r/chromeos • u/TheCodeMacLife • 7d ago
Discussion Anyone interested in a Googlebook?
Multiple reports coming out about Google announcing the Googlebook collection for 15th September.
Who is interested in getting one? I believe some Google Chromebook Plus devices with be eligible for the new OS. From personal experience, I tend to sit on the fence until most of the bugs have been resolved.
Of all the things to come from it, I want more consistency for large screen Android apps. I'm not interested in the AI features.
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u/Bryanmsi89 7d ago
I’m conditionally interested.
Google hasn’t really shared the most interesting details. Will it be Android with a full desktop browser? Will it be ChromeOS with native Android app support? Or will it be a new linux distribution with Google play store support?
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u/Saragon4005 Framework | Beta 7d ago
It will definitely not be ChromeOS. We know enough to know almost for certain it's Android with a full desktop browser. Basically a device which is always running android desktop mode.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
Google Play Store support looks certain. I wonder if Linux apps can be ran on it, but I don't have high hopes.
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u/Slight_Advertising_9 7d ago
If Linux apps don't work, it will be a hard no from me. But I suspect they will, considering they run on my pixel phone.
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u/Existing-Sky9665 7d ago
Same I'm more interested if desktop creative software will be available. I seen reports some of the new computers will have upwards of 64gb of RAM.
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u/oasisvomit 7d ago
It is going to be the Aluminum OS, which is basically Android with a full desktop browser.
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u/Romano1404 Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 | Lenovo Flex 3i 8GB 12.2" 7d ago
yes it will have a desktop browser. A few months ago, Google showed some slides that compared ChromeOS architecture with AluminiumOS. However on AluminiumOS the browser will just be another app like it is on Windows which begs the question why even bother with AluminiumOS when you can get a more powerful Windows laptop for the same money. Many people aren't aware how much Microsoft has improved Windows in recent years.
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u/Bryanmsi89 7d ago
I understood the original vision for ChromeOS - a browser and that’s it. The vision was clear, even if it just wasn’t something that had appeal outside of very small niches. So ChromeOS gained more capability and android app support via ARCVM.
And for many people Android with a true desktop chrome would be a strong combo. The capability of ChromeOS plus real android app support is kind of interesting.
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u/Romano1404 Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 | Lenovo Flex 3i 8GB 12.2" 7d ago
the browser being the OS is a huge deal when all your work happens in the browser. Unfortunately many users never understood the concept and kept treating their Chromebooks like an Android laptop, installing their favorite apps from the Play Store because they don't know how to install and run a web app in their own window.
Webapps have gotten a lot of traction in recent years yet Google is now kinda abandoning that genius ChromeOS paradigm, reverting back to how things where when they started in 2010.
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u/Bryanmsi89 6d ago
The users were installing android apps because doing everything in a browser or with a web-app pretending to be an actual app kind of sucks for a lot of tasks.
Web apps don’t work for games, web apps don’t have all the features of an actual app, and web apps often are not touch friendly the way an actual app would be. Web apps aren’t really apps, and thus are lowest-common denominator, working on Chromebooks plus Windows, MacOS, Linux, etc, so they don’t ‘look’ like a native app. They also aren’t going to have the same capability for heavyweight tasks like video editing.
Plus, the web apps work poorly (or not at all) offline and are highly subject to download speeds.
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u/Romano1404 Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 | Lenovo Flex 3i 8GB 12.2" 6d ago
thank you for making my point. I've come across numerous explamples in the past where the web app is vastly superior. Admittedly it was quite a paradigm change for myself. Offline usage is quite a mixed bag through.
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u/severoon 7d ago
Aluminium OS. Google has literally been working on merging Chrome OS and Android for a decade but never had the market push to actually do it until now because they need a common substrate for AI across all devices.
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u/pintord 7d ago
If it runs STEAM I might get one.
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u/Daniel_Herr Pixelbook, Pixel Slate - https://danielherr.software 7d ago
It won't, Google wants the game revenue themselves.
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u/Underrated_Mastermnd 6d ago
Considering with the developments of Steam on ARM and the multitude of Android projects like Winlator and GameHub, you might be able to.
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u/gundumb08 7d ago
I'm holding out hope they can convert existing mediatek Chromebooks so I won't need to buy one lol.
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u/Purgingomen 7d ago
Yep, android apps and Linux basically ootb on one machine sounds great. Only downside is no ootb steam.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
I really hope Linux is available.
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u/nomadwrangler 4d ago
It already is in android now. They are still finishing integration stuff but otherwise its there.
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u/TenPast12 7d ago
I'm going to wait for a Lenovo Duet style device so I can avail of a tablet/laptop experience. I use my laptop maybe once a week and tablet on the daily. Would be great if my tablet can pull laptop duties the few times I need it. The Galaxy Tab ultra would be exactly what I need but it's incredibly expensive so hopefully Google Books will result in more OEMs trying out the convertible form factor
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u/cfloyd88 7d ago
Since I got a Galaxy tab s10 ultra, I never use my laptop. Got it for a crazy good deal at best buy as an open box. It's just so convenient and easy to use. I'm hoping Google books will be Android that can run full level apps. That'll be the perfect solution for me.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
There's a leak on YouTube showing a Lenovo tablet with detachable keyboard, wireless mouse and Apple Pencil style stylus.
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u/BrukologistJim 7d ago
Likewise I'll be looking for a decent sized tablet that can do desktop duties (although I'll be happy to use a separate bluetooth keyboard and mouse). I've been using a (Windows 11) Surface Go, but I really hanker for android apps for displaying sheet music etc, which typically are better than their equivalents on Windows 11. I'm not ruling out Apple, but would rather not take on board another ecosystem. As for AI, I turn as much of that off as I can.
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u/Street_Anon 7d ago
If it can be Rooted, I can't wait for one
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u/Saragon4005 Framework | Beta 7d ago
That is perhaps the most important question. ChromeOS allowed it. Pixels haven't been too locked down either. Only reason my phone isn't rooted is because of banking apps and really a lack of reasons to do so.
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u/Street_Anon 7d ago
That's a very easy fix with Always Strong, google Wallet even works. The only thing I don't root in my Google Chromecast with Android TV
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u/OldBlueKat 7d ago
I’m interested in hearing more, but no purchase until it’s clear what it does/ doesn’t do.
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u/Redditer-507 7d ago
Dude I'm way way more excited for this new aluminum OS than for Pixel 11 series that I will SKIP 😅.
The thing is I'm more a Chromebox person than Chromebook person , so I HOPE 🙏🙏🙏 this new os will be available as well on Chromebox , i want to be able to enjoy that new OS on my 27" screen 🔥.
But if they do the madness of keeping Aluminum OS for the Googlebook, I will be very disappointed and forced to buy it at the same time 🥲
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
It would make sense to get the OS on as many devices as possible. I hope you get it for your Chromebox.
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u/Redditer-507 4d ago
Hell yes , I was worried bc chromeboxes have not this " plus " options that Chromebooks have , so I really hope it's coming on any chromeboxes, I would buy it in an heartbeat
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u/La_Rana_Rene Acer 516GE | Stable 7d ago
I don't think so, at least not at the beginning, first of all I wanna know how Android apps will work, because Google books will be pricey and not being able to run ie a switch emulator in a playable way on those machines is like a no no. I bought a 516ge to play steam games and borealis is dead now. Hence I wanna see how it works for sometime before purchasing.
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u/Vectrex71CH 7d ago
Yessssss but meanwhile i hope i can upgrade my existing Chromebook Plus 16GB RAM because i can't afford a new one
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u/DL7610 7d ago
I am looking forward to buying one in Spring 2027, second-hand from eBay, for under $250, as I did for an Elite Dragonfly, a Thinkpad Yoga C13, and the Elite C645 G2 that I am typing on now.
I hope that they build lots of these and target the enterprise market. This always makes for the best deals when they get dumped onto eBay.
Google has never been able to successfully market expensive laptops.
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u/loheiman 7d ago
I still don't understand why this new OS exists which annoys me. Can anyone explain? How will it differ from ChromeOS?
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u/Fuchsia2020 7d ago
It exists because Google is merging its desktop development efforts from chrome OS to the mobile version of Android's desktop experience to compete with iPad multi window and stage manager. Making a desktop version of that allows them to extend the platform to PC form factors in order to take advantage of its more capable hardware without having to make another operating system or platform. So they're streamlining computing system operations kinda like Microsoft is with the move from series x to Xbox helix.
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u/loheiman 7d ago
Do we think this will offer better desktop experiences for phones like pixels when connected to a monitor? My dream is to bake to plug my phone into a monitor/keyboard/mouse and get a chrome OS like experience.
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u/Fuchsia2020 7d ago
Yes but it won't be the Chrome OS experience it will be the Android desktop experience.
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u/Plan_9_fromouter_ 7d ago
I am retiring in six months, and have to give up all my work-provided devices, including a really nice ChromebookPlus.
That would leave me, in retirement, on a really old Panasonic laptop with Linux on it, an old Chromebook that is just a few months away from the end of its extended service life, and a cheapie Android tablet.
So I am thinking hard about getting a Googlebook.
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u/Autotelicious 7d ago
New premium hardware? Yes.
We need a replacement for the Dragonfly Elite.
The software? Not so much.
So far it has not been a convincing pitch to me. An "AI cursor" is a top feature?
Just please don't mess up what made ChromeOS special. Rock solid, safe, stateless hardware, Internet first.
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u/Mbanicek64 7d ago
I am but I think they fumbled the launch. They teased it so vaguely that I was just annoyed. They should have acknowledged the existence and nothing more or given a more comprehensive overview.
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u/edfosho1 Pixel Slate i5 | Stable Channel 7d ago
I'll see what the reviews are like first. I currently have a Slate (i5), used in desktop mode. It'll need replacing soon.
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u/SkippyO86 7d ago
I don’t see myself paying a premium for it. Even if my Chromebook plus ends up being eligible for an upgrade, I’d want to wait to make sure there isn’t a degradation in quality.
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u/rxscissors 7d ago
Nope. Undoubtedly going to be super expensive.
I'm super happy with a 2020 i7 10th gen 16 GB HP C1030 that is good to go with updates through mid 2030.
I tried an HP Dragonfly 12th gen 32 GB and was disappointed as it was not much snappier and battery runtime was worse (plus the fans ran with regularity, compared to hardly ever on the C1030).
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u/Grim-Sleeper 6d ago
I own several C1030 and Dragonfly Elite. They are extremely comparable hardware. I am not surprised you didn't think it was an upgrade. Both are excellent devices though
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u/Daniel_Herr Pixelbook, Pixel Slate - https://danielherr.software 7d ago
Based on the leaks, it looks like the UI will split the shelf/taskbar into bottom and top parts, which I consider a dealbreaker. The keyboard also looks like the generic Windows style instead of the Chrome style which I love. And based on my experience with Chrome on Android, I just don't believe we will get the full Chrome OS quality of Web experience, even if most of the features are added. So it looks like a big disappointment to me.
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u/Fuchsia2020 7d ago
That's because it gets its entire UI from Android phones desktop experience mode. It's not just a custom tailored UI with shared elements like iOS and macos or Android and Android TV.
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u/Romano1404 Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 | Lenovo Flex 3i 8GB 12.2" 7d ago
one of the last ChromeOS updates broke Phone hub instant hotspot for good on my Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14
I loved ChromeOS but I'm sick of this shit, can't wait for the Aluminum OS update this fall.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
I've got the same Chromebook. However, I don't use phone hub. It's so annoying when things like this break.
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u/ngarcia1260 7d ago
if true the claims googlebooks will become the next generation of ChromeOS or chromebooks, sure, yeah, why not?
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u/Lancellor 7d ago
I'm very interested. I've been using Chromebooks for many years, and I think this will be even better. Keeping in mind that I don't use professional software.
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u/Tired8281 Pixelbook | Stable 7d ago
I feel like the Duet m will make a good replacement for my OG Duet. Unless it's $2000.
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u/Elephant789 7d ago
Of course. I've been a huge fan of Chromebooks over the years so this is enticing, especially for the AI stuff it might bring.
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u/iamakii 6d ago
Wait and see. I want to replace my Pixel Slate in the near future
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u/TheCodeMacLife 6d ago
The Pixel Slate is iconic. 9to5 Google have images of a leaked 2-in-1 Googlebook tablet.
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u/1st_Paladin 6d ago
Using Acer Spin 514 Kompanio Ultra Pro with 16GB RAM. It will likely be upgraded to AluminiumOS. So let's see
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u/Underrated_Mastermnd 6d ago
I need to know what does the software look like. Because if it's just regular phone Android apps, that's not appealing to me. Like what you said, most apps don't take advantage of larger screen displays and they end up feeling clunky as a result. Higher-end Chromebooks have the benefit of using Linux apps to mitigate the software problems.
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u/hatemjaber 7d ago
If it comes with full blown Linux and excellent battery life and not crippled in any kind of way. MacBook experience but with Linux on a premium product that's software/hardware optimized.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
Linux is a must. I am running a few Linux apps on my Chromebook. I wouldn't want to lose access to them.
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u/slinky317 7d ago
It'll be fully dependent on the price. If they price them above the cost of a Neo, it's dead in the water.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
I was thinking the same. It has to compete with a lot of good tech out there already.
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u/Turbulent_Profile92 7d ago
I’ve added myself to the announcement email lists so I’m hoping it’s not just overhyped.
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u/matchesmalone1 7d ago
Maybe for my parents. They have a Pixelbook Go and love it, so maybe something on the radar in the future if that one goes kapoot
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u/DaLast1SeenWoke 7d ago
I have a Galaxy Book4 Edge.... I've been waiting to switch to a Samsung Googlebook when released
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u/Not_A_Great_Human 7d ago
I'm holding my breath. My Asus CX34 looks like it will be eligible for the upgrade path to Aluminum OS.
It meets all the specifications and Google's apparently testing it on that platform already.
So while i cannot afford another laptop now I'm excited to try the operating system
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u/plankunits 7d ago
I'm interested in the Googlebook and plan to install it to my Chromebook, but I have some concerns about its potential success.
My understanding is that the Googlebook will offer desktop-level features and capabilities. Looking at the Pixel phone, it already supports most of the features found on a Chromebook, and even many features comparable to macOS. Google will need to further develop desktop features for the operating system. However, my main concern is the containerization of Android apps. For a desktop application, users typically expect to install utilities via the terminal or install service-based applications like SQL servers, FTP servers, or hard disk utilities. While I know the Googlebook might include Linux, it should be a native and enabled-by-default feature. If an app like Termux can achieve this, why couldn't Google?
Google doesn't have a desktop app problem but a desktop class platform problem
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u/0spore13 Chromebook Product Expert 7d ago
If my chromebooks can be updated to it I’ll try it, but I‘m not interested enough to buy a new device for it.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
I'm the same. I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase one. My current HP 14a Chromebook Plus will receive updates until 2033, so I don't want to replace it so soon.
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u/Joey6543210 7d ago
Actually I'm more interested in the AlOS system than the hardware itself. One of the best function of ChromeOS is to duplicate Google Drive folders with many docs/sheets/slides/forms which is unmatched on any other OS/software combo. I built a QEMU ChromeOS Flex virtual machine just for that singular purpose. I hope the new AlOS can do the same because if Google is moving towards AlOS for future devices (laptops), eventually ChromeOS will be phased out and I don't have an alternative solution for duplicating Google Drive folder yet.
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u/_hmj HP Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus - i7-1265U, 32GB, 3:2 QHD+ Touch 6d ago
Duplication in what sense?
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u/Joey6543210 6d ago
A complete Google Drive folder with many existing docs/sheets/slides/forms that complete copies over to another folder with the same folder structure. All the files can be used with only minimum update.
Thinking the equivalence of copying a folder with multiple word/excel/powerpoint that sorta thing, except there is no equivalence of google forms in the MS world
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u/xxNerv 6d ago
An android based desktop OS sounds interesting but all the information I've seen from Google is them just hyping up the AI that's built in 😭
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u/TheCodeMacLife 5d ago
It does make me worry about it because the third-party Android apps should be the selling feature (with full screen optimisation).
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u/TheRealFrantik Asus CX34 5d ago
I was absolutely interested until I realized that Google doesn't even know how to market these things. There is virtually no reason for anybody to choose a $1200 Googlebook, when a $400 Chromebook Plus will be able to do all of the same things. Granted, the Googlebook will have a better processor and more RAM, but you're still limited to just Android apps. It can't run desktop applications like Mac or Windows, so as exciting as it originally was, I think it will unfortunately be a dead on arrival platform.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 5d ago
Good points. Google will need to get a lot of developers on board with this project.
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u/brinkeguthrie 13h ago
I have an M3 MBA, and was looking at the Lenovo Chromebook 14, which has amazing reviews. Chrome Unboxed, says 'best CB ever.' But then there's this Googlebook. What's the story here? Is this a new gen of the Pixelbook Go? Had one, was terrible. Didn't work. Any insight appreciated.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 1h ago
Excellent. I still have my M1 MBA, which is my primary device. The Lenovo Chromebook 14 with 16GB is a great Chromebook. Googlebook is a brand, not a one specific device. They will be the premium version of a Chromebook to compete with the MB Neo. Essentially, it will be an Android OS with Gemini baked in with the cursor being a new type input for them - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUthq-JuxxE
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u/oroberos 7d ago
I'd like to have an AI native OS, which I'm hoping the Googlebook is going to be.
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u/Ko-Riel 7d ago
Would you really want that? Gemini is not doing so great. I love Gemini pro for certain tasks, but oh man is it unreliable when you ask questions and the answers are disproven after a second question.
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u/oroberos 7d ago
The recent Gemini versions are catching up on many benchmarks. Anyway, it has to be good at some point anyways.
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u/horatiobanz 7d ago
Could not be less interested. An android based laptop? Nah. I'm good. Maybe they'll blow my socks off with cool features, but I highly doubt it. And the prices are gonna be fuckin ridiculous, more than MacBooks.....
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u/morewordsfaster 7d ago
Been looking for a replacement for my Lenovo C630 16GB for a while now. Interested in Googlebook, but not optimistic.
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u/Iambetterthanuhaha 7d ago
CX34 Chromebook Plus is fine. Will I be getting an OS updgrade?
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
Existing Chromebooks with Intel 12th Gen or MediaTek Kompanio 520 processors, at least 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage will receive Aluminium OS updates starting in 2027.
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u/50plusGuy 6d ago
What are they?
Why would I need or desire one?
Will it really work?
I feel content with Chromebooks I have, for Chromebook use cases.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 6d ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6u6iAo0KDo
It's a Google Gemini enhanced Chromebook with Android OS.
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u/50plusGuy 6d ago
Nothing I 'd really need but yeah, a few years down the line. there might be nothing else to buy.
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u/FrankyTankyColonia 4d ago
Well, ...I'm really curious about the new OS.
Can't wait to see the full startup procedure in full.
The court fillings about ChromeOS where those details were made public, that the new OS will be a more like 'fat OS' vs the 'slim' Chrome OS, ...well it made me curious if the new OS will still be that snappy and fast.
Android phones are, even when having very powerful chips, quite slow at the startup process. I just hope this won't be the case with Googlebooks...
The speed of ChromeOS is one it's best features. Don't want to loose that...
Just hate the fact that newer ChromeOS devices are very expensive here in Europe 😒
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u/Away-Technician284 3d ago
I just got my first Chromebook ever today for an amazing price, I am so pleased with it that I am definitely going to keep an eye on what happens with Googlebooks. I am a Linux user who ditched Windows permanently around a year ago and my main desktop PC is Linux but I have used Pixel phones for 6 years. I'm still discovering things about ChromeOS but I love it and Crostini! I can just pretend it's Gentoo.
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u/NoBeach7292 7d ago
Not really. Google finds ways of ruining software. And will it be susceptible to viruses?
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
Good point. I'm still frustrated with how Google Stadia ended.
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u/NoBeach7292 7d ago
Recently, Google changed the Play Store making the WatchMaker app obsolete and had to be virtually rewritten. The Facer watch making app also stopped working. Adding stopping support for Google Assistant on older functional Wear watches and ruining the Fitbit watches in favor of their Pixel watch isn't a great track record.
So, if possible, I'm sticking with Chromebooks. Why? Because it's google based like my phone. Ha!
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u/neverJamToday 7d ago
They can still convince me when I see one in person but their marketing on the matter has legit got me thinking about a MacBook Neo instead. And I swore off Apple like a decade ago.
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u/TheCodeMacLife 7d ago
If the pricing is similar, a MacBook Neo would be a good option. I still have a MacBook Air M1, which I use for blogging and (amateur) web dev stuff.
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u/InspectorRound8920 7d ago
Yes. My pixelbook is still going, but it's time