Google released Pixelbook Go in October 2019.
Go is marketed as a consumer laptop. But since this is a business-oriented site, we’ll take a corporate angle on this new Google offering.
If you’re not familiar with Chromebook’s Chrome OS, it’s a lightweight operating system that can be considered “browser first” — mainly a gateway to the cloud.
For those who have the need to run local apps, newer Chromebooks, including Go, have the Google Play store built-in. Fans of Microsoft apps can install Google Play versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
When You’re on the Go
We’ve long maintained on this site that a Chromebook is an excellent business travel companion. It’s lightweight. It has long battery life. Most users don’t store any sensitive data on it.
The Pixelbook Go is marketed as “Made to move, with a lightweight design and long-lasting battery.”
Whether you’re traveling locally or taking a flight, consider leaving your Windows PC or Mac in the office and packing a Pixel Go or other Chromebook.
This is especially true if you use mainly cloud apps such as Google Workspace and Salesforce in your work.
Plus, you can sync your PC or Mac Chrome browser settings and bookmarks with your Chromebook through a Gmail or Google Workspace account.
Pixelbook Go Models & Features
There are four Pixelbook Go models to choose from. For business users who like to have a lot of browser tabs open, it’s worth going with the second from the top model, which has 16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The processor is an Intel® Core™ i5, which provides plenty of power for business use.
For the top model, you’d pay a 40% premium ($1,399) to get double the storage and a 4K Ultra HD Molecular Display™. This one is more of a consumer model.
For security, Go has a built-in FIDO authenticator. Your company’s IT manager will appreciate this.
For listening to a webinar or other audio in a loud environment, Go has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is an increasingly rare output port on devices.
Other features include:
- A 1080p camera
- A touchscreen display
- One button or voice access to Google Assistant
- A grippable base for more easily carrying without a case
It’s early, but so far Pixelbook Go is a good-looking device for the business traveler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pixelbook Go is a designed-for-travel Chromebook that was released by Google in October 2019. Pixelbook Go comes in four models. The models range in cost from $649 to $1,399.
A Chromebook is a laptop computer that runs Google’s Chrome OS. Chrome OS is a lighter-weight operating system than Windows or iOS.
There are three ways you can work on Excel spreadsheets on a Chromebook. Open the spreadsheet in Google Sheets. Install the Excel Google Play app. Access Excel Online via the Chrome browser.
Pixelbook Go supports Bluetooth, a 3.5mm jack, and USB-C connections.
Pixelbook Go weighs about 2 pounds.