Samsung phone owners may not need Google's new $899 Googlebook laptop

Google's new Googlebook laptops start at $899, and an Android Police comparison says Samsung Galaxy owners may not need one. The reason is Samsung DeX, a free desktop mode that has been on Galaxy phones since 2017. For many Galaxy users, the review argues, it already covers much of what Googlebook offers.

What Googlebook is

Googlebook is a line of premium laptops made with Acer, ASUS, HP, Dell and Lenovo. They run Android and include Gemini Intelligence, Google's AI helper. The idea is that your phone feels like part of your laptop. Google launched them on October 4th, after announcing them in May.

• Phone apps open on the laptop without reinstalling or signing in again
• Files carry over between devices
• Notifications show up on both
• Google says it works best with Pixel and Android phones on Android 17 or later

Where it falls short

The reviewer says it works as advertised, but early impressions are that it feels like a Pixel phone on a bigger screen. Some apps are also not ready. Google says just over 300 of the 10,000-plus most used Android apps are not tuned for Intel Googlebooks. The Google Store labels apps that work better on a phone.

Why DeX is the rival

DeX turns a Galaxy phone into a desktop-like setup. Galaxy tablets run a lighter version called New Dex, which can stand in for a Chromebook when paired with a keyboard cover. The review credits years of updates for its polish. Native Samsung apps resize more smoothly, and DeX opens multiple Samsung Internet windows, though not Chrome. Chrome may also scale poorly in DeX.

The price question

DeX costs nothing, but you may need a monitor and keyboard if you do not own them. Googlebook gives you a real laptop with a keyboard, touchpad and larger screen, with no cables or docks. The review calls those features more convenience than new capability. It also notes that Chromebook Plus models, with Gemini AI features and Android app support, run from $369 to $799.

What is still unclear

The review raises a worry about long-term support. Googlebook's future depends on whether Google lets it live alongside Chromebooks. The article text available here cuts off before Google's answer, so that point remains open.

What to do

If you own a Galaxy phone, try DeX with a monitor and keyboard you already have before spending $899 or more on a new laptop.