Google Pixel Slate M3 Review, Price, Specification, And More
By Are you a student in need of a Chromebook for your classes? Or are you a parent in need of the perfect laptop for your children for their studies? No matter the reason, I suggest you give this Google Pixel Slate M3 review a read.
Powered by an Intel Core M3 processor and 8GB of RAM, this might be the best budget Chromebook you are looking for. Continue reading to learn about its features and how well it performs.
Google Pixel Slate M3 Specifications
The main specification and configuration of the Google Pixel Slate M3 are:
| Operating System (OS) | Google Chrome OS |
| Display | 12.3” Touchscreen (3000 x 2000 pixels) |
| Processor | Intel Core M3 8100Y (3.4GHz) |
| Graphics Card | Intel UHD Graphics 615 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Camera | Primary (Front): 8MPSecondary (Back): 8MP |
| Dimensions | 0.28” x 11.45” x 7.95” (height x width x depth) |
| Weight | 725g / 1.6 pounds |
| Price | $489.99 |
Google Pixel Slate M3 Overview
The Google Pixel Slate M3 release date was 9th October 2018. Since then, it has become one of the most requested Chromebooks.
I used the Google Pixel Slate M3 for a few weeks, carrying it with me everywhere I went. In addition, I also used many applications and clicked many pictures and videos to test the performance of this Chromebook. Therefore, continue reading below to see what I have to say as someone who has used this device.
Design And Looks
Looks-wise, this Google Pixel Slate M3 Chromebook looks pretty sleek. Its elegant design will definitely impress many touchscreen laptop aficionados. It’s anodized aluminum chassis with bezel edges feels great to touch, with the glossy colors popping out well.
Its 1.6 pounds weight is pretty light, and it did not feel heavy at all carrying it in my bag. However, using it in tablet mode and holding it in your hands feels a bit heavy after some time. However, add in the Google Pixel Slate keyboard, and the weight is nearly doubled.
Display
The 12.3” Google Pixel Slate M3 display is pretty vivid and responsive. When I used it in tablet mode, the touch response was sharp, and scrolling web pages felt pretty smooth. In this mode, I was typing on WhatsApp using the touch keyboard. Using it felt smooth since the registration of my finger taps was instant.
Also, it has multi-touch support, supporting a maximum of five touch presses. In addition, I was surprised by the smooth touchscreen handwriting recognition of this device using the pen.
On laptop mode, the display is pretty vivid, as it’s supposed to be. The resolution of 3000 x 2000 pixels looks pretty crisp on this 12.3” screen. Watching Youtube videos and Netflix shows at maximum quality was pretty colorful and bright, enhancing my overall cinematic experience.
Camera
The Google Pixel Slate M3 camera is one area where I felt disappointed.
First and foremost, I thought it was weird that the front and back cameras were the same. Both the 8MP cameras were below average because many smartphones have better cameras at lower prices.
While it did support HD videos on video calls, the overall quality of the pictures and videos was pretty average. The images I clicked had a grainy effect when you zoomed in, which was a bummer, in my opinion.
However, this was the case because Google did not have the camera in mind as the primary focus. This is meant to be used like a touchscreen laptop, not for photography.
Battery
While Google has stated that it has a 10-hour battery life span, the reality is pretty different from the truth. I went on Netflix to binge-watch a few episodes of Stranger Things Season 4. To my surprise, my Google Pixel Slate M3 screen popped the “Low Battery” warning just around the 7-hour mark.
While playing some games like Fortnite, the battery performed poorly, losing steam at the 5.5-hour mark. This was lower than what I had expected.
Performance
The Intel Core M3 8100Y (3.4GHz) and the Intel UHD 615 Graphics pair well for a decent Chromebook performance. Here, the Google Pixel Slate M3 performed as I had expected it to.
Running all the supported Android apps on this Chromebook felt like a Breeze, and it worked wonderfully. This includes all the preinstalled Google applications like Google Docs and Sheets. In addition, other apps like Netflix and Amazon prime worked as they should as well.
Regarding productivity apps, I was limited only to apps like Canva, Adobe Lightroom, Kinemaster, and more. All these apps worked without a hitch because of the 8GB RAM and the M3 processor.
Price & Configuration
“While the Google Pixel Slate starts at $599 — with an Intel Celeron CPU, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage — we tested the $999 configuration that rocks an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.”
“On top of that, you’ll want the $199 Pixel Slate Keyboard and those who prefer to write longhand and draw should check out the $99 Pixelbook Pen.”
“While that much storage may feel like overkill on the cloud-based Chrome OS, you can’t save by getting a Slate with a Core i5 processor with 64GB of storage, as that much space is only available in the Core m3 version.”
“If you’re looking to use this as your main machine, I would not recommend relying on the Core m3 CPU unless your needs are minimal to moderate.”
Google Pixel Slate Ports
“You could learn a lesson from the dual USB Type-C ports in the Pixel Slate. Not only does this slate pack one more than the new iPad Pros, but it actually supports external storage (the iPad Pro doesn’t), so the Pixel Slate can actually fit into a modern working environment rather than just rely on cloud storage.”
“That being said, both machines beat the Surface Pro 6, which requires an $80 adapter for a Type-C port. One annoying glitch I found in that external device support, though: after importing large, multi-gigabyte files to the Pixel Slate, it appears to crash and reboot, with the screen going dark for a moment before opening a blank Chrome tab. Aside from that, the file transfer works correctly, though.”
Keyboard
“The backlit Pixel Slate Keyboard (optional, $199 extra) is a joy to type on, and probably one of my favorite 2-in-1 keyboards yet.”
“Not only did I breezily click my way to 75 words per minute on the 10fastfingers typing test (not far from my 80 wpm average), but it took me no time at all to get used to its circular keycaps, which worried me when Google first revealed the Slate as some circular keys become a pain. I bet my colleagues would prefer I switch to the Slate, as Google’s super-quiet ‘Hush’ keys muffled the sound of my typically loud typing.”
However, my gaming experience was a bit on the average side since very few Android games are supported on Chromebooks. I was able to play some games like Asphalt 9 and Fortnite, to name a few.
Their performance was pretty good, especially in medium settings. However, I did notice some frame drops and occasional lags and stutters at the highest settings.
Google Pixel Slate M3 Review
Overall, I was content with the performance, as I said here in my Google Pixel Slate M3 review. If you are a student or an office goer, this laptop will suit your needs well. However, if you want to use it for high-end functions like gaming and professional-grade video editing, it’s best to stick to a laptop.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➼ Sleek and lightweight design. ➼ Vivid and responsive touchscreen display. ➼ Keyboard is good enough. ➼ Performance on apps tested was great. | ➼ Keyboard is pretty heavy. ➼ Not many supported apps in Chromebook as of now. ➼ Pretty expensive considering the features it provides. ➼ Poor camera. ➼ Subpar battery life. |
Best Google Pixel Slate M3 Alternatives
If you are looking for Google Pixel Slate M3 alternatives, then I would recommend having a look at these Chromebooks:
1. HP Chromebook X2 11
Price: $479.99
The HP Chromebook X2 11 houses a Snapdragon 7C processor, along with 8GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. This Chromebook has a pretty great 11” touchscreen with a 2160 x 1440p 2K display.
2. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
Price: $469.99
If you want a bigger 13.3” screen, you can go for the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5. This houses a Snapdragon SC7180 processor and 8GB RAM, which is similar to the one above. However, it provides a better 128GB storage space.
3. Asus Chromebook Flip CX5
Price: $699.99
If you want performance, I recommend the higher-end Asus Chromebook Flip CX5. This is a powerhouse of a Chromebook with an incredible 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and Intel Iris X graphics. You will also have no storage issues with its 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM. In addition, you will get a laptop-sized 16” NanoEdge screen for a great overall experience.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
Tech geeks have asked many questions on the internet related to the Google Pixel Slate M3. The answers to some of these questions are:
Ans – If you are a hardcore gamer, then I will not recommend the Google Pixel Slate M3. This is because Chromebooks, in general, are not meant for playing high-end PC games. On the other hand, you can easily play Android games if you want with keyboard controls or a controller.
Ans – Yes, since the Google Pixel Slate M3 has a touchscreen, I would recommend this to digital artists. Using the pen, you can create amazing artwork directly on the touchscreen by using it as a Pixel tablet.
Ans – In my opinion, the Google Pixel Slate i5 is better than the M3 variant since it provides a better processor. Therefore, if you are confused between the Google Pixel Slate M3 vs i5, go for the i5 variant.
Final Verdict: Is The Google Pixel Slate M3 Worth Buying In 2022?
With a price tag of $489.99, the Google Pixel M3 is a pretty decent Chromebook. This 2-in-1 detachable laptop will work well for school and college students for their online classes. However, if you are a professional using a wide variety of apps for your work, I would highly suggest you look for normal Windows laptops.
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