According to a statement from Google, Intel-based Googlebooks will apparently still struggle with some Android apps.
When Android apps made their debut on ChromeOS, one of the big downsides was that ARM-based machines ran those apps better than those using Intel chips. It was never a surprise given that Android apps are generally designed for devices running on an ARM architecture vs the x86 used on Intel chips.
Despite the whole platform being Android-based this time around, Google confirmed in a statement to Android Authority that Intel-based Googlebook machines will still run into the occasional hiccup with “complex” Android apps and games, though the company emphasizes that “the vast majority” will work just fine.
The vast majority of Android apps run smoothly across both Intel and Qualcomm Googlebooks right out of the box.
Because many Android apps were originally designed for Arm chips, a small handful of complex apps or games need some developer tuning to run their best on Intel-based platforms. We’re working hand-in-hand with app developers, Intel, and Qualcomm to continuously optimize performance and expand compatibility across the entire portfolio.
I'm kind of surprised they even released Intel based models in the first place. From my understanding Googlebooks are more Android based than ChromeOS based and I don't know of any ARM based ChromeOS machines out there just like there are no x86 Intel based Android phones/tablets that I am aware of.
Also I suspect the Googlebooks using ARM based SoC's will probably edge out the Intel based ones in battery life.
Still, this is noteworthy as the first wave of Googlebook hardware includes mostly Intel-based machines. Laptops from Lenovo, Asus, and Acer all run on Panther Lake-generation Intel chips, while Dell and HP machines both use the Snapdragon X Elite (the 2024 chip, not the newer version).
Another chip used for Googlebook from MediaTek is also in the works, though no machines are using it just yet.
The first batch of Googlebook laptops are all available as of today.
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