[jsnell]

Except that in this particular case:

- Google is vertically integerated, at least to as high a degree as Apple is with Macs

- Google is trying to sell a physical product at high margins

- Google is heavily rumored to be setting up its own retail presence

Honestly, you'd think that at least when we're discussing a $1300 laptop, the lame "you're the product" cliche could be avoided.

[cooldeal]

>Google is trying to sell a physical product at high margins

Reference?

The Chromebook Pixel is still heavily geared towards Google's services, be it Docs or Storage. 1TB of Google Drive storage currently runs $600/yr if you get it by itself which comes to a $1800 subsidy for a $1300 laptop!

That either means their Drive storage is horribly overpriced, or that they're heavily subsidizing the Pixel.

[jsnell]

Somebody buying 1TB of Drive space presumably intends to use it, and Google won't make a huge margin on that. (Don't know their cost structure, and wouldn't reveal it if I knew). But most people getting "free" Drive space with a laptop is not going to use most it.

Additionally it's unlikely to amount to $1800 subsidy. Storage costs decrease exponentially, so the value of 1TB in 3 years is much lower than 1TB now.

[OGinparadise]

"Honestly, you'd think that at least when we're discussing a $1300 laptop, the lame "you're the product" cliche could be avoided."

You'd think so but especially not here, everything you do will be "seen" by Google. So, you'll be paying $1300+ for a browser and be tracked massively by Google to "serve you better ads." Yay!