Google has introduced the Pixel, a high-end $1,300 touch-screen Chromebook powered by a 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 processor.
According to Google exec Linus Upson, the Chromebook Pixel boasts the highest pixel density (239 pixels per inch) of any laptop screen on the market today.
“Packed with 4.3 million pixels, the display offers sharp text, vivid colors and extra-wide viewing angles,” Upson explained.
“With a screen this rich and engaging, you want to reach out and touch it—so we added touch for a more immersive experience. Touch makes it simple and intuitive to do things like organize tabs, swipe through apps and edit photos with the tip of your finger.”
Upson also noted that with the Pixel, Googe had set out to “rethink” all elements of a computer in order to design the best laptop possible, especially for power users who have fully embraced the cloud.
“The philosophy of Chrome has always been to minimize the ‘chrome’ of the browser. In much the same way, the goal of the Pixel is to make the pixels disappear, giving people the best web experience,” he said.
Indeed, the body of the Pixel is made from an anodized aluminum alloy to create a smooth and durable surface; vents are hidden, screws are invisible and the stereo speakers are seamlessly tucked away beneath the backlit keyboard.
Additional specs include a touchpad made from etched glass, an SSD drive (32GB/64GB), a 720p webcam for clear video, a total of three microphones designed to cancel out surrounding noise, WiFi/LTE, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a mini displayport, a mic / headphone jack, an SD card reader and one terabyte of Google Drive storage.
The WiFi version ($1,299 U.S. and £1,049 U.K.) will start shipping next week, while the LTE version ($1,449) is slated to ship in the during the month of April.
