This is our first look at the Googlebook

Google’s rumoured Googlebook laptop is leaking again, this time in what appears to be its first outing from Asus.

The leaked device, reportedly called the Asus Googlebook CX9406 (snappy, eh?), surfaced briefly on the iF Design website before the listing was removed. While the page described it as a Chromebook, several details suggest otherwise.

Most notably, the listing references an operating system called “Aluminium OS”, rather than ChromeOS. Previous leaks have pointed to Google’s upcoming laptop platform using the same name internally. However, it’s still unclear whether Aluminium OS will be the final branding when the devices launch.

The hardware itself also hints at something different. Images show an LED “Glowbar” positioned above the Asus logo on the lid. This is expected to work similarly to the HiLight notification strip rumoured for Google’s upcoming Pixel 11 phones. The keyboard also swaps the traditional Windows key for Google’s familiar “Go” logo.

Port selection appears reasonably generous, although the images don’t make every connection easy to identify. Based on the renders, the laptop seems to include two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI output and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The chassis also adopts a darker grey finish than the lighter Lenovo prototypes that surfaced earlier this week.

The now-removed listing offered a handful of hardware details, though its accompanying text appeared unfinished. It claims the laptop is built from an “Ultra-Ceramic Light Alloy” chassis that is 34% lighter and 13% stronger. However, the wording becomes garbled in places, making those claims difficult to verify. No processor, memory or storage specifications were included.

Even so, the growing number of leaks suggests Google’s laptop plans are gathering pace. Lenovo and Asus are now both linked with Googlebook hardware, while Acer, Dell and HP have previously been named as manufacturing partners.

With multiple designs now appearing ahead of any official announcement, it looks increasingly likely that Google’s first wave of AI-powered Googlebooks is edging closer to launch.