Google pixel to use 15:10 (3:2) aspect ratio

[Utwig]

Looks like the trend has shifted as Google pixel chromebook will be using 2560x1700 resolution which is much better than 16:9 (17,7:10) resolution we've been getting lately.

http://www.chipzilla.com/inquirer/news/ ... een-laptop

[pianowizard]

This may be the most exciting laptop news in over 5 years. As I said back in 2010 (http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=91302), 15:10 is better than both 16:10 and 16:9 In fact, I prefer it over 4:3. The Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ tablet introduced several months ago was the first device since the PowerBook G4 to have 15:10. Looks like this aspect ratio has returned!

[Puppy]

Indeed but I don't expect Lenovo to do anything toward customers. 16:9 for everyone, period. But the direction the market is going seems to be a more optimistic (there are new 4:3 tablets lately) now especially when I imagine the 21:9 crap thingy introduced last year.

The touchscreen mania even for notebook devices (I can understand it on tablets) makes me wondering how long the trackpoint will stay with us because the "hey, mouse/trackpoint/touchpad is boring, you have the touchscreen now instead, wow !" effect

[jdk]

https://play.google.com/store/devices/d ... pixel_wifi



13" Gorilla Glass touchScreen
2560 x 1700 resolution; 239 PPI (3:2 ratio!)

Is this the beginning of the end of the 16:9 era?

[ThinkRob]

Nice hardware. Shame about the keyboard and the joke of an OS, but quite pretty otherwise.

[ajkula66]

Since they're claiming a 178 degree VWA, I'd presume an IPS/AFFS panel of some kind, Gorilla-glass or not...

So close, yet so far away from what it would need for me to find it desirable...

[jdk]

Installing a real OS would be the first priority. No idea if this has secureboot. Even so, the *buntu community has traditionally been pretty good about getting their distro working with these Chromebooks. That setup with KDE would be optimal. No fingerprints on my monitor though!

[ajkula66]

Installing a real OS would be the first priority.

Nah...I'd have to hammer in a trackpoint before contemplating a different OS...

[twistero]

The hardware is sexy. But yeah, I would never shell out $1300 for one if it only runs ChromeOS. Even if I could put Windows or Linux on it, my FrankenPad already does everything it will do, albeit in a bulkier and heavier package.

[sysiphus]

If you could load any OS and drop in a standard drive, I'd be tempted...wipe the OS and replace with a REHL clone...if you could, I'd be saying hide the tax return! That screen looks gorgeous and TALL! But the package as-is is a total nonstarter.

Oh well, just as well I don't have an excuse to spend the money.

[rumbero]

A real notebook instead of just such a Google terminal, but featuring an IPS screen with such a ratio would be very welcome. But to really make me want to buy a more modern machine than my still more than sufficient BOE Hydis UXGA Frankenpad (and for which i have stashed away a brand new screen and main board to be on the safe side in case of any hazard), it would require to have that screen also being non-glossy.

Judging by the short video demonstration of the Pixel available at engadget.com/2013/02/21/chromebook-pixel-hands-on, this gadget doesn't even have a screen, but rather a nicely working mirror. See the video until the end to get the proper view.

[pianowizard]

Shame about the keyboard and the joke of an OS

Hmm, but you wrote the following about Lenovo's Chromebook:

In other words, it's a Linux-ready X131e sold without a Windows license?

Yeah, I don't think that's too bad.

Sure, ChromeOS is mostly useless, but it's not like you can't just nuke it and install a real OS.

Perhaps the best way to make this Google Pixel acceptable is to put a Lenovo sticker on it?

Anyway, I read that it's very difficult (though possible) to put Windows on Samsung's and Acer's Chromebook. But if it's relatively easy to do it on this Google Pixel, then I think it's one of the most exciting laptops introduced in the past 5 years or so. Thank goodness it does not have a trackpoint. While I can use trackpoints well, touchpads work better for me. Also, for laptops with a trackpoint, the mouse pointer sometimes drifts randomly, so I would rather not have a trackpoint at all. I don't know how you trackpoint fans can tolerate such spontaneous drifts.

[kangaskhan]

I think it's too much for a nice design and uber-fancy display. Maybe with Linux.

But its probably a pretty darn good web browser.

[Cola]

This was exactly my thought! It looks amazing, and that screen resolution and ratio looks promising, just such a shame it's a google chrome OS device.. Meaning that it wont do anything but run a simple browser.. :/

[ThinkRob]

Perhaps the best way to make this Google Pixel acceptable is to put a Lenovo sticker on it?

I'm not sure I get your point. There's a difference between a "Chromebook" at 500 USD and one at 1300 USD. In either case, getting rid of Baby's First Linux is what makes the hardware worth it, though in general I'm willing to deal with a lot more BS from cheap hardware than I am expensive hardware.

For 500 USD something with decent specs that I can make into a proper computer is not a horrible idea. That's right in netbook territory, and while I won't pretend netbooks are a vital productivity tool for me they are convenient toys. For more than twice that though I expect a hell of a lot more -- like a proper laptop with a proper OS.

[EasyMac308]

Too expensive for this budget-minded tech, but it's a pretty screen, that's for sure.

[pianowizard]

I'm not sure I get your point.

My point was that you might be biased against non-Lenovo products.

For 500 USD something with decent specs that I can make into a proper computer is not a horrible idea. That's right in netbook territory

Netbooks are typically in the $200 to $300 range. Samsung's and Acer's Chromebooks (~$200 to $250) are in netbook territory, but Lenovo's isn't. And with only 16GB of SSD storage, I don't know what kind of "proper computer" the Lenovo Chromebook can be converted into. The Google Pixel comes with either 32GB or 64GB, which is still stingy but more reasonable.

For more than twice that though I expect a hell of a lot more -- like a proper laptop with a proper OS.

The screen is quite possibly the best ever made for a laptop, with a very unusual 15:10. As you have said many times, Lenovo uses mostly 16:9 low-end TN garbage because high-quality screens with superior resolutions and aspect ratios would cost too much. The Google Pixel's high price tag is mainly due to the extremely expensive screen. I doubt the Pixel will sell well because >99% of consumers are cheap, but I think its price is fair.

[ThinkRob]

My point was that you might be biased against non-Lenovo products.

Ah. Well, no. But I see what you meant.

Netbooks are typically in the $200 to $300 range. Samsung's and Acer's Chromebooks (~$200 to $250) are in netbook territory, but Lenovo's isn't. And with only 16GB of SSD storage, I don't know what kind of "proper computer" the Lenovo Chromebook can be converted into. The Google Pixel comes with either 32GB or 64GB, which is still stingy but more reasonable.

$500 is at the top end of what I'd consider "netbook" territory, but you're right, it's a lot more expensive than the other "Chromebooks".

Sadly 64 GB is a little under what I'd want to make it my primary computer, but not so far away that it's unreasonable.

The screen is quite possibly the best ever made for a laptop, with a very unusual 15:10. As you have said many times, Lenovo uses mostly 16:9 low-end TN garbage because high-quality screens with superior resolutions and aspect ratios would cost too much. The Google Pixel's high price tag is mainly due to the extremely expensive screen.

Indeed, that's the most interesting part! Enough so, in fact, that assuming it's convertible to run a full OS (ideally FreeBSD, but realistically Debian) I'd consider replacing my T420 with it. They keyboard doesn't look very appealing (due to the flat key caps), but while I spend a lot of my time typing I spend even more looking at the screen.

You seem to be under the impression that I don't like it? Apart from the OS I actually think it's one of the more interesting notebooks that I've seen in years, if only because of the screen and the better promise of Linux compatibility. Plenty of Chromebooks offer a better chance for Linux support, and there are plenty of machines with attractive screens, but so far there aren't a whole lot of new computers that combine both. This might be the first to combine the two, and that makes it a serious contender for my next laptop.

I also think the price is fair for a real laptop with those specs (actually, my first thought was that it was less than I'd expect -- I wonder if they're subsidizing them?) As a real laptop it's a very good price for some very nice hardware. As a "Chromebook" (i.e. crippled netbook) it's expensive hardware that's overkill for what the software lets it be used for. That's why my purchase of it is going to depend on whether or not I can install a full OS.

[pianowizard]

Rob, thanks for clarifying. Personally, I don't believe in walking around with over $500 on me whether it's in the form of cash or phone or laptop or whatever. So, I wouldn't buy this Chromebook regardless of whether it can be reformated with a more versatile OS. But in terms of the hardware and design, the price is reasonable IMO. In addition, remember this is the list price. Before long, sales and/or coupon codes will probably bring it below $1,000, just like we can often buy Thinkpads originally listed at $1,300 for less than $1K.

[ThinkRob]

Before long, sales and/or coupon codes will probably bring it below $1,000, just like we can often buy Thinkpads originally listed at $1,300 for less than $1K.

That's why I hope it's not subsidized. If it is, then it might be a while until it gets down to a reasonable price; the Nexus One was that way -- it was only slightly discounted over its entire retail life, and I understand that the reason for that was that Google had to make a profit later in its life (once the tech got cheaper) so as to make up for the initial subsidy.

My hopes are also on this trend continuing and people seeing resolution as a "brag stat" (much like weight/form factor). With a little luck there'll be enough demand to put downward pressure on prices and hopefully get them into lower-end machines. Maybe if we're really lucky 3:2 will at least partially supplant 16:9. (Well... probably not. But still, we can hope.)

[JaneL]

Thank goodness it does not have a trackpoint. While I can use trackpoints well, touchpads work better for me. Also, for laptops with a trackpoint, the mouse pointer sometimes drifts randomly, so I would rather not have a trackpoint at all. I don't know how you trackpoint fans can tolerate such spontaneous drifts.

TrackPoint fans know better than to rest their finger on the TrackPoint, hence no drift!

[qviri]

Word on the street (e.g. at Liliputing) is it is/will be possible to install at least Linux OSes.

No trackpoint is a [censored] shame, but I'm thinking for for a screen like that I'm willing to carry a mouse.

On second thought, I'll just wait for Lenovo to release another sub-1000 vertical pixel Thinkpad ultraportable with printscreen key between right alt and ctrl.... maybe that'll help me get over no trackpoint.

[ThinkRob]

So it's probably running Coreboot under the hood. Which is even better!

Ok, I'm definitely going to consider getting one as soon as they hit the second-hand market (or if the retail price drops.)

[ilakast]

The hardware is sexy. But yeah, I would never shell out $1300 for one if it only runs ChromeOS. Even if I could put Windows or Linux on it, my FrankenPad already does everything it will do, albeit in a bulkier and heavier package.

This is currently priced at £1049 which translates in more than $1600. Has the price gone up? Am I missing sthg?

[Temetka]

While I have never used a ChromeBook of any kind, that is one sexy looking piece of hardware. I do have to agree with other people's input on the regards of it's one shiny web browser.

Someone needs to clone this machine and make it run x86/x64 software. But I wouldn't want a cheap chinese knockoff. No sir. I'd want the same materials, attention to detail and a superb level of craftsmanship as well.

[ThinkRob]

Someone needs to clone this machine and make it run x86/x64 software. But I wouldn't want a cheap chinese knockoff. No sir. I'd want the same materials, attention to detail and a superb level of craftsmanship as well.

Why? It already does. Wipe the toy OS, install a real Linux distro and that's that.