HP And Google Band Together To Make $499 Chromebook 13, Replace Pixel

HP and Google team up to launch the new Chromebook 13, discontinuing sales of the 2015 Chromebook Pixel.

At first glance, it does look like a replacement for the Pixel, particularly because of the anodized brushed aluminum design, thinness and form factor. However, whether the 2015 notebook is really getting its spot taken or not isn't exactly clear. At any rate, it's no longer for sale, as technology writer Paul Thurrott found out.

As for the specs of the Chromebook 13, it sports a 13.3-inch QHD+ display, clocking in with a 3,200 x 1,800 resolution. Under the hood, the available processors range from a Pentium all the way to a sixth-generation Intel Core m7.

Meanwhile, it houses either 4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB worth of RAM along with 32 GB of eMMC storage. Going over the ports, it features one USB Type-A and two USB Type-C, making it future proof.

Users won't have a problem with video calls thanks to the 720p webcam it's fitted with. Also, it won't be a hassle to carry around, weighing in at only 2.86 pounds and measuring at a mere 0.5-inch thickness.

It's also worth mentioning that the Chromebook 13 has a backlit keyboard, a feature that has practically become a requirement for many users.

Now, HP and Google claim that it can go for up to 11.5 hours on a single charge, but as usual, many factors are involved when it comes to this front, so the average battery life will expectedly go below that mark.

Needless to say, it runs on Chrome OS, and that means users are limited to cloud-based apps and online versions of certain programs, but it should be noted that more Android apps are on the way.

The Chromebook 13 is now available for preorder via participating resellers, starting off with a $499 price point in the United States. Just to put that into perspective, that's half the cost of the $999 2015 Chromebook Pixel. Google and HP are expected to start selling it sometime in May.