Let me tell you about my newest favorite piece of tech. It's from 2019.

It's a Google Pixelbook Go that I bought new, even though it was manufactured seven years ago. It's the only thing that's filled the netbook-sized hole in my heart, and makes me wish Google would bring it back.

What went into my decision

I needed a device I could take anywhere but still get work done

It fit all my requirements. Not as my main laptop, but as something I could use for my job here at Android Police when I’m on the go, and for a book I'm writing that I work on at my writing club in a bookstore and in coffee shops.

I needed something small enough to fit in a handbag (its dimensions are 8.12 inches x 12.24 inches x 0.53 inches). It needed to be super lightweight (2.33 pounds), so it wouldn't drag me down if I carried it all day. It also needed a rugged case, so I'm comfortable carrying it around without any protection.

Also, I needed something affordable, which for me meant around $300.

Specs matter too, and though the Pixelbook Go doesn't blow other laptops out of the water, I have found its 8GB of memory and Intel Core m3 chip more than enough for the tasks at hand.

For a bit extra, I could have gotten more storage and more power, but I ordered my Google Pixelbook Go from Amazon for just under $300. I haven't had any issues with my choice to not go top of the line. Well, top-of-the-line, as such things can be.

How it's worked out

Spoiler alert: It meets all my requirements

I have two accounts on the Pixelbook Go: one for work and one for personal use. Switching between them is super simple, but having to log out and log in to each account has kept me on task for each.

Constant Slack notifications keep me focused during work hours. When I'm working on my book, I can't open a quick browser tab to check in at work, where I could get completely derailed.

As I said about the specs, they have been fine for my needs. Nothing ever feels too slow despite my habit of keeping many tabs open.

The size and weight of the Pixelbook Go is perfect. I hardly notice that it's in my bag. Because I carry it frequently, it's made me more likely to tackle my personal writing at times I might otherwise be doomscrolling on my phone.

The keyboard is a dream to type on. It's the right size for me and has a pleasant texture.

The battery life has been excellent. However, I don't use it for more than a few hours at a time. That means I don't have to carry the cable and charger, so I can travel as lightly as possible.

As for updates, it's supported through August 2029.

Why, Google, why?

The Pixelbook Go died almost as soon as it was born. And I get why. The price at release (starting at $650) wasn't competitive with other Chromebooks.

But there is a need for a moderately featured, moderately priced Chromebook that is perfect for those who want something secondary that they can easily take with them.

If Google could find a way to make a Pixelbook Go that's a better deal right off the bat, it could be a hit. I can't be the only one who wants one, and Apple did not release the cute, well-priced MacBook Neo without a ton of market research.

So, Google, please bring back the Pixelbook Go, just priced a little friendlier upfront than the original.