The Pixel Slate is a 12.3-inch tablet running Chrome OS. It was developed by Google and released on October 9, 2018 at the Made by Google event with a price starting at US$599. In June 2019, Google announced it will not further develop the product line, and cancelled two models that were under development.
Specifications
Hardware
The Google Pixel Slate features a 12.3-inch "Molecular" LCD display with resolution of 3000 by 2000. The device has a thickness of 7 mm, a height of 202 mm and width of 290.9 mm. The Slate features Intel processors ranging from a Celeron processor to an 8th-generation Core i7 and RAM available in 4, 8, and 16 GB. All models include a Titan C security chip. It is exclusively available in a "Midnight Blue" color and all models feature a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. I/O comprises USB-C ports on either side of the device, both of which can be used for charging its 48 Wh battery as well as media transfer. It has two cameras, one on the front and rear. The front camera has an 8-megapixel sensor with an aperture of ƒ/1.9 and a 1.4μm pixel size. The rear camera also has an 8 megapixel sensor, though it has an ƒ/1.8 aperture and a 1.12μm pixel size. Both are capable of recording 1080p at 30 fps.
Model-specific specs
The Pixel Slate is Google's first tablet to be powered by Intel processors, making it more similar in hardware to the Google Pixelbook and Chromebook Pixel. It has 5 hardware configurations available, with a Celeron CPU on the low end and a Core i7 Y-series CPU on the high end, with RAM options varying from 4 GB to 16 GB. In June of 2019, Google ceased sale of the Celeron-powered Pixel Slate. However, the m3, i5, and i7 forms remain available.
The Google Pixel Slate runs the latest version of Chrome OS, which receives regular updates issued by Google every 2 to 3 weeks. Although Chrome OS is developed by Google, it is based on a Linux kernel similar to Android. As such the Pixel Slate can run Android apps natively with the Google Play Store. When the Pixel Slate shipped it featured a revamped UI, new features, and bug fixes that weren't previously available on the Slate's predecessor, the Pixelbook.
Accessories
The Pixel Slate has a variety of accessories sold by Google on their website or provided by third parties.
Keyboard and trackpad
Although the Pixel Slate does not include a built-in keyboard, Google sells a folio-style keyboard and trackpad designed to work with the Pixel Slate. The keyboard attaches to the accessory connector through pogo pins. The keyboard is very similar to the standard for Chromebook keyboards, with the Caps Lock key used to open the application menu and lacking traditional Function Keys, with buttons on the function key row specifically assigned to per-application or global shortcuts. Like the Pixelbook, the Pixel Slate keyboard comes with a dedicated Google Assistant button in the location where most keyboards have a Windows key. Google's keyboard was criticized for difficulty in using the tablet and keyboard on one's lap, though not all reviewers found it problematic. Brydge also sells the G-Type, a clamshell-type keyboard for the Pixel Slate which connects via Bluetooth. The G-Type is very similar to their keyboard for the Surface Pro, and is able to be used with other devices that accept Bluetooth.
The Pixel Slate is compatible with the Pixelbook Pen, an active stylus originally released by Google for use with the Pixelbook. On the launch of the Slate, Google made the pen available in "Midnight Blue" to match the Pixel Slate. The Slate also works with several third-party styluses, though they must use the AES protocol.
Other accessories
Many of Google's Pixel branded accessories such as the Pixel Buds work with the Pixel Slate, but some third party manufacturers have made accessories for the Slate, including rubber cases, screen protectors, and folio cases and stands.
Reception
The Pixel Slate received mixed reviews, with Gizmodo claiming it to be "a nearly perfect Chrome OS device" and The Guardian saying it "makes a very convincing argument for the death of Android tablets", while also noting that there were some issues with the Android experience. Marques Brownlee said of it "This ain't it chief!" and devoted a large portion of his review to the lag he experienced on his device. Brownlee's review was criticised online for having unrealistic expectations of the lowest-end model, though responses generally admitted the lag he experienced to be unacceptable. Many reviews praised the Pixel Slate as being more of a crossover device than the iPad Pro or Surface Pro 6, while not quite matching up to either device's strengths. Other reviews compared it unfavorably to the HP Chromebook X2. Several also criticized the price, noting that devices like the HP Chromebook X2 were significantly cheaper for similar hardware. ZDNet's Matthew Miller followed up his generally positive review with an article noting that he had made it his primary device, while still providing a wishlist of additional features. Reviews were generally positive regarding the build quality of the device, the display, and the sound quality. The primary negative review points were to do with software lag. It was reported in late December 2018 that Google were working on the issues reported, which affects all Chrome OS devices in tablet mode.
