ANDRIOD AUTHORITY

Update, September 3, 2020 (05:00 PM ET): We’ve updated the Pixelbook 2 rumor hub below with information on the supposed codename of the device as well as some specs it might pack.

Original article, July 24, 2020 (04:00 PM ET): Chromebooks are more popular than ever in the tough-as-nails laptop market. With the success of Chrome OS growing and growing, it seems that 2020 could be the best time ever for a Google Pixelbook 2 to finally land.

When the original Google Pixelbook launched in 2017, it was met with critical praise — as well as consumer scorn. Although the new Google laptop was a terrific piece of machinery, its $1,000 price tag and reliance on the then-unproven Chrome OS caused many consumers to balk.

However, times have changed. The premium Chromebook market is becoming solidified, so a Pixelbook 2 might actually fare better now than it would have in 2017.

Below, you’ll find everything we know so far about the supposed Pixelbook 2. Be sure to bookmark this page so you’ll always know the latest Pixelbook news!

Will there be a Pixelbook 2?

This is probably the most basic question you might have: will there even be a Pixelbook 2? We actually expected Google to launch a Pixelbook sequel last year, and it kind of did: the Google Pixelbook Go. Of course, this wasn’t a true sequel to the 2017 Pixelbook.

Related: The best Google Chromebook for your needs: What are your options?

Google also previously launched the Google Pixel Slate, a Chrome OS tablet/hybrid akin to the Microsoft Surface. Obviously, that wasn’t a true follow-up to the Pixelbook either. However, the Pixel Slate didn’t fare well with audiences, and Google since abandoned tablets altogether.

With the end of the Pixel Slate line and the continuation of the Pixelbook name with the Pixelbook Go in 2019, it seems inevitable that there will be a Pixelbook 2 at some point in the future. In fact, we have a possible internal codename for the Pixelbook 2: “Halvor.” This is a male name of Norwegian origin. If you’ll remember, the codename for the original Pixelbook was “Eve,” so it’s possible Google will use alternating female/male names for Pixelbooks.

Google Pixelbook 2 release date

If there will be a Pixelbook 2 this year, it will almost certainly land at Google’s usual Fall hardware event. This is when Google normally launches the latest Pixel smartphones (which will be the Google Pixel 5 and Google Pixel 4a 5G).

Related: The best Chromebooks you can get right now

For reference, Google launched the original Pixelbook at this event in October 2017. It then launched the Pixel Slate at the 2018 iteration and then the Pixelbook Go at the 2019 event. Therefore, it stands to reason that we’d see the upcoming Pixelbook at the same event in 2020.

However, as with everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic could throw a wrench into those plans. Google delayed the launch of the Google Pixel 4a multiple times, for example. Google might be planning to launch a new entry in the Pixelbook line in October, but whether or not that will happen is up in the air at the moment.

Features, specs, and design

One of the most distinctive aspects of the original Pixelbook was its 3:2 touchscreen display. Most laptops have 16:9 displays, so this immediately sets the Pixelbook out from the pack. Will the Pixelbook 2 also have this aspect ratio?

The jury is still out on that, but our guess would be no. The reason we say that is the Pixelbook Go — the most recent Pixel-branded laptop — has a 16:9 display, and the Pixel Slate’s tepid response from consumers might have been a sign that 3:2 isn’t what people want. Additionally, no other major laptop line adopted the 3:2 design, so Google may abandon the 3:2 novelty just for the sake of staying competitive.

Related: Google Pixel Slate review: Overpriced convenience

The new Pixelbook will almost certainly be a high-end machine, though, with premium build materials and a strong spec sheet. Every Pixel laptop/tablet has had Intel-based processors so we’d expect that trend to continue, too. Stylus support is also pretty much a given, and it wouldn’t be surprising if some newer technologies come standard with the Pixelbook 2, such as Wi-Fi 6 support, Thunderbolt 3 support, etc. We even have rumors suggesting that USB 4.0 could debut with the next Pixelbook.

Finally, Google is throwing a lot of its weight behind Google Stadia, its new game-streaming service. It wouldn’t be surprising if the next Pixelbook is designed to work well with Stadia, which could influence various aspects of the design and specs. This would also back up our theory that the Pixelbook 2 might have a 16:9 display, as this would be key for gaming.

Google Pixelbook 2 price

As we stated at the beginning of this article, the original Pixelbook faced harsh criticism for its $1,000 price tag (as did the high pricing of the Pixel Slate). With that in mind, you’d think Google would try to make the entry price lower for the Pixelbook 2.

Related: The best Chromebook deals you can get right now

Unfortunately, Google usually doesn’t operate in that fashion. If it wants the Pixelbook series to be seen as the premium flagship for Chrome OS, then the Pixelbook 2 will almost certainly stick to the four-digit price range. This theory is backed up by the existence of the Pixelbook Go, which now can be pointed to as the “cheap” way to get a Pixelbook.

That being said, it appears Google has finally seen the light when it comes to the high pricing of Pixel smartphones. All rumors so far point to the Google Pixel 5 coming in at a much lower starting price than the Pixel 4 and Pixel 3. Therefore, it is possible — however unlikely — that Google could lower the price of a future Pixelbook 2. We’re not betting on it, though.

Until we hear differently, we’re going to assume the Pixelbook 2 will cost $1,000 or more at launch.

That’s everything we know so far about the Pixelbook 2! Be sure to bookmark this page so you can stay posted on the latest updates.

Source: ANDRIOD AUTHORITY