We’ve lengthy puzzled 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 Chromebook Edition was launched, all whereas Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo stored chugging alongside. We can lastly reset the timeline because the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is right here, however has Samsung achieved sufficient to disrupt the established order?
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: Price and availability
Following its announcement in September 2024, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus was formally launched on October 4, 2024. Currently, there is just one configuration to select from, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with a beginning value of $699. You can buy the Galaxy Chromebook Plus from a wide range of retailers, together with Best Buy, 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. When I attended Google’s Fall Chromebook Showcase, I noticed fairly just a few 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 Ultra with the Keyboard Cover connected. Remove the duvet, and the Tab S10 Ultra wins out right here, however not by a lot.
All the whereas housing a stunning 15.6-inch AMOLED display that appears nearly as good as you’d anticipate from a Samsung show. It’s simply an unbelievable mixture that actually makes different Chromebooks at this value level look fairly outdated. The solely actual exceptions that I can consider are the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook and the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook.
| Category | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|
| Display | 15.6-inch AMOLED, 1920 x 1080 (FHD), 60Hz, 16:9 |
| Processor | Intel Core 3 100U |
| Memory | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB eUFS |
| Camera | 1080p |
| Battery | 68Wh (Up to 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, Quick 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 could be at a premium. Surprisingly (and fortunately,) that is not the case, as we’ve got 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. Again, all of this in a bundle that is slimmer than the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra.
Something else I assumed was that this could be the primary Chromebook to depend on one in all Qualcomm’s fancy new Snapdragon X Elite chips. However, 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 by way of a gauntlet of exams, evaluating it to the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714, which makes use of the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U.
| Benchmark | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus | Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 |
|---|---|---|
| CrXPRT2 (Performance) | 169 +/- 4% | 155 +/- 4% |
| Speedometer 2.0 | 247 +/- 12 | 197 +/- 15 |
| Speedometer 3.0 | 13.9 +/- 0.73 | 11.4 +/- 0.73 |
| Basemark Web 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? Superb efficiency out of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. Not solely is that this glossy and svelte, nevertheless it’s additionally extremely highly effective, making for nearly the proper mixture.
Getting every little thing from Steam and Linux has been a breeze, which is necessary as there are some Linux apps that I favor over their Android counterparts on Chromebooks. Don’t go into this pondering that you can play Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra settings, however you’ll have a troublesome time pushing the Galaxy Chromebook Plus to its limits.
Performance and design are solely two elements of the sport, as a Chromebook may be extremely highly effective, solely to have the expertise ruined by a less-than-stellar typing expertise. Thankfully, that hasn’t been a lot of a problem 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’m accustomed to 13-inch or 14-inch gadgets that do not have area for such a factor. But that is undoubtedly subjective, because it’s nonetheless a bit odd for my fingers to not be typing or resting in the course of the keyboard.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: Quick Insert Key and AI
This brings us to a different one of many “stars of the present” as the brand new Quick Insert Key makes its debut on the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. It’s speculated to make life simpler by providing other ways to work together with issues that reside throughout Google’s numerous companies.
On paper, it seems like an exquisite thought, and it is undoubtedly turn out to be useful a few occasions. However, there are some rising pains, particularly for somebody who would not solely depend on Google companies.
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. Although the Google Play Store app and the Linux app are virtually similar, I’ve handled some quirks when utilizing the previous prior to now. So getting Linux arrange and putting in Obsidian is likely one of the first issues I do when a brand new Chromebook arrives.
Unfortunately, whereas the Quick Insert window seems, it would not really let me insert something into the Linux model. I suppose it should not come as an excessive amount of of a shock, however Quick Insert works simply positive with the Play Store model of the app, which has left me to resolve which model to depend on shifting ahead.
Moving previous my very area of interest instance, I can undoubtedly see and respect the utility of what the Quick Insert key brings to the desk. My solely catch is that I want there have been extra integrations or extensions at my disposal. I’d like to hit the Quick 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 potential, however I do not suppose it is exterior the realm of chance.
On the opposite hand, Help Me Read is shortly turning into one of many issues that I miss at any time when I exploit my desktop Windows machine or MacBook Pro. It’s extraordinarily useful when there’s one thing I need 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’m capable of ask it follow-up questions. For occasion, Android Central Managing Editor, Derrek Lee, lately printed the Oura Ring 4 overview. I had a selected query about whether or not he recommends it for somebody who hasn’t used a wise ring earlier than, so I simply requested, and Gemini spit out a solution.
My favourite factor about Help Me Read is definitely that the drop-down window would not disappear once I click on away from the web page that it was activated. Instead, you’ll be able to mainly simply use your Chromebook and depart the window open. When 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 this can be a large leap in the precise path for not simply Chromebooks but additionally Gemini and AI on ChromeOS. Now, I simply must 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 plenty of time raving concerning the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, which is not a troublesome factor to do when a tool supplies such enjoyment. However, it is not fairly the excellent Chromebook on the market, as there are issues which have introduced me again right down to Earth a bit.
So far, my greatest annoyance has been the trackpad. It’s virtually all the time the trackpad that sours issues for me. On the brilliant facet, it is monumental, which does not come as a shock given the scale of the keyboard deck. On the draw back, it is a mechanical or “conventional” trackpad, which is positive.
The downside that I’ve been coping with essentially the most right here is the “click-and-drag” gesture. It simply plainly sucks, and I actually want corporations would swap to haptic trackpads. I perceive that it might enhance the worth, or on this case, make the Galaxy Chromebook Plus thicker, nevertheless it’s a trade-off value making.
I used to be additionally stunned to see that whereas Samsung went by way of the difficulty to incorporate a complete of six ports, however did not embrace 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. Still, I’d have appreciated to have some sort of biometric unlock onboard, even when the {hardware} privateness swap wasn’t potential.
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 vital 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 largely squelched with the inclusion of the microSD card slot, however the identical cannot be mentioned about RAM. It’s solely occurred a few occasions, however I’ve run into tabs crashing. I’ve additionally had issues gradual 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’m 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 “cope with it” situations, however I certain want Samsung even supplied a 16GB/256GB mannequin.
It may simply be me, however I’d actually prefer to see Samsung launch a mannequin with 16GB of RAM.
Last 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 finest day, I’ve been capable of get possibly six hours earlier than Battery Saver kicked on. Most of the time, I’m seeing between 4 and 5 hours on a single cost.
It’s not the top of the world, nevertheless it’s one thing to bear in mind if the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is in your radar. I’m hoping issues will enhance, however I’m 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 way in which of competitors for the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. Without a doubt, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is all the time on the high of the checklist, for just a few causes. The first of which is the convertible design, full with a touchscreen show, whereas providing nice battery life and energy. Although it retails for $699, it is commonly on sale for much less, as we have seen it go for as little as $120 off.
Next up, we’ve got the ASUS Expertbook CX54 Chromebook Plus, which was introduced at CES 2024, however did not really present up till early July. This is arguably essentially 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’s outfitted with the Intel Core Ultra 5 SoC, and Samsung’s providing, is paired with 8GB of RAM. However, you may solely be capable of 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 Pro and Dragonfly Elite Chromebook on the high of HP’s lineup. It’s rather less costly than the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, retailing at $629, and affords a convertible design. The greatest 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: Should 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 Quick Insert key.
You should not purchase this if:
- You’re on a price range.
- You want a Chromebook with the perfect battery life.
- You need a convertible design.
- You want a touchscreen.
It’s develop into fairly obvious that Google’s imaginative and prescient for high-end Chromebooks has modified a bit. Instead of attempting to pack as many {hardware} options right into a single machine because it thinks an OEM can, the fact is that $1,000+ Chromebooks simply aren’t as interesting as some may hope. Instead, 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 totally take pleasure in from high to backside. That’s 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 ready a brand new normal for what we must always anticipate from new Chromebook Plus fashions launched at this value level.
I plan to maintain utilizing this for so long as I can, hoping it is going to age like a positive wine. However, I’m additionally hopeful that this may spark a bit extra competitors on the excessive finish of the market, giving everybody much more choices. It may even be sufficient to assist push others to enhance and push the envelope, as a substitute of recycling the identical design yearly.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
Redefining premium Chromebooks
So much has modified for the reason that final time Samsung launched a Chromebook. With the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, Samsung and Google are seemingly trying to redefine what a premium providing seems to be like with out coming with an exorbitant price ticket.
