Pre-orders for the Googlebook start next week

At its annual I/O conference earlier this year, Google announced a new hardware category in the form of the Googlebook.

At the time, the tech giant confirmed that the new devices would only be revealed later in the year, and now we have some more information, as the landing page for Googlebook has outlined 21st September 2026 as the date that pre-orders will go live.

Right now, it is unclear if all regions where Google sells its Chromebooks (which is slowly being phased out in favour of Googlebook) will also make pre-orders available from 21st September, but we would guess that the date listed on its website is specific to the United States.

As such, those in South Africa will likely have to wait until October or November for finer details to emerge.

“Googlebooks are a brand-new category of flagship laptops bringing together the best of ChromeOS and Android. They come with high quality materials, powerful performance, intelligence features and seamless connectivity with your Android phone. Chromebooks, on the other hand, run ChromeOS and are built to prioritize simplicity, speed and efficiency, which makes them great for everyday use,” a Google FAQ explains regarding the new hardware and its predecessor.

“Gemini Intelligence brings the best of Gemini to our most advanced devices like Googlebooks. It powers features like Magic Pointer and Create My Widget, bringing personal and proactive help where and when you need it,” it added regarding the AI-powered software for Googlebook devices.

Also of interest will be which Google OEMs will sell Googlebooks in South Africa. The manufacturers likes by Google are Acer, ASUS, HP, Dell, and Lenovo, so the company has all the biggest names in Windows making its new hardware, which is going to be powered by Android OS and Gemini Intelligence.

It will be interesting to see what types of form factors each of the OEMs opts for, as we’re hoping that traditional laptops will not be the only options. Here, we think the likes of ASUS and Lenovo could offer something different, as these brands have often released dual-screen, convertible, and hybrid laptops in South Africa.

Another area we’re intrigued by is price point and specification, and on this front, the five OEMs listed should offer a wider gamut of options for consumers to choose from.

Either way, next week, we will have a better idea of what Googlebook has to offer.

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