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Dell's Googlebook: Stylish but a tough sell
16 Oct
Summary
- Dell's XPS Googlebook merges XPS 13 design with Android OS.
- It starts at $999.99 but struggles against Windows laptops.
- Performance lags behind other Googlebooks in some tests.
Dell has introduced its first Googlebook, the XPS Googlebook, which adopts the renowned XPS 13 chassis but runs on Googlebook OS powered by an Arm-based Snapdragon chip. This integration results in a sleek and portable device, however, its high starting price of $999.99 poses a significant challenge when compared to established Windows laptops and MacBooks.
The XPS Googlebook is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, alongside a 13.4-inch 1600p IPS touch display. Despite its premium build and display, its productivity performance lags behind other Googlebooks in various benchmarks. Battery life is competitive, exceeding Dell's promised uptime, but falls short of some competing Snapdragon-based models and other premium laptops.
Connectivity is limited to two USB-C ports, both supporting only 10Gbps USB 3.2, with one port necessary for charging. The absence of a headphone jack further restricts options, forcing reliance on Bluetooth or USB-C adapters. While the design and display are strong points, the limitations of the Googlebook OS and connectivity options make the XPS Googlebook a niche product, primarily suited for dedicated Android enthusiasts or app developers.
