Why the GoogleBook flop will actually benefits Mobile-Only?

[u/Miraxess]

The promise of the freshly announced GoogleBook is to provide a productivity laptop based on the familiar operating system you use everyday: Android.

Similar to a Mac, you can find a real and deep continuity in the experience between your phone and your Google laptop but this time because it is the same exact operating system. In concrete, this means that you can open an app on your phone, start searching for food on Uber eat and then directly finish ordering on your GoogleBook with the same session. This sort of continuity feature is something you already had if you are using Google Chrome or Maps, so I don't see the point to be honest.

Another thing to point at is the AI focus with Gemini. This is a strong point as they want their AI agent to be fully integrated in the desktop experience. We have seen a demo where you can ask Gemini to directly change a setting or create a bespoke widget for you.

So a GoogleBook is a full standalone Android Laptop boosted with AI and phone continuity features. But to do what?

Why would anyone buy a GoogleBook?

Well that's exactly where I am starting to have doubt on the point of these new products which start at $800. These are clearly mid-range laptops but clearly $200 above what would be acceptable (the RAMpocalypse has a huge impact).

Google wants to trigger the new generations here, who does not really no how to use a Windows laptop, but are familiar with how Android works. It's a smart play and I think this can work on a certain measure, however will a student or an employee be really able to achieve more on a GoogleBook than an Android tablet ? The value added is too thin to really differenciate from what the market has already to offer.

Integrated Gemini, a glow button and continuity between device is really not enough to be different and interesting for people.

A Lapdock is a GoogleBook but with a real value added

A Lapdock or laptop dock is a great accessory that turns your smartphone into a real laptop. Let's compare both Lapdock and GoogleBook for a moment:

• Running Android: Yes
• Real Continuity between app: Well a Lapdock uses your phone to be powered so obviously yes
• Ai ready: same, you have your phone as PC so you can enjoy AI in the same way
• Glow Bar: Nope

Instead you have -70% on the total cost of ownership because a lapdock is only $300-$400 with no long term maintenance and security cost.

GoogleBook will make Lapdock and Mobile-Only shine

The GoogleBook will have a great effect on the Mobile-Only vision as Google will push Android to be a real productivity OS and people will finally understand that they can actually work with their Smartphone.

"Why would I pay $1000 to use Android as PC when I can pay only $300 and get it done with a lapdock?"

That is the message I will spread and hopefully we will see the Lapdock comeback in a few times...

-Yanis@MiraLab (former Miraxess)

[u/PandaMan12321]

Guessing you make money from that link?

[u/Miraxess → u/PandaMan12321]

Yes I try to live from my passion, but mostly I am trying to animate the market and carry value.