If you're wanting to use Gimp, I think you'd need a beefier machine anyway.

For me, Chromebooks are the new Netbooks - perfect thin clients for people who are mainly connected and doing browser based stuff. Google docs is a bonus. Use your smartphone for Skype.

If you're wanting to do more and do more offline, like photo work, then it's maybe not the machine for you. For the price of the Chromebook Pixel, I would buy the equivalent Mac. (Not that I would buy a Mac anyway, I'd get a cheaper PC).