Google today unveiled a touch-based version of its Chromebook, dubbed the Pixel.

The new, Web-centric laptop is available for pre-order now via Google Play, and will hit BestBuy.com shortly. The 32GB Wi-Fi version(Opens in a new window) will set you back $1,299 and starts shipping next week, while a 64GB LTE version(Opens in a new window) is $1,449 and will ship in April.

Google will also offer the Pixel in the U.K. via Google Play and Currys PC World, starting at £1,049.

The Pixel boasts a 12.85-inch 2,560-by-1,700 display, and lives up to its name, carrying the highest pixel density of any laptop screen on the market, at 239 ppi, Google said. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has 227 ppi.

“Packed with 4.3 million pixels, the display offers sharp text, vivid colors and extra-wide viewing angles,” said Linus Upson, vice president of engineering at Google, in a blog post(Opens in a new window). “With a screen this rich and engaging, you want to reach out and touch it—so we added touch for a more immersive experience. Touch makes it simple and intuitive to do things like organize tabs, swipe through apps and edit photos with the tip of your finger.”

The Pixel is crafted from an anodized aluminum alloy for a “smooth and durable surface.” Google has hidden away the vents and screws and tucked the stereo speakers behind the backlit keyboard. There’s a touchpad made from etched glass – made with a laser microscope for extra precision, Upson said.

“The Pixel also has powerful, full-range speakers for crisp sound, a 720p webcam for clear video, and a total of three microphones designed to cancel out surrounding noise,” he added.

The laptop runs a dual-core, 1.8-GHz Intel Core i5 processor and an Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics card. There’s 4GB of RAM and a 32GB or 64GB solid state drive, depending on which version you buy. Google promised up to five hours of active use battery life.

The Pixel has 2 USB 2.0 ports, a mini display port, and a 2-in-1 card reader that supports SD and MMC. There’s support for Bluetooth 3.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2×2.

Those who buy a Pixel will get 1TB of Google Drive cloud storage for three years, plus 12 free sessions of GoGo Inflight Internet.

Google said it is making the Pixel itself, although it used a small, undisclosed ODM partner to manufacture it. In the past, the company has teamed up with Samsung, Acer, Lenovo, and HP for its Chromebooks. For more, see PCMag’s review of the Acer C7 Chromebook, as well as the Samsung Chromebook Series 3 and Samsung Series 5 Chromebook 550.

For more, see PCMag’s hands on with the Chromebook Pixel.

For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius(Opens in a new window).