The Chromebook Pixel: $1300 Web Browser or Step Towards the Future?

Chromebook and premium are two words you wouldn’t normally associate together in the same sentence, until this week that is. Google made the Chromebook Pixel official which features a 12.85 touchscreen display with an amazing 2560X1700 display that has a pixel density of 239ppi, which will be the highest available on any laptop screen currently in the market. Last month, a video of the touch-enabled Chrome Pixel went viral and the Wall Street Journal followed up with a report 2 nights ago that Google was working on bringing the touch to Chromebooks.  The screen specs can be seen below and the new Chromebook Pixel should be the ultimate in clarity.

-12.85″ display with a 3:2 aspect ratio
-2560 x 1700, at 239 PPI
-400 nit screen
-178° extra-wide viewing angle

The 3.35 lb Chromebook will also sport a 1.8GHz Dual-Core i5 CPU, Intel HD 4000 graphics, 4GB of memory, 2 USB 2.0 USB ports, mini-display port, 2-in-1 card reader and a 32GB SSD. Google has also boasted that the new Pixel will have at least 5 hours of active duty battery life.  The main feature is of course the new high pixel density screen, but it has a few others as well.  The body of the unit is made of anodized aluminum alloy to create a tough yet smooth durable surface for the Pixel. Everything about the unit is geared toward ergonomics and keen looks as vents are hidden, screws are invisible and the speakers are tucked under the backlit keyboard. The touchpad is made from etched glass that has been analyzed and honed by laser to insure precise tracking and navigation.

Google has stated that the Chromebook Pixel will be available in both the US and the U.K from Google Play and that it will also be arriving at BestBuy’s online store. There will be 2 models coming, the first is the WiFI, which is going to be priced at $1299.00 and then there is an LTE model selling for $1499.00. There is one cool factor though and that is the free 1TB of Google Drive Cloud storage that Google is offering for 3 years that does make the price come down by quite a bit as the monthly price is $50.00 making a year at $600.00 for the 1TB. With that the price would be almost free for the unit taking in the cost of the 1TB Cloud storage. Overall the to me the specs seem a bit weak, but if you can get the unit with the free Google Cloud it is a good deal, without that and I feel the Pixel is a tad overpriced and under powered.  What do you think do you agree with me, or do you feel this is a worthy candidate for your money? On Tech of Tomorrow your opinion matter so please let us hear it.