It appears the Pixel lineup is about to expand with a new device, joining its revitalized smartphone series. Recent analysis of an Android beta version hints at a forthcoming Pixel laptop that Google could be preparing to release soon. The company’s last entry into the laptop market was the Pixelbook Go in 2019, which served as a more budget-friendly alternative to the original Pixelbook released in 2017.
Neither the Pixelbook nor the Pixelbook Go, nor the earlier Chromebook Pixel models, were particularly popular with consumers or commercially successful. This ultimately led Google to exit the laptop market and redirect its efforts toward Pixel smartphones.
The landscape is changing, and ChromeOS seems to be heading toward its end.
The tides are shifting, and it seems ChromeOS is on its sunset ride.
Code snippets found within Google’s software indicate that we may finally witness a new laptop attempt from the company, but this time without the traditional Chromebook base. It might instead serve as a demonstration for a new category of devices running Aluminium OS. However, a Google Pixel laptop doesn’t seem particularly logical at this moment due to several opposing factors. Let’s dive into this!
Google’s Past Laptop Launches: A Record of Struggles
To be historically accurate, Google hasn’t had a great track record with laptops. Over the past decade, the company has tried multiple times, beginning with the Chromebook Pixel in 2013, an updated version in 2015, the Pixelbook in 2017, and the Pixelbook Go in 2019.
Digital TrendsNone of these devices revolutionized the computing world or set lasting trends, primarily due to two issues: their high cost and the operating system they used.
A History of High Prices at Google
As the table shows, Google laptops were consistently priced at a premium, typically starting around $1,000. At that price, consumers could easily purchase a powerful Windows laptop or a MacBook Air. Why would anyone spend that much on a ChromeOS device?
Only the Pixelbook Go launched at a lower price of about $649. Our review highlighted its portable design, hardware, and great battery life. However, the software limitations remained a significant drawback, as full-featured Windows PCs were available at that price.
I spent $1,649 on the top-tier model with the Core i7 processor, and it now sits unused in my drawer. It’s not that I don’t want to use it; the laptop is incredibly slow. Despite multiple hard resets, it struggles to run Chrome smoothly, overheats, and has lost touch sensitivity.
ChromeOS in 2026: Still Lagging Behind
That was nearly a decade ago. Is ChromeOS competitive today? Unfortunately, no. Google seems to have neglected the OS, with few significant updates.
GoogleWhile there have been minor updates, nothing substantial has made it a strong competitor. It remains a browser-centric OS with limited support for creative and productivity apps. With the end of Google Stadia, gaming is also largely unavailable on ChromeOS.
In contrast, Linux has made massive strides, runs on similar low-power hardware, and supports gaming and popular apps. In fact, Linux is experiencing record usage among Steam gamers. ChromeOS offers simplicity, but that’s its main advantage.
What About Aluminium OS?
There is a potential silver lining. Google is developing a new OS called Aluminium OS, expected to launch in 2026. This OS aims to combine Android and ChromeOS into a unified platform.
Built from the ground up on Android, it promises native support for all Play Store apps, proper keyboard and mouse support, and desktop-grade window management, including multiple desktops.
The standout feature will be Gemini AI, deeply integrated into the OS, which is a major improvement over ChromeOS. However, Aluminium OS may face challenges similar to those of ChromeOS.
Rachit Agarwal / Digital TrendsFirst, AI features require powerful hardware, specifically an NPU for on-device tasks like translation, generative photo editing, and scam detection without internet.
Second, being Android-based means full desktop app support is still lacking. While a translation layer might help, similar to Apple’s Rosetta during its ARM transition, success is uncertain. Windows on ARM has struggled but is improving.
I doubt Aluminium OS will succeed in its first attempt at serious computing.
I can’t imagine Aluminium OS will fare any better in its first swing at serious computing.
AppleIntegrated Gemini AI could give Aluminium OS an edge over Apple’s AI features in macOS and Windows Copilot. However, the lack of desktop app support remains a critical hurdle Google must overcome, or the OS will face the same fate as ChromeOS.
Rising RAM and SSD Prices
For a new Google laptop to succeed, it must be affordable. However, the current market, affected by the “RAMmageddon” impacting PCs, smartphones, and gaming, makes this difficult.
Sergei Starostin / PexelsWith rising RAM and SSD costs due to AI infrastructure demands, electronics prices are climbing. Microsoft has increased Surface laptop prices, Sony and Nintendo have raised PS5 and Switch 2 prices, and Samsung has increased phone and tablet prices.
These are just examples. All laptop manufacturers are raising prices, causing consumer frustration and panic buying, according to Counterpoint Research. Industry trends suggest prices will worsen before improving.
UnsplashIt’s unprecedented for a gaming console, phone, or laptop to cost more in 2026 than at launch. In this market, Google cannot lower prices for a new laptop with Aluminium OS’s high hardware requirements without compromising quality, which was a key strength of older Google laptops.
The MacBook Neo Exists at $599
Google’s Aluminium OS sounds promising but faces a reality check from Apple’s MacBook Neo. If the Google laptop existed in isolation, it might have a chance.
Last month, Apple launched an affordable MacBook starting at $599. Despite some compromises, the MacBook Neo received excellent reviews and sold rapidly.
Nadeem Sarwar / DigitalTrendsConsider this: if you had to choose between a Pixelbook and a MacBook Neo at $599, which would you pick?
I believe most would choose the MacBook Neo. The Pixelbook’s only advantage over Windows laptops was its design, which it won’t have against the MacBook Neo.
The MacBook Neo offers a full metal body, good display, quality keyboard, and excellent touchpad. Google will struggle to match this quality and performance at $599.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsAdditionally, the MacBook Neo runs macOS, offering a full desktop experience. Even with Aluminium OS, the Google laptop will lack desktop app support. While the experience may improve over ChromeOS, it cannot compete with a mature OS like macOS.
Chromebooks sell well in education due to sub-$300 pricing. However, as the MacBook Neo sells for $350–$400 used in a few years, who will buy a Chromebook then?
Does a Chromebook, or Pixelbook, Make Sense Now?
ChromeOS’s market share relies on education programs. If Apple partners with schools to offer the MacBook Neo, ChromeOS’s days are numbered.
Even without Apple’s success in schools, the MacBook Neo ends the era of premium ChromeOS laptops. While Aluminium OS might be Google’s hope, I am skeptical. This is why I believe a new Google laptop does not make sense now, or ever.


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