Google has opened preorders for Googlebooks, new Android-powered premium laptops launching on 4 October starting at $899. This marks Google's departure from the budget Chromebook strategy towards competing in the premium laptop market by leveraging the Android software ecosystem rather than the web-first approach that failed to gain traction against macOS and Windows. Five models will be available from various original equipment manufacturers at launch, with pricing ranging from $899 to well over $1,000.

The new laptops feature premium hardware including OLED displays, metal chassis, large haptic trackpads, and an illuminated "Glowbar" on the lid. Specifications include 16GB of RAM standard (with 32GB upgrades available), a choice of Snapdragon X Elite or Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, both equipped with 45 TOPS neural processing units, and fanless designs promising up to 14 hours of video playback or 16 hours of web browsing. The key differentiator is native support for Android apps without the virtualisation complexity of ChromeOS, plus seamless integration with Android phones through features like Cast My Apps, which allows apps from your phone to appear instantly on the laptop.