The Pixelbook is stunning, but here’s why I won’t buy it

That bezel, yikes

Google’s Pixelbook should’ve learned something from the mobile industry.

Modern flagships are embracing ultra-thin bezels. While still continuing to increase screen size, companies have figured out that they can reduce the overall size of a phone. It’s done by stretching the display in every direction and getting as close to the edges as possible. Samsung’s done this for more than a few years with its Infinity Display technology, and Apple put a notch at the top of the iPhone X’s display. Both created what are among the most beautiful phones ever made.

The Pixel 2 is not quite as attractive, and that’s not surprising since Google doesn’t have a ton of experience in design. And the Pixel 2 isn’t ugly, anyway. Rather, it’s just average-looking. The Pixelbook, meanwhile, is a beautiful product in every way… until you open the lid.

When I saw the Pixelbook for the first time in person, I let out an audible “woah there, that’s a bezel and then some.” Fortunately, no one at Best Buy heard me. If anyone did, I’m sure they’d agree with me.

This bezel is not average. It’s big, black, and unavoidable. Until you actually see the Pixelbook in person, you probably don’t think the size of the bezel is meaningful. Then you realize that, while your phone and television have razor-thin bezels, your $1,000 laptop borrowed its display from 2009.

Based on images alone, you can tell that Google kept the frame from the Chromebook Pixel. Every version of Google’s laptop has shipped with a very thick bezel that’s especially large along the bottom portion of the display. What gives? Consumers definitely don’t want bigger bezels.

The Pixelbook should not have a thick bezel surrounding its display. Google knows better than to roll out a screen-based product with a huge black border.

Switch the Pixelbook from laptop mode to tablet mode, and maybe the problem is even worse. That’s because tablets like the iPad and iPad Pro have thinner bezels despite needing to store everything behind the display. The Pixelbook can utilize the space beneath the keyboard, but clearly that wasn’t taken advantage of wisely.

Other than the bizarre inclusion of a daunting bezel, the Pixelbook deserves a ton of praise for its design. But those of you seeking to earn compliments for your laptop should either drop the Pixelbook from consideration or only show it to people when the lid is closed.

Article source: https://www.technobuffalo.com/2018/04/12/dont-buy-the-pixelbook/