Google Chromebook Pixel – Mobile CAD Workstation or Overpriced Web Browser?

image from Pixel order page

Google just announced their newest piece of hardware, the Google Chromebook Pixel.  It’s a Chromebook so it runs on Google Chrome.  Want to know what that’s like?  Run the Google Chrome browser and nothing else.  That’s an over simplification but you can get a good idea of what it is like.

Google has been trying to sell Chromebooks for a while now and I have always been interested in them.  None of them have been powerful enough for my liking but they have been set at a good price.  Now that the Pixel is out and available for purchase and that Autodesk is making a major push for in the browser cloud based CAD software, could the Google Pixel be a viable candidate for a mobile CAD station?  I can’t honestly say yes or no until I get one (Google can you send me one to test please?) and try it out but my gut feeling is that it could be useful in certain situations. 

Obviously since it can’t possibly run most of Autodesk’s programs like AutoCAD or Revit it can’t be a full on CAD or BIM workstation.  It’s specs are pretty impressive and fall inline with most Ultrabooks.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the spec points:

• 12.85-inch, 400 nit display at 2560 x 1700 resolution (239 PPI)
• Gorilla Glass multi-touch screen
• 32 GB storage (64 BG Option)
• Backlit Chrome keyboard
• HD Webcam
• 2 x USB 2.0 ports
• Mini display port
• 2-in-1 card reader supporting: SD, MMC
• Intel Core i5 Processor (Dual Core 1.8GHz)
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 4 GB DDR3 RAM
• 59 Wh battery

These specs are nice.  There are two models, the main one with 32 GB of storage and a second one with 64 GB of storage and LTE.  The storage spec is small I’ll admit but you can’t install software so that helps.  It also helps that Google will give you 1 Terabyte of Google Drive storage for three years.  After three years, well, pay up I guess.  This device probably won’t work well unless you are connected to the cloud anyway, so that LTE and WiFi connectivity mill probably be a must.

The price is amazing.  Amazingly huge!!  The 32GB model is priced at $1299 (U.S.D.) with the 64GB with LTE model is $1449!!  OUCH!!  These are Mac Book Prices.  The screen resolution is better than the Mac Book with Retina and the Pixel has a touch screen interface.  Another question is battery life.  Will it last all day?  My gut says no.  Google claims that it will give you up to five hours.  that probably means two to three.

Besides all of the possible negatives, there are many positives and many possibilities.  The nearly instant on is a huge deal.  Touch interface is very nice to use.  No maintenance is an IT manager’s dream.  It’s always up to date.  And the Chrome Web Store is very robust for a browser only market place.  Autodesk alone has AutoCAD WS, Pixlr-o-matic, Pixlr Editor, 123D Design, Homestyler, 123D Make, 123D Catch, Autodesk 360, and soon Fusion 360!  All of these should run on this Chromebook.  You have an AutoCAD (ish) program, a Photoshop (ish) program in Pixlr Editor, and soon a design program in Fusion 360.  Plus you can manage all of your files through Autodesk 360.  That’s just Autodesk.  Need to write a report?  Microsoft Web Apps or Microsoft 360 provide nearly full versions of their Office Programs.  The web browser is a valid operating system that can handle most work.  In this case I think the Google Chromebook Pixel has the potential of being a useful machine.

I may be crazy but I think that this device may be a viable mobile computer for designers.  Maybe a laptop is cheaper and it can load full AutoCAD.  But maybe this is a better machine than perhaps a tablet like the iPad or Nexus 10.  Buy one of those, add a keyboard, and your cost isn't much lower.  The Pixel is higher in cost but it has access to fuller software like AutoCAD WS for browsers (which can do much more than the AutoCAD WS App) and Microsoft Office 360. 

That all being said, why wouldn't we just purchase a Mac Book Air or Ultrabook and run Chrome on either one?  As cool and interesting as this device is to me, I don’t see myself or many others purchasing it.  But I so want it to work.

Full Specs

Screen

12.85" display with a 3:2 aspect ratio

2560 x 1700 at 239 PPI

400 nit screen brightness

178° extra-wide viewing angle

Inputs

Gorilla® Glass multi-touch screen

Backlit Chrome keyboard

Clickable, etched-glass touchpad

Integrated 720p HD camera

Size / weight

297.7 x 224.6 x 16.2 mm

3.35 lbs / 1.52 kg

Industrial design

Machined from anodized aluminum

Active cooling with no visible vents

ENERGY STAR® certified

CPU

Intel® Core™ i5 processor (Dual Core 1.8GHz)

Intel® HD Graphics 4000 (Integrated)

Ports

2 x USB 2.0

mini display port

SD / MMC card reader

Memory

4GB DDR3 RAM

Storage

One terabyte Google Drive cloud storage for three years1

32GB solid state drive (64GB on LTE model)

Audio

Combo headphone/mic jack

Built-in microphone array

Integrated DSP for noise cancellation

Powerful stereo speakers tuned for clarity

Battery

Up to 5 hours of active use (59 Wh battery)3

Connectivity

Dual-band WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n 2x2

Bluetooth® 3.0

Built-in LTE modem (LTE model)

Goodies

One terabyte Google Drive cloud storage for three years1

12 free sessions of GoGo® Inflight Internet

100 MB/month for 2 years of mobile broadband from Verizon Wireless (LTE model).