Googlebooks might come to Czechia early next year. We briefly tried one of the models

Google launched a new era of laptops last week. The newly introduced Googlebooks entice with deep integration with Android phones, a set of AI features built on Gemini, and a Glowbar light strip located on the lid, aiming to compete primarily with the Microsoft Surface and Apple MacBook lines. The software giant does not manufacture these devices itself (at least in the first wave) – it collaborates with manufacturers Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

The new Googlebooks will go on sale in major international markets next week, with prices starting at $899, which is approximately 23,000 CZK including VAT. Although Google has not officially disclosed whether the laptops will also come to Czechia and when that might happen, we managed to obtain information from one of the named manufacturing partners. Representatives of Lenovo informed us last Wednesday at a private press briefing in Prague that the Lenovo Googlebook 15 model, which is among the first five bold ones, should arrive on our market early next year.

Prospectively January or February, Czechia is in the next wave

It was clear from the initial presentation that Googlebooks would not come to Czechia immediately. Google did not publish a press release for Czechia on its blog, and the list of first countries where the notebooks will be available includes only more significant markets such as Canada, Great Britain, or Germany, in addition to the United States.

The editorial team of Svět Androida learned from Lenovo representatives that Czechia is in the next wave. Prospectively, the new Googlebooks could start selling here in January or February 2027, i.e., after the Christmas season.

Regarding the price, it was initially stated at the briefing that it would be above 1,000 euros (approximately 24,000 CZK without VAT or 29,000 CZK with VAT). However, Lenovo immediately agreed with our observation that in the USA, the Lenovo Googlebook 15 in its basic configuration starts at $1,299, and therefore, after taxes and other fees, it could cost more than 1,500 euros on our market (approximately 35,000 CZK in conversion).

The full Google experience, or missing features in Czech

During the Googlebooks presentation, Google also highlighted many software features. The laptops will run on their own system called Googlebook OS (formerly referred to internally as Aluminium OS), which will primarily focus on enhanced connectivity with Android phones and Gemini artificial intelligence.

For example, Google demonstrated how settings, saved passwords, Wi-Fi networks, and messages from a smartphone transfer after logging into the notebook, and how it will be possible to continue working with an application that was running on the mobile phone on the laptop.

The company also introduced a unique Magic Pointer feature, which aims to summon artificial intelligence to content the user is currently pointing the cursor at, or a tool for creating custom widgets based on a description in one’s own words. The Rambler natural dictation feature is also expected.

However, similar to Google Pixel phones, there’s a risk that we might be enchanted by Google’s marketing materials, and some of the features might not work at all in our market. Representatives of Lenovo indeed confirmed that a number of features will not support Czech, even despite a several-month delayed release. However, the company did not specify which particular features these would be.

Personally, I would guess that it will be Magic Pointer and widget creation. Rambler, on the other hand, should be supported, as it also works in Czech on flagship Google Pixel 11 series smartphones.

Impressions from a few minutes of use: Android in a computer guise

During the private briefing, the editorial team of Svět Androida had the opportunity to try out the new Lenovo Googlebook 15. The computer is equipped with a 15.3″ touch OLED display with 2.8K resolution, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, and supports face unlock. In the United States, it starts at $1,299, which is approximately 33,000 CZK including VAT.

I held the Lenovo Googlebook 15 for approximately 3 minutes. Since it was not connected to a smartphone, I did not have the opportunity to test features that should be interesting for Android phone owners. Essentially, I only briefly navigated through the user interface.

The Googlebook OS system interface will be friendly for Google Pixel phone users. In essence, it is Android disguised in a computer shell. The environment utilizes Material Design, and its individual parts very well mimic those we know from smartphones (this applies especially to settings or the customizable control center).

In the bottom bar, similar to Windows, we find pinned applications and a menu with a list of apps, which also provides quick access to the Search engine. Among applications like YouTube, Recorder, or Maps, which we commonly use on phones, we also noticed an equivalent of Task Manager and a standalone diagnostic application, a feedback center, or the Link to iOS service for connecting with iPhones. The design of desktop folders also caught our attention.

Impressions from a few minutes of use, of course, do not replace a full review. The Googlebook was essentially a marginal matter at Lenovo’s briefing, which is why it was not given more attention. We are currently finding out when units for editorial testing will be available.

Conclusion: Is there something to look forward to?

For us, Googlebooks are definitely among the products whose future is worth watching. We are curious which features will (not) run in the Czech market and whether the notebooks will be able to justify their higher price.

Foreign editors who had the opportunity to spend more time with Googlebooks praised the hardware of all five units. The Acer model, which is the only convertible piece in the lineup, was called possibly the best notebook and tablet hybrid on the market by 9to5Google.

Currently, all that remains is to wait for individual manufacturers to share further details and for us to learn more specifically when and for how much we will be able to purchase Googlebooks in Czechia.

What do you expect from Googlebooks?