at the top of this article. Using the photo, we get a pretty good look at the tablet’s display, backside, and left edge. While the tablet’s screen size hasn’t leaked yet, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine that this will come in around nine to 12 inches.
The Pixel Slate looks to sport two cameras which are located directly above the display and on the top right corner of the back of the device. These will likely be used by those who want to snap a quick picture or want to participate in a video chat. We still don’t know the specs of either camera.
At the top of the left edge, you will find a volume rocker, while a single USB-C port is located near the bottom of the tablet. While the leaked renders don’t show the right edge of the Pixel Slate, there does appear to be enough of an opening for another port. It’s not clear if this could be a headphone jack or another USB-C port.
Along the bottom of the tablet are several magnetic pogo pads for communicating with accessories. More on this below.
Lastly, the Pixel Slate appears to have a rather large power button on the top left corner of the device. There have been rumors that the tablet would have a fingerprint sensor to let users quickly log into the Chrome OS device, and 9to5Google was given the above graphic which potentially represents the Pixel Slate. If a fingerprint sensor is added in the top left button, the Pixel Slate would be the first Chrome OS device to offer biometric security.
What about accessories?
Our first real look at the Google Pixel Slate came from Brydge (via AboutChromebooks), a company that is known for making keyboard accessories for iPads and Surfaces. As you can see from the four images below, the accessory maker appears to be making an attachable keyboard that will allow the Pixel Slate to be used like a clamshell laptop and a standalone Bluetooth keyboard that matches the tablet’s blue colorway.
Most recently, though, some of Google’s accessories have since shown up online. Thanks to MySmartPrice and the search giant’s UK online store (via ChromeUnboxed), we have official-looking renders of a collapsible keyboard and a new Pixelbook Pen.
Starting with the keyboard, this accessory reminds us of the various keyboards Microsoft and Apple have released for the Surface computers and iPad Pros. In this case, the Google keyboard looks to magnetically connect to the rear of the tablet while it’s being stored, but then can be folded up in an origami fashion to prop up the tablet while in use. As there are metallic pogo pins located directly above the keyboard, it’s safe to assume that this is how keyboard and mouse inputs will be transferred to the tablet instead of being transmitted over Bluetooth.
As far as the new Pixelbook Pen, not much looks to be new, other than the matching blue option. Google will likely unveil at its event that the accessory has been updated to be more precise and or more user-friendly.
Google Pixel Slate: Specs
As with many smartphones, the Pixel Slate specs have appeared in Geekbench (via Phone Arena) well before the devices have been made official. Thanks to these benchmarks, it looks like Google might release up to four variants of the tablet.
Starting at the low-end, one version of the Pixel Slate will likely come running a 1.5GHz Intel Celeron 3965Y CPU and 8GB of RAM. From there, the benchmark identifies a 1.1 GHz Intel Core m3-8100Y that can be turboed up to 3.4 GHz with 8GB of RAM.
The last two models look to include a 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5-8200Y with a 3.9 GHz max turbo and 8GB of RAM and a Pixel Slate running an Intel Core i7-8500Y CPU and 16GB of RAM.
Additionally, code from the Chromium Gerrit has hinted for some time now that Google might bring Windows 10 support to its Chromebooks. One of the latest commits, which can be seen here, shows that the company is at least testing a dual-boot system for the Pixel Slate. While the Chrome OS machine most likely won’t have this feature when it’s launched, if Google does make dual booting available in the future, we know that it should be compatible with the Pixel Slate.
Google Pixel Slate: Price and availability
In September, we saw Best Buy accidentally sell someone a third-gen Chromecast. While it gave us our first look at the updated hardware, we also learned that the product was set to go on sale on October 9, most likely immediately following Google’s announcement.
Using this bit of information and assuming that Google will follow in its own footsteps, many of the products announced at this fall’s hardware event will either be made available for pre-order or purchase on Tuesday (October 9) or shortly after that. So unless the company delays the tablet, you should be able to get your hands on the Pixel Slate within a matter of days or weeks (depending on availability).
Unfortunately, we have yet to hear any details about the Google Pixel Slate’s price tag. Last year’s Pixelbook cost anywhere between $999 to $1,649 depending on the amount of storage and RAM that came in the laptop. As Google’s high-end hardware has routinely cost a premium, you can likely expect similar price tags for this tablet.
Read next: Everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 3
What do you think about the Google Pixel Slate? Do you think you will pick one of these Chrome OS tablets up for yourself? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2C3b0HF
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