Googlebook review: Android on a laptop is still Android

Key Points:

• Googlebooks are Google's new premium Android-powered laptops aiming to compete with Windows and macOS by offering native Android app support and high-end hardware, but they face challenges due to Android's phone-centric design and software limitations.
• The hardware across Googlebooks is solid, featuring OLED touchscreens, premium metal bodies, biometric unlock, and large trackpads, but prices start high with few budget options, making them less accessible compared to Chromebooks or competing laptops.
• Googlebook OS, while based on Android, struggles to deliver a true desktop experience; features like file management, app multitasking, and phone integration have bugs and limitations, and many Android apps are poorly optimized for laptop use.
• AI features such as Magic Pointer and Rambler offer some convenience but are not revolutionary or consistently reliable, and the included Antigravity app development tool allows users to create custom apps, though it requires significant effort and AI compute resources.
• Overall, Googlebooks currently do not offer a compelling alternative to established laptop platforms due to software immaturity, app ecosystem gaps, and high cost, leaving their long-term viability and Google's commitment to improvement uncertain.