Google launches Googlebook laptops running Android instead of ChromeOS
Google has introduced Googlebooks, a new line of certified laptops built on an Android-based operating system rather than ChromeOS. Partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo are producing Googlebook-certified devices with carbon-fiber chassis, high-end Intel or Snapdragon processors, high-resolution screens and Gemini built in, starting at 16GB RAM and 256GB storage with about 14 hours of battery life. The devices run Android apps natively via the full Google Play Store and integrate with Android phones running Android 17 or later, syncing passwords, notifications and files.
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By running Android natively instead of emulating it as ChromeOS does, Googlebooks could resolve long-standing performance and compatibility complaints that have limited Chromebooks' appeal to app-dependent users. The phone-laptop integration mirrors Apple's Mac-iPhone ecosystem strategy, suggesting Google may be aiming to lock users more tightly into its hardware and software ecosystem. This could eventually push Chromebooks toward obsolescence, though the article notes reasons might still exist for choosing a Chromebook.
- Googlebooks run Android natively, avoiding ChromeOS's app emulation issues.
- Certified devices come from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo with premium specs and Gemini built in.
- Deep integration with Android phones (Android 17+) mirrors Apple's Mac-iPhone ecosystem approach.
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 — If you're weighing your laptop options right now, a current-gen Chromebook like this one offers a fast, lightweight ChromeOS experience with solid battery life and Android app support. It's a great way to see what today's Chromebooks offer before deciding whether to wait for newer Android-based laptops.
See ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Filipe Espósito, 2026-10-13
Published there as: “Are Chromebooks still worth buying after the Googlebooks release?”
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