Samsung Chromebook (Wi-Fi, 11.6-Inch)
Product Description
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From the Manufacturer
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Chromebooks run Web-based apps, not traditional PC applications.
Chromebooks are designed to be connected to the Internet. You can create documents and spreadsheets or edit photos on a Chromebook using Google apps designed for these purposes. The Chrome operating system will not load and run traditional PC software like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. However, files created in these applications can be viewed and edited using Google apps on your Chromebook or cloud-based applications like Microsoft’s Office web apps.
You store your files in the Cloud, not on the machine.
To help make them thin and light, Chromebooks are built without large-capacity drives. So instead of storing your documents, videos, and photos on your computer, you save them to Google Drive (Google’s Cloud-based storage service). Your files are password-protected and secure, and you can access them anywhere there’s an Internet connection. If you know you’ll want access to a file or photo offline, however, you can easily save it to the built-in solid-state drive.
The New Samsung Chromebook
For Everyone. The Samsung Chromebook is a new computer that helps you get everyday things done faster and easier. It starts in seconds, has virus protection built-in, and runs your favorite Google apps plus thousands more. The Chromebook comes with leading Google products, like Search, Gmail, YouTube and Hangouts, so you can work, play, and do whatever you want, right out of the box. Chromebooks are a unique class of mobile computing devices designed for Web-based tasks. They run the Google Chrome OS, perfect browsing the Web, sending and receiving e-mail, and video chatting with friends and family.
You can easily share it with multiple people- switching accounts takes seconds, and everyone gets their own files, apps and settings. And it’s simple to use. There’s no setup, and your files are automatically backed up in the cloud. At just 2.4 pounds, 0.7 inches thin, and with over 6.5 hours of battery life, the Samsung Chromebook can go anywhere you go. It’s built to stay cool, so it doesn’t need a fan and runs silently. It also includes 100GB of free Google Drive storage (for 2 years), a built-in webcam, and dual band Wi-Fi to make it easy to connect to wireless networks.
About Chromebooks
The new, faster computer that keeps getting better and better.
Boots in Seconds
Boots up in 10 seconds, resumes instantly and loads web pages blazingly fast.
Thousands of Apps
Built-in apps and thousands more from the Chrome Web Store.
No Hassles
Multiple layers of security
so you don’t need to install anti-virus software.
Cloud built-in
Save your stuff safely in the cloud and never lose another file or photo.
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Introducing the New Chromebook
Chromebooks are designed to use Internet apps to access software that lives primarily on the Web rather than inside the computer itself. You can create documents and spreadsheets and edit photos on a Chromebook using Google apps designed for these purposes, but Chromebooks do not run traditional PC software. Instead of storing your documents, videos and photos on your computer, you save them to Google Drive (Google’s cloud-based storage service) and you can access them from anywhere there’s an Internet connection. If you know you’ll want access to a file or photo offline, you can easily save it to the built-in SSD for offline access.
Chromebooks are easy to use, and don’t slow down over time. They have built-in security, so you’re protected against viruses and malware. They come with apps for all your everyday needs, and keep your files safely backed up on the cloud. And with free, automatic updates, your Chromebook keeps getting better and better.
Automatic updates
Chromebooks automatically update themselves: all of your apps stay up-to-date, and you get the latest version of the operating system without having to think about it.
Get started without the setup
Chromebooks require almost no setup, so you can go from unboxing to doing in minutes. Unlike other computers, you don’t need to spend hours installing patches and software.
Portable, powerful, cooler
The Samsung Chromebook’s dual core processor delivers exceptional performance and battery life in an ultra-slim package. And unlike traditional computers, it has no fan or moving parts, which means it stays cooler on your lap and runs silent (no humming, unless you’re listening to music).
Stay connected in-flight
With your Chromebook, you can get online at 10,000 feet with free Gogo in-air internet passes. Your Chromebook comes with 12 free passes (estimated $150 value) that you can use over 2 years on domestic US flights. Visit
google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/goodies.html for more information.
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Collaborate on documents
Create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and drawings with apps like Google Docs, Zoho and SlideRocket. With productivity apps, you can collaborate in real-time with others, access your documents from any computer, and have your files backed up automatically. Access other everyday files using the built-in PDF and document viewer.
More storage in the cloud
With 100GB of free Google Drive storage for two years, you can keep all of your apps, documents, favorites, and settings safe and securely accessible from anywhere. You don’t have to bother downloading and installing any applications onto your hard drive.
More storage in the cloud
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Oversized, multi-touch touchpad
You can enjoy better control using a large multi-touch touchpad With a glass coating and image sensor it provides a stylish and convenient way to use your Chromebook.
Oversized, multi-touch touchpad
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Full-sized keyboard designed for Chrome
The keyboard is optimized for Chrome with a dedicated search key, a row of web-enabled keys, and a comfortable, full-size layout that doesn’t cramp your fingers.
Simply more flexibility
The Chromebook has a range of ports, including HDMI and USB 3.0/2.0 ports, to enable greater flexibility for sharing data and multimedia playback. Its unique hinge design makes it easier to connect all of your peripherals.
*Manufacturer Warranty Information: XE303C12-A01US – Parts: 12 months, Labor: 12 months
Product Features
- 11.6 inches Display
- Samsung Exynos 5250 Dual Core Processor
- 2 GB DDR3L RAM 16 GB Solid State Drive
- 2 USB Ports: 1 USB 3.0 + 1 USB 2.0, HDMI Port
- Built-in dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Surprises Inside and Out *STUDENT REVIEW* I’m a student. I need something to carry around that I won’t worry about losing, breaking, or someone stealing. I won’t bring my Apple laptop to school due to theft increases lately. On that note, I wanted something for web browsing, typing papers in the library egg chairs and had a keyboard/trackpad combo. I found it.This is not for a poweruser. Don’t fool yourselves, people. It’s a tablet on steroids. Get that through your head when you purchase and use it. If you have any other expectations like some of the reviewers, well, you’re honestly not the target audience. It’s meant to be light and cost affordable. Sure, the screen isn’t high resolution and it lacks expandable RAM and HD space. That’s NOT what this computer is.I’ve had the computer for a few days now and I love it. It’s not super fast by any means; however, it gets the job done in regards to web browsing, finding papers for literature reviews and listening to rdio or Pandora. That’s what I need this for. And most likely the average consumer. Face it, most college students buy $1000 Macbooks to look cool. For what? To facebook, stream music, and browse the web. Most people who do photo editing buy the 15″ models with maxed out specs (like me). I don’t want to bring that to campus. That’s too much money to be slinging in my bag to just browse the web.So, let me be clear. This laptop is excellent. The build quality is amazing for the price. Build quality is great of which I was surprised. The keyboard reminds me of the Macbook and the track-pad keeps up with my fast paced motions quite well. It’s light and I can have four to five tabs open running different processes at ease. It does like to stutter when I do multiple things with a video running though. Expected for a tablet processor though. It keeps cool and charged for a days use. The front camera is great for chatting.I will admit, this little computer will replace your daily use computer you lug around currently. I used the Chrome Remote Desktop today on campus and was amazed at the speed and ease. I was using my Macbook at home on campus without any hiccups like I experience with Logmein or those other clients. Accessing the 100GB of free storage was as simple as clicking a link. My music, documents and life are on the cloud. I can access them with ease. Printing is no problem for me, either.This little beast will surprise you. Although, please, don’t expect the world from this laptop. It’s $250, folks.P.S. I typed this from the Chromebook. No problems handling my typing speed. And ask questions if you need them answered.UPDATE 11/24:I’ve been using this for a good while now and I haven’t had any regrets. The computer does what I need, when I want and I only miss running Netflix at school. That’s ok though, I have other avenues for watching movies. They do plan on updating and that’s a problem with Netflix, not Google. Printing is simple as it seems to be a very common question. To clicks on your computer and you’re done. They have been updating the OS and the Chromebook is acting a little better now. Overall, I’m still loving it. Just remember, it’s NOT for everyone.UPDATE 02/06/13:I love this computer. It is all I use around campus and for class lectures. I barely use Microsoft Office for my notes or spreadsheets in class. Google Drive and their office version is just awesome. If you do a lot of team-based activities, please, just use Google Drive. Keep your documents available to you at all times and collaboration is simple. It has made my life much easier. Just thought I’d let you all know.UPDATE 04/11/13:Netflix now works!UPDATE 07/10/13:Now that the school season is upon us, I thought I would go ahead and write an update of my handy-dandy little Chromebook. Let’s just say, it’s still alive and working. Drops, falls, and tosses across the couch and slides across the table this little tabcom is doing well. Software wise, Google has been working at it and getting all the bugs out of the system to provide an even more fluid experience. I love having the ability to use Google Print from ANYWHERE I am and have it waiting for me when I need it. Everything syncs up across platforms and this has really come in hand during projects. Just try the Google Docs as a team compared to Word with Review and you won’t go back when doing initial collaboration. Battery is still holding up to 8-10 hours (I know, right)- that’s with smart use of the brightness. I honestly don’t know what else to say. It works and is the perfect complement for my Macbook that is collecting dust at home. The Macbook is used via my Google Remote Connection and it’s just wonderful. No lag or anything like I’ve had with LogMeIn and the other one. And like always, ask questions if you have them. And I almost forgot to add that Spotify works in the browser just as…
A very good computer with a few drawbacks at a very good price ***Updates To My Review At The End***My background: I’m a gadget geek but I’m not super devoted to any platform. I do love Google’s web products but never used their hardware. My laptop is a 13″ MacBook Pro and my desktop is a Mac Mini that runs both OS X and Windows 7 (I spend more time on Win 7 these days). I have an iPad (3rd gen) and Motorola Droid Razr Maxx along with a docking station. My wife has a Win 7 ultrabook, Kindle Fire HD and Razr Maxx, all of which I purchased for her.I’m an editor for a web-based publication so my usage is primarily writing and some light (very light) image editing. I’ve done most of my writing on Google Docs for a long time because it automatically saves and I hate writing directly into the CMS. We also use Google Apps Business for e-mail, calendaring and doc sharing so that rocks.The last thing I need is another computer but Chromebook called to me. A couple of reasons:- The docking solution wasn’t great. The keyboard was crap, my phone got unusually hot and interacting with the CMS was hit and miss with the phone OS. It was good for e-mails.- An iPad with a keyboard is garbage. I’ve tried it and hit the same issues. It is just clumsy for my primary work. I still travel with an iPad because it is light and its battery is a rockstar and can do in a pinch.- The laptop is fine but it is a beast to carry. I just got back from a week-long jaunt to three conferences and I think my shoulder is broken from my shoulder bag.- I love my phone and tethering has been a lifesaver. No complaints.Okay, enough background. Now to the actual review.Unboxing wasn’t particularly impressive but I don’t really care. Standard laptop box with the laptop, an AC adapter and Chrome sticker. I plugged it in and it was at about 75%. Now about an hour later, it is nearly charged.When I pulled it out of the box, it almost felt like a laptop that didn’t have a battery in it (remember that?). Anyway, it feels solid closed up. I don’t have any problem throwing this in my engineer’s bag and feeling like it will get screwed up. The AC adapter is your standard black box with two cords.I opened up the lid and it started immediately. It asked me to connect to my wifi connection and then proceeded to download the latest update of the operating system (version 23 according to the info in Chrome). After a quick reboot, I put in my Google credentials and it loaded everything I use in my Chrome browser normally, including my apps and bookmarks.Opened up, the build quality showed a few weaknesses but nothing major. There’s a little give on the keyboard and palm rest. I didn’t feel any problems holding the laptop from its corner. It feels very solid overall. The thing to remember, of course, is that I came from a unibody MacBook Pro so take that for what it is worth.The keyboard blew my expectations away. I figured it would be fairly cramped and that my typing speed would suffer. I figured the action wouldn’t be very good either. But, coming from a MacBook Pro chiclet keyboard to this was a cinch. I feel very little difference in typing speed or accuracy. This was really a big deal for me. I tried the HP Mini a few years ago and it was awful. A few millimeter difference is it.The trackpad is very good though not as top notch of a comparison as the keyboard. It is very Mac-like in using it. The two finger swipe gestures, right-clicking, dragging, etc… it all operated like I expected. I’m a tapper, not a clicker so that may have something to do with it. It doesn’t seem like it is quite as accurate or response as the MacBook Pro but still very good.The screen isn’t great but it isn’t a dealbreaker. For text, it performs adequately but not spectacularly. For video, it is quite adequate, maybe above average but again, not fantastic. The screen brightness isn’t what it could be, I feel like it is a tick or two off what should be standard brightness. But, I am also used to glossy screens and even with the brightness, the matte screen seems to do okay. I work right next to south-facing windows and even though we have no sun here in Seattle, it gets fairly bright and it seems good in these conditions. The viewing angles aren’t going to impress anyone but it works for me.The speakers seem to be pretty good and loud enough. They are optimal for use on a desk rather than a lap though as the sound gets muffled a bit by clothing. I put on Pandora One and the sound through my nice $100 studio headphones sounds pretty good with the top volume topping out just right. Using my Apple headphone/mic combo, it worked well in a hangout. One thing is that the headphone jack seems very tight.I hit my first snag when I tried to do HDMI out. It didn’t seem to work. Then I read a bit more and got it to work with the Ctrl+Full Screen and that seemed to do it…