Tech enthusiasts may want to brace their wallets before the official launch of the Asus CX9406 Googlebook. A recent leak from a Canadian retail listing has pulled back the curtain on the pricing for one of the upcoming models, and it suggests that these devices will be far from affordable. While ChromeOS devices have traditionally been known for their budget friendly nature, this new line of Googlebooks seems designed for the luxury market, positioning itself as a high end alternative to traditional laptops.
The specific model mentioned in the leak comes equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 processor, featuring an eight core setup that promises solid multitasking capabilities similar to previous top tier chips. Paired with 16 gigabytes of RAM and a 512 gigabyte drive, the hardware is certainly competent, though perhaps not groundbreaking given the projected cost. The device will run on AluminumOS, an Android based system that aims to bridge the gap between mobile efficiency and desktop productivity, although questions remain regarding how it will handle complex software compared to Windows or Linux.
Despite those respectable specifications, the price tag is where many users might hesitate. The leaked listing shows a cost of approximately 1,902 Canadian dollars, which translates to roughly 1,400 US dollars for this mid range configuration. For a machine utilizing what is essentially an entry level version of its CPU series, this represents a significant jump in price for anyone used to standard Chromebook pricing strategies.
Industry insiders expect this to be just the beginning of a wider lineup. Previous rumors suggest that higher spec versions could feature Core Ultra 7 processors and up to 64 gigabytes of memory. Considering current trends in component costs, those flagship configurations are expected to carry even more staggering prices. All eyes are now on Google’s scheduled event in New York on September 15, where it remains to be seen if the premium experience can justify such a steep investment.
