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.

I was initially very excited to get my hands on the Google Pixel Slate. I'm a bit of a google fanboy and love the hardware design of google products. I got a chance to use the Slate that comes with the Intel I5 processor, 8 GB of ram and 128 GB of storage. These are powerful laptop specs.. in a tablet / chromebook hybrid. This setup should have almost no problem running most android apps on the google play store. But half the apps I downloaded from the Google play store had lag or just look awful on the gorgeous Pixel Slate screen. Most apps on the play store are designed for Android phones and they don't play well with the Pixel Slate screen. I love that google has given us the option to download android apps onto chromebooks but the play store is a mess and let's be honest. Tablet support for Android by software developers is almost non existent. Many of the apps are windowed and do not support the keyboard, which for me makes for an awkward experience when using this tablet in keyboard / laptop mode. You can argue that you can use it as a tablet and remove the keyboard but the pixel slate is HUGE, and trying to play games or type on the screen in tablet mode is cumbersome. The pixel slate is frankly just too big to hold in one hand and free up your other hand for swiping. That being said.. I don't quite understand why Google decided to make this years Pixel"book" into a "Slate". I find myself only using it with the Google Slate Keyboard attached. Google should have included the keyboard with the slate from the get go. Now as far as chromebooks.. this powerful setup can't really do anything that a lower end Chromebook can. I tried connecting an sd card to transfer my photos and videos i took with a mirrorless camera and the whole process was really laggy and buggy. There is absolutely no reason an app from the google play store or a video I recorded onto an sd card should lag during playback on this device. It has an Intel i5!! and 8 GB of ram! Perhaps google can fix many of the issues over time with software updates, and maybe just maybe software developers will polish apps and software for chromebooks and the google play store for tablet use. But do you really need to spend this much on hardware when the software does not take advantage of all the power under the hood of the pixel slate? The screen is gorgeous, and movies, photos, art all look great on the screen. Audio is crisp, and full. Not as loud as I was expecting but it sounds great. I find myself only using the Pixel Slate to browse the web or watch a movie on netflix. This is a product for Google Fanyboys such as myself. It's hard to recommend this product to a student or working professional who wants to edit photos and videos or paint a gallery worthy piece of art on this even though it is beautiful to look at. Pros: Large Beautiful Display Dual Front Firing Speakers that sound good Dual USB C ports for charging or accesories Powerful, fast and long battery life Cons: Software needs alot of work still. App devolopers neglect this platform.

I'll start off by saying I've owned Google products for many years from their phones, tablets, wifi routers, etc. and, being a tech geek, appreciate most things they design and develop. That being said, I was excited to see what they had in store for the update to the Pixelbook which I thought was a great design. The immediate difference I noticed out of the box was the Pixel Slate's sleekness; it's not as square as the Pixelbook and definitely much lighter without the keyboard attached, almost a full pound less. It still feels durable and comfortable to hold. The bezel is also not as prominent in the Slate and the edges are rounded instead of square. Another change from the Pixelbook to the Slate I really like is the front firing speakers built into the bezel. I'm pleased they added the fingerprint unlock/power option on the top of the Slate as I would get frustrated having to have my phone around to unlock the Pixelbook or entering my PIN/password. The fingerprint reader is not only convenient but it is also very responsive. Speaking of responsiveness, after charging and booting up, the Slate handled tasks with ease and the browsing and finger scrolling felt very smooth. You will also notice in the pictures how much more compact the Slate is compared to the Pixelbook. You'll notice the bezel and keyboard aren't as bulky but the Slate provides the same screen size with slightly better quality. The Slate does NOT have a headphone jack so you'll need to rely on either wireless headphones or use the included USB-C adapter which will take up one of the two USB-C ports. On the bottom of the tablet is the connector for the wireless keyboard which is not provided. After I synced my Google account, it automatically started downloading my apps and setting up my device with how I had my other Google devices set up. Perhaps the best upgrade to the Slate is simply the option to remove the keyboard; that, to me, is the game changer, especially for the weight difference if you don't have much need to type. My opinion is the mid-range Slate specs with the i5 processor, 8 GB RAM and 128 GB of storage is a happy medium for everyday users. I also recommend considering the optional keyboard not only to type much easier but also for the protection it provides. The pen is also a great option for drafting, drawing and writing. The Pixel Slate is just another reminder why I continue to remain a fan of all things Google.

The Pixel Slate is an extremely premium device, but a couple big flaws really hold it back. First, the tablet is very thin. I was very impressed with just how sleek it looks and feels. I’m not certain what it’s made out of (some kind of coated metal?), but it feels very sturdy. The screen is beautiful and resist fingerprints surprisingly well. After a couple days of use, I’d normally be reaching for my screen cleaner at this point, but I see barely any fingerprints at all on this screen. The screen is vibrant and sharp, and consuming media on this device is a joy. The tablet comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. My personal opinion is that 8GB of RAM is total overkill for a Chromebook. Unless you simultaneously have 100+ browser tabs open or are running some seriously intense Linux application, there really isn’t any call for this much RAM. This may change in the future though. It has two USB type-C ports, and either one can be used for charging. There are NO traditional USB type-A ports or mini/micro USB ports. There are also no headphone ports, but the computer does come with a USB type-C to AUX cable. My BIGGEST complaint about this tablet is the lack of an SD or micro-SD port to expand the onboard storage. Chrome OS has progressed beautifully over the past three years and is now ready to serve as a full-time operating system for many users (not Gamers though). That being said, so many Chromebooks are hamstrung by paltry internal storage. 128GB is extremely generous compared to most Chromebooks, but without a micro-SD card to store offline media (i.e. documents, pictures, music, and videos) this will still fill up quickly. Sure, Chrome OS and Google encourage you to use Google’s cloud storage, but what happens when you find yourself without a decent internet connection? It’s not convenient, but you’ll probably want to have a USB type-C flash drive on hand to store most of your offline content. Yes, it will jut out uncomfortably, but it will at least allow you to function when you find yourself without an internet connection. I had only one real concern about the built quality, and it wasn't about the tablet itself. The charging cable that came with my tablet had a little "kink" in it, and the charger itself gets uncomfortably hot when charging. I'll probably swap this out for a 3rd party charger down the road. Setting up the device took longer than anticipated. Maybe it’s because Google just released a major update, or maybe it’s because I was setting it up on a coffee shop’s WiFi, but the “5 Minutes” it cited to get updated and running was actually closer to 15. I was pleasantly surprised when my apps from my old Chromebook started auto-installing on this new device. Not having to hunt around the Play Store to find things is appreciated. I would absolutely recommend this device for general media consumption, entertainment, and light productivity on the go; but I would not recommend this device as your primary computer. Chrome OS has come a long way, but the storage issue holds this tablet back too much.

The google pixel slate is hot. I like the sleek round corners, speaker placement and clear picture. If you are a fan of google, this is the ultimate tablet. For simple and complex assignments. You can turn this into a desktop and be stationed for anything. The pixel imprint lets you use your finger to sign in. Tons of apps and great storage. cameras decent but don't use it specifically for that or you might be disappointed.

The Pixel Slate is a great step in the right direction when it comes to Chrome OS hybrid tablet/laptop alternatives. I found the Chrome OS interface a bit confusing and does require some time to learn the functionality of the OS... I didn't find it to be as fluid as other interface like Android and PadOS then again this is truly a hybrid OS. Be prepared for a learning curve that is very achievable. The built quality is top notch with a high quality look and feel. Display is a high res (comparable to the iPad Retina display), speakers are much better than the iPad Pro (I believe there's a dual setup on the Pixel), battery life is up to par with comparable devices (10-11 hours with my prefer settings). 128GB is enough to download plenty of movies ahead of time for long trips/getaways. WiFi speeds are very fast (would be better if it had an LTE option as well). I truly believe the Pixel Slate is a great entertainment tablet, productivity can be done but it will also require a bit of an adjustment. Sadly, the keyboard ($199) and pen ($99) are separate and third party accessories are hard to come by. Overall, if you're invested in the Google ecosystem, this is the perfect iPad Pro substitute. Thanks.

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).

For the most part tablet’s have not been too successful on being productivity machines. Most of the usage has either been media consumption, gaming or ebook reading. The hardware has been there to support the productivity side but the software has always been the Achilles heel. So does the Pixel Slate finally accomplished this in a way yes but no. Hardware & Performance: When it comes to the Pixel line Google does not disappoint. Just as nice looking and premium feeling the Pixel Book was the Pixel Slate is just as well. It’s a huge device that as a tablet can sometimes be a burden to be held due to being on the heavier side. The screen comes in at 12.3 with some slightly bigger bezels compared to the competition. It’s a gorgeous 3:2 aspect ratio LCD display that it’s a joy to use when getting some work done to just sitting back and enjoying some Netflix. It’s a very sharp crisp display with colors that pop. To me, the display reminds me of the Samsung Chromebook Pro which at that time was the best display on a Chromebook device. The screen is also pressure sensitive to support the new Pixel Slate Pen. When it comes to drawing even with the latest update I still experience some lag. I will say it’s much better now compared to the previous update. Besides drawing the pen can also be used to capture the screen, laser pointer, create a note and bring up the Google Assistant or magnifying glass. Those bezels are slightly bigger due to the front-firing stereo speakers and so far I must say the best so far on a tablet device. They’re loud with some bass that the missing 3.5mm jack will sting less. It is a disappointment for a tablet not to include a 3.5mm jack but Google does include a USB C dongle to use with your favorite pair of headphones. For I/O the Pixel Slate does have x2 USB C ports one on each side that both are capable of charging your device. Since it’s running Chrome OS 99.9% of the stuff you plugged in from portable drives, keyboards or game controllers the Pixel Slate will recognize them. Unfortunately, there’s no expandable storage via micro SD slot. I was more disappointed about the missing SD slot than I was about the 3.5mm jack. Even though you can plug in a portable drive I prefer to save a port for something else and not having a dongle sticking out especially if you’re traveling. It’s one less item to pack or lose. The hardware is top-notch that is driven by an 8th gen dual-core Intel i5-8200Y processor with Intel UHD Graphics 615, 8gb of Ram (16gb for the i7 model) and 128gb of storage (256gb for i7 model). It’s fanless CPU so you will not hear any fans at all. If you’re doing some heavy tasks like gaming, moving huge files or have a lot of open tabs in Chrome the bottom back of the Slate will get warm. On paper, this specs should translate to fast smooth hardware which is it does for 75% of the time. 25% of the time that it doesn’t shows that Google still has a lot of work to do to iron out the kinks. The battery is strong but still not at the iPad level. With the latest update, I have noticed my battery life has improved so there is room for improvement through optimization. Software: If I would have started my review before the Chrome 76 update it wouldn’t have been pretty. A lot of the problems lies in the tablet interface. Some of the issues, for example, the login page there was a long delay for the on-screen keyboard to show up. The animations from switching apps to the overview of the open apps were choppy. File transfer is another area that performance would take a hit. When I would transfer files from my phone to the Pixel Slate what I normally do while the files are being transferred I would browse the web or watch some YouTube. Things would start to stutter especially the audio. This has been an ongoing issue with the file manager since the Pixel Slate was released. It’s much better now compared to it just crashing before. Now, most of this stuff has been resolved on the Chrome 76 update. Before the update, I would hardly use the Pixel Slate has a tablet because of the performance issues. The only time I did use it as a tablet is when I was consuming media. With the new update, I do find myself using it more as a tablet now. But I still mainly prefer to use it with the Pixel Slate keyboard from Google due to the size. Productivity: When it comes to office work like working on documents it’s a very capable machine especially when you pair it with the Pixel Slate keyboard case. One of the things that I like about Chrome OS is how centers around your Google account. The file manager not only shows your local files but it shows your Google Drive files as well. It’s so easy to drag and drop files between your Google Drive and your internal storage or external storage devices. For the past year, I have been using the Google Docs suite. It’s so seamless to be able to work on a document have it saved on the cloud and pick it up from another device like your PC or mobile device and continue working on it. It’s not just limited to word documents you also have access to Google Sheets and Google Slides. If the Google suite is not your thing you have a full desktop-class browser available to you. Office 365 will run fine just as it would on a Windows device. You also have access to the app through the Google Play Store. Having a full desktop web browser is what differentiates the Pixel Slate from the competition. Websites that normally don’t work on mobile browsers you no longer have to switch over to your PC. When it comes to video editing is a different story. If you’re looking for a tablet to be able to edit videos this will not be it. There’s no good video editing software available on Chrome OS or the Play Store to take advantage of the hardware. This is one of the cons of the Chrome OS and Android is the lack of killer productivity apps for media creation. For office work and crunching numbers on workbooks, the Pixel Slate can handle it like a champ. Having support for a mouse at a system level is what helps the Pixel Slate be a productivity machine. Since it’s running Chrome OS it’s an excellent option for students going off to college. Media Consumption: Using it as a tablet it’s ok but given its size, you might want to invest in a case so you can prop it. Coming in at 12.3 it’s a huge tablet with some heft to it. Trust me, you don’t want to be holding this tablet when watching a movie or some YouTube for too long. When it comes to cases you have a couple of options available like I previously mentioned the Pixel Slate Keyboard Case or the G Type Bridge Keyboard. Now for just strictly case without the keyboard, the only option you have is the Incipio Carnaby Folio Case. I actually have this case and the only one available that provides much better protection than the Keyboard case and it gives you the ability to prop the device horizontal or vertical. Now the Pixel Keyboard case also allows you to prop the device. Having the Pixel Slate prop to watch some Netflix or YouTube to relax at the end of a long day is the way to go. This is when you start to appreciate the big display with the loud dual firing stereo speakers. Having a resolution of 3000x2000 pictures, movies come in crisp, lot’s of detail with vibrant colors. It has become my favorite media device for excellent sound and picture. Conclusion: The best way to describe the Pixel Slate is a 2in1 device with a detachable screen. With the Chrome 76 update, Google is getting closer to bridging that gap of a laptop and tablet hybrid system. The hardware is there it’s the software that needs to catch up. Chrome OS still not polish enough to be used strictly on tablet mode 100% of the time. Buying the Pixel to be used strictly as an Android tablet I wouldn’t recommend it. Even though you have access to the Play Store the majority of the Android Apps are not optimized for the tablet size screen. Games do play well but they still run better on a dedicated Android Tablet. The Pixel Slate is for the type of person that wants a productivity machine that can also provide some media consumption. If you used the Pixel Slate this way you won’t be disappointed. At the end of the day it boils down to what are your needs and if the Pixel Slate can meet most of those needs. For me, I knew it wasn't going to be perfect but it meets my needs as in office work and media consumption. Google has done an excellent job with the hardware but it still needs to provide the polish software that can advantage of it. If you take a look back at the early reviews to now the software has come a long way. At this current state, I can comfortably recommend it if you’re primary usage will be productivity. If what you want is an Android Tablet with the biggest screen you’re better off with a dedicated Android Tablet. Just as Google has proven on its Pixel phones that Android can provide a polish experience. I'm confident they can do the same with Chrome OS on a tablet device.

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.

This tablet is fast, very fast. I've seen several things online about it being sluggish, but that's not the case for me. It charges really fast, I mean really fast. It was completely dead when I got it out of the box, so I had to charge it. So within about 1.5 hours it was full and ready for use. Setup is easy, just sign into your Google account and you are good to go. It will start to download all of the apps you have on your other device, if you have other Android tablets or Chromebooks. It's a little bit heavier than I right it would be, but that's a good thing in this case. It feels really premium. The camera on the front is really nice, and really clear. This will be good very video chats or video recordings. DUO. Battery life send good so far, as I've been on it for a while now and it's barely moved about 3%. I suggest you buy the keyboard case for this, as it makes it more complete to me in my usage. Glad I gave the keyboard, because it turns it into the hybrid you will love. When you dock it, clears the screen and looks more like a computer or a regular Chromebook. Performance is really good on this model, (core i5 w/8gb RAM 128GB storage. I like that it has 2 type c ports, because I can hook an external monitor if I want to or use a USB hub if I need more ports. For now, this is a great tablet/Chromebook because it's very portable.

I found this tablet to be most useful for my needs with the keyboard that is sold separately, but in my opinion absolutely necessary. I am a teacher and utilize all of google's add ons (docs, drive, slides, email) which conveniently this product supports very well. This product was a match made in heaven for me. It is ultra portable but still has a premium quality feel to it, nothing cheap feeling to it. The casing is some type of metal and the tablet itself is quite thin. The midnight blue color is neat but I would prefer a mat black or dark gray, just a personal preference. Set up was a breeze after charging. I have previously owned another chrome product so it was mostly a matter of logging into my google account and I was ready to go. The screen quality is clear and sharp, much better looking than I had anticipated. I didn't have any issues with watching videos, they came through clear and vibrant. The glass has a fingerprint/smudge proof coating to it and it holds up quite nicely. Storage is larger than I would have expected for a tablet(128gb). I mainly use Google Drive so storage isn't a big deal for me but it is nice to have it if needed. I used multiple programs/windows at once and never had an lag. I noticed some people had complained about certain apps not working properly or seeing some type of software issues. I myself have not noticed any issues. I use this tablet with a keyboard just like a chromebook, basic laptop type usage and I absolutely love it. - charger can get hot at times so I prefered to charge it on a hot surface.

My expectations for this Tablet were not extremely high considering some previous reviews I had read regarding this tablet. I will start out by saying it blew my expectations out of the water. This tablet is great for someone who likes the android and google eco systems but wants desktop class internet browsing. It also does something a lot of other hybrids struggle with, it is good at both being a tablet and allowing desktop browsing when needed. Starting with the overall design of the tablet. It is made out of high quality materials but it is a fingerprint magnet. This is to be expected with most high end metals. It is very thin and the screen size is just right for traveling or commuting. There is not many buttons and ports on this tablet which I like because it is a simplistic design. It has to USB-c ports which is great so that one can be used for charging. There is no headphone jack but an adapter is included in the box. One of my favorite designs is the integrated finger print reader in the power/lock button. The speakers are decent sounding and face outward toward you. The only issue with this is if you hold it and cover the speakers it could cause an issue. The USB-C charging is a nice advantage and allows for quick charging. This laptop runs Chrome OS which I originally had mixed feelings about. However, after using for a while I really like this operating system. I love that you have the ability to use all of the android apps which are great for when you want to use this system as a dedicated tablet. The biggest disadvantage to other android tablets is that you are not able to use full desktop class browsing but that is not the case here. The chrome browser is the same and works just as well as it does on any other PC. I also like that this tablet has a dedicated file system which seems to work well. Overall, I highly recommend giving this tablet a good chance. I would also recommend buying the additional keyboard and PEN accessories which will make it much more usable. Since there is no way to upgrade this tablet I would recommend getting at least the 128GB model (reviewed here). This would make a great tablet for someone who does a lot of commuting or traveling and needs a business minded tablet that is also very portable.