Google introduces Pixelbook Go, a new Chrome OS laptop starting at $649

Google's hardware event is taking place today, and one of the many new announcements is the new Pixelbook Go, the company's first laptop since 2017 after last year's Pixel Slate failed to take off. The Pixelbook Go is a more affordable device than the original Pixelbook, but it still offers some interesting features.

The company didn't talk about specs and focused more on the design. The Pixelbook is just 13mm thin and weighs just over 2lbs, while still offering a battery life of up to 12 hours. Google has also adopted a new wave-like design for the underside of the Pixelbook Go, which makes it easier to grip.

The Pixelbook Go also has a new keyboard with what Google calls Hush Keys. The company promises they'll still be very comfortable to type on, but are also quieter than those on the original Pixelbook. Flanking the keyboard is a set of stereo speakers. In terms of connectivity, there's two USB Type-C ports, one on each side, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

While Google didn't go into the specs on stage, previous reports have said it can be configured with anything from an Intel Core m3 to a Core i7, up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The display is 13.3 inches diagonally and can be either Full HD or 4K.

In terms of software, the Pixelbook Go is naturally running on Google's own Chrome OS, which promises seamless updates, built-in virus protection, and fast startup times.

The Pixelbook Go will be available in Just Black and Not Pink, but only the former is available to order from today. The laptop starts at $649, which is significantly below the starting price of the original Pixelbook, but that device also started with a Core i5 as the base configuration.