> It's still not clear why a Chromebook is better than a tablet for this purpose, but even if it were, I'm not sure there's a compelling reason for someone like

> It's still not clear why a Chromebook is better than a tablet for this purpose, but even if it were, I'm not sure there's a compelling reason for someone like your mom to buy a $1300 Chromebook as opposed to a $200 Chromebook. For the same reason a good chunk of my neighbors upgraded to iPhone5 from iPhone 4S (even though some of them didn't have the iPhone4S for more than a few months, and probably had to pay full (non-subsidized) amount to make the upgrade). Notice Google's marketing and branding efforts for this Pixel being eerily similar to Apple's, the pitch that the device somehow transcends in value over all of your other silicon-based products. They're trying very hard to have their brand be in the same rank Apple is in. It's a thing you're going to use to keep your pace in the 'Keeping up with the Joneses' game, it's like a Gucci bag, it's an alternative to the Macbook for when you're in Starbucks. There's no good reason to buy a Benz over a Corolla, but a lot of people do. Worse, a lot of people who probably shouldn't do.