Along with all the other Google announcements today, Google also introduced a laptop-tablet hybrid, the Pixel Slate, which runs on Chrome OS software. A massive improvement on their previous Pixel-C tablet that packs a wide range of features making it a legitimate contender for Windows Surface Pro and Apple iPad Pro.
The Pixel Slate has a 12.3-inch screen with 3000 x 2000mp resolution, making it one of the most pixel-dense tablets at 293 ppi, which Google claims as the highest in its class. It does beat out the 12-inch iPad Pro, the Surface Pro 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, all coming in at between 260 and 283 ppi.
The Slate is also very thin, at just 7mm, and weighs an impressively light 1.6 pounds, which is in the same range as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, although the Slate is not as wide or tall.
The Pixel Slate uses a low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) LED “Molecular Display” which uses less energy per pixel. Thus, allowing for a higher-resolution display without sacrificing battery life or size.
Leaning into the notion of a laptop-tablet, the Pixel Slate comes equipped with Intel’s latest Celeron or Core m3, i5 or i7 processors. Offering the power of a computer in a tablet device.
Google says they focused time and effort in ensuring the centre of balance is precisely in the middle of the device, making it easier to hold.
It also has front-facing speakers and a redesigned 8-megapixel camera that’s optimised for low light and video-calling. The front-facing camera has been dubbed the Duo camera offering a generous 190-degree field of view and 1.4-micron pixels.
The Pixel Slate has two USB-C ports, one on either side, capable of fast charging and 4K video output. No SD card slot and no 3.5mm headphone jack. The power button has a fingerprint scanner on it for faster login.
Google has designed a Pixel Slate keyboard to pair with the Slate tablet that features round backlit kets that Google claims allows for fewer mistakes while typing. It attaches magnetically to the tablet via a pogo pin connection and doubles as a cover for the tablet.
The Pixel Slate’s pricing will start at US$599 – not including the keyboard (US$199) or the previously released pen (US$99). Google has not announced the release date yet.
