Samsung Chromebook Pro Buy
Chromebooks are rapidly evolving into more than just bare-bones alternatives to entry-level Windows laptops. On top of adding the full arsenal of Android apps via the Google Play store, the Samsung Chromebook Pro makes a compelling case for "premium" chromebooks with a 12-inch QHD touch display, a convertible design, a very capable stylus, and a beefy processor. But at the end of the day, chromebooks owe their appeal to their affordability and all-day processing power. The Chromebook Pro, which is slated to be priced at $549 when it's released this spring, falls a bit short on both fronts, especially compared with our Editors' Choice high-end chromebook, the Asus Chromebook Flip (C302CA-DHM4) ($507.77 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) , which is less expensive with better battery life.
The Pro features a beautiful 12.3-inch 2,400-by-1,600 touch screen. And while you won't be able to scrutinize every single pore on your favorite celeb's face when watching movies, that's a much higher resolution than the 1,366-by-768 resolution you typically find on 11- or 13-inch chromebooks. But because of the 3:2 aspect ratio, the screen is more square than the rectangular laptop displays you're probably used to. For the most part, this is not an issue, but it can be awkward while typing as there's barely any room on either side of the keyboard. Plus, you don't have a whole lot of space for keeping multiple windows open. Why is it squarish? Probably to mimic the size of a sheet of A4 paper for use with the stylus (see below).
It's not so much its processor, screen, or convertibility that makes the Chromebook Pro stand out. The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work, the Asus Chromebook Flip, and the HP Chromebook 13 G1 all sport beefier chips than the Celeron or ARM processors you generally see in chromebooks. What sets the Pro apart is that it's one of the first chromebooks that will launch with Google Play app store integration.
For testing, Samsung and Google suggested trying out apps like Slack, ArtCanvas, Asphalt 8, and Evernote. They all worked as they should, and make no mistake, the potential for greater offline capability is hugely promising for not only the Pro, but all chromebooks going forward. That being said, it's still early and there are some growing pains. Switching between apps can be clumsy, and not every app in the Google Play store is optimized for Chrome OS. That can be annoying, especially when you're switching between standalone apps and apps that run through the Chrome browser. Take Slack. Hitting the Enter key won't send your message when typing. That's because it's optimized for mobile, where it's more intuitive to just tap the "Send" airplane with your finger. This is not the end of the world, but it's an example of the type of small annoyances that can detract from the overall experience. 781b155fdc