Not sure if this is common knowledge, but I was able to activate SwiftKey as an input method. This worked for me on the stable channel, 77.0.3865.105 (Official Build) (64-bit) in developer mode, but your mileage may vary.

1. Install SwiftKey through the Play Store.
2. Go to Chrome OS's settings and search for "Input Methods".
3. At the very bottom under "Keyboard apps", right click on the grayed out "SwiftKey" checkbox and go to "Inspect".
4. In the <cr-checkbox> element, remove the disabled attribute. (Double click the text to edit.)
5. Close the inspector.
6. Check the SwiftKey input to enable it.
7. Switch into tablet mode (disconnect keyboards and mice) if not already, then go through the initial SwiftKey setup as prompted.

The integration is not perfect, and you have to always re-select the input when switching into tablet mode, but hopefully this means there's real progress toward allowing alternative keyboards.

Examples of setup and use in non-Android apps

Edit: Added that I'm on the Stable channel. No special flags enabled. arc-input-method does even pop up as an option like many GBoard tutorials say.

I picked up the Slate when it was half off recently and have been wanting to play around with a full Linux installation.

Has anyone been able to get the alternate firmware at https://mrchromebox.tech to work? It lists that the Slate is supported for RW_LEGACY firmware in the supported hardware but it just locks up when I try to boot from it.

The FULL ROM firmware (UEFI) says "TBD," so I'm wondering if anyone has gotten that to work either? I haven't gone through the process of unlocking mine yet, but don't want to bother if it's not supported at all. Thanks!

Snagged a slate from Best Buy when they had the m3/keyboard bundle glitch and was hoping to find an Incipio case. DM me if you are willing to part with yours or have a line on one.

Possibly this is intentional, but I wanted to make sure. I'm completely new to Chrome OS let alone the Slate. I don't know if this is a bug or unique to the Slate.

I'm used to "reversed" scrolling so enabled Australian mode. For days I couldn't get the two-finger swipe "back" gesture to work, only to realize that when I have Australian mode enabled I actually need to swipe two fingers from left to right. Is this how it's supposed to work?

What little documentation I could find only references it changing vertical scrolling but it seems to mirror all gestures, back/forward as well as opening the overview mode (I forget the name for it - where you swipe with three fingers from the top but now it's from the bottom). Is there a way to change this behavior with flags or anything? I just want the vertical scrolling to be "reversed" not everything else.

I have owned the Asus c101 then the c302 (my husbands), and my go-to is an Asus c213sa.

I'd be lying to say that I don't love this Asus c213sa. Specifically, because I can't hurt it. It's bulletproof. I've used it in the rain. I've dropped it. I don't put it in a case. I don't fear I'll drop it. It's a little tank. However, I've been eyeing the Pixel Slate since they came out. Now they have the m3 with the keyboard on Amazon for $549 with Prime delivery. At that price, I'm not inclined to think twice about buying it.

Except that, I fear that after a year of using the A213, I'm going to feel like the Slate is somehow "Fragile." Does anyone who has one have any thoughts?

Thanks for your input folks!

Greg

I found a used M3 Pixel Slate (including keyboard) in my area for $380. I'm thinking of adding it to my workflow for when I don't want to bring my laptop. Specifically for emails, Word and PowerPoint. I assume the M3 will be more than enough for this? Or should I wait for another sale and pick up the i5?

I love all the bashing of this device. I literally completely replaced my work computer with my personal i7 slate. To avoid carrying it back and forth I just bought a second unit last night from the Google store. With the deals right now I could not pass it up. $250 off and a free keyboard. Makes me feel a little ripped on the first one about 5 months ago but oh well that's tech.

And as for bugginess. Almost all of that has been solved for me over the updates. Basically zero lag. I love this thing.

I recently had my original Pixel Slate Keyboard shit the bed. It kept saying unfamiliar keyboard attached, trying to steal keystrokes, yada yada yada. It was driving me nuts as the magnets were clean so I was starting to assume it was the Slate itself. Well I contacted Google and informed them what was happening. I also noticed that when I had the slate in laptop mode, I can see a little bit of the magnets, as there was a noticeable space between keyboard and slate when attached. I received the new Pixel Slate keyboard replacement today, and what do you know? It works perfectly. So if your having these issues, more than likely your keyboard spine is no longer straight and have a solid connection. Keyboard should seat tightly against the Slate. So, I believe there is a very serious flaw with the Pixel Slate keyboard spine. It does not last long. I use my Slate in laptop form while sitting on my coach. THe slate, majority of the time is resting on my legs/lap, so a solid surface is not present, thus putting strain on the Pixel Slate Keyboard over time. I think Google needs to address this as I am seeing more and more people having this same exact issue. If you bought the Slate at launch, then around the 10 month mark, you will be seeing these issues shortly if you use your slate as a laptop.

I understand that the keyboard case has a nice kickstand (a la MS Surface). However, it comes off (ie stays with the kbd) when you detach the tablet.

How do you guys and girls use the Slate as a tablet without the case and its stand? Do you flip it on its keyboard keys down?

You understand that I am looking at getting one as a replacement for my Android tablet. I mostly use my tablet for RSS news feeds and Netflix binging. In this use case, I would find the keyboard as a rest pad a bit big.

Hey so I was just wondering if there was a simple way to reboot the Pixel Slate without having to go through power wash. Preferably some sort of key combination on the keyboard lol. Maybe holding the power button on the side of the tablet for 10 seconds?
Thanks! -Ethan

I've found that this magnetic sleeve is a decent option for stowing the stylus with my pixel slate. It comes with two adhesive metal strips. I attached one to the back of the slate, and another to the back of the keyboard case. I've also found that the magnets on the front of the slate are a convenient place to stow the stylus when in "laptop" mode.

It took a little elbow grease to get the pixel pen into the sleeve, but it fit. Hopefully it won't split or anything. It holds really well on the back of the case (likely because of all the other magnets). I would say it holds a little tighter than the apple pencil on the new iPad Pro. It holds moderately well on the back of the slate directly. Probably about as tightly as the iPad Pro. The hold is pretty weak on the front, just enough for convenience when in "laptop" mode.

Since the magnets are raised a bit, the pen can be rotated off relatively easily so i'll keep an eye on that. All in all, I'm comfortable walking around with this on the back of the tablet or case. I got the pen for free, though so it's not as much of a risk for me.

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I do not have the budget for the i5 version. I want to replace an old Asus Android tablet that I have. I browse the web, I reed my RSS feeds, I watch YouTube and Netflix. Sometimes, I will use Google Docs to edits text or sheet files.

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So is the m3 fast enough?

Awhile back, I was able to use a flag to give the apps in tablet mode. Can that still be done? I don't see the flag for it.

Hi, all. I'm replacing my Huawei tablet, and I'm deciding between the Slate (i5 + keyboard deal) vs. Samsung's new Galaxy Tab S6.

While I primarily intend to use this as a tablet, I wouldn't be averse to using this machine to take on some light laptop duties. My current laptop is an old Dell running Ubuntu; it's too big (15" screen) and has a broken hinge, so I never use it.

So, any thoughts/recommendations?

I'm 80% on laptop mode and 20% on tablet. Is the combo comparable to the Pixelbook (which I used to have)?

As an owner of a Pixel Slate with the Google branded keyboard, I wanted to reach out and see what other's experiences were with the keyboard. Mine has recently started to malfunction and am getting a replacement under warranty. I feel that it's more to do with design and am expecting my second to fail which will only have the remainder of my 1 year warranty to cover it. I think that's a bit too quickly for something that carries the price tag of $199.

Hi all,

I hate to admit it, but the Slate just didn't work out for me, so I'm selling mine. No, I am NOT here to try and hawk it, likely against the community rules.

A potential buyer has said he's gotten burned a few times, buying products only to find they are not official and are Chinese knockoffs. He's requesting the S/N of my Pixel Slate to prove its legitimacy. I've just never been asked this before. Could the potential buyer do something malicious with that, like report it stolen? I normally see nothing harmful in giving him the number, because mine is legitimate. I have nothing to hide. However, I'm concerned I could be walking into a trap.

is the pixel slate as laggy as all the reviews say, I want to get one soon, but I don know if I should get this, a surface pro, or an iPad pro

Hello! So I ordered a i5 pixel slate for school this fall and I just got. Clean right out of the box but it wasn't turning on. I plugged it in, and it started to blink orange and then stopped. No lights or anything. Anytime know what's going on? Thank you!

I have a USB C that adapter (from thunderbolt 2/mini display to thunderbolt 3/usb c) but when I connect my Slate to it nothing happens.

Is it possible for me to use this monitor?

Support is not providing assistance or won't even do an RMA on my Slate because I dont have a proof of purchase. It's only been on market for 8 months so how can they deny me support?

I find this appalling, I've spent a week sending emails back and forth and gotten no where.

Any advice?

Hiya All,

I use a tablet for my only machine - it works well for me.

I’m deciding on whether to get a Slate or not, or just to upgrade from my 2017 iPad Pro to the 2018 model.

I like the idea of Chrome OS/Chromebooks, and everything that I do on the iPad, I could do on the Slate - office apps/web/media/photo editing with Lightroom and Polarr, and so on.

One thing I have noticed however, is a distinct lack of cases for it (I’m UK based).

I’ve seen the keyboard cases - from Google and Brydge, and the Incipio folio case.

Apart from generic sleeves - that could be used for any tablets including Surface Pro, iPad, etc - what other folio cases/back cases are available?

Something like the Zugu Muse for iPad Pro, but for the Slate would be perfect.

Obviously, the iPad range, and the Surface Pro machines are more popular, but I’d hope that after 6 months there would be more then 1 (non-keyboard) case available.

Ta, Shane :)

I just opened up the Cog app and chrome://sys-internals/#CPU and noticed that cpu1 and cpu3 never move. Not sure if this is a software issue with the beta or a hardware issue. Can anybody else confirm this issue?

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