ASUS’ first Googlebook shown ahead of launch

A few hours after images online showing the Lenovo-developed models surfaced, a new piece emerges in the still-mysterious Googlebook line of laptops promoted by Google.

This time the spotlight is on the new ASUS CX9406, a device that anticipates the official debut of the Googlebook family.

Leaks reveal a refined design and the integration of the novel operating system, confirming that Mountain View and its hardware partners are preparing for an imminent market launch.

ASUS Googlebook, first images preview the launch

Images of the new device were leaked via the iF Design website, then were quickly removed. Although the portal labeled it as an ordinary Chromebook, the visible details tell a very different story.

The ASUS CX9406 presents a refined colorway of carbon-dark gray, clearly standing out from the lighter shades seen on Lenovo’s prototypes.

On the keyboard you immediately notice the presence of the Google “G” icon in place of the traditional Start button found on Windows machines, accompanied by a dedicated launcher key positioned above the “Shift”.

Although the exact function of these additional controls remains to be discovered, and while they will probably mirror the known Chromebook functions, there is a strong native integration with the software services of the search giant.

Aluminium OS and the glowing notification system

The detail that definitively distances this computer from the budget laptop category is the clear mention of Aluminium OS.

This name, although potentially provisional, identifies the new operating system based on the artificial intelligence Gemini, developed specifically for the Googlebook.

To enhance the aesthetic and functional side there is also the so-called Glowbar, a LED strip located just above the ASUS logo. This light bar should operate in a manner similar to the HiLight indicator expected on the Pixel 11, activating visually to signal to the user the reception of specific notifications or interaction with the virtual assistant.

Ultralight materials and a good set of ports

According to the partially leaked description online, the CX9406 model features a chassis made from a particular lightweight ceramic alloy, a material able to keep the device’s total weight comfortably under the strict 1 kg threshold.

Although some parts of the original text were incomplete or poorly translated, there is explicit reference to a shell 34% lighter and 13% more resistant than conventional standards.

As for connectivity, the rounded shapes of the bottom make a thorough analysis difficult, but there is speculation about a USB-C port and an HDMI output on one side, while on the other side there would be room for a second USB-C port, two USB-A ports and a classic 3.5 mm audio jack.

Full details about the processor or storage capacity remain under wraps, but ASUS’s appearance alongside other official partners such as Acer, Dell and HP confirms that the development phase is nearly complete.

The first generation of these innovative laptops is set to reach consumers very soon.