Customer Ratings & Reviews

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.

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.

Appearance and Build Quality: The Pixel Slate is a sleek and beautiful device. The front is a nice 23.3” 3,000 x 2,000 resolution eye popping display. The bezels around the edge are fairly thin and really only there as a place to hold. The top of the screen you can see the 8mp “DUO Cam” as Google calls it. The rear is a midnight blue aluminum back with the Google “G” in the top left corner is an 8MP camera. It weight in at 1.6 lbs and is 0.3” thick. There is a power bottom on the top left speakers on the left and right side for stereo audio, volume controls and USB-C port are on the left, magnetic keyboard connector is on the bottom, another USB-C port on the right. Performance: I am not going to give a review of ChromeOS which is the operating system this tablet runs, as there are tons of other devices that run this OS as well. This is specifically about the Pixel Slate’s performance running ChromeOS. My unit is an i5/8GB/128SSD model. This is the middle spec for the tablet. At this spec, ChromeOS operated absolutely smooth and fluid. Webpages scroll without jitter, the UI navigates exceptionally well. I can have multiple apps and tabs open without the machine slowing down one bit. If you can live and operating in a “Google world” then you could absolutely use this tablet as your only computer. On average I can get about 8 hours of use on this thing. Charging it via the supplied USB-C which can plug into either the left or the right side of the tablet gets you back to 100% charge rather quickly though I didn’t not measure the actual time it took. The screen response from fingers pressing and scrolling is very accurate and responsive. I noticed extremely minimal lag. The current build of ChromeOS has offered drastic performance reviews from when previously released. I have not tested or used the Slate prior to the most recent builds, so my experience has been all around very good. The front facing web cam is optimized for using Google DUO. Video calls are very clear, fluid, and crisp. Audio was always good and the mic picked up my vocals and the dual left and right stereo speakers produced great sound for hearing the person on the other side of the call. Using the tablet without a keyboard puts it into “tablet mode” which changes the home page to a more touch friendly environment. Buttons get moved to the left or right and app icons present on the screen in a scrolling fashion. When using accessories like the keyboard, apps go away and it becomes more “desktop” like. I had different mileage when plugging the USB-C into a monitor that supports USB-C vs one that doesn’t using a dongle. For the ones I used a dongle, I could not get it to display, while on a USB-C specific monitor I could get a full desktop effect. The screen itself is gorgeous. ChromeOS however does not offer a ton of scalability, so task bars remain rather large while keeping text readable, Making task bard small enough also makes text too small to read. Colors are vibrant and movies or videos looks incredible. 12.3” is small enough to easily carry around but large enough to use for a full days work without feeling like you NEED more space. If you’re all in the Goole ecosystem, this is an excellent choice as it encompasses all things Google, offers a great user experience, and integrates with other Google tech as well. If your a Apple or Windows user, this tablet may not offer much for you and you should likely look elsewhere. This feels like a device made for Google user’s specifically who understand the world of Google and are deep in all of their product line.

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.

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.

THE BREAKDOWN: Let’s begin by saying that I have looking forward to the combination of a high end Android tablet and combining that with the keyboard to get the premium Chromebook multitasking features. I have been saying for the last few years image if you had high end laptop but could also detach the screen and use it like a tablet, best of both worlds right!! The packaging was very well done and like opening high end merchandise. In the box was everything needed to get this product up and running. After turning it on and plugging it up to power I was up and running quickly. With signing in and all the updates it still only took a few minutes. Let's start off with price, at $999 and add a keyboard at $199 puts you at the $1200 premium range. One thing that is lacking is the availability of LTE to be able to use it on the road. I really like the look and feel of the Pixel Slate. It has the flat bak and slim line bezels and had a really nice 12.3 inch screen. The screen have a beautiful resolution with a 6 million pixel display. The colors are very bright and vibrant. The performance was excellent, I felt that pages loaded fast and all my apps performed well. I enjoyed watching hours of streaming videos on all the popular platforms with vibrant rich colors. The battery life for me was around 13 hours which is higher than their rating of 12 hours. I also found that it does not get hot or overheat after using for hours at time. The tablet has 2 USB-C ports one at the end of each long side. It also has a volume rocker button on the left side and above that is the power button that can also unlock the device by using your fingerprint. One thing to note is that this is the only fingerprint option that I found it uses. It doesn’t use it in apps or purchases that I have found. Lastly, the operating system. I have found this iteration of the OS Google has made many improvements but for me they still needs some work. Most of the apps seem to work on the Pixel Slate but there are those that were designed for just phones that really look bad when they are displayed on this 12.3 inch screen. One last note is that when trying to do split screen with apps and chrome tabs it seems difficult and buggy. PRO’s: -Very well built and stylish -Setup was quick and easy -12.3 inch display -6 million pixel display -8th gen Intel i5 processor -128GB SSD -Pixel Imprint -Excellent battery life CON’s: -Price -Multitasking split screen -OS still needs work -No LTE SUMMARY: Overall, I feel that this product is really good and has a great fit and finish. I like all the features, and I feel that there is definitely some room for improvement from Google. For other devices in this price range I feel that this one just isn’t up to the standard for this price point. I would definitely recommend this to a friend if they are in the market for something like this.

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.

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.

It is on heavy side but hardware is good. The cost is on high side.

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 love how quick it is gets the job done whether its for my personal business or just scrolling through social media. Switching to Tablet mode is a breeze and the screen is huge.

This Pixel Slate is a full-size (12.3”) tablet that is thin with a clear, bright screen, but with a fairly heavy weight to it. The device comes in at 25.6 ounces; compare this to a larger (12.9”) iPad Pro which comes in at 16.5 ounces). So the weight is noticeable when carrying it around. Remember before going much further that this is a Chromebook tablet, so you’ll be running the Chromebook OS right out of the chute, but with a beta-level support for some Linux configuration and options (extremely limited at the time of release). If you’re a user that uses primarily cloud-based or SaaS types of services or applications, or your organization uses Google Apps for work (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, etc.) this will serve you well. Otherwise know that you’re limited to apps from the Google Play store, which often give you limited functionality as compared to a laptop or desktop. Boot time is quick, as should be expected from any tablet. The power button doubles as a fingerprint reader, but I found that more times than not it failed to pick up on my fingerprint, hit me with a “too many attempts” warning & forced me to use a PIN (which has to be 6 numbers or more, which seems excessive to me). Battery is actually good, I got 3-4 days or intermittent use at work out of it before getting below 20%. Always-on time will yield you around 8 hours (Google says 10 hours). The device features 2 USB-C ports, one on each corner, so you can charge the device from either the left or right side. Unfortunately, the device does not support external storage, limiting you to the internal storage only, which reduces the amount of local storage and apps you can take with you. As for downloading a movie to take on the plane you may be out-of-luck depending on what’s already on the tablet. Screen response time to me was the worst part of the device. Whether using your finger to write on the screen or the optional stylus, there was a very noticeable lag between when you make a stroke on the screen to when it appears (as compared to a 3-in-1 laptop, a Microsoft Surface, and a Samsung Note Tab, all of which I use for a variety of jobs in the office). I use OneNote fairly often and found it frustrating and distracting that you would write but it was maybe a quarter of a second before you see the writing on the screen. And while that doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s noticeable and makes writing notes much more difficult. The device has an optional external keyboard that the tablet can dock with, but skip it and get a Bluetooth keyboard. It’s too floppy for the device and doesn’t do a good job at protecting the device (see that device for my review specifically on the keyboard). Overall, it’s not a bad tablet for web-based, cloud-based, or SaaS apps and services. It more than did the job which I was using it for -- notes, e-mail, and web-based SaaS programs. The display lag for displaying handwriting for me was the worst part, in addition to the extremely heavy weight for the device. And at this price point, it’s not like there aren’t plenty of other options out there to compete with the Slate.

This unit has the i5 processor and 128gb with 8gb of RAM. Feel is very solid and has a classic design. Its actually quite light .I do like that the back camera (no flash) is in the corner and does not stand out. The display has a border, and it is bright and crisp. You almost have to buy the keyboard / case which is optional. The keyboard itself is excellent but case design and stability is not. I have used it all day without needing a charger (8 hours) and there was battery to spare. Having USB C charging ports on both side is a great feature which I liked a lot. Would have liked one more port. Selling up the tablet computer was annoying at 1st because google would not accept my long established password. After multiple tries and resets over a few days, I was finally granted access. Everything integrated well after that. . The screen is responsive, crisp and bright. I am a big YouTube fan, and did not find the front facing speakers that great. They are loud but not as clear as I would expect. The volume switch on the top left side was ok but would have liked it to be more pronounced. After a few days, I found myself liking the tablet and using it a lot. It is just the right size to carry around and yet, still be useful. The google integration is good, and the tablet is very easy and responsive to use. I have a VOIP call plan which I use and noticed that '@' always registered as '2' with the on screen popup keyboard, but works fine with the keyboard cover. I think this may have been the reason I could not login when setting up the unit. Am puzzled by this and will explore further. All in all, its a handy device and an option over the conventional laptop. It is easier to carry and does the job of a conventional laptop. Hopefully, as its updated it will be better. I am still puzzled over the incorrect characters being registered by the popup screen keyboard.

Easy to use big and beautiful display ,good for basic use

The Slate is a nice device but it feels unfinished, especially when compared to the Ipad.

Pros: Build quality is fantastic, made out of a single slab of aluminum. The buttons are clicky and the FO sensor is fast. Screen is awesome. It's one of the best screens you'll see on a device like this. It's fast, oh so fast! With it running on chrome everything is smooth and has no hiccups. Nothing really comes close to the speed of this. Android apps can be used on this. Speakers, these are fantastic and rival others and best them In a lot of ways. 2 USB C ports, when other companies think just one is enough when it's not, Google come up with the goods. Cons: Price, it is very expensive for what it is It's a Chromebook but more mobile and while it can use Android apps it can still be a little limiting. Android apps, you get some odd behavior with some and some just flat out don't work and force close like Facebook. Expensive accessories. For the keyboard and stylus that will set you back another $300. Overall it's a nice unit, it's a Chromebook and if that's what you are wanting then this will not disappoint

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!

If you like Chrome OS the Pixel Slate is your kind of tablet. As someone already invested in the Chrome OS, I found the Slate to be an absolute pleasure to use. When the Slate arrived in the mail I was immediately impressed by the packaging. The last time I actually stopped to admire the box my electronics arrived in, the box was all white. But I digress…… Having freed myself from the clutches of the evil empire, I joyously admired the lovely, sleek boxes the Slate, and its accessories arrived in. ,Unlike other thin, fragile, tablets, the Slate feels solid in hand but not heavy. The aluminum body has smooth rounded edges and USB C ports on 2 sides. It was super easy to set up and after logging in to my Google account, I was prompted to set up the fingerprint sensor which was an easy, pain-free process. A quick sync of my devices and all my apps were available to use. I was up and running.In under 5 minutes. The first thing I did was check out the screen, streaming a few movies and TV shows. The screen is excellent with a crisp clear picture and the sound from the forward-facing stereo speakers is nice and loud. I took it to work and used it to watch the Premier League. I was a happy camper. The Slate smoothly accomplishes any task you can perform on a Chromebook, and the battery life is impressive. My one complaint is I can’t play Steam games on it. But I rarely have time to play games when I’m out of the house, so I can live with it.

Ever wish you could remove the keyboard from your Pixelbook rather than just fold it under? Well, I guess you can with some non-Google Chromebooks out there, but now you can do it with the Google Pixel Slate. The viewable area of the screen is the same size as my Pixelbook, but with less of a "chin" in the bezel area under the screen, so a bit more portable. The display capabilities are very similar, but the speakers on the Slate are much better (and embedded on either side of the screen for a better stereo effect). The product photos make it look like more of a traditional desktop environment, but that's only the Android app launcher, same as the Pixelbook. I don't know how they made the desktop show through the launcher like that (maybe transparency settings?), but it's the exact same OS that you're running on a Chromebook. Android apps have been working well with only one crash. The Slate integrated seamlessly with my Chrome extensions and Android library when I set it up with my Google login (and setup is extremely quick and easy). I definitely recommend getting the pen and keyboard if you want to have the full functionality of the Slate. Yes, it's a tablet, but it's running the Chromebook OS. Using the onscreen keyboard for text input is cumbersome and at times, obscures some important areas of the display. So to sum up, this is very much like a Pixelbook but more flexible and a little more portable.