Summary
Google scraps cheap Chromebooks for higher-end Googlebook laptops focused on on-device AI.
A leaked Asus listing prices a Googlebook at ~CA$1,900 (~US$1,400), hinting at pricier hardware.
Specs like Core Ultra 5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD back a higher price, but leaks may show placeholders.
A little while ago, Google confirmed that it was scrapping its affordable range of Chromebook laptops. The goal was to pivot more toward on-board AI processing with a new brand of laptops called the Googlebook. At the time, it sounded like Google no longer wanted to support the budget-friendly range, but we didn’t know just how budget-unfriendly the Googlebook would be.
Well, if a leaked price is to be believed, we’re looking at laptops that cost around $1,400, which would signal the end for Google’s affordable range.
A leaked Asus Googlebook price pins it at ~$1,900 Canadian
That’s around $1,400 American
As spotted by VideoCardz, a new laptop has appeared on the PC-Canada retailer’s website. It’s listed as the “Asus Nb Cx9406caa-dsu51t-cb,” which likely correlates to the Asus Googlebook CX9406 we know is on the way. The website lists the price at around $1,900, which is in Canadian dollars; that comes to around $1,400 when converted into US dollars.
Looking at the specs in the product title, it’s easy to see why. We’re looking at an Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 325, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of space, presumably on an SSD. If true, it shows that Google is no longer interested in supplying people with a hardware-light laptop for budget purposes; this laptop is designed to be more of a powerhouse than its older cousin.
As is the case with leaks like these, take the price with a grain of salt. Websites like this will sometimes post placeholder prices before they receive news on how much it will actually cost. However, given the specs, it doesn’t seem too unrealistic for it to be priced in the low-to-mid $1,000 bracket.
Related
I built my own Googlebook with a Raspberry Pi, local LLMs, and old hardware
I turned out much better than I expected