Google Pixel Slate
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Google launched the Pixel Slate in October 2018 as a premium Chrome OS tablet, priced from $799 to $1,599 depending on configuration. The 12.3-inch detachable carried a 3000x2000 “Molecular Display” in a 3:2 aspect ratio and went up against Apple’s iPad Pro and Microsoft’s Surface Pro. Configurations ran from Intel Celeron to Core i7, with 4GB to 16GB of RAM and 32GB to 256GB of storage, in a 7mm chassis weighing 1.6 pounds. The reception was rough. Chrome OS tablet mode was unfinished at launch, and the optional $199 keyboard drew criticism for wobbling in use. Google discontinued the device in June 2019.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 12.3” 3000x2000 display with 293 ppi and excellent color accuracy | Chrome OS tablet mode was buggy and confusing at launch |
| Thin at 7mm and light at 1.6 lbs, so it travels as a tablet | Android apps poorly optimized for large screens with stretched interfaces |
| Dual front-firing stereo speakers, good for a thin tablet | Pixel Slate Keyboard ($199 extra) wobbles on lap and lacks rigidity |
| Multiple processor options from Celeron to Core i7 for different budgets | No headphone jack, requiring USB-C adapter for wired audio |
| Fingerprint sensor in power button for quick biometric authentication | Celeron models underpowered for the high-resolution display |
| Fanless design, so there is no fan noise to hear | High starting price of $799 plus $199 keyboard undermined Chrome OS’s value |
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Google Pixel Slate Comparison Chart
 Google Pixel Slate | Google Pixel Slate | Google Pixel Slate | |
| Price | List Price: $1599.00 Amazon Prices: | List Price: $799.00 Amazon Prices: | List Price: $999.00 Amazon Prices: |
| Model number | C1A | C1A | C1A |
| Performance Rating | 6.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Chromebook Plus | No | No | No |
| Processor | Dual-core 1.50 Ghz (max 4.20 Ghz) Intel Core i7-8500Y | Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Core m3-8100Y | Dual-core 1.30 Ghz (max 3.90 Ghz) Intel Core i5-8200Y |
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Internal Storage | 256 GB SSD | 64 GB SSD | 128 GB SSD |
| Screen Size | 12.3" | 12.3" | 12.3" |
| Screen Resolution | 3000x2000 | 3000x2000 | 3000x2000 |
| Screen Type | LCD display | LCD display | LCD display |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stylus / Pen | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Dimensions width x length x thickness | 7.95 x 11.45 x 0.27 inches (201.93 x 290.83 x 6.86 mm) | 7.95 x 11.45 x 0.27 inches (201.93 x 290.83 x 6.86 mm) | 7.95 x 11.45 x 0.27 inches (201.93 x 290.83 x 6.86 mm) |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (0.73 kg) | 1.6 lbs (0.73 kg) | 1.6 lbs (0.73 kg) |
| Backlit Keyboard | No | No | No |
| Webcam | front and rear cameras: 8 MP with 1080p video | front and rear cameras: 8 MP with 1080p video | front and rear cameras: 8 MP with 1080p video |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2x2 (MIMO), dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz) | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2x2 (MIMO), dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz) | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2x2 (MIMO), dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Ethernet | No | No | No |
| Cellular Modem | No | No | No |
| HDMI | No HDMI | No HDMI | No HDMI |
| USB Ports | 2 USB-C (for charging and 4K display output) | 2 USB-C (for charging and 4K display output) | 2 USB-C (for charging and 4K display output) |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No | No | No |
| Card Reader | No Card Reader | No Card Reader | No Card Reader |
| Battery | 48Whr, Lithium-ion | 48Whr, Lithium-ion | 48Whr, Lithium-ion |
| Battery Life | 10.0 hours | 10.0 hours | 10.0 hours |
| Fanless | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Update Expiration Date | June, 2029 | June, 2029 | June, 2029 |
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A 293 ppi Screen in a 7mm Fanless Shell
Google built the tablet around a glass front and a soft-touch aluminum back, with the weight distributed symmetrically so it balances the same in portrait or landscape. The 7mm chassis holds no fan, so nothing in it makes noise, and the power button doubles as the fingerprint sensor.
The 12.3-inch “Molecular Display” runs 3000x2000 (293 ppi) in a 3:2 aspect ratio. According to Chrome Unboxed’s detailed review, the display offered excellent brightness and color reproduction, comparing favorably to competing tablets. The 3:2 shape leaves more vertical room for web pages and documents than the 16:9 panels common on laptops. The LCD holds accurate color and sharp text at that pixel density, without the black levels an OLED panel would give.
Two USB-C ports handle charging, data transfer, and 4K video output. There is no headphone jack, no SD card slot and no HDMI, so wired audio needs an adapter. The 48Wh battery delivered approximately 9-10 hours of real-world use according to About Chromebooks’ testing, with fast charging providing 2-3 additional hours from just 15-30 minutes connected to power.
What Reviewers Said at Launch
Reviewers at launch admired the hardware but had real concerns about the software and the price.
Android Apps Were the Weak Spot for Engadget
Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham scored the device 69/100 and declared “the Pixel Slate’s software experience is confusing at best and frustrating at worst.” He praised the hardware quality and display but found the tablet interface slower than desktop mode, with stuttering during multitasking. He wrote that important apps like Instagram are “all but entirely broken,” running only in full-screen mode “with huge black bars on either side.” The keyboard folio drew criticism for being hard to balance on a lap. His verdict: “At these prices, that makes it a tough device to recommend.”
Chrome Unboxed Stopped at the High-End Price
Chrome Unboxed admired the hardware, describing the device in the hand as “rigid, substantial and solid” with a “pretty unique” magnetic back. On their Core i5 review unit (8GB RAM, 128GB storage), the Pixel Slate “moves along much as expected,” handling “Android games to Google Docs and multitasking” the way they would expect from the chip. On the higher-end configuration, they wrote, “the price hike just seems too much to recommend to anyone at this point.”
Kevin Tofel Ran Chrome, Android, and Linux Apps Side by Side
Kevin Tofel’s review at About Chromebooks weighed the tablet as a portability-first device. He noted the fingerprint sensor in the power button worked reliably for unlocking, and praised the dual front-facing and rear 8MP cameras for tablet-mode use. The Core i5-8200Y processor remained responsive across multiple Chrome tabs, Android apps, and Linux applications simultaneously. However, he echoed concerns about the keyboard’s structural rigidity, suggesting Microsoft’s Surface Pro magnetic approach would have been superior.
Android Central treated the Pixel Slate as Google’s halo device for Chrome OS and was most taken with how the interface reshapes itself the moment you detach the keyboard for tablet use. The 12.3-inch 3000x2000 “Molecular LCD” drew praise for sharpness and color, wrapped in a 7mm chassis the reviewer called “incredibly well built.” The magnetic keyboard cover is infinitely adjustable but top-heavy, so it does not sit well on a lap without full support, even though the backlit keys themselves are quiet and pleasant to type on.
Updates Run Through June 2029 for Current Owners
Google discontinued the tablet in June 2019, eight months after launch, and left the tablet hardware market. Chrome OS work went back into laptops and 2-in-1 convertibles, and dedicated Chrome OS tablets passed to partners like Lenovo and Acer.
After June 2029 a unit still in use stops receiving security patches and features; until then Google’s schedule, which extended the original date, keeps them coming. It continues to work well for owners who prioritize portability and display quality over keyboard ergonomics.
For those looking at current Chrome OS options, the Chromebook Comparison Chart lets you sort and filter all available models side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still buy a Google Pixel Slate?
No. Google discontinued it in June 2019 and left the tablet market. Used units turn up on secondary markets; for a current Chrome OS tablet, look at the Lenovo Chromebook Duet instead.
How long will my Google Pixel Slate receive updates?
Chrome OS updates run until June 2029 (per Google’s schedule, which extended the device’s original expiration date). After that Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date the tablet keeps working, but Google stops sending security updates and new features.
What processor options were available for the Pixel Slate?
Google sold four: Intel Celeron (4GB RAM, 32GB storage), Core m3 (8GB RAM, 64GB storage), Core i5 (8GB RAM, 128GB storage), and Core i7 (16GB RAM, 256GB storage). Reviewers noted that the Celeron model was underpowered for the high-resolution display, recommending the Core m3 as the minimum for a good experience.
Why did Google discontinue the Pixel Slate?
Google discontinued it in June 2019 after disappointing sales and a critical reception. Chrome OS tablet mode was immature at launch, with buggy multitasking and poorly optimized Android apps, and the price sat well above traditional Chromebooks while the iPad Pro and Surface Pro lines were established. Google then said it would focus on laptops rather than tablets.
Was the Pixel Slate Keyboard worth buying?
The Pixel Slate Keyboard ($199) received mixed reviews. Its round, backlit keys are quiet and comfortable to type on, and it works well on a flat surface. Reviewers criticized the lack of structural rigidity, though. The fabric hinge wobbles during lap use, and weak magnets occasionally cause mode-switching failures.
Does the Pixel Slate support stylus input?
Yes, with the Google Pixelbook Pen (sold separately for $99). The display reads 4096 pressure levels for drawing and note-taking apps. There is no built-in stylus storage, so the pen travels separately or in a third-party case that holds one.