Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go Review: Ok Go

Samsung pulled out of the pc marketplace in Europe a short while again, which used to be a disgrace as I incessantly discovered their merchandise to be superb. Now, the Korean corporate is again in the United Kingdom (and USA) with a brand spanking new inexpensive Chromebook.

So, is it a triumphant go back? Here’s the total Tech Advisor overview of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go. 

Design & Build

While the title may well be a little bit too just about Google’s Pixelbook Go, the fee and diminished specifications display that Samsung isn’t relatively taking purpose at that specific style, however fairly providing a easy and inexpensive Chromebook that are supposed to attraction to most of the people. 

The plastic casing signifies that the tool is rather light-weight (coming in at 1.45kg/3.2lbs), however you wouldn’t wish to drop it too repeatedly. Although, Samsung does state that the tool has handed a number of MIL-STD-810G assessments, so it might be harder than it appears.

Silver is the livery of selection right here, with the vibrant Chrome emblem decorating the highest nook of the lid, which I’ve to mention is a bit more cheery than the monochrome model that’s turning into the norm throughout Chromebooks prior to now yr.

Turning the tool over finds dual audio system, whilst the flanks are domestic to a spread of ports that come with two USB-C, one USB-A (3.2), microSD card reader, a Nano Security Slot (suppose Kensington Lock), headphone jack and a SIM card tray. The latter is most definitely one of the most major causes for the ‘Go’ a part of the title. 

Opening up the pc finds the 14in show with a webcam sitting above it. The show is surrounded by way of a textured plastic casing that appears a little bit affordable, and this motif continues to the keyboard & trackpad encompass and keys themselves.

It’s now not dangerous as such however does remind you that this isn’t a top class style. 

The lengthy, unmarried hinge holds the show in position via plenty of angles, with a complete 180-degree being to be had if you wish to lie the pc totally flat towards the ground or table. 

Keyboard & Trackpad 

In use, the island-style keyboard could be very delightful to make use of. There’s a little bit trip when keys are pressed, and the revel in manages to keep away from the sponginess I’ve encountered with different inexpensive Chromebooks.

The trackpad is an identical tale, with dependable responses to faucets and gestures, plus a lovely click on that sounds forged and allows you to know that your instructions were registered by way of the tool. 

Samsung states that the keyboard is spill-resistant, so it must continue to exist an unintentional stumble upon with a espresso. It’s now not transparent how a lot liquid it could possibly undergo, so I didn’t pour a bottle of water over the tool however know that you might want to be good enough if the worst occurs. 

Screen & Speakers

Samsung has opted to make use of a non-touchscreen show at the Galaxy Chromebook Go, which is probably to stay the fee down. While the contact interface on a Windows pc feels just a little of an additional characteristic, over the past couple of years it’s turn out to be an integral a part of ChromeOS because of its focal point on the internet and on-line apps. 

That doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t get quite a lot of stuff achieved, nevertheless it took some time for me to prevent tapping the show and questioning why not anything used to be going down. 

The 14in LED panel has a quite frosted look to prevent it reflecting again any robust gentle assets, which is one thing you received’t get on a touchscreen style. It runs at a most solution of 1366×768, which is disappointing on this age of Full or Quad HD presentations, nevertheless it’s a superbly serviceable display screen that may let you write paperwork and surf the cyber web with out factor.

I did in finding it fairly too finicky when looking at streamed video although. Using the brand new Wheel of Time sequence on Amazon Prime Video, it used to be noticeable that transferring the display screen attitude or my seating place would have an effect on the color, distinction and elementary viewability of the display.

This is correct on numerous inexpensive panels, nevertheless it did appear extra pronounced with the Chromebook Go. When the whole thing is coated up correctly, the show appears just right, however if you happen to’re looking at with pals or have a tendency to be just a little fidgety, then you could in finding the revel in just a little irritating.  

Another factor that may turn out tough is operating out of doors in robust daylight, as I measured the utmost brightness as 320 nits, which might battle towards a summer time’s day. For inside of and extra cloud obscured climate, you must in finding the Chromebook Go an excessively usable possibility, with the caveat at the video streaming efficiency. 

Moving from video to audio, the Go comes with dual 1.5W downward-firing audio system. I wasn’t anticipating a lot from those, as this can be a lower-budget tool with a plastic casing, however the sound they produce is healthier than you could suppose.

The quantity will get beautiful loud and whilst there’s the standard loss of bass you in finding in maximum laptops, the sound separation is respectable, I didn’t realize any distortion at complete quantity, and there’s an affordable sense of intensity to the combination. Not dangerous in any respect. 

Webcam

Video high quality at the Chromebook Go doesn’t punch above its weight just like the audio system organize to do. Topping out at 720p, the webcam is standard of lower-end laptops in that it’s satisfactory if in case you have a lot of gentle, however nonetheless stays grainy and softly-focused.

Move to a much less well-lit setting and issues take a pointy nose-dive. You can nonetheless make Zoom calls and work-from-home conferences, however I wouldn’t hassle cleansing the room up previously, as nobody will have the ability to see what it seems like. 

Connectivity

In this division, Samsung has thrown in one thing of a wonder. Not handiest do you get the most recent Wi-Fi 6 functions, however if you wish to keep on-line while you depart domestic or don’t have a public Wi-Fi connection to be had, then there’s a SIM card slot that may allow you to get entry to LTE networks.

Obviously, this may require a separate contract for the cardboard, but when you already know you’re going to make use of it incessantly, this is usually a genuine game-changer for road-warriors or those that battle to hook up with Wi-Fi when out and about.

It’s restricted to 4G, however that implies you’ll in finding wider community protection when out of doors primary towns and may additionally have the ability to get inexpensive plans in comparison to the spanky new 5G ones. 

There’s additionally Bluetooth 5.1 on board, so you’ll be able to movement audio out to audio system or headphones while you don’t wish to use the audio system. 

I’ve defined the ports previous within the overview, however to explain, right here’s what you’ll in finding at the Samsung Chromebook Go. 

• 2x USB-C 
• 1x USB-A (3.2) 
• MicroSD card reader
• Nano Security Slot (like a Kensington Lock) 
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• SIM card tray

It’s a tight collection of choices, which must allow customers to glue a mix of new and older units. Certainly higher than the solitary USB-C port that we’ve observed on way more dear units. 

Specs & Performance

Powering the Samsung Chromebook Go is a 1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4500, which is a humble chip however a step up from the sooner Celeron generations present in competitors just like the Asus C423NA Chromebook and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook. 

Samsung is going with 4GB of RAM, which feels just a little stingy however does fit the allotment given to the aforementioned Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (the Asus has 8GB), and garage is given 64GB, which is relatively appropriate for a cloud-focused Chromebook. 

In real-world use, I didn’t revel in any issues of efficiency. Websites opened briefly, Google Docs used to be more than pleased to paintings flawlessly whilst song used to be streamed within the background, and playing displays on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video (show problems apart) didn’t motive any stutters or syncing issues.

Gaming used to be off the menu for probably the most section, as nearly all of titles require touchscreens because of being Android apps. You can nonetheless benefit from the unusual web-based name if you happen to’re determined, and the Chromebook Go can care for the ones simply high-quality. 

For extra technical efficiency research, I put the tool via our customary barrage of benchmark assessments, which produced the next effects:

These are first rate ratings for the cheap tool and put the Samsung Chromebook Go above the Asus C423NA and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebooks, that are its direct competition.  

Battery Life

Samsung claims that the Chromebook Go can final for round 12 hours from a unmarried rate.

In our same old battery check that streams an HD video on loop, the tool controlled to continue to exist for 10 hours and 47 mins. This approach you’ll be able to use the Chromebook all day for paintings and most likely actually have a little spare trade for the night. 

The incorporated charger wears the legend ‘Super Fast Charging’ and restores the Go to complete well being in round 2 hours. 

Software

As with all Chromebooks, the Go comes with ChromeOS fairly than Windows or macOS – even supposing you’ll be able to buy a Windows version of the laptop for the same price.

If you’re unfamiliar with the platform, check out what’s a Chromebook? which will provide you with a tight assessment of what ChromeOS has to provide. 

Essentially, if you happen to’ve used the Chrome browser earlier than, then you definitely’ll be immediately conversant in ChromeOS, because it’s essentially in response to the usage of the browser to get entry to on-line services and products and methods. 

You’ll wish to feel free the usage of Google apps, as the corporate is the author of ChromeOS and Chrome, and Chromebooks require a Google account to paintings.

This has genuine benefits although, as transferring from one tool to every other will in finding all your recordsdata and settings in-place (with the exception of anything else you obtain to the native exhausting power), and quite a lot of services and products, apps or even video games sync up seamlessly between each and every different.  

You can use plenty of apps offline, which can then sync up any adjustments while you discover a Wi-Fi connection (or LTE on this case), plus Chromebooks now have get entry to to the Google Play Store, such a lot of of your favorite Android apps paintings at the laptops. 

Be mindful although that you just’ll battle to seek out just right picture, video and audio modifying tool on Chromebooks, and Microsoft Office runs as a restricted characteristic online model fairly than the full-fat implementations you’ll in finding on Windows and macOS. But, in case your calls for are rather gentle, then Chromebooks truly can be offering a streamlined and delightful revel in. 

Price & Availability

The Samsung Chromebook Go is to be had directly from Samsung for £399/US$349. If you need to use the LTE functions, then you definitely’ll additionally wish to consider a per 30 days plan with a provider of your selection (US consumers wish to order carrier-specific variations of the Chromebook Go). 

The worth places it on the top-end of price range Chromebooks, pushing quite into the mid-range. This approach it’s competing with the likes of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3, which prices £379/$394.99, the Asus C423NA that may set you again £319.99/$269.99, or the baseline Google Pixelbook Go which is to be had for £629/$649. 

To see which different choices are to be had, learn our roundup of the most efficient Chromebooks. 

Verdict

The Chromebook Go could be very a lot a blended bag. Using the keyboard is pleasing, the audio is just right and there’s a respectable collection of ports and connectivity choices.

If you’re searching for an LTE suitable Chromebook, then there isn’t so much that supply that characteristic, so the Go can unquestionably put that amongst its boasts. 

Sadly, the primary problem is the lacklustre show, which now not handiest lacks brightness but in addition has deficient viewing angles, color and backbone. With Samsung advertising the Go as a pupil tool, I will be able to’t see too many being pleased with streaming video this is tough to experience, particularly if doing so with people. 

If you’re searching for a easy, rather inexpensive writing device for paperwork, spreadsheets and analysis, then it’s a tight selection. But, anything else out of doors of that may possibly depart you wishing you’d long past for a distinct tool. 

Specs

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go: Specs

• Intel Celeron Processor N4500 (1.10 Ghz as much as 2.80 Ghz 4 MB L3 Cache)
• Intel UHD Graphics
• 14.0″ HD LED Display (1366 x 768), Anti-Glare
• 4 GB LPDDR4x Memory
• 64 GB eMMC garage
• Stereo Speakers ( 1.5 W x 2 )
• Internal Digital Mic
• 720p HD Camera
• Bluetooth 5.1,
  Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+)
• LTE
• 2x USB Type-C
• 1x USB 3.2
• MicroSD Multi-media Card Reader
• 1 Headphone out/Mic-in Combo
• Nano Security Slot
• 327 x 226 x 16 mm,
  1.45 kg (3.20 lbs)