The Google Pixel Tablet 3 will take another step towards replacing your laptop

Google has been working on several features to make its Pixel tablet a work machine for a while. There’s work on a desktop mode without an external display and a rumored keyboard accessory, which hasn’t materialized yet, but I’ve heard it might be for the next iteration of the tablet. Unsurprisingly, the Pixel Tablet 2027 (which we assume will be the third entry in the series) takes another step in this direction.

Thanks to a leak from Google’s gChips division, Robot body Google is planning to add a second USB-C port to its Tensor G6 chip, specifically for tablet use cases, Google has learned.

Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that the Pixel Tablet technically actually has two exposed USB ports — one is the regular USB-C port you’d expect, and the other is the USB 2.0 connection hidden in the pogo pins used for dock connectivity. That second connection isn’t what this article is about — the Pixel Tablet 3 (or whatever it’ll be called) will still have that connection in the form of pogo pins, which also means Google is committed to the docking concept.

The document we saw indicates that the Tensor G6 will feature a second USB-C controller for “tablet use cases only.” The port will be USB 3.2 compatible (although the exact speed is unclear – I suspect it will be 10Gbps) and will support DisplayPort output (with up to two displays when used with daisy chaining). The port connections will also be physically located on the other side of the chip to make it easier to route the signal to tablets, highlighting that Google intends this specifically for this type of device.

A second USB port is sure to make the tablet more versatile for desktop and other advanced uses. Although Android still isn’t a true desktop operating system at all, it can easily handle simpler tasks, and having two USB ports as well as a keyboard accessory will make it more usable. Also interesting is the fact that Google will support up to four external displays in this configuration (two displays connected directly to the USB-C ports and two more via daisy chain).

Although we don’t have more specific information about future Pixel tablets, it appears that Google may be building a more “pro” device that could replace your laptop, similar to what Apple has been doing with its iPad Pro devices. Although Android isn’t ready to be everyone’s desktop operating system, there’s no reason why more people shouldn’t make the switch. I’m excited to see if Google decides to push the tablet further in this direction, and if so, how successful that will be.