Google launches Googlebook laptops to challenge MacBook

Googlebook arrives as a premium Android laptop category

Google has announced Googlebook, a new premium laptop category built on Android technology with desktop foundations derived from ChromeOS. Pre-orders opened on 21 September, with launch machines from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo.

Google says the devices will reach stores in early October. Expert Reviews reports that UK availability will begin on 5 October, although Google has not confirmed a UK pre-order time, retailer list or delivery dates.

UK prices start at £999

Google’s UK comparison page lists the Acer Googlebook 14 from £999. Dell’s XPS Googlebook and the Lenovo Googlebook 15 start at £1,099, while the ASUS Googlebook 14 and HP Googlebook 14 start at £1,199.

• Acer Googlebook 14: 14-inch OLED touchscreen, Intel Core Ultra 5, 1.15kg and up to 16 hours’ claimed battery life.
• XPS Googlebook: 13.4-inch 2.5K LCD touchscreen, Snapdragon X Elite, 1.09kg and up to 18 hours.
• Lenovo Googlebook 15: 15.3-inch OLED touchscreen, Intel Core Ultra 5, 1.29kg and up to 13 hours.
• ASUS Googlebook 14: 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen, Intel Core Ultra 7, 1.00kg and up to 16 hours.
• HP Googlebook 14: 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen, Snapdragon X Elite, 1.22kg and up to 19 hours.

All launch models have 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, touchscreens, backlit keyboards, haptic glass trackpads and AI-processing hardware rated above 45 TOPS, according to Google. The quoted battery figures come from controlled web-browsing tests and may be lower in everyday use.

Gemini and Android integration are central

Googlebook is designed to work closely with Android phones. Its Continue On feature can resume certain phone tasks on the laptop, while Files can access material stored on a connected phone. Cast My Apps allows supported phone apps to be streamed and used in a desktop window without installing them separately.

Gemini features include Magic Pointer, which offers AI actions when the cursor is moved or “wiggled”, and Rambler, which turns spoken notes into formatted writing. Google also lists calendar organisation, translation and personalised dashboards among the assistant’s capabilities.

Each model also uses Google’s Glowbar, an exterior light strip for startup, charging, battery and Gemini activity. Google says Googlebook uses ChromeOS-derived security protections, including a Google Titan security chip or module and on-device malware detection.

Not a Chromebook replacement

Google is positioning Googlebook above existing Chromebooks, which it says remain focused on simpler and lower-cost everyday computing. The company says Chromebooks are not being discontinued and will retain their 10-year automatic update commitment.

“We’re not showing up today and saying this is the laptop that replaces all laptops,” Google’s Sameer Samat told Axios.

Googlebook instead marks what Samat described as a “multiyear endeavor” aimed initially at building a premium laptop for Android users. TechRadar reports that Google is targeting premium thin-and-light Windows laptops and Apple’s MacBook range, rather than competing at the entry level.