The Pixel is probably a little bit like an overpowered Nexus line: 1) Set a high standard for build quality and all for all the other Chromebooks. 2) Create a

The Pixel is probably a little bit like an overpowered Nexus line: 1) Set a high standard for build quality and all for all the other Chromebooks. 2) Create a consumer perception that Chromebooks can be high quality devices of substantial value 3) Create a powerful playground for testing with heavy Chrome apps & getting native Android apps to work on ChromeOS and other such features that will come to the cheaper Chromebooks a year later. All leading to the $300 Chromebooks feeling like high-quality bargains with ever increasing functionality. Beyond that, the device seems ridiculous unless you put a different OS on, you're either better off with a cheaper Chromebook, or an equally pricy Windows Laptop (e.g. Dell XPS 2015) or Macbook. So I really think the Pixel is more of a strategic asset (see above) than something meant to be a popular revenue generating consumer device in and of itself.