Googlebooks: The First Laptops Tailored for Android Users

There’s a strong possibility that my next laptop will be a Googlebook. If you’re an Android user like me, you might be considering one too, as Google is making a compelling case: the Googlebook aims to enhance the Android phone experience much like the MacBook does for the iPhone, and then some.

During a recent briefing, John Maletis, who leads Google’s laptop and tablet division, emphasized that Googlebooks are designed to “work seamlessly with your Android phone.” You can start an app on your phone and continue on the laptop, access your phone’s files from the laptop, run any phone app directly on the computer, and manage all your notifications in one convenient location.

After spending a couple of hours exploring the first five Googlebooks from various manufacturers, I genuinely hope Google can deliver on this promise.

The integration kicks off right at setup, allowing you to link your Google account and Android device. This syncs your contacts, passwords, preferred settings, payment details, and more, just like switching between Android phones.

Googlebook OS is built on Android’s codebase, featuring an interface that merges elements of Android and ChromeOS. The overall layout resembles a Chromebook, but the UI details draw heavily from Android, particularly the Material 3 Expressive design language seen on Google’s Pixel phones. Everything from widget design to the notification tray feels distinctly Android, just scaled up to fit the larger screen.

When you connect a Googlebook to your phone, they function as extensions of each other. Notifications are shared, so dismissing or reading them on one device updates the other. You can also reply to messages directly from the laptop.

File sharing is designed to be straightforward. The Googlebook’s file browser lists your paired phone among the hard drives, allowing you to browse, open, edit, and copy files directly. No more hassle with uploading and downloading files through Google Drive or sending them as email attachments.

The Googlebook also features a version of Continue On, an Android 17 capability that lets you start using an app on your phone and pick it up on your laptop, although only certain apps are compatible. You can open any phone app directly from the laptop via a dedicated app drawer. These apps run on the phone and are cast to the laptop, displayed in a floating portrait window — you can’t mirror the entire phone, just individual apps. While this approach is less flexible, it simplifies the experience.

The standout features like Continue On, app casting, and file browsing all require a phone running Android 17. Currently, that includes most Pixel devices and a few flagship models from other brands, which may limit immediate demand for Googlebooks due to Android’s fragmented update landscape. Future features may necessitate more advanced Android versions, but Google assures that this core functionality will remain operational even if your phone software lags behind. This is reassuring, as the laptops are expected to outlast your phone, with Google promising a decade of software support.

Much of this isn’t entirely new for Googlebooks. ChromeOS has been gradually integrating with Android over the years, and these new laptops build on that foundation. Chromebooks have been able to sync notifications, share passwords and payment cards, and even stream or emulate Android apps. Windows also offers similar features through Phone Link, including notification syncing and screen mirroring. Googlebooks streamline access to these features and ensure compatibility across all Android 17 devices, rather than just Pixels and a select few. Connecting an Android phone to a Chromebook or Windows laptop has always required some effort; with a Googlebook, it should be nearly effortless.

By shifting Googlebook OS to Android’s tech stack, it can run Android apps natively without emulation and has full access to the Play Store. If an app runs on your phone, it can run on your Googlebook. Google has collaborated with major players to ensure support, including streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max. Since these are still mobile apps, you can download shows and movies for offline viewing, unlike most other laptops.

One concern is that this setup might lead to some confusion. Some apps will run in small, phone-sized windows with a vertical UI, while others will scale dynamically for the larger screen or have dedicated desktop versions optimized for laptops. Some desktop-optimized apps can be resized to a phone UI, while others cannot. Occasionally, apps will run natively on the laptop hardware, while others will be cast from your phone. Not all apps will support the Continue On feature for seamless handoff between devices, though a Google representative mentioned that adding support is relatively simple, so they are optimistic about widespread adoption.

To help manage potential confusion, Google is introducing new Play Store tags that indicate whether an app is designed or optimized for desktop use or if the web version is a better option. The app store homepage will prioritize apps that are expected to perform well on a laptop, ensuring that phone-first apps only appear in search results.

My larger concern is that while there are many Android apps available, they are still primarily mobile apps. Google has secured new desktop versions of some applications, but many essential software options available on Windows or Macs are still missing for Googlebooks. The absence of full desktop versions of popular Adobe apps like Photoshop and Lightroom is a significant drawback for me. For others, it might be a critical productivity tool, enterprise application, or favorite game. Googlebooks launch with access to over 20,000 games through the Play Store, but most are basic mobile games; it feels odd to see a $1,000 laptop running Asphalt Legends with post-race ads.

The lack of “proper” apps has been a longstanding issue for Chromebooks. This has been somewhat acceptable given their lower price point, with many costing under $500. However, Googlebooks start at $899, and even that price is only available for a limited time. Higher-end models begin at $1,299, putting them in direct competition with the MacBook Air. While Google’s launch partners have provided competitive hardware, the success of Googlebooks ultimately hinges on app developers stepping up.

I’m eager to see how this unfolds. I entered the briefing with curiosity and left feeling almost convinced. After over a decade of waiting for a laptop that can truly leverage my Android phone, a Googlebook might just be the answer. However, right now, these devices feel like laptops built on Android as much as they are built for it. A robust rollout of desktop-class software is essential to change that, and I sincerely hope Google can deliver.