Chromebook Pixel Refresh Confirmed As Coming 'Soon'

Ahead of launch, a lot of excitement could be found around the Chromebook Pixel. The device was meant to give Chrome OS a flagship it could hang its hat on, providing a hardware benchmark for the platform. It accomplished much of that, though the limited spec sheet had most wondering where that $1,300 or so got you. Limited battery life also dogged the device, but man was it pretty. That was two years ago, and recent remarks suggest we're about to get a refresh for Google's Chrome OS flagship.

Speaking at a Google TeamWork 2015 event, Director of Android & Chrome, Google for Work (seriously, push for a new title) Renee Niemi had the following to say:

We do have a new Pixel coming out and it will be coming out soon. We will be selling it but I just have to set your expectations. This is a development platform...This is really a proof of concept. We don't make very many of these—we really don't. And our developers and our Googlers consume 85 percent of what we produce. But yes, we do have a new Pixel coming out.

Don't expect a massive overhaul of the hardware platform, though. The Chromebook Pixel is still one of the sharpest computers available, and does a great job of providing a reference device OEMs can look to for inspiration.

According to OMG Chrome, the new Pixel will probably keep the same overall hardware design, even keeping the 12.8-inch 3:2 touchscreen. A USB Type-C port is expected, though.

Whatever Google brings to the table, we'll hope for a better processor and other internal tweaks to make the price point worth it. If it really has the same design, we'd expect a $1,000-plus price point.

Then again, we'd also be interested in convertibles for Chrome OS. Fans have long wanted a Chrome OS tablet, so this could be it. We'll likely find out at Google I/O this year.

Source: OMG Chrome

Via: Ars Technica