As hard as it may be to believe, The Google Pixel Slate is a middle man and a revolutionary product launched by Google. It is the most recent in a line of premium, expensive Chrome OS devices launched by Google, but the first one as a tablet – taking competition with market owners like the iPad Pro and Surface Pro. But, will it be the best ever 2 in 1 detachable in 2023?
After the launch of the pricey and the much loved Google Pixelbook series, the world has been taken aback by storm. It still has a lot of competition to come neck to neck with the market dominators like the iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface series. In this article, we have a full-fledged review on the Google Pixel Slate i5 , and a final verdict on whether it is the best 2 in 1 detachable you can buy in 2023.
Although the Pixel Slate has been discontinued by Google right now, and is replaced by the clamshell Pixelbook Go, the specifications offered by the Google pixel slate i5, is still some of the best and there has been ever rarely a tablet able to match these. Google has said that it is no longer going to make another Pixel Slate, since the company itself has stopped making tablets and detachable. But, with this amazing existing product, lets dive in to take a greater look at it, shall we?
Full Specifications of Google pixel slate i5
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i5 |
| Color | Midnight Blue |
| Display | 12.3” LCD 3000×2000 touchscreen LTPS, molecular display |
| Memory | 8 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB |
| Camera | Rear : 8MP, auto focus, 1080p video @ 30 fps. Front: 8MP |
| Ports and Interface | Two USB-Cs for charging, 4K display output and quicker data transfer.3 Accessory connector for Pixel Slate Keyboard. No charging or pairing required |
| Audio | Dual front-firing speakers for better surround sound 2 mics for improved noise cancellation |
| Battery Life | 48 WHr battery, upto 12 hours of battery life. |
| Dimensions | 11.45 x 7.95 x 0.27 inches |
| Weight | 1.6 pounds. |
| Additional Features | Keyboard: Chiclet, Power adapter and cable, Quick Start Guide, USB-C Charge Cable, 24 Months Warranty |
Overview – Google pixel slate i5
Design and Appearance
The Google pixel slate i5 is available in a midnight blue colour, which is sure to blend in with any environment you project it into. It also has an anodized aluminum chassis that not only adds stylish and premium look to it, but makes the entire device strong and durable too. Although the bezels are not the thinnest, and feel a little chunky, when kept beside the latest iPad Pros, they still give a good look to it blends decently with the other designs.
Weighing just around 1.6 pounds and featuring 0.3m thickness, the Google pixel slate i5, is just slightly heavier than the iPad Pro and is lighter in comparison to the Microsoft Surface laptops, and Samsung Galaxy Books. It is super easy to take anywhere with you and is extremely portable, but this can be a little questionable when you attach the complimentary Google Pixel’s Slate Keyboard.
Display
The Google Pixel Slate i5 rocks a 12.3inch display, that has an amazing colour contrast ratio, and exquisite focus on details. Producing about 120% of the sRGB color spectrum, this is a remarkable upgrade from the former pixel slate series standing at 116% and 117%. Standing at around 421 nits of brightness, this laptop offers you a great watching experience and amazing viewing angles.
In fact, the display is one area of the Google Pixel Slate i5 that is quite commendable and appreciable, with 3000×2000 and 293ppi. The display is actually, what Google calls it a mole In this device, watching any YouTube video or even a movie is definitely a joy.
Performance
The Google pixel slate i5 features the Chrome OS that is backed by additional Intel Core i5 processor and either 4, 8 or 16 GB RAM, and the internal hardware is the arena where thibgs get pretty messy. From the eight available options, with the Intel Celeron at the bottom of the range, and the Core i7 at the top of the list.
Similarly, the system RAM also differs from 4GB to 16GB, with maximum of them featuring 8GB and higher. These variations are what makes a difference in performances, but under low power demands, almost all of them operate similarly able to function daily activities easily. Considering what kind of activities, the kind of applications you use, you should carefully pick the type of processor you want.
In the Google pixel slate series, this features the Intel Core i5 series that is capable of even running almost all of the games playable on tablets. It can also run pretty heavy files, and when it comes to multitasking, it doesn’t easily fall apart, rather is shown to demonstrate better performance than the iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface laptop.
Ports and Connectivity
When it comes to ports, the Google Pixel Slate i5 has an upperhand over the iPad Pro Series, due to their compatibility with thw USB – C cables. This actually makes the device even more flexible in a lot of office working scenarios, providing greater ways of common share grounds, and exploring new reals of combined explorations on the work table. This also doesn’t limit the devices’ storage to a certain online storage system like the iCloud storage system in the iPad series.
Beside the two USB-C ports, the Google Pixel Slate i5 also features a 4K display output port and swifter data transfer. It also has an accessory connector slot for it’s Google Pixel Slate keyboard, without any kind of charging required.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Another feature of the Google pixel slate i5 laptop that stands out well and is highly loved is the bluetooth keyboard. Although, it creates some problems when it comes to compact portability of the device, but whenever used, this keyboard is sure to give you one of the best typing experience you can get in a 2-in-1 convertible laptop.
Although the circular key caps, might look like a reall hassle initially since they don’t make them much often in laptops, but you will be surprised to know how great they are. Typing in these will make you feel like you arr working with a typewriter that is highly ergonomic, with a highly sensitive and easy-going keys that make a little thud sound whenver you press them.
Beside the incredibly designed rounded keys on the keyboard, you are also met with a touchpad / trackpad of around 4.0 X 2.8 inches, that accurately tracks you inputs onto the device. You can also add in customized gestures over the touchpad, since you to make the laptop even more better with you.
Speakers and Audio
Aside from the amazing display of the Google pixel slate i5, it also features great speakers on the laptop to match the quality of the display. The front facing speakers of the Google pixel slate i5 are some of the best ones you will find is any tablets on the market. Although they may not feature Dolby Atmos, the sound they provide is very rich and clear alongside a great bass response. This amazing bass response is carried all the way to the louder sound levels too.
The Chrome OS
The potential of the Chrome OS in a laptop is seen to have been even more explored and well implemented, and you might as well say that Google knows its way well around the android apps customization, especially the touc-based ones. First of all, the access of settings and notifications menu, which is opened by just a single tap on the bubble with the time in the bottom right corner, is a splendid design interface for people to continue with if they own an android phone, especially the Pixel phone.
Not just an amazing interface, another great update from the Chrome OS in the series is the Google’s on-screen keyboard. It is important to notice the little squiggle towards the top of the on-screen keyboard, swiftly taking you into the tablet mode: tapping on that opens up handwriting mode, that allows typing via hand-writing (or doodling) letters with a finger or stylus. All, in all the updated Chrome OS on the Google pixel slate i5, will make you feel like you are using a phone for laptop too, and people don’t have to get more confused.
Battery Life
The battery life of Google pixel slate i5 is also quite commendable, lasting you a reliably long time frames. The tablet usually lasts about 9 hours and 50 minutes even when constant browsing the Internet at about 150 nits display. This way, the Google pixel slate i5 has outlasted the Microsoft Surface Pro at about 9 hours 20 minutes, but is short in comparison to the iPad Pro series which can last about 13 hours.
Pros and Cons of Google pixel slate i5
The Final Verdict
All in all, the Google pixel slate i5 is a great tablet or an amazing 2-in-1 detachable option, that comes in par with popular market dominators like the iPad Pro series and Microsoft surface laptops. It has a stunning high quality display, that when paired with the low power requirements of the Chrome OS and high battery life of about 12 hours definitely feels like a great deal. It also features the USB-C connectivity, that is still not present in tablets like iPad Pro, limiting the data usage.
One drawback of the 2-in-1 is that it is quite expensive, and the still questionable compatibility of a lot of Android applications on the Chrome OS, despite Google’s attempt to make the interface highly similar to that of a laptop. But, besides these, the Google pixel slate i5 is a really great choice if you are looking for a 2-in-1 detachable in 2023, letting you reach the maximum of your creativity and presentation skills.
We hope this review on was helpful for you, and if you still have further queries, you can leave them down in the description box below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why was the Google Pixel Slate cancelled?
The Google Pixel Slate was discontinued primarily due to it’s high price, and a lot of people complained about it’s flimsy keyboard, which was a disaster when lap typing.
How long will the Pixel Slate be supported?
You can still use the Pixel Slate however, the Chrome OS will stop updating.
How much does a Google Slate cost?
This Google Pixel Slate will cost you about $999, and if you are into long hand typing, you might even also want to purchase the Pixel Slate Keyboard, and that will cost you an additional $199. Just like the keyboard, in case you are buying the keyboard for creative works, then you can also have a Pixelbook Pen, which will cost you an additional $99.
