WTF is a Googlebook? | Marques Brownlee

The Gist

Googlebook OS pairs Android app compatibility with desktop multitasking across a premium laptop lineup starting at $900, but its software maturity and pricing currently make it a tough sell.

Quick Overview

Googlebook OS is Google's brand new computer operating system designed for premium lightweight laptops manufactured by Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Operating between Chromebooks and traditional laptops, these machines start at $900 and scale up to $1,800, featuring high-end specs like up to 32GB of RAM, 2K+ touchscreen displays, and built-in Gemini features. However, limited desktop-class app optimization in the Play Store makes these first-generation machines difficult to recommend over established MacBook or Windows alternatives.

Key Points: Google entrusts five hardware partners to manufacture Googlebooks, including Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Hardware specifications across all models include 16GB to 32GB of RAM, 2K+ touchscreens, and a colorful LED lid indicator known as a light bar. The operating system, Googlebook OS, runs Android 17 underneath and provides full access to the Google Play Store for running Android applications. Gemini AI features are heavily integrated, including a magic pointer cursor for selecting screen elements and a semantic file search that locates files based on natural language descriptions. Pricing starts at $900 for the base Asus Googlebook and reaches up to $1,800 for high-end Dell configurations powered by Snapdragon X Elite chips. Play Store app compatibility varies widely, categorized by labels like made for desktop, optimized for desktop, and compatible with desktop, leaving many apps feeling like stretched mobile versions. The tested Asus Googlebook weighs under two pounds, includes a 1,000-nit OLED panel, and delivers multi-day battery life with full-size ports.

Context: With Windows experiencing shifts and traditional operating systems evolving, Google introduced Googlebook OS as a brand new category of computers aimed at providing Android phone users the same level of ecosystem continuity that Apple users experience with iPhones and Macs.