Googlebook laptops need app tuning for Intel chip models

Google has revealed that a small number of complex Android apps and games may require developer tuning to run properly on Intel-based versions of its new Googlebook laptops. The laptops went on sale today in Britain, Ireland, France, and Germany, with three of the five models using Intel chips and the other two using Arm chips. The Intel versions rely on a translation layer to run Android, similar to older Chromebooks, which Google intended to replace.

Google did not specify which apps or games need adjustments, only that a handful of complex ones require work. Android was originally designed for Arm chips, and running it on Intel hardware through a translation layer can impact performance and battery life. Apps compiled specifically for x86 architecture avoid this issue, but most Android developers do not compile for it.

The Googlebook laptops start at $899, or £999 in Britain, and are available from Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, Dell, and HP. The Intel versions are the Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo models, while the Dell and HP machines use Arm chips and run Android natively. Google claims the vast majority of apps run smoothly on both types of laptops without any issues.

Despite the potential compatibility concerns, Googlebook laptops are designed to leverage Android apps as their main selling point over cheaper Windows laptops. The company is working with developers, Intel, and Qualcomm to improve compatibility further. However, no one has yet published a list of apps that do not work well on the Intel versions, and testing of the machines has not yet been conducted by any reviewers.