Google's Chromebook Pixel Elevates Chrome OS

In an attempt to satisfy cloud-computing power users, Google launched its Chromebook Pixel, a $1,299 laptop with a high-resolution touch screen that's now the flagship of the Chrome OS fleet. It is a 3.3-pound computer that brings a lot more polish to a product family that's been much more about low cost. Chrome OS runs Web apps in the browser rather than native apps written for traditional operating systems such as iOS or Windows, and the focus so far has been on consumer machines with a low sticker price and business machines that are cheap to manage.

Google is pushing pricing much higher than the previously top-end Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550 at $550. There are two Chromebook Pixel models in the United States, a $1,299 Wi-Fi-only model with a 32GB SSD and a $1,499 model that adds 4G mobile networking using Verizon's LTE service. The price includes three years' access to 1 terabyte of cloud-based storage space on Google Drive and 12 sessions of GoGo Inflight Internet access.