Google‘s return to the laptop business is entering its final stretch, with Googlebook pre-orders confirmed to open on September 21, 2026 at 9 AM ET, ahead of a broader fall 2026 availability window.
Table of Contents
What Is Googlebook?
Googlebook isn’t a single device — it’s a new “flagship laptop” branding that Google is applying across partner hardware from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo for the first wave. Each model blends ChromeOS and Android with Gemini AI features baked in, including a Magic Pointer tool and a Create My Widget feature for building custom home-screen widgets, positioning these well above typical budget Chromebooks.
Specs and Pricing
Common specs across the lineup include Intel’s Core Ultra 5 325 as the baseline chip, scaling up to Core Ultra 7 355, with RAM options from 16GB up to 64GB of LPDDR5X and storage up to 512GB. Displays are 120Hz OLED panels ranging from 14 to 15.3 inches at up to 2,880 x 1,800 resolution, and connectivity includes Thunderbolt 4 along with a haptic glass trackpad and facial authentication. Leaked retailer listings put an Asus Core Ultra 5 325 configuration at roughly CA$1,900 (~$1,365), while an Acer Googlebook 14 has surfaced at around €1,022 (~$1,178).
Continuing Google’s Push Beyond ChromeOS
The Googlebook push follows leaks around Google’s broader software ambitions for the category, including the Aluminium OS leak that pointed to a more unified Android-ChromeOS experience, and builds on Google’s existing Chromebook partnerships like the Asus Chromebook CX15. A specific ship date hasn’t been locked in, though at least one Acer retailer listing suggested November 8 as a possible release window.
What This Means for Buyers
Pricing above $1,300 puts Googlebook models well outside typical budget Chromebook territory, signalling Google wants to compete more directly with premium Windows ultrabooks and MacBooks rather than just the education and budget segments ChromeOS has historically dominated.
FAQ:
Q: When do Googlebook pre-orders open?
September 21, 2026, at 9 AM ET, with fall 2026 availability.
Q: Which manufacturers are making Googlebook laptops?
Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are confirmed for the first wave.
Q: How much will a Googlebook cost?
Leaked listings show an Asus model at around $1,365 and an Acer model at about $1,178, though official pricing hasn’t been confirmed.
Q: What chips do Googlebook laptops use?
Intel Core Ultra 5 325 as the baseline, with Core Ultra 7 355 in higher-end configurations.
Q: What makes Googlebook different from a regular Chromebook?
It blends ChromeOS and Android with Gemini AI features like Magic Pointer, and targets a more premium price and spec tier than typical Chromebooks.
