Google has launched the Googlebook laptop platform, described as an AI-focused reimagining of Chromebook with a 16GB RAM requirement and prices starting at $999, apart from a limited-time $899 Acer offer, with Lenovo and Asus models reaching MacBook Air territory. The platform's Android phone integration requires a device running Android 17, an OS released only four months ago and so far limited to a handful of expensive phones. In this opinion piece, Tom's Hardware argues the timing is poor given the author's claim that RAM costs rose roughly five-fold in a year and PC shipments are down 20%, drawing a parallel to Valve's Steam Machine, which was delayed about six months and priced above $1,000; it notes Nvidia's AI-coder-focused RTX Spark laptops start at $2,599 and run up to $6,999.

Google·Googlebook·Chromebook·+5