Samsung Chromebook Pro

8.4

Design

9.0/10

Accessories

6.0/10

Hardware

9.0/10

Software

8.0/10

Ease of Use

10.0/10

Pros

  • Google Play Store Apps
  • Vivid 12.3” QHD Touchscreen Display
  • Built-in stylus works perfectly
  • Beautiful Design
  • Excellent Performance

Cons

  • Battery life isn’t on par with competitors
  • Speakers aren’t great
  • No backlit keyboard
  • Keyboard can feel cramped

“Samsung Chromebook Pro” in the eyes of a TechAdict

First Look

  While Chromebooks are generally seen as cheap devices that are only good for browsing the internet, some of them have started including premium features. While 500$ is a lot for a Chromebook, this is generally where a “cheap” Windows laptop would start. At this price point, the Samsung Chromebook Pro aims to provide a premium experience while also being good for productivity. This is helped a lot by the fact that the latest Chrome OS devices can use Android applications, which increases how much they can do by a lot.

The Details

  The 12.3” display instantly stands out from the rest of the devices in this price range. The 2560×1600 resolution is crisp and the 3:2 aspect ratio is great for productivity and web browsing. Additionally, the design feels premium and the device looks stunning. The 360-degree hinge allows you to put it into tablet mode, though it is a bit heavy for a tablet. The screen is multi-touch capable and the device also has a motion sensor. The trackpad is serviceable and the keyboard layout can be a bit too narrow, especially if you’re used to larger Windows laptops. The built-in stylus can be used to take handwritten notes in the Google Keep app or from sketching but not a lot of Chrome web apps support it.
 
 
The device can also run Android applications and as it has a much faster processor than any normal Android tablet, it ran most apps without any problems. Even games such as Asphalt 8 run smoothly and apps work as expected. While browsing, the performance of the Chromebook Pro is snappy but it can face occasional slowdowns or stutters. One of the major problems with this device is that it has a short battery life of only 9 hours. Also, while they sound good enough, the speakers started cracking and sputtering at higher volumes.

 

Conclusion

  The Samsung Chromebook Pro provides a high-end experience for a relatively low price. If you require something that’s tied to the Windows ecosystem or is only available for Windows, this device isn’t for you. Otherwise, it’ll be hard to find a better device anywhere in the same price range. The device does have some quirks and you could consider alternatives such as the ASUS Chromebook Flip. If you have an Android tablet already, you could even get a cheaper Chromebook without the touchscreen or stylus. However, if you need a budget-friendly laptop, that can handle Android apps flawlessly, along with a great browsing experience, you should get the Samsung Chromebook Pro.

Hardware

  • Intel Core m3-6Y30 Processor
  • Intel HD Graphics 515 Graphics Chipset
  • 720p Web Cam
  • Spill Resistant TouchPad
  • 360-degree rotating display
  • 3″ LED Display (2400 x 1600)
  • 39Wh Battery

Storage

  • 32GB eMMC storage
  • 4GB LPDDR3 RAM
  • Storage expandable through microSD slot

 

Software

  • Chrome OS
  • Support for Android Applications

Updates, get your updates here!

03Apr2018 - Samsung Chromebook Backlit Keyboard

There have been some rumors that Samsung will bring an updated version of the already great Chromebook. There are added a backlit keyboard. This is a game changer. We may just have to go out and buy one of these as soon as they are available!

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