So, you’re looking at that sleek, silver slab of aluminum and wondering why on earth people are still paying real money for a laptop that came out nearly a decade ago. It’s a fair question. Honestly, the tech world moves so fast that a 2017 device should be a paperweight by now. But if you've been checking eBay or Swappa lately to see how much is google pixelbook, you’ve probably noticed something weird. These things aren't hitting the $50 "junk" tier.
They're holding steady.
Back in the day—we're talking October 2017—Google dropped the original Pixelbook with a starting price of $999. People lost their minds. "A thousand dollars for a web browser?" was the common refrain. But Google wasn't just selling a browser; they were selling a vision of high-end hardware that finally matched the simplicity of ChromeOS. Today, in 2026, the market for these machines is purely driven by enthusiasts, collectors, and people who just really, really love that specific keyboard.
The Reality of the Price Tag Right Now
If you want to grab an original Pixelbook today, you're looking at a wild range of prices depending on how much "love" the previous owner gave it.
On average, a base model Google Pixelbook (the one with the Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage) is going for anywhere between $140 and $210. If you find one for $120, it probably has a "read" description—meaning the screen is cracked or the battery is basically a spicy pillow. On the high end, "Mint" condition units or those rare i7 models with 512GB of NVMe storage can still fetch **$300 or more** from the right buyer.
It's kind of wild.
Compare that to the Pixelbook Go, which launched later in 2019 for $649. Even though it's newer, you can often find the m3 or i5 versions of the Go for roughly the same price as the original 2017 model, usually landing around **$160 to $250**. Why? Because the original Pixelbook had that "it" factor. The 3:2 aspect ratio screen. The 2-in-1 folding design. The weirdly satisfying silicone palm rests that, let's be real, have mostly turned yellow by 2026.
Breaking Down the 2026 Market Rates
- Original Pixelbook (2017): $130 – $280 (Used/Refurbished)
- Pixelbook Go (2019): $150 – $400 (Depending heavily on i7/4K display specs)
- Pixelbook Pen: $40 – $70 (Usually sold separately now)
Why Is It Still This Expensive?
You can go to a big-box store and buy a brand-new, plastic-fantastic Chromebook for $199. So why pay that for a "vintage" Google machine?
💡 You might also like: Why An Unexpected Error Occurred Please Try Your Request Again Later Keeps Ruining Your Day
Build quality. That's basically the whole answer.
The Pixelbook was built like a piece of jewelry. It’s 10.3mm thin. Even by 2026 standards, it feels more premium than 90% of the laptops on the market. The keyboard is often cited by writers as one of the best ever made, featuring a soft-touch feel and just the right amount of travel. Plus, that 2400 x 1600 resolution display is still sharper than most mid-range laptops sold today.
But there's a massive elephant in the room.
The End-of-Life Problem (AEO)
If you're asking how much is google pixelbook because you want a daily driver, you need to look at the Auto Update Expiration (AUE). Google used to be pretty strict about this. For the original Pixelbook, official OS updates were originally slated to end in 2024. However, Google threw a bone to the community and extended support for many older devices.
Even with extensions, we are firmly in the "legacy" era.
Running a Pixelbook in 2026 means you might be a version or two behind the latest ChromeOS features. While it'll still browse the web and run your Google Docs just fine, the security patches are the real concern. If you're a tech tinkerer, you've probably heard of MrChromebox or project Crostini. Many people buy these old Pixelbooks specifically to wipe ChromeOS and install a lightweight Linux distro. In that context, a $150 Pixelbook is a world-class Linux machine.
What Most People Get Wrong About Buying Used
Don't just look at the price and click "Buy It Now." There are some serious hardware "gotchas" with the Pixelbook line that haven't aged well.
- The Battery: These batteries are non-replaceable for the average human. They are glued in with the strength of a thousand suns. A used Pixelbook from 2017 might only hold a charge for 2 or 3 hours. Always ask the seller for the "battery cycle count."
- The Silicone: Those white palm rests? They're magnets for dirt and oil. Most of the ones you see for cheap look like they've been dragged through a coffee shop floor.
- The Screen Bricks: There’s a known issue where the display cable can fatigue over years of flipping it into tablet mode. If the screen flickers when you move it, run away.
Is It Actually Worth It?
Honestly? It depends on who you are.
✨ Don't miss: How to Make the Ground Shake: The Science of Human-Induced Seismicity
If you're a student who just needs something to get through a semester of writing essays, you're better off getting a refurbished Acer or HP from 2023 for $200. You'll get better battery life and a warranty.
But if you're a writer, a ChromeOS enthusiast, or someone who appreciates industrial design, the Pixelbook is a steal at sub-$200. It’s a piece of history you can actually use. Just don't expect it to be your only computer. Think of it as a secondary "distraction-free" writing machine or a very fancy tablet for watching Netflix.
The era of Google-made laptops feels like a fever dream now that they've pivoted so hard toward the Pixel Tablet and Fold phones. We might never see another laptop from Mountain View that has this much soul.
Next Steps for Potential Buyers:
Check the current listings on Swappa or eBay and filter by "Sold Items" to see the actual closing prices from the last 30 days. Specifically, look for units that include the original 45W charger, as finding a high-quality replacement that triggers the "rapid charging" can be a headache. If you're tech-savvy, look into the ChromeOS Flex compatibility list to see if you can keep the hardware running with a fresh OS after the official support fully vanishes.