Pixelbook the first notebook from Google is hitting the stores this week taking on Microsoft’s 2 in 1 Surface Book. After working with OEM suppliers for its Chrome OS the search giant is taking the battle to Redmond with own branded hardware.

Announcing the availability during it annual gathering, Google has made the device available at US$999 (RM4200) not included in the price is the digital pen. Pixelbook which looks more like a combination of Macbook and Surface Book offers 4 modes as most convertibles do, a tablet, tent, flip and laptop. Its exxtremely thin at just 10.3mm and weighs at 1Kg, the USP here has to be Google and its plethora of free applications available. Google Docs out of the box means there is no need for Office, for storage there’s Google Drive and the device automatically backs up most recent Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. Another key feature is the access to Google Play, all apps both productivity and entertainment are now available on the larger screen notebook. You can now use Adobe Lightroom to edit a photo before posting it to Instagram.

With the Google Assistant built in and a dedicate key for it, users can use their voice to send a quick email, create a new doc, get the details to the next calendar event or use the key to assist. The Pen however, gives a natural writing and drawing experience and also take notes right from the lockscreen. Internals are powered by Intel Core processors from i5 to i7 up to 16GB RAM and internal storage of 128Gb to 512GB.

Word on the web so far is that Google has built the Pixelbook to truly reflect the full capability of Chrome and native Android on the hardware is unlike any other. Are we finally seeing a real contender to Microsoft and Windows?