Review: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

Don't let the "2" fool you: Samsung's new Galaxy Chromebook 2 does not replace last year's Galaxy Chromebook. Think of this as the stripped-down, leaner, more affordable version rather than a successor.

The original Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is a high-end, premium machine with one of the nicest screens I've ever used on any laptop. Unfortunately, it arrived just as the pandemic took off—buying a Chromebook for the same price as a MacBook probably wasn't the best idea, especially since Google's Chrome OS silos you in with Google services and Android apps. I can't say for sure that this is what influenced certain decisions when Samsung was making the new model, but it certainly feels that way.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is still very much a premium machine, just a little less svelte, with a little less power and, more important, a much nicer price.

Photograph: Samsung

Like its predecessor (which remains available), the Galaxy Chromebook 2 comes in either red or gray, but you really should get the red. The world needs more red laptops.

Before I dive into what makes this machine a better value than the more expensive version, let's tackle what you don't get. The big loss is the 4K OLED panel, which has been replaced by a 1080p QLED panel. It's not 4K, but it's still a really nice screen with deep blacks and brilliant colors. (Designers will be happy to know it covers 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut.) Nice as the new screen is, it's definitely a step down from the OLED. On the upside, battery life is better.

The stylus and fingerprint sensor are also missing. There's no handy storage spot in the chassis like in the Galaxy Chromebook, but this version will work with any third-party USI pen.

Photograph: Samsung

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is 2.71 pounds, which is marginally heavier than the original, but where you'll really notice the difference is the thickness. It's just more than half an inch to the previous model's crazy-thin one-third-inch height. 

It's still lighter than most Chromebooks, but it's definitely more noticeable in your bag and harder to hold in tablet mode than the original. Thankfully, you can still use it as a tablet. This new Chromebook 2 retains the two-in-one design. 

There are two versions available, the $700 one I tested features a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8 gigabytes of RAM, and a 128-gigabyte solid state drive. There’s also a slightly less powerful Galaxy Chromebook 2 for $550 that uses a 10th-generation Intel Celeron processor and has only 4 gigabytes of RAM and a 64-GB SSD.

I find Intel Core i3 chips to be the sweet spot for Chromebooks. They offer enough power that you don't have to think about how many Chrome tabs or apps you have open, and they keep the price down compared to models with Core i5 or even i7 chips. 

The Celeron version will likely be fine but less snappy. More worrying is the paltry 4 gigabytes of RAM—I suggest upgrading to 8 gigs if you can afford it. It's a more future-proof investment. It's not like websites are going to be gobbling up any less RAM tomorrow.

As for ports, there are two USB-C connectors, a Micro SD card slot, and a headphone jack.

Photograph: Samsung

Now, the million-dollar question: How's the battery life? The original Galaxy Chromebook managed a mere 6.5 hours in our standard battery drain test (playing a looped 1080p video at 75 percent brightness). I am happy to report that version 2 nearly doubles that result, managing 12 hours, 24 minutes. 

More important, I never worried about battery life while using it. I did make sure to charge it every night, but it had no trouble lasting through a workday, with some YouTube in the evening.

My least favorite part of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is the keyboard. It's the same keyboard as the previous model, but for some reason, it bothers me more. I did run into some issues with keys repeating, reminiscent of the problems that plagued Apple's similarly thin Butterfly keyboards. But I couldn't find anyone else complaining about this, so it might just be me. I'm a fan of big, blocky, Lenovo-style keys, so I had to adjust how I typed to minimize these issues. This keyboard will likely be fine for most people. 

It's not enough to stop me from saying you should buy this Chromebook. Laptops running Google's Chrome OS operating system make the most sense for hardcore Google product users. If you live in Chrome, sync everything through Google Drive, post your photos to Google Photos, and email from Gmail, then the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is one of the best options on the market.

Just know that there are plenty of great, cheaper Chromebooks you can buy. The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is for those that can spend the extra cash for something that feels a little nicer. If you happen to see the original model on sale for a similar price, you should go for it unless you really prioritize long battery life.