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TechQuiet 9d · day 10

Dell XPS Googlebook panned as polished hardware hobbled by immature OS

Engadget's review finds Google's new Googlebook platform fundamentally flawed despite Dell's excellent industrial design.

newest coverage 9d agosummary written 9d ago6 pieces Google NewsNewswiresReddit

What to know

  • Engadget's review declares Google's Googlebook OS a failure, undermining what could have been a compelling alternative to existing laptop platforms.
  • The Dell XPS Googlebook pairs class-leading hardware (identical specs to the Windows XPS 13) with an immature OS that forces unoptimized Android apps onto a laptop.
  • At $1,000, the Googlebook offers fewer capabilities than Windows, macOS, and Linux competitors while providing no unique advantage to justify the platform switch.

“Once I started using Googlebook OS, though, it became instantly clear that Googlebook OS is simply a hot mess.”

Devindra Hardawar, Engadget reviewer · Engadget ↗ · Nov 2, 7:30 AM

Devindra Hardawar Engadget reviewerDell Laptop manufacturerGoogle OS developer

Dell XPS Googlebook panned as polished hardware hobbled by immature OS
engadget.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 3 pieces in 3h at Nov 2, 6 AM; 6 pieces over 10 days (4 articles · 2 posts) Nov 1, 12 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Nov 1, 3 PM — quietNov 1, 6 PM — quietNov 1, 9 PM — quietNov 2, 12 AM — quietNov 2, 3 AM — quietNov 2, 6 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Google News 1, Newswires 1, Reddit 1Nov 2, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Reddit 1Nov 2, 12 PM — quietNov 2, 3 PM — quietNov 2, 6 PM — quietNov 2, 9 PM — quietNov 3, 12 AM — quietNov 3, 3 AM — quietNov 3, 6 AM — quietNov 3, 9 AM — quietNov 3, 12 PM — quietNov 3, 3 PM — quietNov 3, 6 PM — quietNov 3, 9 PM — quietNov 4, 12 AM — quietNov 4, 3 AM — quietNov 4, 6 AM — quietNov 4, 9 AM — quietNov 4, 12 PM — quietNov 4, 3 PM — quietNov 4, 6 PM — quietNov 4, 9 PM — quietNov 5, 12 AM — quietNov 5, 3 AM — quietNov 5, 6 AM — quietNov 5, 9 AM — quietNov 5, 12 PM — quietNov 5, 3 PM — quietNov 5, 6 PM — quietNov 5, 9 PM — quietNov 6, 12 AM — quietNov 6, 3 AM — quietNov 6, 6 AM — quietNov 6, 9 AM — quietNov 6, 12 PM — quietNov 6, 3 PM — quietNov 6, 6 PM — quietNov 6, 9 PM — quietNov 7, 12 AM — quietNov 7, 3 AM — quietNov 7, 6 AM — quietNov 7, 9 AM — quietNov 7, 12 PM — quietNov 7, 3 PM — quietNov 7, 6 PM — quietNov 7, 9 PM — quietNov 8, 12 AM — quietNov 8, 3 AM — quietNov 8, 6 AM — quietNov 8, 9 AM — quietNov 8, 12 PM — quietNov 8, 3 PM — quietNov 8, 6 PM — quietNov 8, 9 PM — quietNov 9, 12 AM — quietNov 9, 3 AM — quietNov 9, 6 AM — quietNov 9, 9 AM — quietNov 9, 12 PM — quietNov 9, 3 PM — quietNov 9, 6 PM — quietNov 9, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quietToday, 12 PM — quietToday, 3 PM — quietToday, 6 PM — quiet 12
Nov 2Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6Nov 7Nov 8Nov 9yesterdaynow · 7:37 PM ET
  1. 2

    Review details hardware strengths undermined by OS immaturity

    The full Engadget review elaborates that while the XPS Googlebook features a slim 2.2-pound metal case, 13.4-inch InfinityEdge screen, Snapdragon X Elite chip, and 16GB RAM—identical hardware to the Windows XPS 13—the Googlebook OS makes it practically pointless. The review contrasts Google's platform unfavorably with competitors' advances like NVIDIA's RTX Spark and Apple's redesigned MacBook Pro.

    “In a world where you can get the exact same XPS hardware running on more flexible platforms with better developer support, the XPS Googlebook seems practically pointless.”
    — Devindra Hardawar
  2. 1

    Engadget publishes scathing Dell XPS Googlebook review

    Engadget's review concludes that Googlebook OS is fundamentally flawed, calling the entire Googlebook concept a failure despite praising Dell's hardware design. The reviewer notes the OS forces unoptimized Android apps onto a laptop platform and offers no advantages over Windows, Linux, or macOS alternatives at the same $1,000 price point.

    “I'd go so far as to say the entire Googlebook concept is a failure.”
    — Devindra Hardawar
    1. 2 outlets Dell XPS Googlebook [2026]: $999, But the OS Hurts

      first by shattered.io, 9d ago · also Engadget

      1 more headline