I still don’t know who the Googlebook is for
We now know that Google will launch the Googlebook at an event in New York on Sept. 15. (PCWorld will be there!) Expect numerous Googlebook announcements by laptop makers at the Google launch, hoping they’ll be the next big thing. Reviews and shipments will probably begin in October.
But I’m still not getting the best vibes surrounding the upcoming Googlebook launch. Let’s break down why not.
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A premium, pricey Chromebook is a risky proposition in 2026
If you already own a Chromebook, you’re the most likely candidate to upgrade to a Googlebook. So you have to begin with the question: what will existing Chromebook buyers pay for it?
As of this writing, not a single vendor has released pricing for the Googlebook. However, Chrome Unboxed remains completely convinced that devices like the Asus Googlebook CX9406 will ship with up to 64GB (?!!!) of memory, part of a tiered product strategy. Those tiers begin at the top with what’s being called “AL Premium,” referring to the Aluminium operating system that combines some elements of Chrome OS and Android.
Over time, the market will expand, Google vice president John Maletis said in May. Underneath AL Premium will be AL Mass Premium (think the Snapdragon X Plus and the Intel Core Ultra 5, Chrome Unboxed reports) then eventually the AL Entry tier that you’re used to seeing as the mass-market Chromebooks that populate classrooms. And underneath those? Chromebook Plus, then finally basic Chromebooks.
So premium Chromebooks (the Chromebook Plus) could be priced less than entry-level Googlebooks? I sincerely hope not.
