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Is the Googlebook 15 worth it?
The Lenovo Googlebook 15 is not worth it for most buyers: 3 critics average 6.3 out of 10, praising the OLED display and build but faulting the immature Googlebook OS and a price of about $1,149.99. This is a consensus of published reviews, not hands-on testing by TechWorthIt.
What critics loved
The display won the broadest praise. XDA called the 15.3-inch 2880x1800 120Hz OLED excellent, and Engadget described it as bright. PCWorld agreed the OLED looks great for video.
Build quality also scored well. XDA liked the great-looking, well-built design, while Engadget praised the silk-touch chassis that feels luxurious and the light weight for the screen size (2.85 pounds). Engadget also liked the speakers, ports and large haptic touchpad, and PCWorld said the audio sounds very good.
Engadget singled out the strong phone-to-laptop cross-device integration. XDA found battery life close to Lenovo's estimate, and PCWorld rated performance as decent among Chromebooks and Googlebooks.
Where it falls short
Software is the main problem. XDA said the Googlebook OS feels incomplete and unstable, with weak desktop app support. Engadget called app compatibility confusing, noted that many apps are limited to mobile versions, and said the software still feels first-generation. It also found casting from a phone stuttery. PCWorld called phone connectivity unreliable and underwhelming.
Critics split on the keyboard. XDA found it comfortable and bouncy, but PCWorld called it unpleasant and unproductive, and noted noticeable sag in the keyboard tray. PCWorld also reported that webcam face login works only sporadically.
Battery life is a mixed point. Engadget called it only average and PCWorld said it isn't great, though XDA found it close to the estimate. XDA also noted that fans are often loud under creative app load and that the 15-inch size is large.
Price drives PCWorld's verdict: it calls the laptop twice the price of a Chromebook and concludes it does not justify the premium.
Who should buy it
Engadget, the most positive critic at 7.9 out of 10, says it is best for hardcore Android users who will accept first-generation software in exchange for excellent hardware. Anyone who wants a large OLED screen and is willing to live with app limitations may find it appealing.
Everyone else is better served elsewhere. XDA says most buyers should choose Windows or macOS instead, and PCWorld points to Chromebooks as the better value.
Questions buyers ask
How good is the Googlebook 15 battery life?
Opinions vary. XDA found battery life close to Lenovo's estimate from the 70Wh battery, while Engadget called it average and PCWorld said it isn't great.
How much does the Lenovo Googlebook 15 cost?
PCWorld lists $1,149.99 for the configuration it reviewed, and XDA lists $1,099. PCWorld says that is twice the price of a Chromebook.
Is the Googlebook 15 better than a Windows laptop or Chromebook?
XDA recommends Windows or macOS for most buyers because of the unfinished Googlebook OS and weak app support. PCWorld says it does not justify its premium over Chromebooks.
