r/chromeos • u/domagalski • 1d ago
Googlebook Googlebook review: Google’s new laptops are woefully underbaked | Google
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/20/googlebook-review-google-laptops-chromeos-androidA one star review from The Guardian.
40
u/fluxchronica 1d ago
It always astounds me how a multibillion dollar company can be so clumsy. Often it’s Microsoft but google isn’t far behind.
18
u/neverJamToday 1d ago
Because the way they've structured their business, it's more like hundreds of smaller businesses hot glued together, that don't communicate or coordinate with each other nearly enough or have a central organizing authority ensuring they're not stepping on each other's toes. Apple's basically a top-down dictatorship whose main business model is selling hardware at a premium. Google barely gives a shit about hardware, to them it only exists to get you into their cloud/AI.
But the marketing team clearly wants to position Googlebooks as a direct competitor to Macbooks.
But they can never create the same cohesive experience Apple offers and that's 100% intentional at the executive level. It was a big deal when they reorganized all their hardware teams under one division but even then it's still heavily, heavily siloed and they're still obsessed with the idea of a minimum viable product. Fuck it, ship it.
1
u/angstykylo 1d ago
It's also pretty much just the silicon. The efficient hardware is doing most of the heavy lifting, there isn't really an equivalent at the same price. MacBooks are genuinely elite, thankfully it's pushed Microsoft into making a better Windows. 26H2 is a good start.
9
u/neverJamToday 1d ago
Silicon's a big piece of the puzzle but Google can't even get their ducks in a row on "what happens when you right-click?" on their supposedly "premium" new laptops that they've been working on for years. That's a 1980s computer problem, not a 2026 computer problem. And it's 100% because the people at the top couldn't care less about anything except "is this helping sell Gemini?"
25
24
u/tmofee 1d ago
Google are such a weird company. So many maybe too many ideas and sometimes poor execution
12
u/grooves12 1d ago edited 1d ago
Google has basically unlimited money to spend on R and D, but their company structure doesn't incentivize supporting products after they are released, so they are terrible at it, and there is no vertical integration for any of the products they develop. Each "product" (including software) lives in its own separate entity.
Just hearing them discuss this was a joke. "We went to each Google software team and asked them if they wanted to make an android version of their web apps for the Googlebook, and they said no, so we did nothing". What!?!? Can you imagine that from Apple? Never.
8
u/Ok_Ruin4016 1d ago
Yeah that's the real problem with Google. Every product and service they make completely separate from every other one and none of those teams talk to each other so nothing really works well together.
Google comes up with a good idea, create a new team to develop that product, then none of the other teams at Google do anything to integrate the new product into the existing Google ecosystem so it comes out feeling incomplete, reviews for the new product are bad because of this, consumers see the bad reviews so no one buys this new thing, Google sees poor sales and gives up on their new product after a year. Then they have a new idea and start the whole process over. Meanwhile another company takes Google's original idea that they gave up on and 2-5 years later they release a much better version than what Google had released. Google then copies the copy of their own idea and no one buys it because it's seen as a knockoff of the other company.
If Google just made all their product developers work together on new products/services and stopped canceling everything that isn't an immediate success, they could be so much more successful.
1
10
14
u/MyDadsGlassesCase 1d ago
TBH I still don't really understand what the point of them is or why I would buy one.
I have a high spec touchscreen Chromebook which runs all the Android apps I need while providing the performance I probably don't need but greedily want. My Android tablet has sat in a drawer for about 2 years without being used as I have no need for it so why would I have a need to buy a Googlebook?
Even Gemini doesn't seem to sell it well:
"Googlebooks offer several distinct advantages over traditional Chromebooks, primarily driven by their upgraded hardware (mine flies like shit off a stick), native Android-based operating system (don't care), and deep artificial intelligence integration (really don't care)"
1
0
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
If youre happy with your Chromebook then keep it. I care about native Andorid and I want an operating system that is going to continue to be supported (chrome Os is effectively on live support until 2034)
5
u/MyDadsGlassesCase 1d ago
If one of the main selling points is simply "ChromeOS is going to be discontinued" then I don't think Googlebooks have many pros.over Chromebooks.
And if "well you get Android" is the only other pro when you could buy a fast Android tablet with a keyboard then there really is nothing
1
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
No the main selling point is Googlebook shares a code base with the most popular operating system in the world.. Andorid and it works pretty well right now
Chrome OS being discontinued is just a bonus reason
3
u/Grim-Sleeper 1d ago
But I don't want an OS that allows local state, is prone to malware, and desperately chases other more established operating systems. If that's what I wanted, I could just by any other laptop and use Linux, Windows, or MacOS. What does Android give me that I can't have with those?
I chose ChromeOS, exactly because my need are better met with a device that doesn't keep local state and that doesn't make me worry about malware
1
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
So stick with it! Chrome OS is supported until 2032 so switch to Linux, Windows or Mac if that is what you want.
I dont like Linux, Windows or Mac. I'm happy with my Andorid device and am happy with a desktop that also runs Android.
Also Android is prone to malware? Ive been using android devices for 20+ years and never had an issue so that is certainly new to me.
I thought Googles version of Andorid was the best? I was told all my life from redditors and reviewers that it was the most secure. I thought Play Protect scanned all apps for malware.. Guess I was wrong maybe I should return my Pixel and just get an iphone
6
u/MyersG1957 1d ago
I agree we are Beta testers and we pay through the nose for the privilege! AND now Googlebook help centre does not even bother call us when we need help it is a shocking mess I can see people like ASUS questioning being involved in such an amateurish project so I am worried they will bail leaving me with a very expensive turd that Google appear to have no interest in polishing.
5
u/khaytsus 1d ago
Android Tablets, of which these are, with an attached keyboard, is truly Google's kryptonite. They just can't seem to pull it off. I wonder if they'll flop around like a fish and let GoogleBooks die, or actually fix the problems. Problem is, they've already stunk up the name, even with the people who want GoogleBooks to succeeed.
8
u/matteventu OG Duet, Duet 3, Duet 11" Gen 9 1d ago
For those who wonder, that review is also written by the same editor who reviewed the Pixel 11 Pro and gave it 5/5 stars. So hardly a Google hater.
16
u/slinky317 1d ago
Don't go post this in the Googlebook subreddit. They'll bend over backwards to defend it, especially one guy who is posting that he was a ChromeOS power user (but didn't use PWAs or Android apps) and has since blocked me when I called him out.
4
u/matteventu OG Duet, Duet 3, Duet 11" Gen 9 1d ago
He blocked me too.
Such a bunch of delusional fanboys lmao.
5
u/CHC-Disaster-1066 1d ago
Well, I will take a crack at defending it. Most of the complaints and criticisms the guy calls out aren't relevant for me. For context I was looking to replace an iPad M4 and Magic keyboard combo, and also an M1 Mac mini. I had an M1 iPad and both my M1 devices started to lag with iOS 26. And the iPad was terrible for doing any type of real work, it was a gloried YouTube and reddit machine.
For the Googlebook: I don't use or care about multiple chrome profiles (although this would be really nice to have Work profile support, so I think this is very valid criticism). Split screen tabs in chrome? Don't use them.
Haven't had issues with the continuity features. I don't mind GDocs opening in the browser although it's a little odd going from app to browser.
Hardware and screen have been great. Performance has been fantastic.
Now...why get this over a MacBook? IMO the integration with Android phones is probably the main reason. I also think the author underplays the usage of Gemini and Rambler and Writing Tools. Google is well ahead of apple here and I find these to be very helpful tools.
Idk, definitely some bugs and rough edges but 1 star isn't fair IMO.
19
u/slinky317 1d ago
I mean, you're just handwaving away the issues with the OS. These are legitimate downsides, even if you don't use them.
5
u/Mbanicek64 1d ago
Downsides for who? Not this guy if its outside of their usecase.
4
u/slinky317 1d ago
The reviewer that is the subject of this post, apparently
1
u/Mbanicek64 1d ago
Ok, but you are specifically responding to someone who is saying those aren’t issues for them. Sort of misses the point that not all features are universally important.
1
u/slinky317 1d ago
But a reviewer has to consider all perspectives and use cases. And Google says this is a desktop class OS, so it is justifiable that it is judged against the standards of other such OSes.
1
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
I can assure you a reviewer does NOT consider all perspectives and use cases.
Almost all of them pick a story they deem appropriate and write around it. If a review hates Googlebook on day one they will write for that narrative wether its true or not
3
u/slinky317 1d ago
I'm not sure what reviews you've read, but most of the ones I've read have talked about the great potential they see with the OS, but it's weighed down by bugs and missing features.
0
-3
u/CHC-Disaster-1066 1d ago
Sure, they have their downsides, but you have to also look at the severity and impact of the issues. Every operating system has some bugs and some limitations.
For example, if I'm on macOS and there's an app that doesn't have a web app version and it's not available on the App Store, that kind of stinks. I have to use my phone or iPad.
Now with the Google Book, though, I don't have that limitation. I can basically work on any app, whether it's web-based or Android-based. That's nice.
I care way more about having good writing tools and AI integration than whether GDocs opens in the app or browser.
5
2
u/nucleartime 1d ago
Counterpoint: Gemini sucks and I would rather use any other model series. The only thing Gemini has going for it are that it has access to internal Google APIs other AI harnesses don't.
3
u/CHC-Disaster-1066 1d ago
Been using Argon pretty exclusively the last few days for work and finding it's just as good as Opus 5.5 if not better. Definitely is better than Grok.
And the flash models are good given the cost.
2
u/SuperYuuRo 1d ago
what the hell do you expect from the Pixel cultists who will deny Google of any and every wrong doing of selling them half baked garbage just because it has muh AI + smooth and clean software on it
0
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
The Googlebook Subreddit understands its good enough for what it is and will continue to grow from there...
Everyone on this subreddit thinks they are being big brained complaining about hyper niche features that Chrome OS had.. that Googlebook will get eventually anyways
4
u/slinky317 1d ago
Hyper niche features such as "being able to use a full office suite"
1
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
Googlebook is able to do that? Ive done countless docs, sheets, and slides with my XPS.
1
u/slinky317 1d ago
With what app?
1
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
... the chrome browser? EXACTLY like I would on Windows and Mac?
1
u/Arxhart_671 2h ago
Which begs the question why spend another 900-1100 dollars just to use Chrome when you almost certainly already have a laptop or tablet that you can just install Chrome on, if it's not there already. Neither you nor Google have a logical answer to that question. I guess you can say the phone connectivity but that barely works according to most reports and will probably never be as good as it is with iOS and MacOS.
1
u/slinky317 1d ago
I'm talking about an on-device native office suite. Not web-based.
0
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
Kinda proves my "everyone is trying to be big brained" comment then...
Office works just fine, and saying you dont like the web based version doesnt mean office.. doesnt work entirely.
if you have to spread misinformation or not be truthful about Googlebooks capabilities then you arent really being helpful to the community.. and no wonder the Googlebook subreddit isnt taking ur feedback seriously
0
u/slinky317 1d ago
Office works just fine? Are you talking about Microsoft Office?
The only native office suite you can install is the Android version of Microsoft Office. And that is not full featured compared to its counterparts on other OSes.
What misinformation am I spreading?
0
u/YaBoiiSpoderman 1d ago
Were coming back to the "niche features" part of my original comment now..
The average user can use Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint via the web and do everything they need.
Its the same situation with Chorme OS... So is Chrome OS underbaked too because the Android App isnt fully featured? Cause your comments are singling out Googlebook
You guys are just not being consistent with what is "wrong" with Googlebook. Constant moving the goalposts or just being intentionally obtuse about it for some reason
→ More replies
3
u/shups4life 1d ago
got the last Lenovo Chromebook Plus in my city the week Googlebook dropped, reduced to about half price. wouldn't pay 2k even if it was amazing
3
3
u/Glittering-Soft1575 1d ago
My concern is the future of inexpensive chromebooks. Will google continue to build and support them?
2
u/Awkward_Can_1516 1d ago
For a while. Then they’ll join the long list of google products google has killed.
1
3
u/Mbanicek64 1d ago
The Acer for 900$:
OLED, Touchscreen, Convertible, Excellent trackpad, long term support (allegedly), solid battery life
To me it replaces a tablet and is more of a computer than an Android tablet/ipad would be. I have never been satisfied with a Windows trackpad to the point to where I wouldn't even consider windows.
I think people who are critical of these machines need to understand that it is a starting point. Do I trust Google to follow through? Not really, but combining the code base makes logical sense and they have removed the obstacles to long term support that has plagued android over the years.
2
u/gruck5536 1d ago
I feel like everyone called this, is Google on the decline? Did they leak with Gmail?
2
u/FrankyTankyColonia 1d ago
I think the person who wrote that has a point.
Googlebook OS might have good ideas, ...but at the moment it just seems not to be the best option. I'll stick with ChromeOS until the new OS has real advantages. right now it hasn't.
2
u/50missioncap 1d ago
I very much suspect that there are a lot of influential middle-managers at Google who don't have a technical or development background. And right now there are some very smart developers quietly smiling and thinking "I told you this would happen."
2
u/Competitive-Boat-642 1d ago
Oh my, it’s got Gemini integrated. That can’t be good. Gemini seems to make so many more errors now.
1
u/AntAir267 10h ago
It's called the "Googlebook" for God's sake; it's like no one actually thought out any part of it.
1
u/Defiant-Rip-1897 6h ago
Given the prices for these Googlebooks (which for me are about the same if not more than a MacBook Air), it is disappointing to hear that while the hardware is good, the software is not up to par.
1
u/Malcalypsetheyounger 1d ago
Kinda glad I got a Chromebook plus earlier this year I stead of waiting for this.
1
u/Gaiden206 1d ago edited 1d ago
That's how every brand new Google product starts out. A Google employee who worked for Stadia pretty much confirmed that's how they purposely do things. 😅
Our approach to releasing features on Stadia is similar to how we run Google Search, YouTube and other Google services: gradual rollout and continuous improvement, based on your feedback. We always start with nailing the key userjourney and then proceed with releasing extra features. YouTube started with "watch video". For Stadia it's "Play the Game on your biggest screen".
It's true, too. Look back at every Google release that entered an established market, and you'll remember they always started out underbaked as hell compared to what was already out there. Even the Gemini app followed that exact pattern, as a more recent example.
I think this is why they started out with such pricey hardware. It's likely aimed at tech hobbyists who enjoy buying new tech to fiddle around with and give their feedback on. It's currently too underbaked to be sold on cheaper hardware to the masses.
1
u/donnysaysvacuum 1d ago
Do they have a clear direction though? Even if it were just android on a laptop it would be clearer. They seem to want it to be a cloud/AI based os, but still run android apps or maybe some Linux command line stuff? How is that different than chromeOS?
2
1
u/Meandtheworld 1d ago
They don’t care if it fails. They’ve the money either way. This was just an experiment.
1
u/RJDG14 1d ago
Chromebooks are low-end laptops that serve a specific purpose, but I don't understand what the market is for a mid-range machine that can't run the majority of desktop software (which you can on Windows or MacOS), and I feel this is the main problem here.
0
u/Royal-Strawberry-404 1d ago
Tengo un chromebook plus gama alta. Rápida, ligera, puedo tener Linux, Android. No utilizo software Windows ni de Mac, y estoy feliz con su sencillez.
1
1
u/TurningTablesAgain 1d ago
Here I am still using my Samsung Chromebook from 2021 and to this day it still runs everything fine. Most features that I'm interested like connecting to your phone are already baked into chromebook albeit not as seamless, but still perfectly fine for someone who grew up with chromebooks since inception. All Googlebooks did was reinforce how much luck and value I've already made with my chromebook.
1
u/UnderTheHole 23h ago
Get their ass, Guardian. Google released their Chromebook Pixel, Pixelbook 2017, and Pixelbook Go 2019 just fine. They have no excuse this time around. (But, if I'm being honest, those starting prices are atrocious in the age of the MacBook Neo...)
1
u/k2k5 1d ago
No os is perfect in first version...since hardware is upto mark, google can always solve the software issue 'if they want'.
Only problem is google often gets bored of their own products and drops it..
6
2
u/Exfiltrator 1d ago
I don't think anybody expected perfect, but given how long both Android and Chrome OS have been around, this should have combined the best of both and it just fails at that. There are too many things that Chrome OS does better and that Android (on a phone) does better. At this price range it is not acceptable.
1
u/computermaster704 1d ago
Google has been working on Chrome OS and Android for over 10 years and they've released several laptops in that time period. This is a multi-trillion dollar company releasing disgustingly underpowered hardware for exorbitant prices.
1
u/National_Sport6826 7h ago
Huh? These destry the kac neo in specs they arent underpowered wtf is wrong with you dp you even do cpu bechmqrkst before you spew bs
1
u/DangerousAccount3521 1d ago
Same play book as the current pixel phone line
1
u/computermaster704 1d ago
Honestly I agree, especially with their migration to the Tensor chipset locking out the NPU to external access from the system Google lost all of my respect once they came out with the Pixels and stopped focusing on Android itself. And even in 2026 I can't use my phone microphone while outputting audio to my Bluetooth headphones.
1
u/Electronic_Web_6678 1d ago edited 1d ago
Ma scusate c'è un passaggio che davvero fatico a comprendere. Ma perché accidenti dovrei spendere € 1550 (Italia) per un GooglebookOS, se le applicazioni le posso creare per me stesso in Vibe Coding. L'esigenza di avere un mirroring fra smartphone e PC è un'esigenza che non ho mai coltivato sinceramente. I ChromeBook Plus sono degli ottimi prodotti e spero che Google faccia marcia indietro. Googlebook è un prodotto ambizioso e altamente fallimentare (Windows docet). L'hardware del Googlebook va benissimo, ma con un altro sistema operativo. Dovrebbero seriamente rivalutare il potenziamento e l'affinamento del ChromeOs, e puntare al massimo, ad un integrazione non troppo invasiva con l'intelligenza artificiale. Mia personale considerazione
-2
u/karl-tanner 1d ago
"woefully underbaked" -- who talks like this? (Nobody). This clown journalist should stick to buggery and blasphemy innit
2
58
u/koken_halliwell 1d ago
Such an epic failure