First ASUS Googlebook Leaks Online — Google Prepares a Replacement for Windows and macOS

Images of the first ASUS laptop from the new Googlebook lineup have surfaced online. The CX9406 model popped up on the iF Design website, where it was mistakenly – or perhaps due to an incomplete description – labeled as a Chromebook. However, details in the renders clearly point to it belonging to the as-yet-unreleased series of devices running the publicly unknown Aluminium OS.

Judging by the images, ASUS is prepping a 15-inch device in a dark gray, almost graphite-colored chassis. The material is described in the leak as an "ultra-ceramic lightweight alloy," and the manufacturer itself, according to fragmentary text from iF Design, claims a weight of under one kilogram. What really gives the device away is the keyboard – instead of the usual search or caps lock key, some buttons feature a "G" logo, a nod to the Gemini voice assistant and ecosystem.

The port selection is visible in the renders, though not with absolute certainty. On one edge, you can make out what look like USB-C and HDMI ports, while the opposite side features another USB-C and, apparently, a pair of full-sized USB-A ports. There's also a 3.5mm audio jack. The layout looks pragmatic and seamless – the bottom half of the chassis has rounded edges that visually lighten an already slim profile. Google officially unveiled the Googlebook category back in mid-May, but so far, they haven't revealed the final name of the OS or the full specs for partner devices.

It's known that five manufacturers are working on the hardware: Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, Dell, and HP. Lenovo was the first to leak – two models with screen sizes of around 13 and 15 inches. Now ASUS with the CX9406 joins the party. Judging by how quickly these renders are appearing, vendors are already wrapping up preparations for the fall launch that Google previously announced.

The biggest mystery right now is Aluminium OS itself. Google is clearly trying to differentiate the Googlebook from traditional Chromebooks, betting big on deep Gemini integration, expanded AI capabilities, and a new user interface. Still, the full technical specs of the devices remain under wraps.

Would you consider a Googlebook as a replacement for your go-to Windows or macOS laptop, even with the OS still raw and virtually unreviewed? Drop your thoughts in the comments.