Apple iPad Pro Claims Its First Victim As It Destroys Google's Flagship - Forbes
Google's Chromebook Pixel was always a bit of a silly product. While it certainly has the build quality and design ethos that a high-end laptop should have, it was just massively overpriced. So I'm calling it – the iPad Pro has killed the Chromebook Pixel.
So why does the iPad Pro have so much more to offer? Well, it's not more powerful in terms of raw numbers, the Pixel after all packs an amazing Intel i5 or i7 processor with either 8 or 16GB of RAM. Those specs are better than a lot of desktop PCs. The problem with Google's laptop is the operating system. And no, I'm not anti Chrome OS, I actually love it. The problem is that running Windows the Pixel would be awesome, a legitimate use for all that power. Running Chrome OS though, it's just massively overpowered.
Apple on the other hand has optimised the iPad with iOS. It's not starting from a more powerful base, but apps are designed to run on power-efficient phones and tablets, so they're written for one select group of CPUs and GPUs. That's a massive advantage, and there are games, productivity apps and a host of bespoke tools for the iPad that the Chrome OS Pixel just can't hope to match.
The iPad does everything the Chromebook does, and a load more. The Chromebook can limp along with in-browser apps, but things like Skype work a lot better on the iPad than they do on the Chromebook. There's much talk of bringing the Android and Chromebook ecosystems together of course, but at the moment that's something of a pipe dream. Ignore that possibility and Apple still has things like Facetime – which, let's be honest, can communicate with a massive number of devices.
And the screens – an area that the Pixel should have an advantage – is won by the iPad which has a slightly larger diagonal size, but more resolution and a better pixel-per-inch count.
Both devices boast long battery life. Here, the Chromebook has a slight advantage, and can last up to 12 hours, while the iPad does manage 10 hours, depending on the use. But the Chromebook Pixel only achieves that lifespan by weighing twice as much as the iPad Pro. For me, with travel in mind, the Pro is a much better solution. Even with a slightly less impressive keyboard than is on the Pixel.
Chromebook Pixel – image credit: Jay McGregor
Of course, the Pixel is just one of the devices that run Chrome OS, and I have long said that these devices are absolutely excellent if you need something to do basic surfing, email and writing. I use one all the time, although as I review the iPad Pro I am finding myself using that device more, but purely down to the number of apps. But when it comes to a $200 Chromebook vs. a $700 iPad, there's no way Apple can win that battle. And when Google moves more Android apps on to Chrome OS then things might start to get interesting.
For now though, the iPad Pro has killed the Google Chromebook Pixel. Google's over-specified device might be a work of art from design and performance perspectives but it can't match the flexibility of the iPad, nor can it come close on weight. Even the screen isn't the triumph it should be.
For now, if I was going to offer someone a non-traditional machine to work on it would be the iPad Pro that would get my thumbs up. Either that or the four-year-old, cheap-as-chips, Samsung Chromebook that I throw in my bag frequently and always love using.
Now watch – iPad Pro: Everything you need to know
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Posted by: Kris Murray <krismurray@gmail.com>
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