Google’s decided to step away from its self-made tablets and focus instead on the laptop form.
When Google announced the Pixel Slate, I was excited, but that was quickly dulled when the reviews for the lackluster product hit. It seems that Google took the hint, deciding not to make any more tablets.
As Google’s statement to Computer World notes, they will continue to make Pixel phones and their premium lines of Chromebooks. This means that people who want a stock Android experience out of a tablet are out of luck, with only options from Samsung and other OEMs available.
I’m not sure what the best device for Android users who want a pro-level tablet experience is, but I have the sinking feeling that it might be an iPad Pro. Microsoft’s Surface line might be another viable option, but the app experience for Windows (outside of the desktop and laptop ecosystem) isn’t nearly as vibrant as the iPad’s.
I recently had this conversation on Twitter with tech YouTuber Erica Griffin. She uses an Android phone with an iPad as her tablet/laptop of choice, and I’m inclined to agree with her.
Michael Miller 