In Tony Polanco’s first-look comparison for Tom’s Guide, the ASUS Googlebook 14 stood out for its unusually thin, light design and travel-friendly feel. That is an event impression, not a lab-tested verdict: Polanco said he needed more hands-on time and testing before judging the laptops fully.
Which Googlebook stood out?
Polanco’s pick was the ASUS Googlebook 14. At the launch event, he noted its 2.2-pound weight, 0.43-inch thickness, and reduced glare. Those qualities make it the clearest fit in this group for someone who prioritizes portability. The report does not establish that it is the fastest, longest-lasting, or best-performing Googlebook in measured tests.
The ASUS was listed at a U.S. starting price of $1,299 in Tom’s Guide’s September 21, 2026 article. That is a launch-period reported price, not a live retailer quote or a guarantee of today’s price.
How the five launch models compare
Google announced first-wave Googlebooks from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. The specifications and prices below are those reported by Tom’s Guide at publication; they are not a current stock or price check.
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#1 Best Overall
- Intel Celeron N4120: 4 Cores & Threads, 1.1GHz Base Clock, Up to 2.6GHz Boost Clock, 4MB Cache, Intel UHD Graphics 600. The perfect combination of performance, power consumption, and value helps your device handle multitasking smoothly and reliably with four processing cores to divide up the work.
| Model | Reported U.S. starting price | Reported configuration and distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|
| Acer Googlebook 14 | $899 | OLED touchscreen and aluminum chassis; the only 2-in-1 convertible among the five, according to Tom’s Guide. |
| ASUS Googlebook 14 | $1,299 | Intel Core Ultra 5 Panther Lake, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD (up to 512 GB), 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen, and 70 Wh battery. ASUS claims up to 18 hours of battery life and 1,000 nits peak HDR brightness; neither figure is an independent test result in the report. |
| Dell XPS Googlebook | $999 | 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen, Snapdragon X Elite, 16 GB RAM (up to 32 GB), and 512 GB SSD. |
| HP Googlebook 14 | $1,299 | 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen, Snapdragon X Elite, 16–32 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, and a lattice-less keyboard. |
| Lenovo Googlebook 15 | $1,099 | 15.3-inch display, Intel Core Ultra 5 Panther Lake, 16 GB RAM, and 256 GB storage. |
Google’s September 21, 2026 launch announcement said the lineup starts at $899 in the United States. Prices vary by model and can change; compare the actual configuration and current local price before buying.
Which model fits which kind of buyer?
For travel and low weight: ASUS
The ASUS is the most natural choice if carrying weight and a slim chassis matter most, based on Polanco’s event impressions. Its OLED display, memory, storage, battery capacity, and processor are reported specifications, but the available coverage does not provide comparable measured results against the other four.
Rank #2
- FOR HOME, WORK, & SCHOOL – With an Intel processor, 14-inch display, custom-tuned stereo speakers, and long battery life, this Chromebook laptop lets you knock out any assignment or binge-watch your favorite shows..Voltage:5.0 volts
- HD DISPLAY, PORTABLE DESIGN – See every bit of detail on this micro-edge, anti-glare, 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) display (1); easily take this thin and lightweight laptop PC from room to room, on trips, or in a backpack.
- ALL-DAY PERFORMANCE – Reliably tackle all your assignments at once with the quad-core, Intel Celeron N4120—the perfect processor for performance, power consumption, and value (2).
- 4K READY – Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite next-gen games with Intel UHD Graphics 600 (3) (4).
- MEMORY AND STORAGE – Enjoy a boost to your system’s performance with 4 GB of RAM while saving more of your favorite memories with 64 GB of reliable flash-based eMMC storage (5).
For a convertible: Acer
Acer is the only model identified as a 2-in-1, so it is the option to consider if you want a screen that can fold into tablet-style use. Tom’s Guide also describes its OLED touchscreen and aluminum chassis. It was the least expensive of the five in that article’s launch-period pricing.
For a smaller screen: Dell
The Dell XPS Googlebook has the smallest reported display at 13.4 inches. Its listed Snapdragon X Elite configuration and 512 GB SSD may make it worth comparing if screen size and storage matter more to you than the larger panels in the lineup.
Rank #3
- THE BETTER WAY TO LAPTOP – Imagine a Chromebook that’s as flexible as your day: thin and lightweight with built-in Google apps and stress-free security.
- TAKE HITS KEEP MOVING – Sleek, light, and built to last- the Chromebook 2-in-1 is just 0.69” thick and 3.3lbs. Enjoy long-lasting battery life, fast charging, and military-grade durability for nonstop productivity wherever life takes you.
- PERFORMANCE THAT MATCHES YOUR HUSTLE – Fuel your ideas with an Intel Core processor and 128GB storage. Boot up in under 10 seconds to start the day powerfully efficient.
- FLEX YOUR CREATIVITY ANYWHERE, ANYTIME – Create, work, or unwind your way with a versatile 2-in-1 design. Flip easily between laptop, tent, and tablet modes with a responsive touchscreen built for flexibility.
- BRILLIANT VIEWS AND IMMERSIVE AUDIO – See, hear, and create with awesome clarity. The WUXGA display brings rich detail to your work and play, while audio tuned by Waves MaxxAudio provides immersive, balanced sound.
For a 14-inch OLED and unusual keyboard: HP
HP pairs a 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen with a lattice-less keyboard. Its reported starting price matches ASUS’s, so the choice between them depends on form factor, keyboard preference, and further testing rather than price alone.
For the largest screen: Lenovo
Lenovo’s 15.3-inch display is the largest reported here. That may suit desk-based work or a preference for more screen area, while the ASUS’s event-highlighted advantage is portability.
Rank #4
- Experience smooth multitasking and speedy performance with the IdeaPad 3i Chromebook, perfect for work or play on the go. The fast, secure operating system built by Google comes with AI tools to make hard work feel easy. Write like a pro, design unique backgrounds, and reimagine photos with generative AI.
- Intel Celeron N4500 Processor (2 cores 2 threads, base clock speed 1.1GHz, max turbo to 2.8GHz, 4MB Cache); 4GB LPDDR4x-2933 (onboard) RAM, 128GB Storage (64GB eMMc + 64GB SD Card); With the Google One AI Premium Plan, you get Gemini Advanced for 3 months at no cost, 2TB of cloud storage, and Gemini in Gmail, Docs, and more - all on us when you purchase a Chromebook.
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) NON-touch TN 220nits Anti-glare display; HD 720p Webcam with Privacy Shutter; Integrated Intel UHD Graphics, expandable to external 3 digital monitors via HDMI and USB-C, External monitor resolution: FHD (1920x1080) @60Hz.
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI, microSD card reader, Headphone / microphone combo jack, Kensington Nano Security Slot; Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.2; Super long battery life, up to 10 hours.
- Auto Update Expiration (AUE) Date: Jun 2030. Chrome OS, popular apps for streaming, gaming, creating, and staying organized are all available on Google Play. Easily access Microsoft 365, Minecraft, Adobe Express, and more. Chromebook is secure, fast, up-to-date, versatile, and simple. Ideal for Online course, Online school, k12 & k9 & College students, Zoom meeting, or Video streaming.
What is a Googlebook, and how is it different from a Chromebook?
Google describes Googlebook as a new laptop category built on Android technology with desktop foundations from ChromeOS, designed for Gemini Intelligence and integration with Android phones. It is not simply presented as a conventional Chromebook with a new name: Google’s positioning emphasizes Android-phone connectivity and Gemini alongside a desktop laptop experience. The practical differences depend on the shipped software and supported features, so buyers should verify the capabilities they need on the specific model.
Google says the lineup includes a Glowbar, haptic glass trackpads, backlit keyboards, touchscreens, and dedicated NPUs capable of over 45 TOPS. These are Google’s portfolio-level launch descriptions, not independent evaluations of each model. Google also describes 16 GB RAM as the baseline.
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- PORTABLE DESIGN - HP Chromebook 14 is a versatile laptop designed for daily basic tasks, education, and entertainment. With a long-lasting battery life of up to 14 hours and a lightweight design at just 3.35 pounds, it’s perfect for on-the-go productivity and fun. A great choice for users seeking a reliable, portable device for work, studies, and leisure
- HIGH PERFORMANCE - Powered by an Intel Celeron N4120 processor and Intel UHD Graphics 600, the HP Chromebook delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks. With 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB storage, it offers efficient multitasking and ample space for your files, apps, and media
- EXCELLENT VISUAL- Features a 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) display with Micro-edge technology. Expand your workspace by connecting to 2 external monitors via HDMI and USB-C, supporting resolutions up to 4K (3840x2160) @30Hz. HP True Vision 720p HD camera ensures crisp video calls with enhanced clarity
- RICH CONNECTIVITY - Featuring versatile connectivity options, including a USB 3.1 Type-C port, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, and an HDMI 1.4 port. Enjoy enhanced connectivity with the bundled IST Computers 7-in-1 Hub, featuring HDMI (4K@30Hz), USB-C 2.0, two USB 2.0 ports, Type-C Power Delivery, and an SD/TF card reader; Also includes a headphone/microphone combo jack. With Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring fast wireless connectivity and compatibility with a wide range of peripherals
- CHROME OS - Chromebook is a computer for the way the modern world works, with thousands of apps, built-in cloud backups and Google Assitant. It is secure, fast, up-to-date, versatile, and simple. Ideas for Online courses, Online school, k12 & k9 & College students, Zoom meeting, or Video streaming
What do the battery claims and launch dates mean?
Battery figures from Google and ASUS should not be treated as directly comparable test results. Google’s launch materials state up to 14 hours of video playback and 16 hours of web browsing for the category. ASUS separately claims up to 18 hours for its model, as reported by Tom’s Guide. These are manufacturer claims with different stated contexts; the available coverage does not provide a common test showing how the five compare in real use.
Google announced that devices would reach shelves on October 4, 2026, in the United States and October 5 in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, and Australia. Those announced dates have passed, but current availability and inventory were not verified. Google also announced a 12-month Google AI Pro offer and three months of YouTube Premium, Adobe Photoshop, and more; eligibility and regional terms may differ, so check the offer conditions before relying on them.
How to choose without overreading a first look
- Choose by form factor first: Acer is the convertible, ASUS emphasizes travel weight, and Lenovo has the largest reported display.
- Match screen size and panel details to your work: the reported panels range from Dell’s 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen to Lenovo’s 15.3-inch display.
- Compare the exact configuration and local price, not just the model name; the published prices are launch-period U.S. figures.
- Treat battery life, peak brightness, and performance claims as unverified for direct comparison unless reviews use the same test methods and configurations.
- Confirm that the Googlebook software features you depend on—including Android-phone integration—are available and work as expected in your region.
The first-look comparison is useful for identifying design and configuration differences, but it does not include a consistent benchmark suite or enough testing to establish an objective overall winner.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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