We have lengthy questioned whether or not Samsung would ever get again into the Chromebook area, particularly seeing how carefully it has been working with Google in recent times. Technically, Samsung by no means left, because the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 was launched in 2022, with the Galaxy Chromebook Go and Chromebook 2 touchdown in 2021.
Since then, we have seen HP dabble in high-end Chromebooks, the Framework Laptop computer Chromebook Version was launched, all whereas Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo saved chugging alongside. We will lastly reset the timeline because the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is right here, however has Samsung accomplished sufficient to disrupt the established order?
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: Worth and availability
Following its announcement in September 2024, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus was formally launched on October 4, 2024. At present, there is just one configuration to select from, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with a beginning worth of $699. You should buy the Galaxy Chromebook Plus from quite a lot of retailers, together with Greatest Purchase, Amazon, or Samsung, amongst others.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: What I like
Out of the gate, my absolute favourite “factor” about Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus is how extremely skinny and light-weight it’s. Once I attended Google’s Fall Chromebook Showcase, I noticed fairly a couple of workers simply strolling round and carrying the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, and now I perceive why.
I’ve discovered myself doing virtually the identical factor, even when simply going between rooms in my home. For a little bit of perspective, the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is thinner than the brand new Galaxy Tab S10 Extremely with the Keyboard Cowl connected. Take away the quilt, and the Tab S10 Extremely wins out right here, however not by a lot.
All of the whereas housing a beautiful 15.6-inch AMOLED display screen that appears nearly as good as you’d count on from a Samsung show. It is simply an unbelievable mixture that actually makes different Chromebooks at this worth level look fairly outdated. The one actual exceptions that I can consider are the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook and the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook.
| Class | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|
| Show | 15.6-inch AMOLED, 1920 x 1080 (FHD), 60Hz, 16:9 |
| Processor | Intel Core 3 100U |
| Reminiscence | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB eUFS |
| Digicam | 1080p |
| Battery | 68Wh (As much as 13 hours) |
| Ports | 1x HDMI, 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A 3.2, microSD, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Audio | 2x 1.5W audio system, 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack |
| Extras | Backlit Keyboard, Fast Insert Key |
| Dimensions | 225.8 x 355.4 x 11.8 mm |
| Weight | 1170 grams (2.58lbs) |
| AUE Date | June 2034 |
With a design that is so skinny, I figured port choice can be at a premium. Surprisingly (and fortunately,) that is not the case, as we now have twin USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a microSD card slot, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and even a full-size HDMI port. Once more, all of this in a package deal that is slimmer than the Galaxy Tab S10 Extremely.
One thing else I assumed was that this may be the primary Chromebook to depend on certainly one of Qualcomm’s fancy new Snapdragon X Elite chips. Nonetheless, that is not the case, because the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is powered by the Intel Core 3 100U processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Seeing as this was the primary Chromebook that I’ve used powered by Intel’s Raptor Lake collection, I used to be interested in efficiency. I ran the Galaxy Chromebook Plus via a gauntlet of exams, evaluating it to the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714, which makes use of the Intel Core Extremely 5 115U.
| Benchmark | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus | Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 |
|---|---|---|
| CrXPRT2 (Efficiency) | 169 +/- 4% | 155 +/- 4% |
| Speedometer 2.0 | 247 +/- 12 | 197 +/- 15 |
| Speedometer 3.0 | 13.9 +/- 0.73 | 11.4 +/- 0.73 |
| Basemark Net 3.0 | 1364.62 | 1402.82 |
| Kraken | 438.3ms +/- 2.1% | 520ms +/- 3.3% |
| Jetstream 2 | 254.001 | 231.501 |
What does that imply for everybody else? Very good efficiency out of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. Not solely is that this glossy and svelte, but it surely’s additionally extremely highly effective, making for nearly the right mixture.
Getting every part from Steam and Linux has been a breeze, which is vital as there are some Linux apps that I desire over their Android counterparts on Chromebooks. Do not go into this pondering that you’ll play Cyberpunk 2077 at Extremely settings, however you should have a troublesome time pushing the Galaxy Chromebook Plus to its limits.
Efficiency and design are solely two components of the sport, as a Chromebook may be extremely highly effective, solely to have the expertise ruined by a less-than-stellar typing expertise. Fortunately, that hasn’t been a lot of a difficulty for me, as I fairly benefit from the scissor-like keys of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
Admittedly, having a numpad has taken a little bit of getting used to, as I am accustomed to 13-inch or 14-inch units that do not have area for such a factor. However that is undoubtedly subjective, because it’s nonetheless a bit odd for my palms to not be typing or resting in the midst of the keyboard.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: Fast Insert Key and AI
This brings us to a different one of many “stars of the present” as the brand new Fast Insert Key makes its debut on the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. It is imagined to make life simpler by providing alternative ways to work together with issues that reside throughout Google’s numerous providers.
On paper, it seems like a beautiful thought, and it is undoubtedly come in useful a few instances. Nonetheless, there are some rising pains, particularly for somebody who would not solely depend on Google providers.
For instance, most of my writing is completed in Obsidian, and never Google Docs, as it has been my most well-liked app for years. Though the Google Play Retailer app and the Linux app are nearly similar, I’ve handled some quirks when utilizing the previous previously. So getting Linux arrange and putting in Obsidian is without doubt one of the first issues I do when a brand new Chromebook arrives.
Sadly, whereas the Fast Insert window seems, it would not truly let me insert something into the Linux model. I assume it should not come as an excessive amount of of a shock, however Fast Insert works simply wonderful with the Play Retailer model of the app, which has left me to resolve which model to depend on shifting ahead.
Shifting previous my very area of interest instance, I can undoubtedly see and respect the utility of what the Fast Insert key brings to the desk. My solely catch is that I want there have been extra integrations or extensions at my disposal. I might like to hit the Fast Insert key and begin chatting with Gemini, use it to set a reminder, and even simply carry out a primary Google search. For now, these aren’t attainable, however I do not suppose it is exterior the realm of risk.
Alternatively, Assist Me Learn is rapidly turning into one of many issues that I miss every time I take advantage of my desktop Home windows machine or MacBook Professional. It is extraordinarily helpful when there’s one thing I wish to learn, however I haven’t got the time to take action.
So I let Gemini do the heavy lifting for me, because it summarizes even lengthy evaluations into just some sentences. What is useful much more is that I will ask it follow-up questions. For example, Android Central Managing Editor, Derrek Lee, lately revealed the Oura Ring 4 evaluation. I had a selected query about whether or not he recommends it for somebody who hasn’t used a sensible ring earlier than, so I simply requested, and Gemini spit out a solution.
My favourite factor about Assist Me Learn is definitely that the drop-down window would not disappear after I click on away from the web page that it was activated. As an alternative, you may mainly simply use your Chromebook and go away the window open. Whenever you need one thing else summarized, simply hover the mouse cursor close to the highest of the window and click on the bar to refresh it, being supplied with a brand new summarization.
I feel it is a enormous leap in the best course for not simply Chromebooks but in addition Gemini and AI on ChromeOS. Now, I simply need to hold my fingers crossed that Google continues to supply extra integrations with future updates.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: What I do not
I’ve spent a whole lot of time raving concerning the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, which is not a troublesome factor to do when a tool gives such enjoyment. Nonetheless, it isn’t fairly the excellent Chromebook on the market, as there are issues which have introduced me again right down to Earth a bit.
To date, my largest annoyance has been the trackpad. It is nearly all the time the trackpad that sours issues for me. On the intense facet, it is monumental, which does not come as a shock given the dimensions of the keyboard deck. On the draw back, it is a mechanical or “conventional” trackpad, which is wonderful.
The issue that I have been coping with probably the most right here is the “click-and-drag” gesture. It simply plainly sucks, and I actually want firms would swap to haptic trackpads. I perceive that it will enhance the worth, or on this case, make the Galaxy Chromebook Plus thicker, but it surely’s a trade-off price making.
I used to be additionally shocked to see that whereas Samsung went via the difficulty to incorporate a complete of six ports, however did not embody a fingerprint scanner. There’s additionally no privateness swap for the selfie digital camera, however that is much less of a shock given how skinny the highest lid is. Nonetheless, I might have preferred to have some kind of biometric unlock onboard, even when the {hardware} privateness swap wasn’t attainable.
If there’s one factor that is clear concerning the Galaxy Chromebook Plus it is that Samsung and Google labored to make one of the elegant Chromebooks with out being too costly. As such, there’s at the moment just one configuration to select from, maxing out with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
My gripes about restricted storage are principally squelched with the inclusion of the microSD card slot, however the identical cannot be mentioned about RAM. It is solely occurred a few instances, however I’ve run into tabs crashing. I’ve additionally had issues sluggish to a crawl, solely to open the Diagnostics app and see that mainly all of my reminiscence has been accounted for.
I additionally perceive that I am most likely a fringe case, as not very many individuals will arrange and use Linux apps or have 50 tabs open throughout a number of digital desktops. So maybe that is a kind of “take care of it” eventualities, however I certain want Samsung even provided a 16GB/256GB mannequin.
It would simply be me, however I might actually wish to see Samsung launch a mannequin with 16GB of RAM.
Final however not least, I do not know how Samsung managed to get “as much as 13 hours” of battery life out of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. On my greatest day, I have been in a position to get perhaps six hours earlier than Battery Saver kicked on. More often than not, I am seeing between 4 and 5 hours on a single cost.
It isn’t the top of the world, but it surely’s one thing to remember if the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is in your radar. I am hoping issues will enhance, however I am additionally not going to be holding my breath.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: The competitors
Given the worth level, there is not an excessive amount of in the best way of competitors for the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. Indubitably, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is all the time on the prime of the listing, for a couple of causes. The primary of which is the convertible design, full with a touchscreen show, whereas providing nice battery life and energy. Though it retails for $699, it is commonly on sale for much less, as we have seen it go for as little as $120 off.
Subsequent up, we now have the ASUS Expertbook CX54 Chromebook Plus, which was introduced at CES 2024, however did not truly present up till early July. That is arguably probably the most premium Chromebook that ASUS has ever launched, providing glorious construct high quality, and a fantastic 14-inch QHD show, full with a 120Hz refresh price. It is outfitted with the Intel Core Extremely 5 SoC, and Samsung’s providing, is paired with 8GB of RAM. Nonetheless, you will solely have the ability to get 128GB of storage with this one.
Rounding out the pack is HP’s Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch. This has changed the now-retired Dragonfly Chromebook Professional and Dragonfly Elite Chromebook on the prime of HP’s lineup. It is rather less costly than the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, retailing at $629, and provides a convertible design. The most important draw back right here is that it is reliant on the Core i3-N305, which is on the decrease finish of Intel’s last-gen Alder Lake collection.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You need the thinnest and lightest Chromebook.
- You want loads of energy, no matter battery life.
- You need the devoted Fast Insert key.
You should not purchase this if:
- You are on a price range.
- You want a Chromebook with one of the best battery life.
- You need a convertible design.
- You want a touchscreen.
It is change into fairly obvious that Google’s imaginative and prescient for high-end Chromebooks has modified a bit. As an alternative of making an attempt to pack as many {hardware} options right into a single system because it thinks an OEM can, the truth is that $1,000+ Chromebooks simply aren’t as interesting as some may hope. As an alternative, I really feel as if the Galaxy Chromebook Plus type of represents a “altering of the guard” for the platform.
For all the grief that I give Samsung, there are occasions when it releases a product that I simply completely get pleasure from from prime to backside. That is the place the Galaxy Chromebook Plus falls, for me, regardless of missing issues like a touchscreen or multi-day battery life. What it does do, is about a brand new commonplace for what we should always count on from new Chromebook Plus fashions launched at this worth level.
I plan to maintain utilizing this for so long as I can, hoping it can age like a wonderful wine. Nonetheless, I am additionally hopeful that this may spark a bit extra competitors on the excessive finish of the market, giving everybody much more choices. It would even be sufficient to assist push others to enhance and push the envelope, as an alternative of recycling the identical design yearly.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
Redefining premium Chromebooks
Lots has modified for the reason that final time Samsung launched a Chromebook. With the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, Samsung and Google are seemingly seeking to redefine what a premium providing seems like with out coming with an exorbitant price ticket.Â
