After a week with a Googlebook, I can't shake the feeling I'm using an Android tablet disguised as a laptop
The Asus Googlebook 14 features impressive hardware, but Googlebook OS is half-baked right now.
Having spent a week with the Googlebook 14, an Asus laptop running Google's new operating system, <source>9a5f4d8c-615</source>, I can't shake the feeling that I'm using an Android tablet disguised as a laptop. The device boasts a sleek design reminiscent of the MacBook Air, but falls short in performance and functionality.
Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor, the laptop features a 14-inch OLED touchscreen, 16GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD. While the build quality is appealing, the keyboard and trackpad leave something to be desired. The trackpad, which is one of the best the reviewer has ever used, requires sensitivity adjustments for optimal cursor movement. Despite this, the OLED display and Googlebook Lightbar contribute to its visually striking appearance.
Googlebook OS, a blend of Android, Linux, ChromeOS, and Gemini Intelligence, aims to create a new operating system. However, it feels more like an expanded Android 17 for a desktop environment, with design elements borrowed from macOS Golden Gate and Windows 11. The OS includes a familiar desktop experience, such as an app drawer, search functionality, and widgets on the desktop. It also allows for Android phone integration and file access through the Files app.
While the laptop's performance is decent for browsing the web and running web-based applications, it struggles with running mobile Android apps. The expanded mobile version of Firefox is subpar, lacking essential features like the bookmark bar. Adobe's desktop apps, such as Lightroom and Photoshop, also fall short on the Googlebook OS, with missing options, a weird UI, and a clear lack of optimization for a desktop environment.
The reviewer ultimately finds themselves reverting to their trusty MacBook Pro for photo editing tasks.
The Magic Pointer feature, an AI-powered cursor with contextual awareness, is underutilized for practical applications. Overall, the Googlebook 14 is an aesthetically pleasing device, but its operating system and performance don't justify its $1,300 price tag.
Written by urgent.news from XDA Developers's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
