It seems like a brand new member is becoming a member of the Pixel household, including to its resurgent smartphone lineup. Code evaluation of the most recent Android beta factors towards a brand new Pixel laptop computer that Google is perhaps planning to launch within the close to future. Google final launched a laptop computer, the Pixelbook Go, in 2019, an reasonably priced model of the Pixelbook it placed on the cabinets again in 2017.
Each the Pixelbook and Pixelbook Go, together with the sooner Chromebook Pixel fashions, weren’t what you’d name a smash hit with the viewers or a runaway business success. Finally, they triggered Massive G’s departure from the laptop computer section and a shift in focus towards Pixel smartphones.
The tides are shifting, and it appears ChromeOS is on its sundown journey.
Snippets noticed in Google’s software program recommend we would lastly see Google’s newest try at a laptop computer, however with out the anticipated Chromebook foundations. As an alternative, it may very well be the showcase journey for a completely new class of machines operating Aluminium OS. That mentioned, a Google Pixel laptop computer doesn’t make a lot sense proper now, as a number of elements work in opposition to it. As one charismatic wrestling star would go, “let me speak to ya” on this!.
Google’s historical past of failure with previous laptop computer launches
Let’s be honest (learn: traditionally correct) right here. Google doesn’t have a very enviable observe file with making laptops. The corporate took a number of stabs at making a laptop computer prior to now decade, beginning with the Chromebook Pixel in 2013, an upgraded Chromebook Pixel in 2015, the Google Pixelbook in 2017, and the Pixelbook Go in 2019.
None of those laptops might set the computing section on fireplace or set any long-lasting business traits, owing to 2 essential elements: pricing and the underlying working system.
A historical past of unhealthy pricing at Google
| System mannequin | Value beginning at |
| Chromebook Pixel (2013) | $1,299 |
| Chromebook Pixel (2015) | $999 |
| Pixelbook | $999 |
| Pixelbook Go | $649 |
As you’ll be able to see from the desk, all Google laptops commanded a premium, with launch costs across the $1,000 mark. At that worth, you could possibly get a robust Home windows laptop computer or perhaps a MacBook Air. Why would anybody need to pay that a lot for a laptop computer operating ChromeOS?
Solely the Pixelbook Go launched at round $649. Our assessment praised its moveable design, {hardware}, and glorious battery life. Nonetheless, the conclusion remained the identical: the software program held it again, as you could possibly get a full-fledged Home windows PC at that worth level.
I plonked $1,649 on the top-end variant with the Core i7 variant, and it’s now consuming mud in my drawer. Not as a result of I don’t need to maintain it operating. The laptop computer is simply totally gradual, and regardless of quite a few exhausting resets, it gained’t even deal with Chrome easily with out stuttering, operating totally sizzling, and the display has misplaced its touch-sensitivity, too.
The state of ChromeOS in 2026
Effectively, that was almost a decade in the past, however what about now? Possibly ChromeOS has improved sufficient to go toe to toe with different desktop working techniques? Sadly, the reply isn’t any. If something, Google appears to have left the working system in limbo with no drastic enhancements.
Sure, there have been pockets of updates right here and there, however nothing substantial that makes it a viable competitor. It’s nonetheless a browser-based working system with minimal assist for well-liked creativity and productiveness apps. With the scrapping of Google Stadia, gaming can also be now virtually defunct on ChromeOS.
Then again, Linux has improved by leaps and bounds, can run on related low-powered {hardware}, and helps gaming and the most well-liked artistic and productiveness apps. In truth, Linux is at an all-time excessive amongst Steam gaming die-hards. Sure, ChromeOS has simplicity of use in its favor, however that’s about it.
What concerning the upcoming Aluminium OS?
There’s, nonetheless, a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Google is engaged on a brand new working system known as Aluminium OS, with an anticipated launch window of 2026. It goals to merge Android and ChromeOS right into a single unified platform.
Constructed on Android from the bottom up, it guarantees native assist for all Play Retailer apps with correct keyboard and mouse assist, alongside desktop-grade window administration options. It should even assist a number of desktops.
The spotlight characteristic of the OS will likely be Gemini AI, which is able to supposedly be baked into the core of the OS, which is a major step up from ChromeOS. That mentioned, Aluminium OS might push ahead with its personal set of issues, if ChromeOS is something to go by.
First, it will require extra highly effective {hardware} to energy the AI options. Ideally, it will want a silicon with a robust AI accelerator chip (aka NPU) to deal with AI-driven duties, particularly these which are executed on-device. Think about translation, photograph modifying with generative AI, rip-off detection, and extra, with out an web connection.
Second, since it’s based mostly on Android, you’ll nonetheless not get assist for full-fledged desktop apps. You would possibly be capable to run them utilizing a translation layer, one thing Apple did with Rosetta when it switched to its personal ARM-based processors for Macs, however how nicely it is going to work is an enormous query mark. Home windows on ARM has been a large number and solely just lately began turning into an actual chance.
I can’t think about Aluminium OS will fare any higher in its first swing at critical computing.
Constructed-in Gemini AI would be the spotlight of this new working system, and hopefully, it is going to be higher than the Home windows implementation of Copilot AI and the lackluster Apple Intelligence execution in macOS. This might give Aluminium OS a leg up over the competitors, however the elementary difficulty, which is an absence of desktop app assist, is an issue Google should determine quickly, or the brand new OS will endure the identical destiny as ChromeOS.
Rising RAM and SSD costs
By now, it needs to be clear that the one means a next-generation Google laptop computer can succeed is by decreasing its worth. However that is perhaps more durable to attain in immediately’s market, thanks in no small half to the RAMmageddon that has wreaked havoc within the PC business and spilled over into the smartphone and gaming segments as nicely.
With the rising costs of RAM and SSDs, because of AI infrastructure gobbling up the world’s provide, the price of electronics is climbing exponentially. Microsoft has raised costs on its Floor laptops, Sony and Nintendo have raised costs for the PS5 and Nintendo Change 2 consoles, and Samsung has elevated its telephone (and laptop computer, and pill) costs.
And these are only a few examples. Each different laptop computer producer has climbed the worth ladder, a lot to the plain displeasure of consumers and even triggering a panic buy spell, in keeping with Counterpoint Analysis. Sadly, business traits recommend it is going to solely worsen earlier than it will get higher. And we’re not simply speaking about new merchandise right here.
It is perhaps the primary time in historical past {that a} gaming console, telephone, or laptop computer prices extra in 2026 than it did at launch. In such an unprecedented market, I don’t see a means for Google to chop costs on its new laptops, particularly with the highly effective system necessities for operating Aluminium OS, with out considerably jeopardizing different facets of its {hardware}, which was the one benefit of the older Google laptops.
The MacBook Neo exists at $599
Google’s Aluminium OS foundations sound promising, however they only bought a pre-emptive actuality examine from Apple, within the type of MacBook Neo. If the reportedly upcoming Google laptop computer existed in a vacuum, there may need been an opportunity it might succeed.
Final month, Apple did one thing it had by no means completed earlier than in its historical past and launched an reasonably priced MacBook beginning at simply $599. Regardless of its shortcomings and the corner-cutting Apple needed to do to hit that worth level, the MacBook Neo turned out to be a wonderful laptop computer, receiving rave critiques throughout and promoting like hotcakes.
Now, let’s do a thought experiment. For those who had to decide on between a Pixelbook and a MacBook Neo at $599, a worth level Google has by no means hit earlier than, by the way in which, which one would you select?
I’d argue that just about everybody would select the MacBook Neo. The one factor moving into favor of the Pixelbook over equally priced Home windows laptops was its {hardware} design, and it gained’t have that very same benefit over the MacBook Neo.
The MacBook Neo encompasses a full steel physique, show, a high quality keyboard, and a best-in-class touchpad. Google will likely be hard-pressed to construct a laptop computer that good, with that type of efficiency, and nonetheless hit the $599 worth level.
To not point out, you get the total desktop expertise with MacBook Neo as a result of it runs macOS. Even when the brand new Google laptop computer is powered by the upcoming Aluminium OS, it is going to nonetheless lack assist for desktop apps. Sure, the expertise is perhaps higher than ChromeOS, however there’s no probability it could compete with a mature working system like macOS.
Chromebooks promote so nicely largely as a result of they hit a sub-$300 worth level for the schooling market. However suppose a yr or two forward, when the present MacBook Neo is promoting for $350 or $400 within the resale or refurbished market. Who would purchase a Chromebook then?
Does a Chromebook, not to mention a Pixelbook, make sense now?
The one purpose ChromeOS holds a major share of the market is because of its teaching programs and robust ties with colleges throughout the US. If Apple can crack that code and associate with college boards to supply the MacBook Neo as a alternative, the times of ChromeOS are numbered.
Even when Apple doesn’t achieve colleges, MacBook Neo has ensured that the times of premium ChromeOS laptops are over. The upcoming Aluminium OS is perhaps the reply Google is hoping for, however I’m skeptical. And that’s why I don’t suppose a brand new Google laptop computer is sensible proper now. Or ever.
