The Chromebooks we usually see around these parts can be summed up in two words: competent and cheap. This nicely sums up our reviews of both Samsung's $249 ARM Chromebook and Acer's $199 C7. Google's recently announced Chromebook Pixel goes against that grain: it's a high-quality machine with a gorgeous 2560×1700 display, but you'll pay a hefty $1,299 (or $1,449, for the LTE version) for the privilege of owning one.
Our full review of the computer—and, with it, our continuing thoughts on whether this machine makes any sense—is in the works, but in the meantime we took the Pixel out of its box to give it a good once-over.
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The Chromebook Pixel's box is simple to the point of being nondescript.Andrew Cunningham
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The side of the box with the multicolored stripe on it is actually a magnetic flap, which lifts up to reveal the hardware inside.Andrew Cunningham
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The box contains only the essentials: the Chromebook Pixel itself, a quick getting-started guide, a USB-to-Ethernet dongle, and a power adapter.Andrew Cunningham
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The Chromebook Pixel uses a 3:2 aspect ratio for its 12.85-inch 2560×1700 screen—this isn't quite the boxy 4:3 aspect ratio used by the laptops of yesteryear, but it feels like a bit of a throwback.Andrew Cunningham
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The Chromebook Pixel's 239 PPI screen has the same pluses and minuses as devices like the Nexus 10 or the Retina Display iPads and MacBook Pros—text is clear and crisp, but unless images have been optimized for high-density displays (as the Ars header image here has been), they'll look a little blurry.Andrew Cunningham
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We've never been able to say this about a Chromebook before, but this screen has excellent color and viewing angles.Andrew Cunningham
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The Chromebook's backlit keyboard is comfortably sized and has decent travel; the multitouch trackpad seems OK so far, but there may yet be some deficiencies to uncover.Andrew Cunningham
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The Pixel keeps it simple with respect to branding, stickers, and logos—there's one Chrome logo above the keyboard...Andrew Cunningham
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...and one on the laptop's slightly protruding hinge.
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Even the Pixel's ports eschew unnecessary labels. On the left side, you've got a power jack, mini-DisplayPort connector, two USB 2.0 ports, and a headphone jack.Andrew Cunningham
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The right side of the laptop houses its SD card reader and, for the 4G-enabled models, the SIM card tray.Andrew Cunningham
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The underside of the laptop is even plainer—only some rubber feet and regulatory logos here.Andrew Cunningham
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The Pixel is all clean lines and hard edges. The lid is held to the bottom of the laptop with magnets, as is customary these days.Andrew Cunningham
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The Pixel has uniform thickness throughout its body, which makes it seem a little boxy compared to something that tapers (the MacBook Air pictured is one prominent example, but it's common in many Ultrabooks).Andrew Cunningham
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The light on the lid of the Pixel needs to be seen in action to be truly appreciated. At boot, its blue, red, yellow, and green lights match the multicolored stripe on the box. When the laptop is in use, the light turns blue and pulsates in a manner very reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica's Cylons.Andrew Cunningham
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