A 4K 2 in 1 Chromebook, codenamed ‘Atlas’, could be on its way to us soon
Details discovered within the ChromeOS source code suggests that Google might be about to announce a 4K Chromebook with a detachable keyboard.
We currently know very little about this device aside from the fact that it’s a Chromebook. Its codename, ‘Atlas’, doesn’t tell us a whole lot, but if any more rumours emerge it’ll be good to know if they’re referring to the same device.
The second thing we know is that it’ll be equipped with a 3,840 x 2,160 display, which would make it the world’s first 4K Chromebook. This resolution also points towards a much more traditional 16:9 aspect ratio rather than the current PixelBook‘s 3:2, notes Digital Trends.
Finally, fresh rumours suggest that the device might be equipped with a detachable keyboard. Commits discovered by ChromeUnboxed suggest that ‘Atlas’ might be using the same tech as ‘Poppy’ which has previously been associated with detachable Chromebooks.
An ultra-premium Chromebook
Until last year, Chromebooks were typically budget laptops that benefited from how lightweight ChromeOS is as an operating system. However the PixelBook changed the rules of the game, by pairing the OS with a high resolution screen and beefy processor.
The new Atlas device looks like it could continue this trend, although we’re still unsure of whether the world actually needs a 4K laptop. The new resolution barely makes sense on desktop displays as it is, and some would argue that it’s barely necessary on TVs under 50-inches in size.
But as the technology world moves towards 4K as a standard, maybe Google thinks the resolution is now another box that needs ticking, something that consumers will expect from new devices without really thinking about whether or not they actually need it.
Will have to wait until at least Google I/O 2018 to see if anything comes of the rumours, but after the previous PixelBook was announced later in the year in October, you shouldn’t hold your breath for a reveal anytime soon.
Do you think there’s any point in a laptop having a 4K screen? Let us know @TrustedReviews.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.