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Pixelbook vs. MacBook vs. Surface Laptop: how do the $1,000 laptops stack up?

Pixelbook vs. MacBook vs. Surface Laptop: how do the $1,000 laptops stack up?

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Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

Google’s Pixelbook is the revived image of a high-end Chromebook, a top-shelf version of a Google laptop running Chrome OS that’s meant to stand shoulder to shoulder with devices like Apple’s MacBook or Microsoft’s Surface Laptop.

The Pixelbook starts at $999, which isn’t exactly cheap by Chromebook standards, especially when considering that the price doesn’t include the $99 Pixelbook Pen stylus. But if you can work with Chrome OS — something that gets easier and easier with each passing day as Google’s operating system gets more and more capable — it might just be worth the price.

It’s too early to say whether or not the Pixelbook will reach mass-market success. But for now, we’ve compared it against the closest competition across the PC landscape, so that you can see how it stands up.

Pixelbook spec comparison

SpecificationPixelbookSurface LaptopMacBookDell XPS 13Lenovo Yoga 910
SoftwareChrome OSWindows 10 SmacOS High SierraWindows 10Windows 10
Display12.3 inches13.5 inches12 inches13.3 inches13.9 inches
Resolution2400 x 16002256 x 15042304 x 14401920 x 10801920x1080
Processor (base)Intel Core i5 (seventh-gen)Intel Core i5 (seventh-gen)Intel Core m3 (1.2GHz, dual-core, seventh-gen)Intel Core i3 (2.40 GHz, dual-core, seventh-gen)Intel Core i7 (2.70GHz, dual-core, seventh-gen)
Processor (max)Intel Core i7 (seventh-gen)Intel Core i7 (seventh-gen)Intel Core i7 (1.4GHz, dual-core, seventh-gen)Intel Core i7 (1.8GHz, quad-core, eight-gen)N/A
RAM (base)8GB4GB8GB4GB8GB
RAM(max)16GB16GB16GB16GB16GB
PortsUSB-C, 3.5mm headphone jackUSB 3.0, 3.5mm headphone jack, Mini DisplayPortUSB-C, 3.5mm headphone jackUSB 3.0 (x2), SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-CUSB-C (x2), USB 3.0, 3.5mm headphone jack
Storage128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Weight2.4 pounds2.76 pounds2.03 pounds2.70 pounds3.04 pounds
Dimensions (in.)11.4 x 8.7 x 0.4012.13 x 8.79 x 0.5711.04 x 7.74 x 0.5211.98 x 7.88 x 0.6012.72 x 8.84 x 0.56
Starting price$999$999$1,299$799$1,099.99
Misc.Optional Pixel Pen accessory available for $99Upgradable to full Windows 10 for free until December 31st, 2017No touchscreenBase model has 1080p, non-touch display; more expensive SKUs offer QHD touchscreensBase model has 1080p display; more expensive SKUs offer QHD