Wire report

Googlebook review: Google’s new laptops are woefully underbaked

Great hardware let down by software flaws on these pricey machines that combine ChromeOS with Android Google’s attempt to create a new type of laptop to compete with Windows and macOS machines is finally here, combining the best of ChromeOS and Android into the new Googlebook. With advanced links to Android phones and the best of Google built in, can these Googlebooks really compete with a MacBook Air or Surface Laptop? I took two for a spin to find out. For years, Chromebooks have been the boss of budget laptops, but Googlebooks take a different, far more premium approach. Made by a range of traditional PC makers, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo, they start at £999 (€1,099/ $899 / A$2,299 ) – a far cry from the £160 Chromebooks. Continue reading...

Image from linked report: Googlebook review: Google’s new laptops are woefully underbaked
Image from the linked report: Googlebook review: Google’s new laptops are woefully underbaked.Credit: The Guardian Thumbnail shown with attribution and outbound source link; VINI does not claim ownership or republish the original article body. Image source External image shown with attribution and an outbound source link; VINI does not claim ownership or republish the original article body.
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Why it mattersTechnology

Great hardware let down by software flaws on these pricey machines that combine ChromeOS with Android Google’s attempt to create a new type of laptop to compete with Windows and macOS machines is finally here, combining the best of ChromeOS and Android into the new Googlebook. With advanced links to Android phones and the best of Google built in, can these Googlebooks really compete with a MacBook Air or Surface Laptop? I took two for a spin to find out. For years, Chromebooks have been the boss of budget laptops, but Googlebooks take a different, far more premium approach. Made by a range of traditional PC makers, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo, they start at £999 (€1,099/ $899 / A$2,299 ) – a far cry from the £160 Chromebooks. Continue reading...

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What happened

According to The Guardian’s source item, Googlebook review: Google’s new laptops are woefully underbaked, Great hardware let down by software flaws on these pricey machines that combine ChromeOS with Android Google’s attempt to create a new type of laptop to compete with Windows and macOS machines is finally here, combining the best of ChromeOS and Android into the new Googlebook. With advanced links to Android phones and the best of Google built in, can these Googlebooks really compete with a MacBook Air or Surface Laptop? I took two for a spin to find out. For years, Chromebooks have been the boss of budget laptops, but Googlebooks take a different, far more premium approach. Made by a range of traditional PC makers, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo, they start at £999 (€1,099/ 899 / A2,299 ) – a far cry from the £160 Chromebooks. Continue reading…

Context

The development sits in VINI’s Technology file for readers following technology, science, product policy, markets, infrastructure, and the public consequences of innovation. The original report is linked so readers can check the source account, follow later updates, and compare new coverage against the first published record. The source item is dated 2026-10-20T06:00:18+00:00.

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Source

Primary source: Googlebook review: Google’s new laptops are woefully underbaked via The Guardian. VINI cites and links the source; it does not reproduce the publisher’s full article text without rights clearance.

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