If you are looking for a little larger Galaxy tab or maybe an I-Pad with a keyboard attached - Not for you. This thing is huge and heavy. If 4.5 lbs bothers you - stay away.
That being said, if you want a really large and capable computer hybrid/tablet running Chrome/Android - then this is it.
Over these past few years I've been waiting on a solution from Samsung or similar for a less then Windows machine that would actually run basic apps and allow me to do some "work." The last Galaxy iteration has been tempting, but I'm not going to go with Windows 10 on a tablet device for what I need to do and the non-windows iterations were not large enough. This is where the Spin 15 fits me perfectly. And let me give a history of my PC/Tablet experience and needs...
Power User, period. I have 2 dedicated portable workstations, i.e., maxed out laptops that I use for business. One stays by my side in a backpack and one is in the office, permanently docked. Over the years I’ve learned to work off of the server or the cloud and use images for business; electrical engineering and programming. The last thing I want to do at home is break one of these out with all the periphery and do small tasks that need to be done in between office and client sites. Battery life on these types of machines is bad. I have to have the latest graphics cards and highest CPU I can get into them and am lucky to get over an hour; New Dell G7's, maxed out. They have their place, don't get me wrong, but I need something between my phone and a full-on Laptop/PC.
In the past I've tried to fill this niche with a Sony Vaio and a Surface Tablet. Again, both with i5/7's and trying to get horsepower and it really is a matter of the technical lottery with buying the latest and greatest at the time - they both suffer short battery life and the whole tiresome Windows experience when you want something light, like a tablet. Neither fit the experience I'd been wanting; something in-between the Laptop/PC and my Smartphone. (They are both in a box in the basement.)
With the the Spin 15, it's configured 64GB memory, 4GB RAM, Pentium processor, gracious battery / power management and paired with the Chrome OS; running version 67.0.3396.99 at time of review. I feel complete. A part of my life’s need to be immersed and connected with technology is complete. “I’m a geek.”
What I absolutely love is the multi user, quick login/logout and overall experience. For me, I don’t have to strain with the phone and can grab the Spin 15, flip the lid and if I was logged on before - my work is all right there with fresh battery. The battery doesn’t bleed out like Windows or suspend mode. And there is no lag when opening the lid to getting back to work - it’s just popping. Granted it’s not running the gazillion windows services and all the bells and whistles that comes with a full on PC; I DO NOT NEED THEM for what I’m doing on the Spin. I use this for dropbox, emails, Google Docs, Office 365, Youtube, Netflix, pictures; BASICS and low overhead applications. So this tablet does them all with absolute ease. I have really missed the touch screen since I don’t have the options on the Laptops I need to buy. The Chrome/Android is a Godsend for me in regards to having a break from the PC experience that dominates my work days. I don’t want to go there.. So, yes, Chrome is a lot of it and this machine serves it up well at a size that I LIKE. That being said, I am a bigger guy and my older eyes appreciate the large, soft screen. I have played with the various tablets and just not where I needed them to be with size and performance. ..I didn’t want to buy the smaller-than-I-wanted tablet, keyboard, case, etc.; just to settle for mediocrity. For me, this is MY fit.
On the plus side I digress about the multi user capabilities of Chrome. My family has access anytime they do use this. Logging in and out is seamless and my work/experience is never bothered. Everyone likes it in my house and we all have Google accounts anyhow.
The keyboard is adequate and feels good for me. Though I am sure there will be some who are missing the delete key or number pad or this or that. “It’s a Chrome Keyboard!” lol. So with a little getting used to I actually find the keys responses and tactile feel very comfortable for a few hours at a go, updating quotes, emails, etc…. I can work on this and there is no stress from lack of function and the ergonomics are not an issue.
Speakers are pretty amazing for a laptop, hence the weight. I am sure they could have saved a few ounces and did something smaller, but it is one of the advertised points and I do appreciate the audio capabilities when watching Youtube or similar for what they are. Are they going to rock the house? “No.” I do plug in to the line out jack for external speakers or use bluetooth speakers when appropriate. These are better than any tablet speakers and they are not external box powered speakers - “That happy medium.”
The Flip - I’ve read where a few people found the flip stiff or this or that. I don’t know what to compare this to in that regard or what someone may be expecting from a hinge for the display and keyboard. My 8 year old daughter hasn’t complained and I haven’t given any thought. It stays in what position I set it to and is not overly stiff by any means. It is cool to flip the keyboard and have a giant tablet in tablet mode. Maybe people are used to somethign a lot lighter and this could be a matter of getting used to? Again, not an issue for me.
On the sides you’ll find a power button, volume rocker, micro SD slot, two USB ports, two USB C ports, security lock connection and a headphone jack. What is cool is you can charge from either side with the provided high power USB C adapter. I have also charged on slow with a standard USB C that I use for my phone, (Takes a while longer and a message pops up.)
What’s not to like? Don’t get this if you like bigger or heavier than an IPad type device. There are a few glitches with Chrome integrations on any hardware platform; artifacts, specific apps, etc. None of these have been a show stopper for what I do. If you want to install a non-secure app, then there is a method on the internet on how to boot up the machine/wipe all your stuff out and put it in some sort of admin mode. I don’t need to. Again, for my apps and what I use - these are non - issues; everything is from the Play Store and integrates with no real issues for me. And the artifacting or occasional resizing issues are not show stoppers for me, its something you understand from the Chrome/Android limitations and working in a larger environment. “These are ongoing development software issues with Chrome and hardware integrators and everyone has them.” I am sure there are going to be somethings someone just does not like or not a fit for them.
Overall, for the price and bang for buck, I would absolutely go check one out. Get a feel for it and see if it’s for you. It has to be about a size and power thing. I wouldn’t do a Celeron and if you can afford to go with the 64GB memory, there is good reason to, (Many apps do not like to run from memory cards, etc.) Again, it is really a preference of size and capability. For the price and what it can do - it is a solid recommendation for that mid-point of suffering on the phone vs. getting the laptop out or PC fired up. The Spin 15 has my vote for this category and so far I am enjoying a well built machine with great features and surprisingly good battery life. “Go to the store and see for yourself.”