I love Android. At this point in my life, Android has become the main OS platform for almost anything I need to do. I rarely turn my Windows PC on, and when I do, it's usually because I want 2 things: a bigger display and a nice keyboard. So when I saw the Pixel C, I got excited. I wondered, “Could this be my missing link?” I had tried the Chromebook, but left disappointed because of it’s lack of tablet features (That’s for another write-up). After reading the Pixel C's reviews, though, I got nervous.
Unfortunately, the Internet did not welcome this device with open arms, as a lot of reviews seemed to hit this device pretty hard. But, after reading between the lines, I decided to go for the Pixel C anyway. Here’s my experience with it after one month. This isn’t a “review” of the Pixel C, there’s tons of those already that tell you specs, features and design. This is what all those specs, features and designs translate into with everyday use.
Unfortunately, the Internet did not welcome this device with open arms, as a lot of reviews seemed to hit this device pretty hard. But, after reading between the lines, I decided to go for the Pixel C anyway. Here’s my experience with it after one month. This isn’t a “review” of the Pixel C, there’s tons of those already that tell you specs, features and design. This is what all those specs, features and designs translate into with everyday use.
JUST THE TOPPINGS:
What a gorgeous and wonderful display! So crisp and bright. I love the keyboard’s design, feel and function, but wish it supported more languages. The Pixel C is just barely too heavy with the keyboard attached. I’ve yet to see this tablet struggle in the performance department. The Pixel C can, pretty much, be a laptop replacement. The aluminum finish is strong and pretty. A more rounded design would feel better in-hand. I wish Google made a stylus. I cannot wait for Android N to hit this thing. I love this tablet.
THE WHOLE HOT DOG:
Display: Any review you will read on the Pixel C will agree on this, that Google nailed the display. I love it. I’ve yet to find a situation where I couldn’t see what was on the display clear enough. I have spent some good time on sunny days outside with this, and I can always read text or watch a movie on this display. Is it flawless in direct sunlight? No. But it beats most any other device you can try, Android or otherwise. I also love that this doesn’t mean it can’t be dim. At night, the brightness gets as low as the rest of ‘em.
I’ve really enjoyed playing movies and TV shows on the Pixel C, and reading is enjoyable as well. Both are due to the size. I went from being a 7” display fan to an 8” display fan to a 10” display fan. The fact is, when you need a tablet, it’s because you need a big display. Also, I’ve come to love this aspect ratio. Because it isn’t 16:9, keeping the device in landscape mode feels right. Even without the keyboard, I enjoy it. Don’t read that as “Portrait mode is not enjoyable,” but I usually don’t enjoy landscape mode. When the on-screen keyboard pops up on the Pixel C, I can still see a good amount of content above the keyboard. It’s something that I didn’t know would be so great. This aspect ratio also makes the Pixel C feel special, or unique. I just like it.
I’ve really enjoyed playing movies and TV shows on the Pixel C, and reading is enjoyable as well. Both are due to the size. I went from being a 7” display fan to an 8” display fan to a 10” display fan. The fact is, when you need a tablet, it’s because you need a big display. Also, I’ve come to love this aspect ratio. Because it isn’t 16:9, keeping the device in landscape mode feels right. Even without the keyboard, I enjoy it. Don’t read that as “Portrait mode is not enjoyable,” but I usually don’t enjoy landscape mode. When the on-screen keyboard pops up on the Pixel C, I can still see a good amount of content above the keyboard. It’s something that I didn’t know would be so great. This aspect ratio also makes the Pixel C feel special, or unique. I just like it.
Keyboard: I still smile a little when I swap the position of the keyboard. It’s SO cool and fun to do, like a nerdy party trick. Watching and feeling the magnets snap together to give me a laptop is almost fulfilling. I’ve enjoyed using the keyboard so much, I tend to always have the tablet in laptop position when I’m home. The Pixel C responds to keyboard shortcuts, like ALT+TAB to switch foreground apps, or CTRL+SHIFT to easily highlight groupings of words; CTRL+A to select all. It’s really convenient that I didn't have to learn proprietary shortcuts for the basic functions.
I also let someone try my Pixel C out, and he instantly dropped the keyboard… the keyboard is completely fine. No scratches, dents or anything. So I like that.
I don’t like that the keyboard is as heavy as it is. I agree that a keyboard as nice as this is gonna have some weight to it, but when the keyboard is attached to the back of the tablet, the whole package is very heavy for a tablet. I’ve come to terms with it, but I do find myself thinking if I should bring the keyboard with me when I go out. With this tablet, I shouldn’t have to ask that question.
I also don’t like that there is limited language support with the Pixel Keyboard, due to the minimal key layout. While it is a QWERTY layout, there are some “extra” keys missing. Other language layouts need these extra keys to be used as characters in their alphabet. Not sure how Google plans to deal with this, it may just be a limitation. I like that the keyboard is laid out well, and I know that adding these “extra” keys would make this feel cramped. But I still wish there was more language support.
Overall, though, the keyboard is great. In fact, I've written this whole write-up with the Pixel C and its keyboard. I am having no troubles. Also, I love the rubber keyboard feet. A simple and good idea.
I also let someone try my Pixel C out, and he instantly dropped the keyboard… the keyboard is completely fine. No scratches, dents or anything. So I like that.
I don’t like that the keyboard is as heavy as it is. I agree that a keyboard as nice as this is gonna have some weight to it, but when the keyboard is attached to the back of the tablet, the whole package is very heavy for a tablet. I’ve come to terms with it, but I do find myself thinking if I should bring the keyboard with me when I go out. With this tablet, I shouldn’t have to ask that question.
I also don’t like that there is limited language support with the Pixel Keyboard, due to the minimal key layout. While it is a QWERTY layout, there are some “extra” keys missing. Other language layouts need these extra keys to be used as characters in their alphabet. Not sure how Google plans to deal with this, it may just be a limitation. I like that the keyboard is laid out well, and I know that adding these “extra” keys would make this feel cramped. But I still wish there was more language support.
Overall, though, the keyboard is great. In fact, I've written this whole write-up with the Pixel C and its keyboard. I am having no troubles. Also, I love the rubber keyboard feet. A simple and good idea.
Design and Shape: I’ve already said that I like the aspect ratio, but I want to talk about the usability of this device as a tablet this shape. I mostly enjoy it. First off, there is a modest bezel around the entire display. On a phone, bezel is bad. On a tablet, bezel is necessary. It gives me a place to grab and rest my hand, regardless of the device’s orientation. I like that a lot. The Pixel C isn’t too thin, like the Galaxy Tab S2. I want to be able to hold the device, and know it feels solid and safe to hold. This tablet has that feeling.
But the Pixel C also has some sharper edges that I have noticed will bother me after I’ve been holding it for a while. Especially is this true when the keyboard is attached. I wish the aluminum was more rounded at the edges, but I love that the aluminum isn't a fingerprint or scratch magnet. Its durable and should last a long time.
The lights on the back of the tablet are kinda useless as a battery gauge, as is a very general reading. 48% and 26% look the same. But as Google’s way of putting a brand marking on a device, that’s cool. Useless, but cool.
The magnets that work between the keyboard and tablet, by the way, are strong, secure and reliable.
But the Pixel C also has some sharper edges that I have noticed will bother me after I’ve been holding it for a while. Especially is this true when the keyboard is attached. I wish the aluminum was more rounded at the edges, but I love that the aluminum isn't a fingerprint or scratch magnet. Its durable and should last a long time.
The lights on the back of the tablet are kinda useless as a battery gauge, as is a very general reading. 48% and 26% look the same. But as Google’s way of putting a brand marking on a device, that’s cool. Useless, but cool.
The magnets that work between the keyboard and tablet, by the way, are strong, secure and reliable.
Performance: This will be a quick segment, as there’s little to discuss. It’s blazing fast, has great memory management, and stellar battery life. As far as battery goes, I’ll just say that I’d be happy with it if the battery life was worse than it is.
I chose the 32GB storage, and I’m happy with that. On my Pixel C, I have a movie, some big games, lots of apps and 6GB still available. I don’t store music on the device, as it’s almost always on WiFi when I use it.
I forget that there’s a back camera, and it’s not great. I use the front one, though, at least twice a month to video chat. The camera is great, and the mics are incredible. From across my house, they can hear me and relay my words clearly.
It has great usability, as I've been recording music with my Pixel C with great results.
I chose the 32GB storage, and I’m happy with that. On my Pixel C, I have a movie, some big games, lots of apps and 6GB still available. I don’t store music on the device, as it’s almost always on WiFi when I use it.
I forget that there’s a back camera, and it’s not great. I use the front one, though, at least twice a month to video chat. The camera is great, and the mics are incredible. From across my house, they can hear me and relay my words clearly.
It has great usability, as I've been recording music with my Pixel C with great results.
Software: Okay, so there is no multi-window support. But it runs stock Android, so we should all know this going in. It isn’t a surprise. But I have no trouble multi-tasking. Especially with the ALT+TAB shortcut. I don’t think it’s fair to mark down this tablet because of this. It does muti-task well. Apps in the recent apps list stay in memory for a long time, which means there’s less refreshing when you’re switching back and forth.
The fact is, even though some say this tablet was designed to run ChromeOS, I say it’s designed for Android N. Tons of RAM, a great keyboard, and a giant CPU and GPU with a big display for handling multiple apps on display at once. I can’t wait.
The fact is, even though some say this tablet was designed to run ChromeOS, I say it’s designed for Android N. Tons of RAM, a great keyboard, and a giant CPU and GPU with a big display for handling multiple apps on display at once. I can’t wait.
Stylus: This was an oversight. Google should have made a stylus. This device’s display is great for handwritten notes, and I do use this tablet to take them. But a ‘native to the OS’ stylus would be vastly superior. One can only hope that Google will release one soon…
THE LAST BITE:
So there you have it. The Pixel C has been a welcomed addition to my life, and I love it. In one way it reminds me of the 2012 Nexus 7: I don’t think it got anything wrong. There’s always room for improvement, but there’s nothing I have found that I think Google compledely mess up with. That is what made the Nexus 7 a success (along with the price, really). This will never be a Nexus 7, but I don’t regret that I bought it. I still have my N7, and I plan on keeping the Pixel C just as long.
So there you have it. The Pixel C has been a welcomed addition to my life, and I love it. In one way it reminds me of the 2012 Nexus 7: I don’t think it got anything wrong. There’s always room for improvement, but there’s nothing I have found that I think Google compledely mess up with. That is what made the Nexus 7 a success (along with the price, really). This will never be a Nexus 7, but I don’t regret that I bought it. I still have my N7, and I plan on keeping the Pixel C just as long.
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