ASUS' less powerful Googlebook might still come with a hefty price tag.
Even downgrading to the Core Ultra 5 may not result in an affordable Googlebook.
We have observed Googlebook laptops in recent weeks featuring increasingly high-end hardware; however, pricing has been a major unresolved aspect. A recent leak from ASUS might finally provide clarity on where some of these devices could be priced, indicating that even the lower-end models may still come at a high cost.
A now-removed Canadian retail listing identified by GbookHub revealed an ASUS Googlebook CX9406 equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The laptop was listed at approximately CA$1,900, which translates to about $1,380.
ASUS has yet to officially introduce the CX9406 or confirm its pricing, and the Canadian price may not directly reflect the forthcoming U.S. MSRP. Nonetheless, this is one of the clearest indicators we have regarding the potential cost of Intel-powered Googlebooks.
This is not the highest specification ASUS model available.
Interestingly, this listing does not represent one of the more premium Googlebooks we've seen leaked. The Core Ultra 5 325 is an eight-core Panther Lake processor with four performance cores and four efficiency cores. GbookHub has also uncovered previous benchmark and certification listings for more powerful CX9406 models with 32GB and 64GB of RAM, including a top-tier variant that combines the Core Ultra 7 355 with 64GB of RAM.
In other words, the approximately CA$1,900 listing is for a 16GB model that ranks lower within the expected CX9406 series. If the retail price is anywhere near correct, the higher-end versions could be significantly pricier, particularly while memory costs remain high.
More affordable Googlebooks might need to emerge from different sources.
We have earlier reported that Googlebook designs utilizing Qualcomm’s older Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 processor are also in progress. These devices appeared to be a potential pathway towards more budget-friendly Googlebooks, and this ASUS listing further emphasizes that option.
Intel-powered models from ASUS and Acer increasingly resemble premium laptops rather than being Chromebook alternatives centered on affordability. Snapdragon versions might provide manufacturers with the opportunity to lower Googlebook prices without sacrificing the platform's emphasis on strong hardware.
Google is set to hold a controlled media event in New York on September 15, where Googlebook hardware developed by its partners is anticipated for hands-on demonstrations.
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ASUS' less powerful Googlebook might still come with a hefty price tag.
A leaked listing for the ASUS Googlebook CX9406 indicates that even a Core Ultra 5 variant equipped with 16GB of RAM might carry a higher price tag.