That’s not all: The Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the first laptop to feature Google’s Quick Start key, a physical key that takes up the space that used to hold the power key. Pressing it gives you quick access to emoji shortcuts, GIFs, the clipboard, and recent links and documents. It also integrates with Google Drive to let you search for anything, and you can ask Gemini AI to help you type directly from the drop-down menu.
It’s a great addition, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’ve used Chromebooks for a long time. I ended up using it as a GIF or emoji key, but it’s also a great way to quickly access browsing history. Given my work, it’s hard to overestimate the value of having an AI writing assistant available at the press of a key, although I could see it working well for students or professionals working on presentations or emails.
Photo: Daniel Thorp-Lancaster
The biggest feature Samsung is promoting with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is its battery life, claiming up to 13 hours on a charge. I didn’t get to that number with regular use, but I used to get nine to 11 hours off depending on what I was doing. Samsung sent me a review unit with European charging bricks, so I can’t speak to its fast charging capabilities. However, my Anker charger was able to charge it back in about 1.5 hours.
The one major weakness of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus? Shared by many other Chromebooks: mediocre speakers. Both shoot low and sound thin no matter what you listen to. It’s a sacrifice I’m fine with considering the size of the laptop, but it’s worth noting if that’s a deal breaker in your laptop choice. Bring wireless headphones, earbuds, or computer speakers if you care about sound quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a unique option in the Chromebook space right now. Despite its thin and light design, Samsung has taken the time to dial in very few experiences. At $700, it’s a great buy for anyone looking for a clamshell Chromebook that you can take anywhere without fuss. Notably, there’s no touchscreen, and the clamshell design won’t be for everyone. If you need a 2-in-1 design or pen-and-ink capabilities, you can get the same premium experience for the same price with the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714.
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