If a Chromebook wasn’t for you, Googlebook isn’t either

If you were not pleased with a Chromebook, Googlebook is not the right choice for you either. In the review of Googlebook as a platform, Abner Li discusses the potential of this platform for the future, but acknowledges the significant shortcomings it currently possesses. Despite this, Googlebook remains far from a "finished" product, with issues such as the lack of apps and numerous mistakes throughout the operating system.

Googlebook largely resembles ChromeOS, which doesn't make for a strong impression on everyone. Chromebook was introduced into a market that urgently needed reliable and affordable laptops, offering features like longer battery life, no virus protection, and simplified setup. However, as time has passed, the situation has evolved, making it harder to find a bad laptop, and there are excellent options available across various price points, regardless of whether you're considering Windows or a MacBook.

Googlebook's similarity to ChromeOS suggests that it hasn't made any progress in recent years. Under the hood, the new Android base provides a better foundation for the years ahead. From a user's perspective, though, Googlebook hasn't resolved any of the problems ChromeOS faced, at least on a functional level. Apps are the most significant issue, as they are mere shells of what they are on Windows and macOS.

Unless you rely heavily on the web or Android apps for all your activities, you will encounter situations where Googlebook simply cannot perform the tasks you require. This applies even to Google's own offerings.

Recently, Google announced a new app that combines voice recordings, shorthand notes, and local AI processing to create detailed notes of meetings or presentations. This is a useful and innovative idea, yet it is unavailable on Googlebook - it is exclusive to Mac. The argument that Googlebook serves Android users is also flawed, as these features are absent at launch for most users, and ChromeOS already offers the majority of them.

In summary, Googlebook is not a fresh start from ChromeOS. It does not catch up to the competition; instead, it presents the same old problems (along with a few new ones) in a faster and more polished chassis. While the future may change this narrative, for now, Googlebook is not suitable for those who found Chromebook acceptable.