Great Review !! I have been using the Pixel C for a few days now, and at first I was questioning whether it could replace my surface pro (1st edition) and become my daily driver. I am happy to say that it wasn't very hard for me to make the transition and I have to admit I really don't like windows. Android is my world and I have been waiting for a device like this from Google for sometime now. I also admit there are some things that need to change, but nothing would stop me from purchasing this device again. I suffered the same issues that others have mentioned such as lack of shortcut keys and here are a couple of things that helped me. First I looked up the keyboard shortcuts that are baked into the OS, this helped me gain the ability to go home and back as open other apps without the need to touch the display. I also bought a touch surface mouse that provided any other necessary touch function needed and with it being so small I can just let it sit on any surface and scroll and move around the UI with no issue. These two things really help complete my experience. Now there are still things Google will need to add for full on professional and efficient productivity such as allowing us to map the apps that open with their keyboard shortcuts and map the mouse buttons for left handed people but other than that I am loving ever second I spend on this device!! Thanks again for the great review and I hope this information helps other C users !!
Just wrote a 20 page essay for my master's program on the Pixel C and actually preferred it over my Surface 3! Microsoft Word for Android was nice-though there were some work arounds I had to learn. Typing was a pleasure and I really enjoyed the high quality touch responsiveness and continuity from my Nexus 6. The thing about a laptop and even the Surface is that I either have to restrain myself from touching the screen (MacBook) or I keep having to decide if I want to touch the screen or use wobbly touchpad. With Pixel it was simple and responsive, better than iPad use in past for Word processing. Battery life is amazing even on WiFi watching video. There were a few times the Pixel froze up on a couple chrome pages when using to load video. Other than that, no complaints so far. I love this thing! so glad it doesn't run Chrome OS, or I wouldn't have even considered buying it. Chrome OS has such narrow software application options. Not for me.
3:50. I think this is a Google Drive issue. Everyone I know who has used Drive somewhat recently has had this issue, despite always using the software keyboards on their device. I also get the issue on my Note 5.
Working as mobile developer, I already assume that launch an Android app without tablet support is not an option. Mainly because is not so hard to do it: this plattform did an amazing job offering tools to plan and develop different screen interfaces. So, why some developer studios keep offering phone interfaces only? I think about two main reasons: 1. Smartphone maket is more profitable. There is so much more phones around than tablets. 2. Apps with phone only interfaces are offered to tablet users, anyway. How Google can deal with? Being more demanding on Google Play. 1. If an app doesn't did the homework and support tablets, it don't deserve a higher position on search results, or "Editor Choice" badges, even if users like the app. If you wanted be noted, do a decent job. 2. Tablet users ever sees tablet supported apps first on all store categories lists. 3. Alert tablet users that the picked app doesn't offer a good experience, before download starts. 4. Alert developers that a good store position depends on tablet support. Doing things like this, I believe that developers like Instagram team will shake its lazy butts.
Oh and I have been taking the time to click on the submit feed back option under about device to let Google know what little changes need to be made to make this an absolute daily driver for more users like me. Hopefully they will take the advice and run with it and make this device even better!!
+Suyash Shreekant It's really hard to compare those three. They vary by quite a bit and are selling to different audiences. You really can only compare the hardware, but really, each stands on its own. Honestly you really can only make a true comparison between the Pixel C and the iPad Pro because they're adaptations of their mobile platform...whereas Surface takes a different route entirely.
I purchased my Google Pixel C from the Google store. I was very excited at first however after using it, I've realised that this is not as exciting as it looks and hi Google describes it. it lags a lot for example i'm typing this comment and the on screen keyboard is constantly missing the letters, touch sensitivity is very bad. considering the value of the of the devise £400 I am shocked that they have got this simple but vital feature wrong! the battery is not the best, I have been using Google docs and watching RU-vid videos. I'm constantly having to charge it. not good enough in fact I am better off using the nexus 6p!!!!!!
This is better in general longer support, but they are still pushing out updates to optimize for the bugs that the X1 made. Look at MKBHD tech of year tablets
This was a very nice review. I ordered one of these off the Google Store, but have not yet opened it (Christmas gift). I cringed when you stood the tablet on it's side at 0:59. >.< I don't know how you managed to not have it fall over and get a cracked screen.
+Vinnie J That's just stupid too even say. Simply because you do not use the OS doesn't automatically make it a second class citizen. By the way, the Pixel C actually costs more to produce than the iPad Pro 9.7, Apple charges a margin of more than 3x it's actual production costs, which is around $250.
With the surface book and iPad pro, it's interesting to me that Android/Google are so far behind in the productivity/tablet game. This device as many people know was intended to be a chrome OS tablet but was ported to Android pretty late the game. If the next version has a track pad, multitasking, and greater app support, I'd buy it.
+Nic Di Bella What do you mean by multitasking, you can run apps in the background, unlike iOS. You can run two apps side by side, just enable it, takes all of 2 minutes to do and works great. Though why bother when the size of the tablet is just to small to run two apps at once. Android multitasks much better than iOS does, has all of the same productivity apps, so I don't understand your comment. Also, the Pixel C was never meant to run Chrome OS, the Pixel brand has always been Google's custom solution for their internal staff. They offer them to the public to cut down on costs. It was never meant to be a high volume product either, so I don't get why people expects more from it. The Pixel C is development platform used for the upcoming Android/Chrome OS merger project Google is doing. There is sanity to Google's logic here.
Hello. Any WiFi problem - weird line screen problem ? it this fixed ?! Want to ordered one but I'm afraid with these related problem .. Anyway thanks for reviews 😉
If you have an Android device lollipop or later, go to settings > about device > tap android version a bunch of times > tap the thing that appears a bunch of times > hold the thing that you tapped
honestly for that price you should just go by the surface 3 at least that's a full windows operating system and I actually rooted my samsung galaxy tab Pro 8.4 using a surface 3 now I'm running CyanogenMod 13 on the tab pro 8.4 inch I'll just stay with the surface and the CyanogenMod tab pro 8.4
plus if I did buy that thing I would just run CynogenMod 13 on it that way you could at least multitask because they didn't bring that feature back in CyanogenMod 13
+casper. do it all Multi-view isn't multitasking, the ability to run multiple apps in the background while working on one in the foreground is, which Android does just fine. Also, Android has had multi-view for the last 5 years, just install the Xpose framework if you have Android 5 or less, Android 6 and above has it built in now, though for Android 6 you simply need to enable it. The lack of knowledge people have surrounding Android baffles me. Also CM 13 won't give you anything that the Pixel C can't already do multitasking wise, that's just stupid to even say, it's the same damn OS.
can't you just get a rotation app on the google play store?I have one on a different tablet that's slightly bigger,the dragon touch x10.And apps like Instagram run almost perfect cause I have it in landscape mode.the name of the app is called "rotation-oreintation manager" on the google play store.
Hello, I am from India and almost everyone use Whatsapp here, don't they use it in America? I see lot of america reviews and everything, but never see Whatsapp, any special reason?
Hey do u guys from +Android Authority maybe have a pixel c laying around in a corner and not using it? why not giving it to poor Student :P i could use one :) ty ahead
That feeling when you're very interested in this tablet and then realize that Google Play Store (not the one with apps) is not available in your country. i cri evritim
I love my Chromebook but this seems like a backward step. Android on a tablet or laptop configuration doesn't inspire much confidence. For a fast and efficient workflow I'd always stick with one of the more established operating systems.
+deanopain It's an open platform, you can install Chrome OS on it if you so desire. That being said, Android is fine, it's actually an extremely powerful OS if you know how to customize it. I have many Linux applications installed and running in a Chroot, including a LAMP server. I have Open ID which means I can log into my firms secure network. The list of possibilities is endless.
+Bo Lan He's not Android user, it's why the review is so bad, he doesn't have a clue. He only used what came with the PIxel C and Instagram, that's it and by that he came to his conclusions.
+Terren sebastion To be fair the iPad Pro app scene is properly poor. Because the Pro has a new pixel count, there are barely any third party apps (RU-vid and Facebook included) that offer proper Pro apps. You're just using upscaled normal iPad apps, which looks awful and defeats the point of the extra space on the Pro.
+Terren sebastion Why do you say that, I'm running the exact same apps that I have on my iPad on the Pixel C, except for the music creation apps. How many apps does a person really need, what's important is if the top 200 apps are available and they are. I'm running MS Office, Pinterest, Pocket, Photoshop Touch, FlipBoard, Art Rage, Bamboo Paper, Evernote, PocketCast, the list just goes on and on.
+Terren sebastion In what way, iOS is a horrible OS for productivity so the whole Pro idea goes straight out the window. The Pixel C is a very capable tablet, probably the best tablet running a mobile OS I have ever used.
I like the tablet. But I hate the keyboard and the problem is that it doesn't have an expandable storage. But if it can use an otg cable and reads usb flashdrive. Then I would get it. Google could have added a backlit keys features and make it much thicker so that It has more battery. And could have a dual speakers on the front.
+Foxtrot November It can, in fact I have a USB C mini dock with an SD Card reader, 2 USB 3, HDMI and even a Ethernet, works great. Same dock that I bought for my MAcBook 12", which is not collecting dust now that I have this.
Charles Alden Where did you get those? Ebay or other random third party vendors? If its a market within america. I cannot help but doubt it cause its not available worldwide.
+Foxtrot November Amazon, here's a good one I use when I'm out and about. www.amazon.com/Satechi%C2%AE-Type-c-USB-3-0-Combo/dp/B015YRD8PC It's called research, just spend the time.
Charles Alden Like I said before. If it's in American market. I cannot buy them cause I live outside US. And Amazon or eBay are useless in my country cause we don't have them. Yet I known one or two online stores similar to your Amazon or eBay. But the problem is. The product and accessories aren't available in my country.
Foxtrot November Where do you live? I'm in Switzerland and buy things from Amazon.de all the time, you just need to select a product that ships internationally. There are also hundreds, thousands even of online stores on the net that ship internationally. Give me your city and I'll find a store for you within minutes, probably even local that sell USB C Hubs.
Why, if you have it, again, why, because than you are definitely doing something wrong. As in side loading pirated apps or installing something like a fart app made by some Russian programmer. Malware does not exist in the top 1,000 apps for Android, stop installing crap. Use anti-malware apps, these virus and malware problems are all user related issues. Practice basic security measures people. If not, what is the alternative, iOS, screw that, it's is perhaps the worst OS I have ever used or seen. If I was building a totalitarianism society, iOS is what I would give me subjects. Not the kind of response you were looking for is it, why do people insist on posting in places that doesn't concern them. Don't cry for me, leave me alone to make my own mistakes, especially when your not even offering a viable solution.
