Google unveils Pixel Slate tablet with Chrome OS

Google has announced the Pixel Slate, a tablet that runs Chrome OS. The tablet can be combined with a keyboard. In addition, there is support for operation with an optional Pixelbook Pen.

The 12.3″ screen has an aspect ratio of 3:2, resolution of 3000×2000 pixels and a pixel density of 293 ppi. On the front there are stereo speakers on either side of the screen. At the top of the screen edge is a notch for the fingerprint scanner. Slate has two USB-C ports and an 8-megapixel camera on both the front and back, where machine learning should increase the quality, just like the Pixel smartphones.

Google has adapted Chrome OS for tablets. Using machine learning, for example, tailors the launcher to the user, with personalized suggestions. Google points to the possibility for split screen with Chrome OS and the Google Assistant is now more integrated. Anti-virus is also now standard and there is a security chip that Google calls Titan, which seems to work as a TPM chip for, among other things, storing passwords.

The Slate can be combined with the Pixel Slate Keyboard, which, according to Google, is directly magnetically connected and functions, without having to pair. The keyboard has fairly round backlit keys. A cover is attached to the keyboard that acts directly as a stand and can adjust the screen.

There will be several variants of the Slate, with Intel Celeron, Core m3, Core i5 and Core i7. As far as ram is concerned, there will be models with 4GB, 8GB and 16GB and the storage capacities are 32GB, 64GB, 128GB or 256GB.

The starting price of the Pixel Slate is $599 and the accompanying keyboard costs $199. There is also a Pixelbook Pen for $99. The tablet will be released in the US, Canada and the UK later this year.