I’m so excited to unbox and review the Google Pixel Slate M3! It’s been a long wait since we had the first-generation Google Pixelbook. The original Pixelbook was released in October of last year and while it was very well-received, there was one major flaw: It was not convertible. Sure, it had an Active Pen support and you could use a Bluetooth stylus with it as well, but for a laptop that costs nearly $1,000, it just felt like something was missing. That is until the Google Pixel Slate came along. For less than $500, the new Pixel Slate is a device that promises almost all of the functionality of its pricier counterpart (including an Active Pen support) at half the cost. I know many would say that you can get equivalent functionality from other devices for cheaper or even free if you look around online but this is where we are today and not every single device can be fully user-friendly when it comes to finding hidden features like how to access them or cost comparisons. That’s why today’s review will be focused on what makes this machine tick rather than what it costs. Let’s unbox some goodness!
What’s in the Google Pixel Slate M3 Box?
Inside the Google Pixel Slate M3 packaging you will find the laptop itself, a charging adapter, a USB-C cable, a 6W power adapter, an AC-Wall plug, an HDMI cable, a Pixel Pen, and a 27W USB-C cable. So yes, the Pixel Slate has all the accessories that you will need to use it with a TV, a monitor, a USB-C printer, or a USB-C hub. The only thing that is missing is a dongle for your mouse, but that is easy to fix with the included 6W power adapter.
Review: Google Pixel Slate M3 Unboxing
We have been anxiously waiting to unbox the Pixel Slate ever since we first got a glimpse of the device. When we finally got our hands on it, we couldn’t have been more excited. In fact, we were so excited that we decided to record unboxing video for you guys. I know that’s not the best unboxing video but trust me, once you get your hands on the Pixel Slate, you’ll be as excited as we were. As you can see, the Pixel Slate M3 is housed in a simple black and white box that says “Pixel Slate” on both sides. You can tell from the front that the box is designed to mimic the look of a vintage book. If you look closely, you’ll also notice that the front of the box has a yellow line running down the middle, which is the same line that’s found on the Pixel Stand. The back of the box has more information about the Pixel Slate, including the model number, Google’s description of the Pixel Slate, and the key specs. I think the fact that the box is designed to look like a book makes it easier for people to store in their drawers or closets when it’s not in use.
Google Pixel Slate M3 Technical Specifications
The Pixel Slate M3 is powered by a 7th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 12.3-inch display running at 2,160 x 1,080 pixels. While this may not be the most powerful device out there, we feel like it’s enough to handle both your work and personal tasks. You can also upgrade the internal storage up to 256 GB if you want to store a lot of files on your device. Although it has a 12.3-inch display, the Pixel Slate feels like a 10-inch windowed laptop since it’s so lightweight and portable. Under the hood, the Pixel Slate M3 has a backlit keyboard and an Active Pen support, which is great if you want to use the device as a digital sketchpad. The Pixel Slate also has stereo speakers and a USB Type-C port. With the USB-C port, you can plug in your phone and charge it at the same time, which is one of the unique features of the Pixel Slate. It also has a microSD card slot that lets you expand the internal storage up to 2 TB.
Software Overview – Chrome OS, Android, and Windows Integration
The Google Pixel Slate runs on Chrome OS, which is powered by the same web engine used by Google Docs and Gmail. The entire interface is reminiscent of the classic Android interface. You can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the apps menu and tap on an app to open it. You can also long-press the home button to access the app menu, which is a nice touch. The Pixel Slate also comes with Android apps (such as Gmail, YouTube, and Google Search) and Windows apps (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and OneNote) that you can access from the Chrome OS launcher.
User Interface – Looks Like a Tablet and Feels Like a Laptop
One of the best things about the Pixel Slate is that you can use it like a tablet or you can use it like a traditional laptop. When you use it like a tablet, the entire interface blends together like the stock Android interface and the Android apps come pre-loaded on the device. When you use the Pixel Slate like a laptop, though, you get the familiar Windows 10 interface. It’s such a versatile device that you can use it for all your work and personal tasks. The Pixel Slate looks and feels like a traditional laptop when you use it like a tablet. However, the device is still so lightweight that you can easily carry it around with you anywhere you go, like a tablet.
Speakers and Audio – Pretty Decent for a Chromebook
While it may not have the best speakers for a laptop, the ones on the Pixel Slate are still pretty decent. When you use the Pixel Slate like a tablet, you can hear your music and video content from songs and videos from the cloud, which can be a huge plus if you’re not near a TV. When you use the device like a laptop, the speakers are still pretty decent if you’re just listening to music or watching videos from the Web. The audio quality is also pretty good for a laptop, especially when you use the Active Pen support, which is one of the best features on the Pixel Slate.
Performance – Fast with a Decent Battery Life and Keyboard Included
The Pixel Slate also has a decent processor, which helps it run smoothly when you use it like a tablet and perform well when you use it like a laptop. You can expect the device to load websites, launch apps, and run programs smoothly, which is great for both work and personal tasks. The Pixel Slate also has a decent battery life, which lasts up to 10 hours when used as a tablet and up to 10 hours when used as a laptop. However, you can expect the device to last a little bit longer when used as a hybrid because it has a decent battery life. Another great thing about the Pixel Slate is that it comes with a free 27W USB-C charger and a free 6W USB-C charger, which is great for charging your phone and other devices on the go. With the chargers in tow, you can charge your Pixel Slate for up to 9 hours when you use it as a laptop and for up to 22 hours when you use it as a tablet.
Verdict: Is The Google Pixel Slate M3 Worth It?
Overall, the Google Pixel Slate is a great device that works as both a tablet and a laptop. It’s fast, has a decently long battery life, and comes with an Active Pen support and stereo speakers. You also get two chargers with it, which is great if you want to charge two devices at the same time. Although it’s a little bit pricey, we think it’s worth the price since it has a lot of functionality packed into one device. So, if you’re looking for a laptop that has a lot of functionality packed into one device, the Pixel Slate is definitely worth checking out.
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