In the fall of 2019, Google unveiled the Pixelbook Go, a Chromebook aimed at those who wanted a premium, lightweight device without the premium price tag of its predecessor, the Pixelbook. I, however, didn't join the Go bandwagon until two years later, snagging a "like new" i5 model with 16GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD for a cool $700 on Swappa. A steal, considering its original $999 MSRP.

Why a Chromebook in 2021, you ask? Well, dear reader, while my employer generously provides a work laptop, I yearned for a personal machine for those coffee shop jaunts and casual browsing sessions. Something fast, secure, and delightfully simple. Having spent my early career hawking Chromebooks in the aisles of Best Buy, I knew this was the answer.

Speaking of software, one of the biggest draws for me was the maturing of Linux on ChromeOS.

And the Pixelbook Go hasn't disappointed. This isn't your average Chromebook, mind you. The keyboard is a dream – responsive and whisper-quiet, perfect for hammering out emails or tackling a blog post (like this one!). The 1080p webcam is a welcome upgrade from the grainy cameras of yore, making me look presentable in Google Meet calls. Plus, with Google's commitment to ten years of software updates (a recent extension from the initial seven), this machine is built for the long haul.

But it hasn't been all sunshine and roses. As I began to delve deeper into the world of ChromeOS and its surprisingly robust "organized workspace" features, the 13.3-inch screen started to feel a tad cramped. Juggling multiple terminal windows, server configurations, and IDEs for my coding projects became a spatial challenge.

Speaking of software, one of the biggest draws for me was the maturing of Linux on ChromeOS. No longer a clunky afterthought, it's now a fully integrated environment, allowing me to run my favorite Linux applications alongside my ChromeOS workflow. This, combined with the impressive performance of the i5 processor, makes the Pixelbook Go a surprisingly capable machine for developers and tinkerers. 

My wife, charmed by the Go's portability and sleek design, even decided to join the club. We snagged her the "Not Pink" i5 model with 8GB of RAM – more than enough for her needs. 

Looking ahead, I'm curious to see how Google's Chromebook strategy evolves. Rumors are swirling about Android laptops becoming the future. If these rumors bear fruit, I might be tempted to upgrade sooner than my planned 2027 refresh. But for now, the Pixelbook Go remains my trusty companion, a testament to Google's vision of a simple, secure, and (mostly) satisfying computing experience.