Google Pixel Slate

Overview of Pixel Slate and Accessories

There are several configurations of this high quality device available - the entries below highlight some of the main components.

Click here for the 'blog.google' page that gives their take on what the Slate can do.

Click here for another blog entry about "10 things to know about Pixel Slate & Keyboards"

Click here for a 'ChromeUnboxed' video of the Slate launch event in late 2018.

Click here for a TechRepublic 'Cheat Sheet' about the Slate from Q3 2018.

Pixel Slate Specifications

There are a range of models available targeted at low, medium and high end users. It's very much the case of deciding how you plan to use the device and then selecting one that fits your performance needs and budget.

Click here to visit the Google Store where details of different configurations and features of the Slate can be found.

Click here for a '9to5google' article that covers the specifications of the different models.

Detachable Keyboard

Click here to visit the store's page for the Google Pixel Slate Keyboard which is obviously a well made product but carries a premium price. Fortunately there are alternatives available such as the "Brydge G-Type" keyboard for Slate pictured below that was built in partnership with Google and offers very similar capabilities at a competitive price.

Gestures for Pixelbook

Click here to see a ChromeUnboxed article on "Tablet Gestures Tutorial".

The following three gestures are from the above article .

• • • • Go Home – To get to the Homescreen at any time, swipe up from the bottom.

      • Go Back – To return to the previous screen, swipe from the side.

      • Switch to open apps – To see all open app windows, swipe up from the bottom and hold.

Chromebook Screensaver : pseudo Google Nest Display

Click here to see an AboutChromebooks article that discusses how Chrome 88 delivers a more personalised screen saver that ties into the same data Google Nest smart displays use.

It’s limited for now, but a great way to personalise your Chromebook.

Gestures in tablet mode

Click here to see a Google Support page on how to use gestures in a number of handy ways, plus links to other related items.

Google's Chromebook tablet software completely re-imagines how you navigate a Chromebook in its touch centric form and basically brings it in line with the Android 10 gesture standard including :-

• • • • • A long swipe-up gesture for returning to your home screen

        • A short swipe-up gesture to show pinned Apps

        • A swipe-up-and-hold gesture to show all open Apps

        • From this overview drag a window to the side to split screen

        • A swipe-in-from-the-left gesture for moving back a step.

        • There are some Chromebook-specific twists added into the equation such as the "swipe up once with a short movement" to pull up the now-hidden-by-default desktop dock (which apparently has become the "Quick Shelf")

Navigate with buttons

You can use buttons instead of gestures to check your open app windows, switch between apps, or go to your Home screen.

1. At the bottom right, select the time. Or press Alt + Shift + s.

2. Select Settings .

3. At the bottom, select Advanced.

4. In the "Accessibility" section, select Manage accessibility features.

5. Under "Mouse and touchpad," turn on Show navigation buttons.

6. At the bottom, the buttons will appear.

   • To go back to the previous screen, on the bottom left, select Back .

   • To go to your Home screen, on the bottom left, select the Launcher . Or press Alt + Shift + L.

   • To view all your open app windows, on the bottom right, select Show windows .

Points worth a mention

There are many reviews of the Slate's features available on Youtube that go through a lot of the key points in detail - however some of the obvious points are often overlooked in these clips or perhaps they just don't get the full attention they deserve.

1. Headphone Jack - a common complaint is that there is no 3.5mm headphone jack [this being a must for some users] however when you open up your brand new Slate box you will be delighted to find that Google have kindly included a 3,5mm female to USB type C connector that enables you to plug in any 3,5mm device to the ports on either side of the Slate.

2. Twin Front Facing Speakers - although some videos mention these they do not emphasise just how good they really are - way beyond the quality normally associated with tablets or laptops.

3. High Resolution Screen - again this tends to be glossed over but it really is impressive having great colours and 4k capability.

4. Casting To A Large Screen - you can easily cast your content [including 4k] to a large TV screen using a Chromecast (standard or 4k), a Nvidia Shield (or other compatible device) or indeed directly to an UHD TV with chromecast cabability built in.

Pixelbook Pen

The launch of the Slate saw the release of a version of the Pixelbook Pen in matching colours.

Click here to see the sub-page showing what Pixelbook Pen has to offer.

Click here to see a video demonstrating the amazing capability of Google's handwriting recognition that became available in v.35 of the ChromeOS for Chromebooks and the Slate.

Pixel Slate vs iPad Pro

There are always differences of opinion regarding personal choices over which device works best for which type of user - here are six of the main ones highlighted by "ChromeUnboxed".

Click here for video entitled "6 Reasons The Pixel Slate Beats The iPad Pro"

#1 Extended Displays

#2 Trackpad / Mouse support

#3 File Management

#4 Desktop Multitasking

#5 Proper desktop browser experience and tools

#6 Development Environment