I feel like this article does a good job of explaining why it isn't selling well. MS Surface is a messy device in the sense that it cobbles together a bunch of old and new technologies, but in the old PC tradition, its a device where you can get the job done. Sure, Pixel C is for developers because Google wishes developers would build full featured productivity apps for Android. Its not surprising, and Pixel C is still too expensive for what it does.
I continue to believe this was originally a chromeOS device, and that internal politics shoved Android on it.
A touch-oriented chrome device that could take a keyboard would be a lot more appealing to me than a premium android tablet. I'm not sure how common this perspective is, though. I definitely use my iPad Pro as a limited Macbook air..
Android runs Chrome. The only drawback is the windowing system isn't right for the form factor. Split screen in Android N will probably make the Pixel C loved by many.
"Internal politics" makes it sound like a mistake, but when Android replaces Windows as the default desktop OS in a few years, the Pixel C will look like a pretty smart idea.
Interestingly, Brendan Eich called Android the Windows of the modern era just this week.
To me, ChromeOS has two things that make it far, far better than Android -- mandatory autoupdates and a far smaller attack surface. And, I think at a fundamental level those two reasons are why premium Android tablets just aren't appealing.
Maybe Android will be the default desktop OS, but in its current incarnation, it would be pushing a lot of brain damage on people.
Given the fact that crouton exists, I am inclined to disagree. It also has implemented proper secure boot, something that is still difficult for most distros.
(I personally dislike tablets as a form factor and have both an iPad and Android tablet gathering dust, but people do seem to keep buying Android tablets.)
Your link doesn't imply that. It suggests that "other" is the category replacing iOS in the market, which are no-name brands. Its not a trend where consumers are paying $450 for a Google product, but one where they're paying $200 for something generic. Amazon and the other players are just holding their ground.
On the Apple side, I know people who bought the larger iPhone no longer felt a need for an iPad. I'm sure the same trend is true for Android, so its unclear who exactly is still buying tablets. Could it be people in markets/demographics where they can't get/afford full-featured phones?
Based on comments I think the purpose of the discount is being missed.
We are a Mobile app Company with significant presence on Android. The fact that this rebate made available at the time N Preview was released gave us enough push to order 1 so that we can test our apps on Android N in desktop like environment for Multi-Window support.
> Offer2 only available in the United States while supplies last.
You may try to buy it with some logistic companies/ warehouse if the discount is larger than the service charge.
E.g. I am currently in Hong Kong. The service charge is USD33. If I buy the USD499 one, the discount is 124.75, still cheaper than buying in Hong Kong.
I feel like this article does a good job of explaining why it isn't selling well. MS Surface is a messy device in the sense that it cobbles together a bunch of old and new technologies, but in the old PC tradition, its a device where you can get the job done. Sure, Pixel C is for developers because Google wishes developers would build full featured productivity apps for Android. Its not surprising, and Pixel C is still too expensive for what it does.