The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus stands out in the crowded market of budget-friendly Chromebooks due to its sophisticated design and impressive features. Samsung has opted for an ultra-slim, all-aluminum construction, aligning it with its premium Galaxy Book models. This is a significant departure from the typically chunky, plastic-heavy builds associated with affordable Chromebooks. Measuring 355.4mm x 225.8mm and with a thickness just under 12mm, coupled with a weight of 1.17kg, this device is exceptionally portable. The robust build quality ensures that despite its slim profile, the laptop feels solid and durable, devoid of any sharp edges or rough seams.
For users seeking a balance between functionality and design, the Galaxy Chromebook Plus presents a compelling case. Its compact dimensions make it ideal for users constantly on the move, while the premium feel adds a touch of elegance often missing in budget devices. Samsung has managed to strike a balance between affordable pricing and high-end design, making this Chromebook a noteworthy option for both professionals and casual users alike.
Design: A Premium Feel at an Affordable Price
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus boasts a design that significantly elevates it above other budget-friendly Chromebooks. By opting for an ultra-slim, all-aluminum construction, Samsung has effectively aligned this Chromebook with its premium Galaxy Book models. This design choice breaks away from the typically chunky, plastic-heavy builds that dominate the affordable Chromebook market. With dimensions of 355.4mm x 225.8mm and a thickness just under 12mm, along with a weight of 1.17kg, the Chromebook Plus is exceptionally portable. Moreover, its robust build quality ensures that despite its slim profile, the laptop feels solid and durable, devoid of any sharp edges or rough seams.
Despite its slim design, Samsung has managed to include a comprehensive array of ports, which is a crucial aspect for many users. Users will find two USB Type-C ports, an HDMI output, a USB Type-A port, and a MicroSD card slot. While the absence of high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, USB 4, and Thunderbolt 4 ports might be noticeable in more expensive laptops, it is less critical in the Chromebook ecosystem, where high-speed storage demand is relatively minimal. The device supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring up-to-date wireless connectivity options for networking, peripheral devices, and audio. This comprehensive array of ports and connectivity options makes the Galaxy Chromebook Plus versatile and accommodating to various user needs.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Optimized for Productivity
The Galaxy Chromebook Plus does not disappoint when it comes to user input devices. The touchpad, measuring 13 x 8.8cm, is smooth and mostly accurate. It is large enough for the 15.6-inch screen, providing ample space for navigation without occupying too much of the keyboard deck. While occasional issues with two-finger scrolling gestures were noted, these issues diminished over time, allowing for a generally positive user experience. The keyboard itself features adequate palm rest space and balanced tactile feedback, facilitating a swift typing experience. The layout is generally user-friendly, despite the small cursors and slim numeric keypad, which might require some adjustment but do not significantly hinder usability.
One of the most significant changes highlighted in the review is the replacement of the old Chrome OS Launcher key with the Quick Insert key, tied to a G logo key in the bottom row for the launcher. This shift underscores Google’s push to integrate its Gemini AI deeply into ChromeOS. The Quick Insert key provides context-sensitive suggestions, search results, and quick access to Emojis, GIFs, and the Help me Write feature of Gemini when relevant. This functionality aims to embed Gemini meaningfully into daily workflows, rather than being a superficial tool. The integration of these features makes the Galaxy Chromebook Plus a powerful tool for productivity, enhancing the overall user experience.
Display: Bringing OLED Vibrance to a Budget Device
The highlight of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is undoubtedly its 15.6-inch OLED screen, a rarity at its price point. Although it is not the brightest or highest resolution Chromebook screen available, its vibrant display with excellent contrast and black and white levels significantly enhances the visual experience. Covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut, 92.3% of Adobe RGB, and 98.5% of DCI-P3, the display’s color performance is commendable, making it suitable for creative work such as photo editing or graphic design. The brightness level, at 393.9cd/m2, is sufficient for most indoor settings, while the average Delta E of 2.95 indicates decent color accuracy that would be imperceptible to most users.
However, the primary drawback of the display is its resolution. The 1,920 x 1,080 resolution is somewhat low for a 15.6-inch display, leading to visible pixelation and necessitating adjustments in the Chrome OS display settings to maximize screen real estate. Despite this, the overall display experience remains positive, with the OLED’s vibrant colors and high contrast levels providing an enjoyable viewing experience. Whether for watching videos, browsing the web, or working on creative projects, the Galaxy Chromebook Plus’s display stands out in the budget Chromebook market.
The built-in 1080p webcam performs adequately for everyday use. It captures good, well-balanced video under natural light conditions, making it suitable for video meetings and casual video calls. However, in artificial lighting, the video quality degrades, producing grainier images with less natural color rendering. Despite this, the webcam remains functional and meets the basic needs of most users. The audio output, while clear, lacks depth and warmth, particularly at higher volumes, making it less suitable for rich multimedia experiences. Overall, the multimedia features of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus are functional but leave room for improvement in terms of audio quality.
Performance: Efficient and Swift for Everyday Tasks
Performance-wise, the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is equipped with either an Intel Core 3-100U processor for the base models or the more powerful Intel Core 5-120U processor in higher-end variants like the reviewed model. This latter choice features a 10-core configuration with two performance cores and eight efficient cores, capable of managing 12 threads at speeds up to 5GHz, alongside 8GB of RAM. The Chromebook scores competitively in benchmarks, delivering what is described as the fastest performance among Chromebooks tested so far, particularly in multi-threaded performance benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and Jetstream. It maintains responsive performance even with multiple apps and browser tabs open, with minimal delay when leveraging Gemini AI features.
Although equipped with cheaper eUFS flash storage rather than a high-performance NVMe SSD, the typical use of web-based productivity applications does not reveal notable limitations. The Chromebook Plus’s performance is more than adequate for everyday tasks, including web browsing, streaming, and running various applications. Users can expect smooth and efficient operation, making the Galaxy Chromebook Plus a reliable device for both work and leisure. The integration of Gemini AI further enhances the device’s capabilities, providing context-sensitive suggestions and tools that streamline various tasks.
Battery Life: Enduring Through the Workday
One of the most impressive aspects of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is its battery life. In HD video playback tests, the device managed to exceed 11 hours and 56 minutes. This performance comfortably outlasts that of competitors like the Asus Expertbook CX54, ensuring the laptop can easily sustain a full working day without requiring recharging. This endurance makes the Galaxy Chromebook Plus particularly appealing to users who need a reliable device for extended periods without access to a power source. Whether for long commutes, business trips, or simply a busy workday, this Chromebook proves to be a dependable companion.
The combination of efficient performance and long battery life positions the Galaxy Chromebook Plus as a versatile tool for various scenarios. Users can confidently engage in work tasks, entertainment, or creative projects without worrying about frequent recharging. This makes the device not only suitable for individual users but also for businesses looking to equip their workforce with reliable and enduring technology. The impressive battery life is a standout feature that enhances the overall value proposition of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
Value Proposition: High-End Features at a Mid-Range Price
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus distinguishes itself in the budget-friendly Chromebook market thanks to its sophisticated design and impressive features. Sporting an ultra-slim, all-aluminum construction, it mirrors Samsung’s premium Galaxy Book models—a stark contrast to the often bulky, plastic-heavy builds of affordable Chromebooks. With dimensions of 355.4mm x 225.8mm, a thickness just under 12mm, and weighing in at 1.17kg, this device is highly portable. Despite its slim profile, the robust build quality ensures the laptop feels solid and durable, free from sharp edges or rough seams.
For those looking for a balance between functionality and style, the Galaxy Chromebook Plus makes a strong case. Its compact size is perfect for users constantly on the move, while the high-end feel adds a touch of elegance typically absent in budget devices. Samsung successfully bridges the gap between affordability and premium design, making this Chromebook a compelling choice for both professionals and casual users. By combining excellent portability, durability, and design, it stands out as a noteworthy option in its category.
