An internal email leak suggests Google is developing a high-end laptop, codenamed “Snowy,” positioned as a direct competitor to Apple’s MacBook Pro. This potential Pixel laptop is rumored to boast premium specifications, rivaling devices like the Dell XPS, Microsoft Surface Laptop, and Samsung Galaxy Chromebook. With the project reportedly greenlit, a Pixel laptop could soon become a reality.
Google has a history with Pixel laptops, starting with the Chromebook Pixel in 2013 and 2015, followed by the Pixelbook (2017) and Pixelbook Go (2019). These Chromebooks were known for their high quality, though they carried a higher price tag than most competitors. While Google has since paused its own laptop development, it has continued to provide ChromeOS to partners and develop its Gemini AI system for third-party laptops.
The timing of these rumors coincides with speculation about Google merging ChromeOS and Android. This potential unified operating system could power both Android tablets and Chromebooks, enhancing both entertainment and productivity. This strategy could allow Google and its partners to challenge Apple’s dominance in the tablet market.
The Pixelbook on a table next to a pair of glasses.
Details about the Pixel Laptop remain scarce. If the rumored OS merger doesn’t materialize, the laptop will likely run ChromeOS, similar to its predecessors. Possible components include the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite. Additionally, Google’s in-house Tensor chips, already slated for future tablets and wearables, could potentially power the Pixel Laptop.
This potential release comes at a strategic time. Analyst reports suggest Apple won’t significantly update its MacBook Pro line until 2026, potentially giving Google a window to establish its new laptop in the market. This anticipated MacBook Pro update may feature an OLED display and the M6 chip, based on the 2nm process.
