Google Pixelbook Go

Starry Hope Rating
3.5

Updated on

Photo of Google Pixelbook Go

Note: This product has been discontinued. It is no longer available for purchase new. The information below is kept for historical reference.

The Google Pixelbook Go represented Google’s attempt to bring premium Chromebook design to a more accessible price point. Released in October 2019, this 13.3-inch notebook combined the build quality lessons learned from the original Pixelbook with a more practical price starting at $649. The result was a device that many reviewers considered the best Chromebook available for users who wanted premium without paying flagship prices.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Exceptional “Hush Keys” keyboard praised by reviewers as one of the best laptop keyboards ever madeNo biometric login options such as fingerprint reader or facial recognition
Outstanding battery life with 11-12 hours in real-world testingLimited connectivity with only two USB-C ports and no USB-A
Lightweight magnesium construction weighing just 2.3 poundsPricing escalates significantly for higher-spec configurations
Distinctive ribbed bottom design for improved grip and ventilationLarge bezels by modern standards give the display a dated appearance
High-quality 1080p webcam with 60fps video rare for its timeStorage is not upgradeable due to soldered eMMC
Fast charging delivers two hours of battery from 20 minutes plugged in8th generation Intel processor became outdated against newer competition

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Price

List Price: $649.00

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List Price: $1399.00

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List Price: $849.00

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List Price: $999.00

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Model numberGA00519-USGA00526-USGA00521-USGA00523-US
Perfomance Rating5.05.95.05.9
Chromebook PlusNoNoNoNo
ProcessorDual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz)
Intel Core m3-8100Y
Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz)
Intel Core m3-8100Y
Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz)
Intel Core m3-8100Y
Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz)
Intel Core m3-8100Y
RAM8 GB16 GB8 GB16 GB
Internal Storage64 GB eMMC256 GB eMMC128 GB eMMC128 GB eMMC
Screen Size13.3"13.3"13.3"13.3"
Screen Resolution1920x10801920x10801920x10801920x1080
Screen TypeLCD touchscreen displayLCD touchscreen displayLCD touchscreen displayLCD touchscreen display
Touch ScreenYesYesYesYes
Stylus / PenNo Stylus SupportNo Stylus SupportNo Stylus SupportNo Stylus Support
Dimensions
width x length x thickness
12.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
(309.88 x 205.74 x 12.7 mm)
12.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
(309.88 x 205.74 x 12.7 mm)
12.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
(309.88 x 205.74 x 12.7 mm)
12.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
(309.88 x 205.74 x 12.7 mm)
Weight2.3 lbs (1.05 kg)2.3 lbs (1.05 kg)2.3 lbs (1.05 kg)2.3 lbs (1.05 kg)
Backlit KeyboardYesYesYesYes
Webcam1080p @ 60FPS1080p @ 60FPS1080p @ 60FPS1080p @ 60FPS
WiFi802.11 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)802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 (MIMO), dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz)
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2
EthernetNoNoNoNo
Cellular ModemNoNoNoNo
HDMINo HDMINo HDMINo HDMINo HDMI
USB Ports2 USB-C
for charging and up to 4K display output
2 USB-C
for charging and up to 4K display output
2 USB-C
for charging and up to 4K display output
2 USB-C
for charging and up to 4K display output
Thunderbolt PortsNoNoNoNo
Card ReaderNo Card ReaderNo Card ReaderNo Card ReaderNo Card Reader
Battery47 Whrs, Li-ion47 Whrs, Li-ion47 Whrs, Li-ion47 Whrs, Li-ion
Battery Life12.0 hours12.0 hours12.0 hours12.0 hours
FanlessYesYesYesYes
Auto Update
Expiration Date
June, 2026June, 2026June, 2026June, 2026

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Design and Build Quality

Google built the Pixelbook Go with a magnesium alloy chassis that feels solid while remaining remarkably light at just 2.3 pounds. The distinctive rippled or ridged bottom panel became the device’s signature visual element, serving both an aesthetic and practical purpose by improving grip when carrying the laptop and allowing for better ventilation around the fanless design.

TechRadar’s testing called the design “simple yet sophisticated,” noting that the understated aesthetic appeals to professionals who want quality without flashiness. The device measures just 0.5 inches thick, making it easy to slip into any laptop bag. Google initially offered the Pixelbook Go in two colors: Just Black and Not Pink, though the latter was eventually discontinued.

Keyboard and Input

The keyboard earned universal praise from reviewers, with TechRadar describing it as “one of the best keyboards we’ve ever used on a laptop.” Google branded it the “Hush Keys” design, delivering quiet operation without sacrificing the tactile feedback that typists require. Trusted Reviews praised the “excellent travel and quiet operation,” while Android Authority called it “second only to the original Pixelbook” in quality.

The 13.3-inch LCD touchscreen supports touch input but lacks stylus support, which may disappoint creative users who wanted to use the device for drawing or handwritten notes. The display presents a 16:9 aspect ratio rather than the taller 3:2 ratio that many consider better for productivity work.

Performance

The base model shipped with an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. This entry-level configuration handled everyday browsing, document editing, and video streaming without issue. Trusted Reviews found the machine “quick and responsive when multitasking with a dozen browser tabs alongside Android apps.” Higher-tier configurations offered Core i5 or Core i7 processors with up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for more demanding users.

By 2023, however, Android Authority noted that the 8th generation Intel chips “now lag behind 12th-gen competitors,” reflecting the natural progression of technology since the 2019 launch.

Battery Life

Battery performance stood out as one of the Pixelbook Go’s strongest qualities. Google claimed 12 hours of use, and real-world testing largely confirmed this. Trusted Reviews measured 11 hours and 45 minutes in their battery test. Android Authority found 10.5 to 11.4 hours depending on workload. The 47 Wh battery combined with the efficient fanless design and low-power processor created what TechRadar described as “astonishing battery life.”

The fast-charging capability added practical value for mobile users, delivering up to two hours of battery from just 20 minutes of charging.

Connectivity

Port selection remained minimal, with only two USB-C ports handling all duties including charging and display output to external monitors up to 4K resolution. The lack of USB-A ports frustrated users who needed to connect older peripherals without carrying adapters. There is no SD card reader, no HDMI output, and no Ethernet port.

Wireless connectivity included Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with 2x2 MIMO support and Bluetooth 4.2. The 1080p webcam at 60 frames per second exceeded what most laptops offered at the time, proving valuable as video calls became increasingly important.

Reviewer Consensus

TechRadar (5/5, Editor’s Choice)

TechRadar awarded the Pixelbook Go their Editor’s Choice distinction, calling it “the ultimate Chromebook for anyone that doesn’t want to spend a grand on Google’s previous Pixelbook.” Their testing exceeded 11 hours of battery life, surpassing even the 2019 MacBook Air. The review particularly praised the keyboard as “the best combination of silence and forceful feedback” tested.

Trusted Reviews (4/5)

Trusted Reviews praised the “fantastic keyboard,” “attractive, understated design,” and “impressive battery life” while noting concerns about pricing at higher configurations. Their review described the device as “basic – but basic in a thoroughly thought-out manner,” suggesting Google achieved their goal of refined simplicity.

Android Authority (8/10)

In a 2023 retrospective, Android Authority concluded that while “premium design and build quality exceed most competitors,” the aging processors and premium pricing created challenges against newer alternatives. They noted the Pixelbook Go remains “slim, light, and simple yet sophisticated.”

Who Was This For?

The Google Pixelbook Go targeted users who wanted premium Chromebook build quality without paying flagship laptop prices. Writers and students benefited most from the exceptional keyboard and all-day battery life. Road warriors appreciated the light weight and fast charging for airport and coffee shop work sessions.

The device was less suited for users needing extensive peripheral connectivity, creative professionals wanting stylus support, or power users whose workflows exceeded what Chrome OS could handle at the time.