PERFORMANCE. We evaluate how fast a tablet can perform calculations and see how long it takes to complete different tasks. The Google Pixel Slate (Core i5, 128GB) has excellent speeds when running everyday tasks, such as web browsing or email. The time to turn on and load the OS was slower than most, although this will be affected by what apps are installed on your tablet. Copying a set of files was very fast.
DISPLAY. We also score the attributes of a tablet's display. This device has a display resolution of 3000 x 1927, and produces very fine detail at 293 pixels per inch. The very bright screen and its reduced glare will be easy to view when used outdoors or in bright rooms. Testers found the display quality is bright with strong colors. Viewing angles are very wide with minimal changes in color, good for sharing a slideshow or movie.
CONVENIENCE. To gauge a tablet's ease of use, we look at the intuitiveness of its controls, as well as how quickly it takes to perform common tasks, such as connecting to a WiFi router or transferring files. The on-screen keyboard had a more comfortable size than on other tablets, and buttons were intuitively placed or easy to use. The touchscreen accurately interpreted touch gestures and it showed little, if any, lag in response. This tablet's initial setup process was quick and simple to personalize. It was fast in connecting to a wireless network. There may be additional steps when transferring files to and from different computers or storage solutions, such as installing special software. You can display two apps at once on this tablet, making it easier to multi-task and view more information on the screen.
SPECIFIC TASKS. Looking at how easy it is to perform a set of everyday tasks can show how functional a tablet will be. This tablet scored excellent, with most tasks easy to perform. Almost all common file types are supported by default without needing to install additional apps to view them. Some unsupported formats include: rtf. The tablet includes a video conference app by default for making video calls. The camera video records in HD, good for creating movies for playback on TV. The webcam video records in HD, good for making video calls. Video playback was smooth and had little lag, and sound quality from the built-in speakers is thin but acceptable. Photos produced from the camera were middling, better than some tablets but not as good as others, and videos lacked detail and had inaccurate colors. Text was clear and easy to read under various lighting conditions. There were few, if any, issues while using the web browser.
VERSATILITY. The features that are available on a tablet and other physical characteristics can affect its usability. You can mount a flash drive using the USB type-C port. It has no HDMI port. Without a keyboard, it weighs 1.6 lbs and is heavier than most tested tablets. The tablet has a solid feel, with little to no flex in its construction.
BATTERY LIFE. A longer battery life is important for mobility, whether using it while outside traveling, or even just at home as you carry the tablet between rooms. While browsing the web, the tablet can last 11.6 hours, and while playing back movies, it can last 10.6 hours. After partially charging a drained battery for 30 minutes, the tablet can last 5 hours, which is longer than most other tested tablets. There was no battery saving mode on this tablet, so you'll need to manually adjust settings, such as dimming screen brightness, to get the most time out of your battery.
