Image credit: Bill H via Chrome UnboxedImage used with permission by copyright holder
With Google slated to announce its updated Pixel hardware lineup next month, there has been a number of leaks over the past few days of what Google’s latest hardware designs for its Chromebook could look like. Google is widely expected to take the wraps off of what appears to betwo distinctPixelbook 2 models at itsOctober media event, and the latest images of show what appears to be a convertible Chromebook design with a virtually bezel-less display.
Given that the ad depicts what appears to be a Chrome OS device with a similar convertible form factor to thePixelbook, this design may be for the Pixelbook 2 model with a code name of Atlas. Like the current generation model, this design allows the Pixelbook 2 to convert between laptop and tablet modes with its 360-degree hinge. What’s interesting is that the images for this device come by way of official Google ads on Facebook and not from leaks.
But this could still be a trend that Google will pursue for its next generation of Pixelbook designs — just not to this extreme. In an earlier leak, a developer build of Chrome OS revealed ananimation of a tablet with a side-mounted fingerprint scannerand slimmed down bezels. If Google does indeed choose this design route for the Nocturne, as its ad would lead us to believe, it would need a new placement for the webcam since the screen extends fully to the top, sides, and bottom edges.
Over the weekend, a short Pixelbook 2 video wasleaked, showing a device with slim bezels and a keyboard design with rounded keys. The video’s close-up view of the device doesn’t reveal too much about the overall design, but it’s believed that the Pixelbook 2 shown is a tablet with a detachable keyboard design. This would make this second Pixelbook 2 model more competitive against tablets, like Microsoft’sSurface Goand Surface Pro models as well as Apple’s iPad tablets. If the convertible model is referenced as Atlas, then the Pixelbook 2 tablet with its detachable design could be the Nocturne model.
Despite the number of leaks in recent days, it’s still unclear whether Google plans on unveiling both or eitherPixelbook 2 models or designsat its October event.
