It's one gorgeous notebook, no doubt about it. My first impression is Apple may try to sue Google on overall good sights, or at least, its rounded corners of anodized aluminum. At full $1299, I'd expect titanium case and Corning Gorilla 2 glass with anti-reflection coat, plus bundled Google Glass (for ridiculous $1500 if sold separately) in accessories, but it's just me.
So, what is this machine can offer above similarly priced Apple Macbook Retina or some HP hi-res Windows 8 notebook? Short answer is: nothing. Longer answer could only be this: even more of nothing if the procedure to install Ubuntu OS/Windows 8/OS X on it will be as cumbersome as for previous Chromebooks.100 GB of Google Cloud for 3 years, instead of "regular", poor man's 2 years? Konami code blinking? Pffffrt...
Then, there's this highly glossy IPS screen for which to really enjoy it you'd rather adorn your cubicle with black velvet everywhere including the ceiling and your face mask. Wash finger oil smudges off your screen thoroughly with 90 % alcohol, don't let anybody touch it any more, re-calibrate it professionally, and only then enjoy.
On top of that, IPS screens in 2013 is nothing to boast against hi-res OLED screens with IGZO backplane. As Displaymate states about LG OLED:
1. IGZO: The LG OLED has an IGZO Metal Oxide Active Matrix backplane. You may recall that IGZO technology has been making headlines for months, first rumored to be the Retina Display for new iPad 3. It wasn't ready in time, so this was the first IGZO display I've seen.
2. Color Gamut: The LG OLED has a Color Gamut that is 118% of the Standard sRGB / Rec.709. That is somewhat larger than the Standard, and will produce images that are a bit on the vivid side - and some people like it that way - but hopefully LG will provide an option for an accurate 100% Standard Color Gamut for purists.
Apparently, sensor used is just that: capacitive sensor only, and no Wacom digitizer. So, hello, ugly smudges of fingerprints.
Chances also are, there will be no 10 bit color and/or RAW format support in Pixel's Chrome OS out of the box, so it's again an expensive toy that is useless for photographers.
Nobody of the regular, buying users has their hands on reviews yet, so far just paid reviews are available. Understandably, these are by stunned people. Pixel with it's Intel Core i5 apparently struggles in redrawing so many pixels smooth enough, but who cares? Brushed anodized aluminum and backlighted cheapo keyboard hypnotizes every paid reviewer at this point. CNet has a shortie:
Engadget has similar experience:
Pocket-lint quotes: in the words of Pichai "you never see another pixel in your life."
I certainly won't see this Pixel very soon in my life for this price. Machine costs about $800 tops today, and is a serious candidate for fire sale at Christmas 2013 time at about $500. Even then, if we ever had a next installment of Motorola Lapdock with 1920x1080 10.1 or 11.6 inch IPS touch (or non-touch, if too glossy) screen for about $250, this imaginary sort of Lapdock could be a better project to use an Intel Core i5/i7 laptop mobo within.
Then, sure, I won't be seeing another Google Pixel in my life. For $250 -- maybe.
One more thing. I was reviewing Nexus 10 once it was out and was puzzled by half-assed attempt to accessorize it with a keyboard dock of Windows RT sort. So, there's no keyboard for Nexus 10, even charging pogo plug may come from some 3rd party:
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