In a world dominated by both high-end laptops and ultra budget tablets, the Samsung Chromebook Plus attempts to strike a unique balance: a 2-in-1 Chromebook that provides both the lightness of Chrome OS and the versatility of a convertible design. Launched as part of a wave of Chromebooks seeking to prove that Google’s operating system can handle more than just basic web browsing, the Samsung Chromebook Plus has attracted a considerable following among students, creative hobbyists, and professionals looking for a lightweight secondary machine. But is it really the ultimate 2-in-1 for those steeped in the Google ecosystem?
In this detailed review, we’ll delve into its design, performance, software, battery life, pros and cons, and finally answer whether it deserves a spot on your shopping list.
The Rise of the 2-in-1 Chromebook
Chromebooks have evolved tremendously since their inception. Initially, they were known for their low cost and simplicity ideal for those needing a web centric laptop without the complications or price of a Windows or macOS system. Today’s Chromebooks, however, have matured, many offer high resolution displays, touchscreen functionality, stylus support, and enough power for moderate productivity tasks. The Samsung Chromebook Plus sits at the center of this evolution, combining:
- A convertible hinge for easy switching between laptop and tablet modes
- A stylus for note taking and light creative work
The question is whether these features come together seamlessly to make the Chromebook Plus stand out. Let’s start by examining what you’ll notice first, the device’s design and build quality.
Samsung chromebook plus build quality
The Samsung Chromebook Plus often comes in a sleek, minimalist design, typically featuring an aluminum or magnesium alloy blend on the exterior. With subtle branding and smooth edges, it achieves a premium look without feeling flashy. In many versions, you’ll find the top lid carrying just a small “Samsung” logo, while the Chromebook insignia remains tastefully on the side or in a corner.
Color options may include a brushed silver or a light platinum hue, blending well in both professional and educational settings. While the chassis might be prone to collecting minor fingerprints, a quick wipe usually restores its luster. The result is a device that doesn’t immediately scream budget laptop, showcasing that Chromebooks have come a long way from the plastic shells of yesteryear.
The 2-in-1 Mechanism
A hallmark of the Chromebook Plus is its 360-degree hinge. This hinge allows you to use the laptop in various positions:
- Laptop mode: Traditional orientation for typing and desk-bound tasks
- Tent mode: Great for propping the device up to watch videos in cramped areas
- Stand mode: The keyboard faces down, turning the screen into a mini display perfect for presentations or media
- Tablet mode: Flip the keyboard fully behind the display for a large tablet experience
The hinge typically moves smoothly with enough resistance to stay at your chosen angle without wobbling excessively. While using it in tablet mode, the device’s weight usually around 2.5 to 3 pounds is noticeable but still manageable for short reading or sketching sessions. This flexibility is a significant advantage, particularly for students switching from note-taking in class to streaming Netflix in their dorm, or for professionals flipping between quick presentations and stylus based sketching.
Port and Button Placement
You’ll generally find two USB-C ports (one on each side) for both data transfer and charging, which is convenient whether you’re left-handed or right-handed no fiddling around the device to find the correct side for the charger. There may also be a headphone/mic combo jack, a microSD card slot for storage expansion, and volume/power buttons placed strategically for ease of use in tablet orientation.
The stylus, typically housed in a spring-loaded compartment along the right edge, pops out with a gentle push. This ensures it doesn’t fall out during transport, while also remaining easy to access for a sudden burst of doodling or note-taking. Altogether, the design is streamlined, portable, and clearly engineered to accommodate multiple usage modes without tangling you in cable mess or sacrificing too much real estate to ports.
Samsung Chromebook Plus Visual Experience
The Samsung Chromebook Plus line often features a 12.2 or 12.3 inch display, typically with a QHD (2400×1600) resolution. The aspect ratio might be 3:2, slightly taller than the more common 16:9. This taller ratio is a boon for productivity: you see more lines of a document or webpage without scrolling. If you frequently work in Google Docs or read e-books, you’ll appreciate the extra vertical space.
Brightness can hover around 300–350 nits, suitable for most indoor environments. Outdoors in direct sunlight, you might struggle a bit, especially with reflectivity from the glossy coating. Nonetheless, it’s a vivid display that easily outshines many budget Chromebooks still stuck at 1366×768 resolution.
Touch and Pen Input
Being a 2-in-1, the screen is fully touch enabled. Responsiveness is typically excellent for pinch to zoom or tapping through web pages. But the real showstopper is the built in stylus often reminiscent of Samsung’s S Pen. While it may lack some of the advanced pressure sensitivity found in premium Note devices, it’s more than capable for:
- Handwritten note-taking in apps like Google Keep or Squid
- Annotating screenshots and documents
- Light sketching or coloring apps
Chrome OS has improved pen input support over time, meaning you can fairly seamlessly switch from trackpad-based navigation to stylus tapping. If you are a creative professional, you might find the stylus’s precision limited for advanced illustration. But for casual drawing, mind-maps, or daily journaling, it’s a delight.
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Performance and Hardware
Processor and RAM
Depending on the generation, the Samsung Chromebook Plus can come with:
- ARM-based chips (like an OP1 processor in older models)
- Intel Celeron, Pentium, or Core m3 in newer versions
Regardless, these are mid-range processors optimized for power efficiency rather than raw computing. Chrome OS’s lightweight nature means you can still handle a large portion of everyday tasks web browsing with multiple tabs, Google Workspace, streaming, and moderate Android app usage without major slowdowns.
RAM typically ranges from 4GB to 8GB. For most Chromebook tasks, 4GB is adequate. However, if you frequently run many Android apps simultaneously or keep dozens of Chrome tabs open, an 8GB variant ensures smoother multitasking. Unless you’re pushing the device with tasks beyond a Chromebook’s typical scope like heavy photo editing or advanced coding environments you’ll likely find the performance more than satisfactory.
Storage Configurations
Chromebooks rely heavily on the cloud, but local storage still matters for offline files, Android apps, and media. The Chromebook Plus often has 32GB or 64GB eMMC storage, though some variants may offer 128GB or even small SSDs. If you plan on downloading large apps or carrying a significant offline media library, you can use a microSD card to expand storage. Otherwise, Google Drive integration is typically enough to handle documents and small file needs.
Chrome OS and Software Experience
Chrome OS Fundamentals
Chrome OS brings a straightforward interface that merges elements of a desktop environment with the cloud-centric nature of Google Chrome. Key advantages include:
- Auto-updating in the background, with minimal disruption
- Built-in virus protection thanks to sandboxed processes and verified boot
- Tight integration with Google services Drive, Docs, Gmail, Calendar, etc.
If you’re heavily invested in the Google ecosystem editing documents in Docs, storing photos in Google Photos, using Chat or Meet for communication Chrome OS feels second-nature. Everything syncs seamlessly across devices.
Android App Compatibility
Since Chrome OS supports the Google Play Store, you can install Android apps. This is a game changer, expanding the Chromebook’s capabilities beyond just web apps to include games, social media apps, or note taking software that integrates stylus input. However, some Android apps remain better optimized for phone displays, so you might encounter occasional scaling issues or missing features. Still, for the majority of mainstream apps like Microsoft Office, Netflix, or Spotify compatibility is quite decent.
Battery Life and Charging
Samsung often advertises 8 to 10 hours of battery life for the Chromebook Plus. Real world usage typically lands close to these figures, depending on screen brightness and the workload. If you keep many Chrome tabs open while streaming music and occasionally switching to an Android game, expect around 7–8 hours. More conservative usage like reading offline documents or lightly browsing could push you closer to 10 hours.
Charging Logistics
Charging is usually handled via USB-C. This is convenient if you already own phones or tablets that also use USB-C chargers, reducing the need for multiple cords. The included power brick might be around 30W, and you can expect a 0–100% charge time in about 2 to 3 hours. Some Chromebooks may support quick-charging technologies, but typically not as advanced as those found on top-tier smartphones.
Samsung Chromebook Plus Keyboard and Trackpad
Typing Experience
Given its relatively compact frame, the Samsung Chromebook Plus typically offers a full-size keyboard in a slightly shrunken layout. Key travel might be around 1.2mm, providing a crisp if somewhat shallow typing feel. Many users find it comfortable for extended writing sessions, though mechanical keyboard aficionados might prefer more key depth.
Unlike some premium laptops, you may not get a backlit keyboard in every variant, so confirm your specific model. If you’re frequently typing in dim settings, that could be a dealbreaker. Still, for typical everyday usage, office, classroom, or well lit home environments, the keyboard meets the expectations of a mid range device.
Trackpad Responsiveness
Chrome OS’s gesture support, like two-finger scrolling or three-finger tab switching, is usually fluid, and Samsung’s trackpads are known to be decently sized and responsive. The surface might be plastic or a plastic glass blend, offering a smooth glide. Clicks are consistent, although the bottom corners may require slightly more pressure common in many laptop trackpads.
Overall, it’s accurate enough for navigating websites, performing drag-and-drop operations, or quickly resizing windows without hooking up an external mouse.
Audio and Webcam
Built-In Speakers
Samsung often positions stereo speakers along the sides or the underside of the Chromebook Plus. While they won’t blow you away with heavy bass, they’re typically loud enough for personal enjoyment of music or YouTube videos. The sound remains clear up to moderate volume, though turning it up all the way may introduce some distortion or tinniness. For better immersion especially for movies or Zoom calls headphones or external speakers might be preferred.
Webcam and Microphone
The integrated 720p webcam, placed at the top bezel, captures decent footage for video conferences or virtual classes. It’s not a high-end laptop camera, but the clarity is sufficient under good lighting. In dimmer surroundings, noise and grain creep in, typical of a mid range webcam. The microphone setup usually picks up voices well, minimizing ambient noise. For professional-level recordings or podcasts, an external USB mic might be beneficial, but for casual video calls, it’s more than adequate.
Ports and Connectivity
Available Ports
- 2× USB-C: Handle charging, data transfer, and external display output.
- Headphone jack: For plugging in wired headsets or external speakers.
- microSD card slot: Great for expanding local storage or quickly transferring media from cameras.
Missing might be a traditional USB-A port, which many Chromebooks have phased out. If you still rely on older peripherals, be prepared to invest in a USB-C hub or adapters. This minimal port selection underscores the device’s slim, modern design.
Wireless Connectivity
Expect Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or possibly Wi-Fi 6 in newer iterations, along with Bluetooth 4.2 or 5.0 for connecting wireless peripherals. Real-world performance for streaming or cloud-based tasks is generally stable, as long as your router and internet service are up to par. The Chromebook typically maintains a strong wireless connection throughout mid sized apartments or classrooms, making it an excellent companion for shared or mobile work scenarios.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Premium 2-in-1 Design: The convertible hinge and stylus integration differentiate it from many cookie-cutter Chromebooks.
- High-Resolution Display: QHD or near-FHD panels provide sharper images and more screen real estate for productivity.
- Smooth Chrome OS Performance: ARM or low-power Intel chips, combined with adequate RAM, handle everyday tasks well.
Cons
- Limited Heavy-Duty Performance: Demanding gaming or advanced video editing can push the hardware beyond its comfort zone.
- No Backlit Keyboard on Some Models: Typing in low light might be tricky if your unit lacks keyboard illumination.
- Reflective Screen: Glossy surface prone to glare, possibly hindering usability outdoors.
Conclusion – Is It the Ultimate 2-in-1 for Google Users?
However, it won’t satisfy everyone. Power users who rely on demanding desktop software may find Chrome OS limiting. Serious artists could crave better stylus accuracy. Some might bemoan the absent backlit keyboard or desire even higher performance.
Ultimately, though, for Google power-users, students, and casual creative folks, the Samsung Chromebook Plus merges the best of tablet and laptop worlds without the overhead of a full Windows machine. It underscores that Chromebooks, once relegated to the budget realm, can be feature rich devices that champion productivity, portability, and user-friendly design.