Customer Ratings & Reviews

--HIGHLIGHTS— Beautiful 12.3 High Quality Display, Portable and Lightweight, Great for Watching Videos, 128 GB Flash Drive, Fingerprint Reader, Google Keyboard and Google Pen Compatible, USB-C port --SETUP-- Setup is as simple as charging it for a short time, turning it on, and then connecting to a Wi-Fi network. The next step is to create or sign on to a Google Account. Since I already have a Google account, my settings and data synced up immediately. There were some mandatory updates to the Chrome OS, the keyboard, and some of the Apps that needed to be immediately done but I was soon up and running. Included is a 45W power adapter with a USB C connector and a USB C charging cord. USB C is now the charging standard, so I appreciate the versatility that it affords by allowing one cord to charge multiple devices. The power adapter also has prongs that neatly fold into the body of the adapter which makes it great to take on the go. Using a phone power adapter will charge this device, but much slower than the included adapter but it is a nice option when travelling light is a priority. --DESIGN AND FEATURES— This tablet can be connected to the Google Keyboard which turns it into a Chrome notebook. The Keyboard uses magnets to hold it to the tablet. Another nice feature to using the Keyboard is that is doubles as a protective case for the Slate and the magnets help keep it in place. The keyboard needs a surface that is stable to stay upright. So, if you like to sit it on your lap, you will need to place it on something stable when typing or use it as a tablet. My legs do not provide enough stability to use the keyboard. When I use it in bed, and I have found that the mattress provides enough stability to use the keyboard. The battery charges fully in about 2 hours and lasts for about 10 hours. The 12.3 inch, high resolution screen looks amazing! One of the best features of this tablet is the big beautiful screen. It is exactly what I would expect at this price point and is great for watching videos. I used the following Apps and found the performance to be excellent: YouTube, Vudu, Netflix, HBO, and Hulu. The touch screen is very responsive and works well. It is also compatible with Google Pen if you want to use a powered stylus. They keyboard is functional and easy to use. The keys are nicely backlit and feature an ambient light sensor to trigger the illumination. The power button is also the fingerprint scanner. It scans prints accurately but can only be used to unlock the screen. The print scanner cannot be used to when it is off. When the device is powered on you must use your password or pin. I hope Google upgrades this feature in the future. The wireless adapter worked flawlessly and creates a strong, reliable connection. This tablet has nice sounding speakers with sound quality that is typical for a tablet. For critical listening I use headphones. --BUILD QUALITY AND APPEARANCE— The build quality of this tablet is excellent. It not only looks great, but is also light, and easy to handle despite its size. The color (called Midnight Blue) is has a shade of black/blue. --VERDICT— The Google Pixel Slate is for users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem that are willing to pay the premium price for a full-size tablet that can also be used as a compact Chrome notebook, when attached to the Google Keyboard. This hybrid notebook/tablet is expensive, but has a bright, beautiful screen that is great for watching videos and viewing pictures. M significant other takes it with her all over the house with her to watch videos.

The Pixel Slate has received a lot of slack since it's release and after some time using it I feel like it is not justified. Updates have made this device so much more stable and reliable compared to when it first launched. ( and yes, Google intends on supporting this product for software purposes ) The screen on this device.. wow.. I can't express how absolutely stunning this screen is. The colors and visuals just pop. This tablet is ideal for video streaming, games, photo editing and video editing. The colors are just amazing and I feel like this, along with the sharp, clear images it portrays, makes it ideal for all the above. The speakers are probably the best speakers I've ever heard on a tablet or even a laptop for that matter. You will have no issues watching movies, YouTube, streaming any content or music. These are high quality speakers. I'm amazed at how they are able to pack so much boom and power in them. I really enjoy the Google Ecosystem and how simplistic and streamlined this software is, especially if you are someone that utilizes all that Google offers like Play Music, Drive, Sheets, Keep, Photos and Messages. I think the best thing about the Google Ecosystem is how it can be a pick up and go with any phone. I own an Android, but I know if I had an iPhone Id be able to utilize all those apps and have them sync fine as well ( except messages for obvious reasons . ) The essential add-ons. The keyboard and pen.. First off.. This keyboard... the buttons, the tactical, the response, the comfort... It's going to be an absolute struggle trying to use any other keyboard due to the fact at how amazingly comfortable these circle keys are on the keyboard. The flexibility of the keyboard is great too. Whether you want to use it in tablet form, laptop form or even as a canvas to best utilize the Google pen, it offers an option for everything. The google pen is fluid and accurate to the touch on the screen. The overall hardware and performance of this product is premium and feels solid. The fingerprint sensor works great, the two USB C ports are convenient. I really cant pin point and specific flaws about this entire package. If you want the best of Android and Chrome OS together, than this is the product for you. If you work daily in the Google Ecosystem, frequent video calls using Duo for business or personal use, then this is really the total package for you.

I am really enjoying using this Pixel Slate. From the start I have been impressed. When unboxing the tablet, it was reminiscent of a competitor; very sleek but simple. The packaging was definitely something that was well thought out for this device. Out of the box, my only small complaint was that the Pixel Slate had 0 charge on the battery and it took about 30 minutes to come to life. Once it started charging, I completed the setup and it was fully charged after about two hours. I have used it now for about an hour or so a night for close to a week and I’m still at 20% which is very good. I did watch one movie on it as well and it didn’t do much to drain the battery. Unlocking the tablet with a fingerprint is great and works just about every attempt. I will remove and re-add my print to see if it improves but this has not caused any angst at all. It is very responsive to touch with your finger or the Pen accessory. I have the keyboard as well and it completes the experience. The google store has plenty of apps for the device, most of which are generally available on a multitude of platforms. The 12 inch screen is very crisp and is great for movie watching or goofing around with some games. I am also very impressed by the sound from the tablet. Before putting headphones on, just sitting there playing music was very enjoyable. The sound was crisp and clear, I believe this could be a laptop replacement if you don’t need to crunch video software or feel you must use other office products. Getting used to storing your data on the cloud is not difficult once you have it setup properly and have enough storage so that you are not concerned with having everything on a local hard drive. All in all, the Pixel Slate from Google is an excellent device with a screen large enough to watch movies, build spreadsheets but also light enough to take anywhere.

I was excited get this and set it up the way I need to see the experience. I've been using iPad Air 32gb for the past 4 years and there are plenty of things I love/hate about that... I've found myself working remote, traveling via airplane and on the road more and more lately, so a new tablet with the ability to take notes with on the go using a stylus/pen, with attached keyboard, large screen, and plenty of memory was just what I needed. When traveling, I'm always checking email, watching Netflix or Prime videos, listening to podcasts, etc... I wanted SOMETHING to replace my iPad and give me the ability to do all this when on the go. Setup and powering on was simple, I signed on with my existing google credentials and all of my settings synced up perfect. I opened chrome and it was refreshing to see all my bookmarks and pages setup the way I like and expect. I installed google drive and sheets, Netflix, Prime, etc... and started using this as my daily tablet. The first day out with it I found the power button/fingerprint reader only worked sometimes... not every time... I didn't like that. I really really liked the touch pad feature on the keyboard, super convenient! I wish my iPad had this! It is cumbersome to use the tablet as a "slate" to write notes on with the stylus....There is no easy way to fold up the keyboard to use it to write notes on by hand using the stylus and note taking apps... On top of that, it kept recognizing my hand resting on the tablet face as me trying to write, and when I was trying to write my notes while on sales calls... I ended up searching for a notebook and pen in my bag to quickly take the notes instead of trying to figure it out on the go. Screen responsiveness was fantastic, the screen itself is bright and clear. Hardware is high quality and it feels solid. When keyboard is attached, it functions great as a Chromebook/laptop. However, with keyboard removed, I'm not sure how to hold it correctly where it feels good in the hand, its almost too big to hold as a tablet, and about impossible to scribble notes on it using a stylus with keyboard attached. On a recent work trip, it functioned perfectly for Netflix, web browsing, and listening to music and podcasts while flying... No issues whatsoever! Sound quality is great, resolution is perfect and the screen size is a big upgrade from my iPad.

I was upset when I read of Google’s decision to get out of the tablet business as I use tablets very extensively and find them quite convenient. I like the portability of a tablet over a full size laptop and I am a big fan of the Android operating system as well as Google’s ecosystem. I appreciate how I can interact with my other Android devices, like my Nexus 6P phone and my Shield TV. But when Google announced the Chromebooks were taking over this slot, I wasn’t really enthusiastic about it. I’d had some experience with Chromebooks in an educational environment (I worked as an IT consultant for education) and while they were a good solution for that market, they were still a ‘laptop’ in my mind and too bulky for what they offered. Great central management though. I started getting excited again when they introduced the Pixelbook though; this was the tablet I wanted with all of the features of a laptop and none of the bulk. I figured it was too good to be true. It's the "Goldilocks Promise - Not too much, not too little... Just enough! Until I got my hands on one. This is an elegant and powerful device. And for anyone invested in the Google platform, nothing comes close. I know we’re not supposed to talk about competitors in reviews, but it’s almost impossible not to conjure up comparisons to a certain convertible tablet that runs Windows. Let me save you some time; there is no comparison. The Pixelbook is superior. From the guided setup, to the first time you see the home screen everything is easy, straightforward and feels polished. It’s amazing how well information from your Google account is pulled in and populates your device. Between that and Chrome, most of the blanks are filled out for you already and you simply have to make a few choices and you're up and running. Some of my most important links and apps were already waiting for me on my homescreen. Others were available in a simple trip to the Play store. In the Chrome browser, not only were my necessary plugins instantly installed, but even my theme was ported over. That made hitting the ground running all that much quicker. And it even detected my Android phone; setting it up to be used as a smart unlock device as well as a network point of access. The Pixelbook is great for working anywhere - in fact I am writing this review in Google Docs now while I am in a waiting room for later upload - but you can’t overlook it as an entertainment device either. The screen is sharp and well lit and the sound is pretty impressive as well. Last night I watched an entire movie from my Google Play collection and it never felt like a compromise. And even better, I was watching it while laying in my chaise in my backyard. Sound was excellent for the size of the speaker in it but even if it wasn’t, Google thoughtfully provides a USB to ⅛” jack to plug in some headphones. This is not to say that there aren't some issues. For instance, when I did the initial set up, my Android phone was automatically detected and added for tethering, but I couldn’t get tethering to work consistently. It would connect, but it wouldn’t stay connected for long and I still need to research this a little deeper. ChromeOS takes a little getting used to with some of the settings buried in the menuing system, but you pick it up fast and there’s plenty of online resources to learn from as well as guidance within the OS itself. Also; accessory-wise, I think that while the Pixelbook Pen can be a very useful tool, it may not be for everyone and you should make sure you have applications and use cases for it before spending $99 on it. Would be nice if the case had some kind of loop or storage for it as well! But these are small issues in the larger context and some of them are simply subjective. Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the Pixelbook and compared to other platforms I have tried (including ones from a certain fruit logo’d company…) I think the performance and value are unbeatable for the price. The truth is, most of us don’t need a full fledged laptop even working mobile and Pixelbook more than fits the bill. In a business environment, ChromeOS can be centrally managed and maintained and is infinitely more secure than comparable options. You can do remote meetings with Duo and the GSuite for presentations, you can work on documents anywhere and with a mobile phone or cellular hotspot, your office can be anywhere. There’s been a lot of promises made in mobile computing, but based on my experience the Pixelbook has come closest to fulfilling those promises and does so at a reasonable price. I’d recommend it to anyone who needs more than a tablet and less than a laptop… which is a larger market than you might imagine.

Ignore the reviews from a year ago. This latest and least expensive edition of this device sports a full-on Intel i5. Gone is the Celeron, 16GB RAM & either 64GB or 128GB of onboard memory. The screen is amazing and the apps universally show no lag. The stylus is good and the keyboard, though a little wiggly in the lap, is still great for typing on a more-or-less even surface (even a bed). It is lightweight and runs Linux and Android flawlessly. What more could one ask from such a reasonably priced unit? (I did get this on Cyber Monday).

I had been wanting this for a while, so when it went on sale, I finally went ahead and ordered it. At first, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was working. I didn't seem to have any of the issues that other reviewers were having with theirs. There was a dent in one of the speaker grills which didn't seem to effect any functionality, but I was disappointed to see it. The sound quality was still pretty amazing! The I realized that you cannot install 3rd party android apps without enabling developer mode in Chrome OS which voids the warranty. This was a deal breaker for me as I had apps that I purchased on the amazon app store that I wanted on this device, but chrome OS wouldn't let me install them. It also left me wondering if I would be able to debug my android apps natively on this tablet (another reason I got this) which is another thing I was really looking forward to doing, but I never got around to trying it due to the other issues I started having with it. The tablet got quite warm while playing android apps, even ones that should not have been cpu intensive (like Words with Friends for example) and I'm guessing this is because android apps are generally not designed to work with an x86 architecture, so there was probably some ARM simulation going on in the background. After trying the tablet in "Night Light" mode which turns on a blue light filter so that the display is not as hard on your eyes, I started noticing that the screen was not nearly as responsive to touch input as it should be. It was nearly to the point that the tablet was unusable. This problem when away when I turned Night Light mode off. I have no idea why this would be, but it was really frustrating because I like having the blue light filter on. I thought maybe these issues might be ironed out with future updates, but then I found out that Google has an End of Life policy in place for all chromebooks. It's called their auto update policy which can be found here https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en along with a list of all chromebooks and their end of life date. Being that I have a couple of computers that are 7-8 years old and are still running great and getting updates, I can't imagine having a computer that is obsolete after just 5 years, especially when all the bugs have not even been dealt with yet. That being said, I am probably never going to get a chromebook again, not because I don't thing the hardware is good and I like the simplicity to the OS, but I need something that is going to keep getting updates as long as it is working. I am really happy with the support I got from Best Buy on these issues. I ultimately ended up returning the tablet, and there were literally no questions asked. Excellent customer service!

This is a really nice piece of hardware. It feels good in the hands and doesn't weigh to much. The battery seems to last pretty long, but i haven't actually tested how long. The thing i think that makes it better than the Surface pro is the standby. I left it for almost a week when I went on vacation. When I came home it was still at 80% . I don't use it for much, but it has handled everything I've needed it to do. The Google made keyboard works great also. It is a little floppy to use as a cover when carrying it, but otherwise it works really well.

There’s a lot I like about the Pixel Slate. The display, for one, is exceptional. System performance is better than average, and battery life thus far has been outstanding. After listening to music and YouTube videos, as well as Netflix and Sling TV, for me the speakers are quite good, too. Setting up the Slate to a full running status took about 15 minutes. As soon as I connected power to the unit – initially to ensure a full charge – it automatically walked me through the setup process. I’ve been a Google user for years, so all I had to do was authenticate who I was using my Google credentials, and everything was smooth and painless after that. The setup process included adding my fingerprints using the Slate’s fingerprint sensor (the sensor is the Slate’s power button), a step that took only a couple of minutes. After adding two fingerprints to the system, the setup process was nearly complete. While the Slate is typically sold without a keyboard or pen, I have both accessories. Once the keyboard was connected to the Slate (the keyboard comes with powerful magnets that connect to the underside of the tablet), the Slate immediately initiated a software update for the keyboard. Not too long after, the update was done. The Slate comes with 8gb of ram and 128gb of storage, two USB-type C ports, and has a 12.3” display. It also has rear- and forward-facing cameras. Since the unit doesn’t have a port for wired headphones, the Slate comes with a USB type-C adapter for wired headphones. The Slate supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, thus letting you connect your devices (like headphones) to it wirelessly. As a long-time user of Google products, I’m very comfortable with the Slate’s working environment. While 128gb of storage isn’t a lot based on today’s standards, it works fine for me. That’s because I use local storage only as temporary storage. All documents I keep for long-term storage are copied to my Google Cloud Drive. Photos are, in turn, saved to the Google Photos Cloud service. If you manage your documents well, 128gb will last you a long time. The Slate, with or without keyboard, feels nice and solid in my hands. The materials used on the outside of the Slate don’t have that slippery “I’m-going-to-drop-the-unit” feel that I’ve encountered before. I use Google Assistant for everything in my daily life and the Slate has it built in as a core feature. I use the Assistant for many functions, including sending texts, making phone calls, turning on/off lights, unlocking doors, and much more. I tested out a good number of Google apps on the Slate, including GMail, Messages, Messages for Web, Duo, Photos, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Chrome, and more. I even cast a YouTube video to my TV. All worked exceptionally well. I also used the Slate to stream Sling TV and Netflix. No problems there either. I have my two printers at home that are registered with Google Cloud Print, so printing was effortless. Authenticating my Google credentials on the Slate was adequate to make both printers known and available. I have over 30 Android apps installed on the Slate and tried running most of them. Unfortunately, some of them - including Facebook, Instagram, and Audible – failed to run. This wasn’t a crisis for me because I have shortcut links to the browser versions of these programs where they ran just fine. All in all, I like the Pixel Slate. It’s portable, feels solid, and it does everything I need it to do. Both the keyboard and pen feel good in my hands, and even the bouncy feel when it’s sitting on my lap isn’t a showstopper. The touch screen was perfect, whether using it in conjunction with the keyboard or as a standalone tablet. The Slate is not a Windows system, so it’s not going to run every app you might run on your Windows desktop or laptop. For me, however, it does a quality job of running the apps I need it to run.

This is my first chrome OS device but I am not new to the Google echo system. This Slate is an impressive tablet it is light, thin, fells sturdy and very well made. Setting this baby up is simple sign in with your Gmail and follow the few other steps. The power button is an actual fingerprint reader which is pretty cool and works very well. This Slate comes with the Intel i5 processor, 8 GB of ram and 128 GB of storage, which is not something you will find in a regular tablet, this specs looks closer to the laptop realm. There is a USBC connector on each side of the table in which can be used for charging and the other you can connect the included headphone jack adapter. My impression with the Chrome OS felt very familiar from Android OS, it was easy to use no rocket since needed. Apps ran exceptionally well with no crashes to report. Most of the daily google apps that I currently use “Gmail, Calendar, Chrome, Docs” were on point. Now I used this device to play one of my favorite games on a larger screen, it makes a big difference. The display is very bright and clear, the colors were vivid and it was very responsive to the touch. Watching videos on it was very pleasing. With a great display you also get front firing speakers which sound exceptionally well. Finally, a tablet with sound that comes from the front and not the side. You are not only limited to watch your favorited videos on the device but you can also cast them to either GoogleTV, or Chromcast that are connected on the same network. There are two 8mp cameras one on the front the other one in the back, I don’t see myself taking lots of picture with it as the device is too big for that in my opinion but, the quality of the picture is pretty good. The front facing camera is perfect for video calling, if you use Google Duo you will see yourself using it a lot on this device as you get quality video, and clear sound due to those front firing speakers. What makes this tablet shine is when you attached the not included Google keyboard ($199) the tablet transforms into a laptop like device. The keyboard with rounded keys feels great to type and it can be lit in the dark, and it also has a mouse pad. The keyboard not only protect your device but you can actually sit it on your lap and use it like a laptop, not the best position to use it but it can be done. This review was typed using the Slate and Google Keyboard. There also a pixel pen ($99) you can use with this device, I did try it and it works well and is very accurate, but I am not the type of artist person who will definitely use this. Now, if you need to sign documents digitally is much better signing with this pen than with your fingers. Two things I didn’t like about the pen is there’s not place to store it but on the magnetic back of the keyboard cover which make it a very awkward, and it does not have rechargeable battery. Over all this is a great device competing in the laptop realm, it has great battery life, is portable, compatible with millions of apps, great for entertainment, and can also get the work done when paired with the not included keyboard. Some may not like the price ($999) and adding the keyboard ($199) will make it even higher, but in the other hand this is not an average tablet. If you’re in the Google echo system you don’t need to look any further you will love this device. All your Google apps running on a Google Os with Google hardware with no blot ware or third party add on, it can’t get better than that.

Good specs, very good hardware, easy to use OS. Unlimited possibilities... This Pixel Slate from Google is a very remarkable device (as usual). It looks like Google releases some devices for people who want to go beyond the average stuff and check what technology can offer. Slate is really well built. With available accessories, it can turn into a Chromebook laptop. Offering very good experience in everyday use. Nice Keyboard, accurate pen, Sharp wide screen, long lasting battery and very efficient operating system. While the price is not the best part of the deal, what you get for what you pay is the best deal. Slate processor is very capable (running Linux and android apps with no problem). I already have google Pixelbook for long time now. I really love it but it can't beat the tablet mode the Slate is. Also, it has some issues running some android apps and some other apps are not available at all. The Slate has longer lasting battery, less weight and slimmer profile with 2 cameras available. Detachable (accessory) keyboard. WiFi is not bad at all. No complains. Getting good coverage in all the places where I use my devices. Talking Camera, the Cameras on the Slate are just amazing. I'd say more than what you really need on a Tablet/Laptop. Connectivity might be an issue for some people... I already got over it with the Chromebook by buying USB-C hub that has multi possible connectors (including HDMI) that solved all needs. Back to the Slate. Battery is lasting about 9 hours so far (says 30% left) with light to medium use including web browsing, documents editing, Youtube, Skype and some PCB design (Linux). It is holding well through the day. The speakers on the front are kind of enough (for my application). Some people complaint about them being not loud enough. The stereo sound is really good. I like it. I played some songs and music (from WEB) and they run fine through the speakers. I tried some android games that not available in Chromebook, they work fine and fast. No problem at all running on Intel i5 processor. The RAM capacity is 8GB. Well, it is not bad for Chrome OS but I've had some ACER chromebook with 16GB RAM. Do I see any difference in usage? No! It is just the numbers that we like or don't like. Tracking resources with Cog, I noticed that there is always about 1GB RAM free no matter what is running there. With many tabs and programs running, I felt some lag but I was really pushing it to the limits. Talking pushing it to the limits, I'd say the CPU heated up a little when running GIMP (under Linux) then it slowed down a little. Still, I was capable to do the job just fine. Who should buy Slate? Well, I use Google for very long time now. I have several Chromebooks (first release) and I feel very comfortable with it. I can do all my tasks on Chrome OS. I use Windows from time to time to play some games or some programs that don't run well on Linux (and some Windows only work programs). I'd suggest you try Google Chrome on your windows computer. Try and see if you can do most of your daily tasks using it... If so, get a Chrome OS machine. Looking for the best, get a Google product. Looking light weight, good battery and good performance? Get the Pixel Slate... I recommend also getting the accessories, at least the Keyboard for better performance and easier typing.

I'm all in on Google. I have multiple gmail accounts and devices, and subscribe to multiple premium services. If there was an ultimate subscription service that combined all of the premium options in one monthly payment, I'd be the first to sign up. That being said, I'm still trying to figure out how the Pixel Slate is supposed to fit into my life. Pro's: After I got the device powered on, setup was a breeze. I signed in with my primary gmail account and it automatically loaded up my chrome extensions that I use on my desktop. It even recognized my Pixel 3 phone without prompting and after I gave it permission it allowed a seamless instant tether for when I'm out and about and need data. Downloading new apps was as easy as opening up the Play store. The Pixel Slate on paper is everything I want out of a tablet running, a mobile OS with a full featured desktop chrome browser. I spend most of my free computer time in a chrome browser, so access to all the extensions that I'm used to is a must if I'm to do any serious browsing on this. I love the integration of the fingerprint reader into the power button, and think it's a really inspired design choice. The 2 USB-C sockets are great now that I've updated most of my gear to that standard. The screen is beautiful, and the sound coming off of the device was sufficient to hear over the sound of the kitchen sink while I was doing dishes. Netflix, Plex, VRV, Youtube, and all the other entertainment apps that I subscribe to are all available, as well as games. Thankfully, some devs have stepped up in brining premium AAA games to Android, and the Slate's hardware is more than adequate to play these on. I'm excited for Google Stadia to launch, as this very well could be a gamechanger for portable gaming, especially if the Slate is up to the task. For added productivity, power users have the official option of installing linux, though it is in beta, if they really want to justify paying the premium on a laptop tablet hybrid that you can actually use for real heavy duty work. Cons: The initial unboxing and setup was a disaster. I removed the device from the packaging and pressed the power button nut nothing happened. Sometimes devices need to be powered on by holding the power button for a few seconds, so I tried a 5 second press and hold, but it did nothing. I tried a 10 second, and nothing. I did a 30 second and still nothing. Frustrated, I tried Googling "pixel slate won't power on" and found a concerning number of other people having the same problem. The quick setup card said it would have sufficient charge out of the box, but just in case I decided to plug it in. The charging indicator lit up amber, flashed twice, then went out. This didn't look very promising. I ensured the outlet was good, then tried plugging the tablet back in. Again, amber lights flashed then went out. Another google search suggested doing a "hard reset" by holding the volume and power buttons for 10 seconds. Someone else suggested leaving it plugged in even though it didn't seem to be charging. I tried both, and left everything for a couple hours while I stewed, contemplating calling up Google to initiate the RMA process. After gathering the box and packaging materials, I tried one more time to see if it'd work and finally it turned on. A less patient person would have given up much earlier. Once everything is finished being set up, the UI is really confusing to use. Some icons open apps, while others open a website in chrome. I get that everything is an app or a website these days (and usually the apps are just fancy, less useful wrappers for the website anyways), but if I wanted to go to a website, I'd just type in the url or click a bookmark. Also, the mishmash of desktop design elements and mobile OS choices is frustrating. The button that you normally find the start button opens the assistant, whereas to see your apps you swipe up a few times, since swiping up once also seems to bring up the assistant. The lack of task manager or any sort of real diagnostic check makes fixing any issues with the few apps available impossible outside of a reset, which even then doesn't always fix the problem. I was trying to use the Play Store to find some new apps to download, and instead of opening up the app, the icon sat in the "taskbar" with a spinning wheel over it, and wouldn't do anything until after a system restart. This happened several times across a few different apps. Right clicking and closing the app did nothing, nor did any matter of swiping, swirling, tapping, holding, or deep pressing. Finally, this thing is HEAVY. Using it as a ebook reader, while super convenient thanks to Google Play Books (which sells ebooks, audiobooks, and comics and graphic novels which all look amazing on the Pixel Slate's screen), becomes a chore to just hold it up to eye level. The lack of a kickstand makes purchasing some sort of stand accessory or cover with built in stand absolutely necessary, unless you have abnormally powerful wrists. Summary: For the person that can do all their work in a browser and wants some apps to use as well, and is entrenched on the Google side of the mobile OS war, one would be hard pressed to find a finer piece of kit than the Pixel Slate. When combined with the Pixelbook pen and the keyboard cover, the experience can rival that of the Surface line of products. Once you need a certain application that requires Windows / (i)OSX, then lugging this black pancake-flat brick around is at best inconvenient and at worst completely unnecessary. I think my wife would the ideal candidate for this tablet, as she only uses Chrome, Netflix, and Plex on her laptop, and hasn't run anything else since she's had it (not even windows update, so I end up having to steal it from her every few months to install patches). It's also perfect for taking on vacation. In fact, she's already eyeing it and seeing if it fits in her current laptop's sleeve. The nice thing is that the Slate allows for multiple user profiles, as well as a guest sign in option, so I have no qualms about her "borrowing" it for a while without having to sign out of my email and other online accounts.

I have had iPads for years and have a Windows tablet, and I’ve found that it’s the form that I now prefer most. The Google Pixel Slate tablet is my first Chrome-based tablet and it’s fabulous. Sign in with your Google account and if you have other Chrome devices, it downloads updates and replicates your settings from the other device, if you have it set to sync properly. This one area of the Google ecosystem with Chromebooks that has traditionally been far better than Windows. In about 10 minutes, due to the updates downloading, my Pixel Slate was up and running just like my other Chromebook. You have some minimal logging in to do with the non-Google apps, but anything in Google’s ecosystem is available already. As far as the hardware, it’s premium. It’s very nice to hold and feels great, but be careful because it is very slick and you can drop it easily. The screen is super nice and extremely clear. The speakers sound great. I’ve done some streaming and everything loaded quickly and looked and sounded great. There was no log or buffering, so the hardware is up to par. The biggest way that the Pixel Slate excels over the traditional laptop computer Chromebooks is that it’s not nearly as heavy. My other Chromebook’s keyboard flips around so that you can go tablet mode with it. But it’s extremely heavy when trying to use that way and the added bulk of the keyboard is obvious. I end up using it in the traditional laptop mode all the time. With the Pixel Slate, I take it off the keyboard about 1/3 of the time. Speaking of the keyboard, I consider it a must have. It connects very securely at the connection point and the magnet on the back holds tight. You slide the cover on the back that has the magnet up and down to change the angle of the tablet. It’s simple, and I like it far better than the hinge type stands on some computers. I understand the hinge’s usefulness. If you don’t have the keyboard, it’s a built in stand. But without the hinge, the tablet looks much sleeker and it’s one less thing to break. The keyboard also acts as a protective cover. When closed, the magnet cover on the back covers the entire back and keyboard connect magnetically to the front of the Pixel Slate. Typing on it is also great and saves the entire screen for what you’re doing rather than blocking part for the on screen keyboard. I do have a few complaints. Even though it holds magnetically to the front of the slate, those magnets are not as strong as the one on the back. So the keyboard side slides when it’s closed. It’s also has a lot of give if you’re not typing on a solid surface, like a table. If you have it on your lap, it bends just a little as you type, especially in the middle. Neither of those things would make me say it’s not worth it. I still consider it a must have. But I worry about the wear over time, especially from the give while typing. But still a must have. The pen I’m not the biggest fan of for one reason. I was excited that I would be able to write words and numbers in some cases. I have found the recognition to be very bad. One example, I was writing “forever” and it came up with “f fuvvr” for whatever reason. I’ve tried make sure that I’m writing clearly and that the letters are close enough that it does not think I’m starting a new word, but it doesn’t matter. On the up side, I do like the integrated Google Assistant on the pen. It’s the reason to get the pen. You circle something on the screen and hold the button and a Google Assistant window pops up and gives suggestions and search results. I use that mostly in tablet mode. My biggest problem with the pen is that it has nowhere to attach on the tablet or even keyboard. So if you’re taking the Pixel Slate somewhere, you have to put it in a pocket or somewhere. Not the biggest deal, but I like the minimalism of the tablet in the keyboard and don’t want another case to carry it in. It would be great if it held magnetically to the tablet (which I actually tried touching it around everywhere hoping that someone thought of that). I even hoped it would stick to the keyboard cover since that has magnet, but it did not. Not a deal killer, but just an annoyance. Since I’m not an artist to draw with the pen, the poor handwriting recognition makes me not recommend the pen. I’d rate it 4 stars on its own. It’s nice to have and if it were included, that would be great. But I would not recommend it as a separate purchase unless you’re going to be drawing. So all around, I would recommend the Pixel Slate. I automatically go for it now and my other Chromebook is collecting dust and will probably end up being the kids’. As a set, I think that the tablet, keyboard and pen are great. They work well together and I like them all. But as a separate purchase, the keyboard is a must and the pen is not.

If you're a frequent user of Chrome browser and Google services like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Duo, etc... then the Pixel Slate could be an alternative to a full fledged computer or hefty Chromebook, especially with the recent drop in price. If you do a lot of inputting, though, then best to get the optional keyboard, in which case the Pixel Slate with keyboard lands in the same price range as higher end Chromebooks like the Google Pixelbook. PROs • Excellent screen resolution, though less saturated color than other tablets • Great sound from the small speakers • Battery lasts a full working day • You won’t miss a computer when working in Chrome browser, especially with Google services like Gmail, Photos, etc... • Has two USB-C ports so you can use external storage CONs • Heavier than I expected for a tablet. Would get tiring if you had to hold it a long time. Plus it runs warm when watching videos. • Sections of the screen flicker at times. I noticed this especially on infinite scroll pages like Quora and when watching live TV stream from my cable company. On YouTube and Netflix there was no flickering. • Touch input did not work on every web site. When I was in iCloud.com using the Notes app, only the touchpad on the optional keyboard was recognized, but I could not get the tablet to recognize touch. I don't know if there are other websites that would have the same issue, though all of the Google services worked fine. • The biggest con is when using Android apps. Maybe it depends on the developer, but Android apps don’t seem to take advantage of the larger screen. And in the case of my password manager, 1Password, it didn’t recognize the fingerprint sensor on the Slate and asked me to enter my password to open it. Nor did it autofill my passwords when using Chrome. With the reduced price of the Pixel Slate, I would recommend it if you work primarily in Chrome and especially in Google services, and if you get the optional keyboard. If you do, you will love the experience.

This review is based on using the tablet to surf, check email, stream, work inside the GSuite tools, video chat and play Andriod games. Overall this tablet does everything well, but really excels in both streaming and working in the Google ecosystem. In the box is the tablet, usb-c charger, 3.5 headphone adapter. To set up, remove from packaging, turn on. It does come partially charged, but to charge it fully took approximately an hour. When the battery is low, it takes just over 1.5 hrs to fully charge. The auto setup prompts will walk you through the system, starting with wifi, then moving on to logging into your Google account, done. There is also the option at boot up to setup the fingerprint sensor. You can then chose to go to the playstore to find your favorite Andriod apps to install. So far the only app I've found that doesn't play well on the Pixel Slate is Facebook. Out of the box you will notice that the display has impressive resolution, low reflection, and highly responsive. The Pixel Slate has a front and back camera, which integrate seamlessly into the Google Duo video calling app. The speakers are crisp and clear, with a wider range than most tablets this size. During voice calls, audio is clear and the people I called said my audio was clear and easy to understand. To use the tablet with Google Docs, Gmail, or anything else that required typing, I added in the external keyboard (not included) this made the tablet feel more like a chromebook. You can use the onscreen keyboard but it takes up some of the screen and found it cumbersome if having to type more than a few sentences (such as this review). The keyboard locks in with magnets, and also doubles as a cover / stand. When using the keyboard I found it to be lightweight, responsive, and was small yet had enough space so I wasn't hitting multiple keys. There is also the option to purchase a battery powered Pixel stylus pen to draw, sketch, write. It pairs seamlessly with the tablet and the response was 100% accurate, it doesn't have the lag, jitter, or slight bias that some pens give. Overall this tablet is wonderful for working with Google tools or streaming. I found that the GSuite of tools offered everything I needed to do basic daily tasks, and even some working from home needs such as spreadsheets. The experience is superb to Windows laptops since you don't have to deal with the bloatware or Microsoft office tools. Highly recommended!

Ever since Transformers came out in the 80s, I loved the idea that you buy a toy car and, after some manipulation, you also have a robot. This idea has been copied across many platforms because there is tremendous value in a product that has many uses. This Google Pixel Slate is one such device. It easily combines the usefulness of a consumable tablet, a business laptop, a 3k Tv with surround sound, and a drawing pad. What's most important is it's capability of doing everything well and seamlessly. With the purchase of the keyboard case and the stylus, this becomes a triple changer! The screen is bright and crisp at 6Mp (equivalent to a 3K TV screen) and the front firing speakers create a simulated surround that's believable. The user interface is just like an Android phone complete with Swype keyboard. It's lightweight, has great battery life (while still new), is thinner than my Xperia phone, and looks better than your average tablet (though it wouldn't hurt to allow customization like Google did with Moto). Both cameras capture light indoors far better than my windows tablets and on par with i-devices. My only issues are: 1- the lack of included accessories for the 2 usb-c ports (headphone adapter included) 2- keeping with Google trend by not offering a microSD slot for expansion 3- not having anywhere to store the Pen (magnetically or physically) That's it, not much in the way of issues thus far. The price is a bit high, though I suspect you get what you pay for.

I have had a Chromebook for about a year and have really enjoyed the Google ecosystem so I was excited to get this Slate to use more like a tablet when traveling or while watching tv. I did see some negative reviews online prior to receiving it but I think it is overall a really good device. The packaging like other Google products is simple and sharp. Unpacking this Slate was easy. It comes with a USB-C charger, very nice, long USB-C cable and a USB-C headphone adapter which is a nice touch. I love USB-C and am a big fan of a port that can do so much more than just charge a laptop. Once I got this charged, setting it up with my Google account was a breeze, they make it so easy. I was browsing the internet within minutes and web sites loaded quickly and looked great. I then watched some trailers on Youtube and was blown away by the sound! I could not believe the amazing, full sound was coming from this tablet. Really wild and the picture was amazing too. My next test was to pair it with my bluetooth keyboard and mouse and connect it to my Dell P2719HC monitor via USB-C. The keyboard and mouse worked perfectly, but my monitor was not detecting the Slate. it was able to power the device, but no picture. I Googled the issue and ended up in a chat with Google support. They had me try a USB-C hub and connect to the monitor via HDMI and it worked, but that is not a good option for me. I have 4 other laptops that have connected perfectly to this monitor, why won't the Slate? Google blamed Dell and from what I read online, Dell is blaming Google. Ridiculous. Although my main use for this tablet is not to use it like a computer, I am sure others will and they need to update their firmware. USB-C is a beautiful thing, get it working please. The other issue I have is with the Pixel Pen and the Google keyboard case that I reviewed separately. The Slate is a great device but its potential is really dragged down by its accessories. Shame. Overall, great tablet, definitely more useful and enjoyable than my iPad and wow, that sound!

So, I've had my tablet for a little over a week now. I've tried to do all the regular "stuff" I do from my home machine, like email, social media, news, videos, and gaming. eBay, too, as I sell there. Happy to say I could do just about everything, with one exception, eBay. First, the good stuff. I have an Android phone so have several games on there I play regularly. At least for the games I tried, I was able to play the same games on the tablet, too. And, my game stats crossed over fine, so I wasn't starting from scratch. Any place where I needed to 'type' a message worked fine. I do have to say the the keyboard was almost a requirement. You can get by without the keyboard, but then the virtual keyboard that pops up on the bottom of the screen eats up too much space at times. So, email and social was good. Since I have access to Google Drive and Photos, I was able to access anything previously created just fine. News and videos are just passive activities. At times I treated the tablet as a second screen, where a video played on the tablet while I was surfing on my laptop. Obviously the screen on a tablet looks better than a screen on a phone but... it is definitely smaller than that of a laptop (and your TV, too). Resolution was great though when watching Netflix (and YouTube). The biggest disappointment was trying to list items on eBay, from scratch. With the keyboard, you're able to create the text of the listings fine. However, if you're not just importing photos that were already taken, it seemed impractical to take photos with the Pixel. There just isn't a zoom in/out feature on the device. This made picture taking a little harder than expected. And, the camera is in the corner of the tablet so I occassionally placed my hand of the camera to hold the tablet. Yes, you have cameras facing both ways and a timer for self portraits w/o having to hold the tablet "far" away enough. I like my Pixel Slate and definitely will be using it more when a laptop is less convenient. I also like treating it as a second screen, albeit an independent one.

Ok first, yes it doesn't run windows (or mac). Now that's out of the way... I would be considered a "Google Fanboy", and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Starting with the initial chromebooks, to the Pixelbook, to now, the Slate. I've loved each of them. But, the slate to me is the best of the bunch. Why? Because it is so versatile. After all my stuff synced over via google - I had just under 100GB of storage left. Which for this ecosystem isn't bad at all. It doesn't support expandable storage. BUT, you can utilize "Drive" for more storage if it isn't enough for you. With it's super duper HD display, you can watch hd movies/youtube/etc in glee. The audio isn't bad either for a tablet/laptop. I love the fact that it runs linux (apparently a debian/ubuntu derivative). And I was off installing htop, and other utilities on it in no time. Though this feature is still "beta" it runs perfectly fine for me. Though, keep in mind we are just talking about "Linux via the command line" and not a full GUI. Or.. A GUI at all. With the optional Pixel Pen, I notice no lag at all in writing (it somehow makes my "M.D. Style" chicken-scratch look better)!! A button on the pen lets you queue up your google assistant. A very nice touch. The only "off" thing about the pen is the dependence on "AAAA" batteries (yes, quadruple A). Then there is the optional slate keyboard. It is very functional for what it provides. I would say it's comparable to its MS counterpart. Though, the size and weight of the device make it a bit "floppy" unless you have it on a sturdy desk (on your lap gets mixed results). HOWEVER. If all you have is the Slate itself, that is more than enough. The other two items are just luxuries. Having bigger hands, the size and weight of this device is perfect for me. Actually, much more convenient than the Pixelbook. There are usb-c charging ports on either side - which is very convenient. And an included usb-c to 3.5mm headphone plug. For those that need MS products, yes you can download MS Office apps via the google play store, or use the online versions. I've noticed no problem at all, and they work just like their pure versions per se. TLDR: This is a very capable device. It can be used as a high def multimedia system. A chromebook. A google play device. Or as a very functional business tablet (if there is such a category). Everything from the initial setup, to use is a breeze. And IMO, much better than any tablet on the market right now. And that includes ALL of the main players. Can't beat the 3.1 second boot time either! Is it worth the price? YES. A million times over!

The Google Slate is a great tablet. The screen is bright, videos are very clear and the sound is good even without the headphones. When moving between applications, the tablet is very responsive with no lag and the 128mb of memory is enough to load all of the applications I need. As an android tablet, this is definitely a step up from other tablets I’ve had in the past. I also have the keyboard, which makes a good case and makes it very portable to travel with.