Google has launched five new Googlebook laptops, but early testing by The Verge staff reveals significant software issues. While the hardware is rated from great to excellent, the Android-based operating system currently lacks polish and feels like a step backward compared to ChromeOS.
Users report that many Android apps are not optimized for laptop use, often launching as full-screen tablet versions. Key features such as window management, keyboard shortcuts, and file transfers are inconsistent or missing, making the devices feel like tablets pretending to be laptops.
The integration of Linux apps via a virtual machine remains problematic. These applications do not appear in the taskbar or app tray, and they fail to share files or clipboard content with the main operating system, creating a disjointed user experience.
Despite the promise of seamless Android integration, features like phone casting and file browsing are unreliable. Connections between phones and laptops frequently drop, and file transfers through the native app are described as slow, undermining the core value proposition.
