Samsung - 11.6" Chromebook - Exynos 5 - 2GB Memory - 16GB Flash (eMMc) Memory - Silver

If you know what a Chromebook is and how it works, this is the most affordable of all of them. If you don't know what a Chromebook is, you need to understand that it doesn't quite work like a traditional machine. The differences are: * Your data is stored "in the cloud" (generally on Google Drive) * You're not using local apps like Microsoft Office or Pages or iPhoto, but web-based alternatives like Google Docs or Picnix. * Most "applications" are not full applications but simply a link which opens in the browser to bring up that app (Google does have a platform for deploying local apps now, so there should be more over time). To some this seems limiting, but really it's just different. I've been a Google Apps/Gmail user for a very long time and have given up on traditional locally installed bloatware and when I make new documents now, I just create them in Google Docs. I can share them directly from there, edit collaboratively, and include documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. in a screen sharing session with Google Hangout. Once you understand that a Chromebook is fundamentally different, there are some huge benefits to this: * Far less expensive hardware - it only has to be able to run a browser, not an office suite. Also, your data is not stored locally, so local storage is not as big of an issue. * Data safety. Yeah - all your data is held by Google now, but I trust Google more than I trust myself in a dark alley. * If my car is broken into and my laptop is stolen, I've lost $250. That's it. I haven't lost any data or an expensive laptop. When I unboxed the Chromebook, there were no real surprises. There's a small bit of paperwork on top (short Getting Started Guide, Registration card, etc.). The Chromebook itself was wrapped in static foam, and well packed in a foam form. Another cardboard box has the power supply. Signing onto the Chromebook for the first time is simple. It will ask for your wifi information, then look for any updates. These only took about 5 minutes initially to download and then I was able to sign on with my Google account. Links exist for Chrome, Gmail, Docs, Spreadsheets, Presentations, YouTube, Hangouts, Google+, Play Music, the Chrome App Store, and it even brought over apps I had already installed on my Chrome browser on my Mac. If you've used the Chrome browser before, you've used most of the functionality of a Chromebook. You print through Google Cloud Print. Apps install the same way. You can remote control a Windows or Mac machine with Chrome Remote Control (works really well on Chromebook).. Most of the "apps" don't start a new application window, but a new tab in Chrome. There is a file manager for managing local files. You only have 16GB of local space, so there's not really a big complicated file manager - basically two links on the left to Downloads (things you've downloaded through Chrome and screenshots get stored here) and Google Drive - all the stuff on your Google Drive. Items from there can be marked to be available offline. Unfortunately, you actually have to go into Google Drive to turn on Offline Docs and then only from the Drive interface is it possible to make specific docs (or all) available offline - you can't open them from the file manager in Offline Mode. You get 100GB of additional storage in Google Drive for 2 years.when you buy a Chromebook (only applies to a single Google user, so if you buy another Chromebook, you wouldn't get another 100GB).. That's a 119.76 USD value for free with a 250 USD laptop. Not too bad. Unfortunately, I had to hunt a bit to find the button to click to set that up. (Do a search for chromebook goodies). I've watched movies from an external drive on the Chromebook and the display is fine and the audio is good. It's not a high-quality multimedia machine, but if it's what you carry with you on a plane, it'll work alright. I've done Hangouts using the builtin mic and audio, and it recognized my USB headset/microphone right off the bat with no drivers, etc. to install. PROS: * Very simple to set up and use if you're a Google user already * Minimal financial impact if lost or stolen * Minimal data-loss impact if lost or stolen * 100GB free online storage for 2 years * Enough inputs for getting in audio/videos/photos (1 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, HDMI, TRRS (headphone/microphone), SD-card slot). * Wealth of familiar applications available online (some work offline as well). Google Docs does read MS Word/Excel, etc. Unfortunately does not read iWork formats. * Multi-touch touchpad has enough gestures I'm used to. * Always up-to-date CONS: * Some webpages are a little klunky * Using the Files interface, can't make Google Apps docs available offline. When in offline mode, can't open them from Files interface - have to use Google Drive and open from there. (Hope a future software update fixes this). * Some touchpad gestures I like aren't available (3-finger drag) * Netflix/Google have not yet worked out the DRM on this platform (hopefully soon) * Citrix Receiver only works if your enterprise has a particular setup. (Mine does not).

I think the biggest question that is asked when it comes to Chromebook is "Why do I need this?" There are a number of us that need a portable device that we can carry with us but require a notebook or laptop interface. Regardless of the advancement of tablets, nothing replaces the usefulness of a laptop when writing, editing and updating cloud based Documents, Social Media,a etc... Now you could spend well over $1000 for a small ultrabook but you should really consider how often you use native applications on your computer. Most of us unless we are playing a game or editing photos, videos or other media, never open any program on our computer other than a web browser. As computing moves more and more into cloud based application and storage, you have to rethink how you will accessing and using computers in the future. The trend is a "terminal" that access and uses the computing power of a much larger and more powerful computer. Ending the need to have that processing power and storage on your device. If you own a smart phone or other mobile device you are already doing this with just about everything you do on that device. Now is this a replacement for your desktop or laptop? Yes and no, it really depends on what you use it for and the biggest question is storage. With only 16gb of storage on board and even with the included 100gb of Google Drive Storage, it's limited not only in space but in the fact that the online storage is only for 2 years. If you have a great number of media files, you will need another machine to store the files or find another option. Many of you will think, external hard drive as I did but since you can not install native applications to your chromebook, if the hard drive is encrypted or compresses files and/or requires a application to open files, you are out of luck. I have a Western Digital 1t portable hard drive and there is no way at this time to unlock the drive or read the compressed files. Other than the storage question, you have to really consider whether you can work within the Chrome cloud. Before buying a Chromebook, I strongly suggest that you go to the Chrome Web Store and see if you can work within the applications and extensions that are available there. I think you may find it surprising how many useful web based applications there are. If they can replace your native applications, Chromebook will be a good choice for you. However if you need to run native applications for business or other purpose, you may find a Chromebook unusable. Though there is a remote access application that could be used to access your main machine when needed. When I was considering a Chromebook, I was looking for something that fit between the completely useful but often less portable and power sucking Sony Notebook and the frustratingly act of typing, editing, and portability of my Android Mobile device. I had considered a tablet but I need a real keyboard and not some after market plug in play keyboard. I needed something, I could carry with me, turn on and get to work, not unpack, boot up, and plug in plug and play add on. Mainly to update and maintain my Drupal and Word Press websites, write and edit content, and post to social media on the go. The Chromebook has met all these requirements. I have also tethered to my mobile phone for on the go access. The set up is quick, just sign into your google account and you are up and going within a minute or so. If you have ever bought an android phone, it is about the same. The UI is pretty straight forward though it will take a while to get used to some the touch pad gestures. I still find the two finger press that replaces the Windows right click a bit of a struggle from time to time. Performance wise, quick boot, and very responsive. Since everything is done in Chrome for the most part, there are issues from time to time when a number of tabs are open. I noticed that when I had my standard 6 or 7 tabs open, that when I switched back and forth often the pages would freeze or seem to be delayed. I'm not sure if this is a Chrome Browser problem or a memory problem. The build is plastic but for the cost and the weight, I think it is a far trade, I found the keyboard comfortable and responsive but some key locations take a while to get used to. If you want to bend and flex the case for some unknown reason, there is flex but this is a $250 machine and it feels a lot better than a majority of the Laptops in the same price. All of the jacks are tight fitting. If I was going to replace anything it would be the low grade webcam. I haven't tried to plug the plug and play cam I have but since it needs an application, I think it won't work so you are stuck with it. Also under the Google terms, you can not upgrade or change the OS. Google will brick the device if you change the hardware or alter the OS. Useful for you if: You always have access to a wifi connection. There is a 3g model for additional cost. You do a majority of your online activity through a browser. You can work with only cloud storage or can deal with the limited storage provided or expanded with SD or external memory like a flash drive. You find the Google applications and extensions useful. I highly suggest installing applications and extensions on your current machine to get a feeling for weather you can live with them. You need a light, quick booting machine to use for media consumption and activity that is handled through a browser. Not going to play PC Games that require native applications. You need a small portable device with a keyboard and 6 hours of battery life. You would like to stream video or presentations through HDMI. You would like to video chat using gtalk and Google + Hangout and don't mind the low resolution of the built in camera. If you want a secure and automatically updated OS. Not Useful for You: If you are going to be without aces to a wifi connection. If you need to use a lot of native applications. If you need access to a large media achieve stored on your machine. If you need functions that are not found in Google applications and extensions. If you need to have files that are encrypted or only stored off line. I'm sure there are work around but I could not get the Chromebook to read files off of my encrypted external hard drive. If you need an optic drive to access files or watch DVD/Bluray disc. There is no optic drive. It goes without say that you can not burn files to disc either. If you are going to want to play PC games that require a native application or a disc to play. If you are going to need uses that is longer than 6 hours without charging. Since the battery is not removable, you can't carry a spare with you. If you would like to stream quality video. If you would like to upgrade your machines. Google does not allow upgrades. In fact it will brick the device if you change the hardware. Comparing the new ARM Chromebook to Apple Macbook Air 11.6":- PRICE: Macbook=$999 Chromebook=$249 DISPLAY: 11.6-inch 1366x768 for both. STORAGE: Macbook= 64GB Flash SSD Chromebook= 16GB Flash SSD ($50 extra for 64GB Flash SD card to take this up to 80GB) PROCESSOR: Macbook= 1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Chromebook= 1.7GHz dual-core ARM A-15 Cortex RAM MEMORY: Macbook= 4GB DDR3 Chromebook = 2GB DDR3 SIZE AND WEIGHT: Macbook= 11.8 in x 7.56 in x 0.68 in. Weight 2.38 lb Chromebook= 11.4 in x 8.09 in x 0.69 in. Weight 2.43 lb GRAPHICS: Macbook Air= Intel HD Graphics 4000 integrated graphics Chromebook= ARM Mail T604 high end integrated graphics RESOLUTION: 1366x768 on built-in display, up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display for both VIDEO OUT: Macbook= Mini DisplayPort (requires purchase of adapter for HDMI) Chromebook= HDMI port USB: Macbook= 2 USB 3.0 ports Chromebook= 1 USB 3.0 port + 1 USB 2.0 port WIRELESS: Macbook= 802.11 a/b/g, Bluetooth 4.0 Chromebook= 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 KEYBOARD & TRACKPAD: Full size keyboard and oversize multi-touch trackpad for both BATTERY: Macbook=5 hours continuous use Chromebook=6.5 hours continuous use and ultra low standby consumption. I wrote a blog about the first week with the Samsung Chromebook that goes a great deal more into the daily uses, limitations and usefulness of the Chromebook. If you are wishing for more detail feel free to contact me.

So I've been asked after having messed with a Chromebook for the past month I got asked to write a review on my personal blog. Well I can honestly say there's a few things that bug me, so lets break it down like a game review, and see what it needs. This is for the Samsung Chromebook weighing in at 249.99 in price, or if like me finding it on sale, and giving it a whirl. In many ways I wish I had the extra cash for a Surface RT due to versatility and well the screen, but it has its drawbacks too, and one is the 70+ USD keyboard/touch-pad. Final Thoughts: Would appreciate the Chromebook OS a lot more if I could truly take it as a competitive end against lower end laptops and PCs, but at this moment I still have my doubts, or haven't learned all the tips and tricks quite yet. The biggest complaint, the desktop based access for apps is still limited, but slowly expanding. For those wanting what I need, a on-the-go access to the internet, an access to my cloud storage for documents at any time, this is a wonderful piece of machinery. When it comes to wanting an all around pc-tablet like experience, you're better off with the iPad, Kindle Fire HD, Android based tablets, or the Windows Surface RT mini-computer/tablets. The Chromebook seems focused on staying recognized as a on-the-go worker computer. For writers, college students, and high school students this is perfect. Comes with a built-in virus scanner, etc. The system wipe? Well that was very easy, lightning fast, and deleted any of my offline content faster than I downloaded it. When it comes to needing a secondary PC, something just for my journalism I have kept eyeballing the Google Chromebook, something that has been the hype on twitter among writers, why though? Well now that I've had my hands on it I've come to understand this question and the answer is simple - accessibility. When it comes to accessing your files, Google Drive is lightning fast as a cloud-based system, one which allowed me to grab my article on while Capcom is going broke, have it loaded and ready to publish in seconds. This has become amazing, but sadly it's something that Microsoft has only begun to do, they need to catch up quickly, Google is seeking to make ease-of-access their focus. With the OS I was excited to see after having accessed log-in I was able to instantly click my email, sync it, and of course check it offline once the messages were downloaded. I was even able to respond to the emails from PR members of the gaming companies I review games from and of course work with for information based on upcoming releases. This was very welcomed as was the ease of access to saving pictures once I learned how to save and of course access my downloaded content, which was a bit of a learning curve, and something that should just be explained by them on the get go. Now that we've got the ease-of-access written down its start to digging quickly into this OS itself and seeing what it comes down to very quickly. When it comes down to the Chromebook, I was quickly amazed by it, and booted up within seconds. I was up and going literally in less than 15 seconds, logging in, and accessing the internet. I was on Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, and of course Google Drive in all of under a minute. You may ask how this is possible, and it's because of Google's cloud based focus. After getting set-up by choosing language, keyboard, and of course an internet so it could connect; it asked for my Gmail account and password. Once logged in I was getting myself up and ready to go. Adjusting the settings was awkward since it is literally done through the Google Chrome browser settings. Okay so it was awkward, still is, and is making me scratch my head. Why didn't they go the Linux type route or simply use the Android OS for this? Well guess that's the idea when calling your product line the "Chromebook". Though what is astonishing is the constant updating, tweaking, and work they add for this thing to function better and better than before. With the update last night my online browsing compatibility has gone up, especially with Java script, and of course Flash based sites. Lets not forget, almost everything uses Java and of course Flash these days, don't be surprised by this since even your phone uses both. Feeling acquainted with Google Chrome, which reminds me of Ubuntu Linux, I was off. Downloading apps, browsing the internet, and well scratching my head wondering why I am complaining or seemingly complain; lets just say I'm more of a Windows guy and prefer some if not more at times. I've still been trying to figure out if Google will have dashboard based apps for instant messaging, video chat, and have a better Skype compatibility, which is doubtful since Microsoft owns the product. With that being noted, I decided to try hang outs and call my mom, well that didn't work. Instead Google wanted to set-up billing even though my moms on an android based product, and has chatted with me before, this stumped me; did Google really just slap me and try and take my lunch money? Yes they did and I just left my head hanging realizing this was not going to go over well. Once having wrapped my head around Googles trick, I decided it was time to at least try and get where I could try the Facebook video chat, and went for it. Wait, it doesn't work on Chrome? This can't be right. Well it is, Google wants you to use their in-house app, Hangouts, they want you to try it out, pay for the service if your friends and family aren't Google+ members, which is stupid. That was a low blow that left my gut aching. Why would Google do this in an age where even Microsoft, Linux, and Mac offer these programs across multiple platforms including tablets? That answer is still up in the air. I hope Google will at least take notes from their mistakes and go to the Android route of allowing app based hard drive installs. Though that may mean Google would heighten security risks and this is something they pride themselves on with Google Chromebook's versatility; Safety and ease-of-access. Sorry to say Google, you just punched yourself, and this is something where Surface owners can feel they are secure in solidifying their choice for video chat as well as a range of it. For those wondering, as of today I was able to download a few offline and out-of-browser apps, which was great. Problem? One of them bugged out and was removed, perhaps it'll get an update, and fix it. Aside from that they even added an offline virtual DJ app, which was quite fun, and cool. Though this computer not being a powerhouse, I expected some FPS lag or slowed reaction time, and got neither. Very well done Google. Now lets really get into the hardware. When it comes to Samsung I was welcomed with a 11.6'' based screen, something similar to many tablets, which makes this ultra-light, ultra-portable, and of course easy to hide when commuting between classes or needing to go across campus while not wanting to lug around an extra 4-5 pounds on your back. This would be an excellent choice weighing in at around 1.4 pounds. The keyboard to some of you will also remind you of the Apple keyboards, and you're right, it does. The keyboard itself does not feel cheap, instead it feels strong and reliable, this however does not mean go smash it against the wall, you'll shatter this thing with ease. We wouldn't want that right? The other nice part is it supports 802.11 b/g/n and also supports portable hard drives, disc drives, and anything else you can imagine. The media player however, it is spotty, and needs polish before I can take it seriously. The oddest part? Much like the Apple computers there is not a left click, instead users will have to adjust to left and right click being their right click for copying, pasting, and of course opening new browsers, deleting apps, etc. It's a hassle that can be eliminated with a cheap USB mouse. The sound its strong, powerful, and of course plays HD video and music in amazing quality.

PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS COMMENT BEFORE YOU BUY THIS CHROMEBOOK!!! This Chromebook is basically a glorified tablet. Pro: This Chromebook is very light, has a great design, and it's extremely convenient. This is one of the lightest non-mini laptops I've held which is helpful when you have to carry it around a lot. The design it awesome looking and the keyboard is definitely one of the best keyboards I've used on a laptop. This is a very convenient laptop to have. The internet is easily accessible and fast. Even when I have 5 windows open and 8 tabs on each page, my Chromebook would still be fast (that's pretty cool :) Really bad Con: Offline use is very limited, unless you have a lot of offline games, music, movies, shows, and whatever else you like that can somehow fit into 16GB of internal storage. I haven't had my Chromebook a full year yet and I already had to get the battery and motherboard replaced for reasons unknown to BestBuy's Geeksquad. I got this Samsung Chromebook 11.6'' laptop for my birthday last year in March. Around October 2013 I started experiencing problems. For some unknown reason my Chromebook would randomly shut off from time to time. Within the first month of this happening the shut-offs were rare. After the first month it was happening more often and totally unexpected. Around the end of December my Chromebook would shut-off at least 5 times within an hour. Finally I got fed up with it so I took my Chromebook, the charger, and my laptop case to BestBuy. I dropped my things off almost 2 weeks ago, around the 19th of this month. I just picked it up today, trying to figure out what was wrong with it. Apparently the place they shipped it of to ( I got a call about 1 week ago from BestBuy saying they had to ship it off to another location to be fixed) had to replace the battery and the motherboard. When I asked why so much had to be done for a Chrombook that was supposedly guaranteed they told me "Replaced motherboard and battery to resolve issues with unit powering on and charging. Unit passed all hardware tests and meets factory specs. TM19 SC/11470." This was the service order repair comments sheet explaining what happened to my Chromebook. When I asked why this happened the agent I talked with said I don't know, and they couldn't give me a guarantee that it wouldn't happen again. The agent I spoke with told me that if it happens again, and it shouldn't, to bring it back immediately. My warranty on my Chromebook runs out late March so even if I bring it back to be fixed if something should happen to it, my warranty won't cover it. I was under the impression that because they replaced it with a new motherboard and a new battery the warranty for it would be new but apparently my old warranty (1 year warranty I got last March) is the only warranty active. This makes no sense, and Geeksquad couldn't give me an answer as to why the random shut offs were happening and why I don't have a new manufacturers warranty for the things they supposedly fixed. Hopefully I won't experience any more problems from my Chromebook because overall it's a pretty good secondary laptop. If you decided to buy a Chromebook get as many warranties as possible. If you experience any problems take it to BestBuy right away and make sure you get all the documents concerning your Chromebook, chose the safe route! Would I buy this product again? No

After a few years of watching the Chromebook's development, I decided to finally take the "Pepsi Challenge", and have been thoroughly satisfied after over a month’s worth of use. Boot and wake times are, in purely technical terms, exactly what Google says they are, but from a user's perspective go almost unnoticed. This is a good thing. The boot and wake times are so low I don't notice them, or if I do, it's only to think how nice of a change it is to have something boot this quickly. The Chromebook’s body is attractive, but the plastic used by Samsung seems a bit flimsy at times. The Chromebook has held together, though, and I don’t see any sign that it could break from normal use any time soon. The island-style keyboard is delightful to type on, but the lack of a “delete” seems a bit strange. It doesn’t take long, though, to get used to using “Backspace” exclusively. Another strange omission/replacement is the search key in the place of the former “Caps Lock” key. Soon after buying the Chromebook, I changed the function of this key back to Caps. There are no F-keys at the top, instead being replaced by useful keys dedicated to simple browser functions, brightness, volume, and screen switching. The trackpad is smooth and accurate. Its multi-touch support is convenient and fluid. Speakers aren’t the best in the world, but do produce clear audio. The desktop environment is minimal but exactly what it needs to be. There are no desktop shortcuts, but there is a "Files" folder containing only two sub-folders: downloads and Google Drive (inserting external media creates folders in the same way folders appear in Windows). Downloads is exactly what you'd expect. Clicking office files in the Google Drive folder opens them in Google Docs. Clicking image, audio, and media files open them in Google's on-board file apps. iTunes music works, but be sure to play songs from the downloads folder, not the Drive folder. Video playback for files saved to the Chromebook’s hard drive is smooth and easy. A Chrome shortcut and an apps launcher come pre-pinned to the taskbar, and other apps can also be pinned to the taskbar a la Windows or Mac. Simply put, it’s easy to find your way around the Chromebook. However, it’s likely you will spend most of your Chromebook time in the browser. See, aside from basic media file-launching, everything on the Chromebook is done in the Chrome browser. This may sound rather limiting, but it isn’t. Google made a bet that just about everything you do on a computer is done in a browser, and if it isn’t, they can find a way to put that task or activity there. The Chrome browser works exactly as it does in Windows or Mac. Browsing is fluid and snappy. Google should also be commended for finding an excellent balance between screen real estate and readability. Open the same web page in Chromebook and on a similarly-sized netbook and you’ll see what I mean. All apps (aside from the few built-in) open directly in the browser. For example, opening the browser, email, and Drive links from the taskbar opens all three in different tabs of the same Chrome window. This does simplify workflow a bit (everything you’re working on has a tab at the top of the screen), but this can be a little overwhelming when you’re working in multiple docs, on a course page, in Gmail, and various other web sites all at the same time. Being able to open different instances of the Chrome browser for each task, or opening programs like Drive or Gmail in separate, modified browser windows would be very helpful. The tab bar can get a little cluttered, but this is by no means inconvenient. I teach at a community college, so things like ease of access, portability, and usability are important to me, and it is in these areas that the Chromebook truly shines. I can work on/modify a lecture on my office computer, shut it down, grab my Chromebook, walk to class, and find everything I need in its place and ready to go. No more printing, flash drives, etc. I can teach, manage my courses’ Moodle pages, etc. on the fly directly from my Chromebook. Of course, that can be done on any laptop, but Drive and Docs is an incredibly useful tool for both stationary and on-the-go document work. Google Drive was the main reason I waited so long to try Chromebook. I previously used Box.com and had 50gb free storage with them, and so was naturally hesitant to give that up. In my previous, and admittedly brief, attempts at using Google Drive, I refused to change my documents to Google’s proprietary file formats. This meant that to make changes, I would have to download the file, open it in MS Office, make the changes, save, upload, and delete the old file. Tedious. But since forcing myself to change all my file formats to Google Docs format, my work life has become so much simpler. Changes are made directly in the browser and save automatically. The most convenient feature of Drive is the ability to “download as”. Since I run a paper-free classroom, I provide assignment descriptions etc. in digital file format through Moodle. Before Chromebook, I would download a file from Box.com, open it in Office, save as *.rtf (for worksheets) or *.pdf (for lectures, assignment descriptions, and anything else I didn’t want students to be able to modify), upload to Moodle, delete the file from the desktop, etc. Now, with Drive, I simply right-click, “download as” the needed file, and go on about my day. The conversion from Google format to Microsoft Office or PDF format has been faithful and accurate to the original. The only downside is that when first converting from Office to to Drive, you may have to modify your files somewhat, though this only needs to be done once. Grading is now amazing simple as well. I just download essays from Moodle, upload to Drive, grade, download, resubmit to Moodle. The previous process was incredibly time-consuming. What’s more is that my grading is now portable. No more worrying about needing special software on whatever computer I’m using. Many advertisers claim electronics will simplify your life. Chromebook is the only computer I’ve ever used to actually do that. You will get a lot from a Chromebook - much more than you’d expect - but you have to be willing to embrace both Drive and and Google Docs file formats. Outside of running any highly specialized software, the Chromebook can do more than everything you need from a general-use computer. Just make sure you have WiFi.

Google has been working on their Chrome OS powered laptops for a few years now and while it has taken them awhile to finally get something worth purchasing to market, they've finally managed it with the help of Samsung and Acer. In the Samsung 3, Samsung has managed to include just enough components to make it a great machine, while cutting where they needed to in order to make the machine affordable. If you haven't done much research on the Chrome operating system that powers the Chromebook, it is essentially the Chrome web browser. If you're wondering what a chromebook is like, go home and install Chrome on your current computer and try to only work within the Chrome environment: chromebooks offer this same functionality. Traditional programs you might enjoy like Microoft Office, Adobe Reader, and Photoshop simply don't run on the Chromebook. However, anything you can do within a web browser can be done on the chromebook and as you'll come to discover this is actually quite a lot. For instance, Google Drive's productivity programs: a word processor, spreadsheet, and slideshow program can all be used on the chromebook. Best of all this doesn't cost anything so you'll have all you need to write papers, letters, essays, and other such things included with the machine. The chromebook does require a constant internet connection and without an ethernet port on this model, Samsung and Google are assuming that you have regular access to a wireless hotspot. These are fairly ubiquitous in most households now but it is a point to consider if some of your networking solutions at home are a little old fashioned. In short - if you don't have regular wireless access to the internet, the chromebook is probably not for you. It boasts some features locally, such as the ability to work on documents through Google Drive (Chrome OS automatically syncs these files so when you lose your connection you can continue to work until your connection is restored) and a media player for any music and videos you feel the need to store on the machine itself. Storage is at a premium, however, with only 16 GB of onboard storage space. Fortunately Google throws in 100 GB of storage on Google Drive for two years for free with the computer. The basic file manager included in Chrome makes it fairly easy to move files between your local storage and your Google Drive account (the "Cloud") and while this is probably quite different from how you are used to using a computer, it works surprisingly well. Chromebooks are definitely not for everyone. I mainly use my computer for entertainment (web browsing, music, videos) and very light writing. In this capacity, the Chromebook fills my needs perfectly. If you are looking to do more demanding work like heavy photo editing, a Chromebook is probably not for you at this point. The Samsung 3 boasts excellent battery life (6+ hours), light weight, a terrific keyboard, and lightning fast boot times (thanks to the 16 GB SSD it uses as local storage). Throw in an HDMI out, a couple of USB ports and an SD card slot (if 16GB locally just isn't enough) and this is an amazing package for $250. I was amazed by how portable it truly was. Carrying a 2.4 lb laptop is a lot less trouble than some of the monsters I used to own. The touchpad is also relatively easy to use, abandoning the two-button setup of older touchpads, in favor of a clickable pad that responds to two-finger touch in order to right click on the screen. As wit hall laptop touchpads however, you might wish to consider a wireless optical mouse. The Chromebook supports bluetooth (though compatibility is poor right now), though I stuck with a traditional wireless mouse with USB dongle. The one flaw in an otherwise perfect machine is the absolutely hideous screen. Unless you're looking right at it, you can barely see it and even then everything is washed out. Unfortunately it is still a $250 laptop and at that price point, you simply don't get a few luxuries. Nevertheles, I would argue the 3 is currently the premier chromebook but Acer's C7 is also worth a look at. It has a much slower conventional hard drive (with a ridiculous 320 GB of storage, way more than you'd ever need locally on a Chromebook) but power users will be very intrigued by the hardware and software mods that can be done to the Acer. If you're looking for a low cost web-capable machine that can handle your media content and do light school/office work then a chromebook is certainly worth considering.

The new Chromebook is a refined version of the Samsung 5 550 I. Its smaller, lighter,just as fast and cheaper. The new Chromebook incorporates the new Arm Processor which offer lightening fast web browsing (the Arm processor is usually found in tablets and cell phones). Weighing in at 2.5 pounds and .8 inches thick, the Chromebook is the new Standard for Netbooks world wide. The Chrombook runs on the new Chrome O/S and has an amazing fast boot up speed of 7 SECONDS! The Chromebook also has built in virus protection which updates automatically every 6 weeks, so you don't have to worry about getting that annoying prompt on the bottom right side of your laptop to "Update your laptop". So essentially the Chromebook gets better over time. There is also no fan in the Chromebook, this is due to the Arm Processor, so this netbook is virtually silent. The best part of the laptop is the Cloud computing aspect. Google really went all out with this one, the Chromebook has16 gigs of local hard drive memory, But essentially unlimited cloud hard drive space ($0.10 a gig). But with the purchase of the new Chromebook Google is offering 100 Gigs for free, so you really don't have to worry about paying for "cloud space". Google's Cloud Computing is also great because, all my files are backed up in the cloud, so in the unfortunate event that my Chromebook gets stolen I still have access to all my files! However this Laptop is not for everyone. It is a great second or third laptop that would be good for college students, business men, kids, people who don't use big programs like "photoshop", as well as anyone else who simply uses their laptop to surf the web, check email, write documents, ect. If you are looking for a Laptop to play Big games like Skyrim, Battlefield, Call of Duty, Or any main stream game this is not the Laptop for you. Or if you use A lot of computer aided photo editing programs, this is not the laptop for you! people should also keep in mind that they cannot download ANYTHING to this laptop! Everything must be done through the Chrome web store! I currently own both the Samsung 550I and the new $249 Chromebook. I can tell you right now that you cannot go wrong with either of them. However I also own a standard PC desktop in which I use to play video games, uses Photoshop, Downloads movies and watch TV. As a college student the Chromebook provides me with a super fast, light weight, portable laptop that provides me with the utmost satisfaction. I also have no worries about my laptop being stolen. Worse comes to worse I am out $249 but all my files are backed up in the Google Servers. Google documents is also a great free alternative to Microsoft Office "And its free". All in all the Chromebook is a great laptop that deeply satisfies my needs.

This is a great laptop. I was a little worried about buying one but my concerns are mostly behind me. I first tried the laptop at Best Buy but it pales in comparison to actually using it. When I used it at Best Buy I had two main problems. The response on the laptop was slow. It was hard to maneuver with the trackpad. The second was how long it took for the sites to load. When I got home with the laptop that I purchased I did not see either one of these issues. I would guess that the overall responsiveness of the laptop was slow because of to many extensions running. That is just a guess at the issue. I ran a speed test on the laptop to test the internet connection which is probably what made the sites take longer to load (along with the overall slow response). The speed test on Best Buy's open network varied greatly and the latency was over 200. I expect that made the experience slower for me. Now here is a list of other things that I was concerned about. Downloading Torrents Playing online videos -Vudu -Hulu -Netflix Using PGP to protect my emails. Well, most of these concerns have been cleared up. I have found from a quick Google search that I can enable developer mode to be able to use a bittorrent client. I have not done this yet but it is possible to do. I have successfully played video from both Vudu and Hulu. I was concerned that Vudu would not work even though the Google Rep. told me it would. It works pretty well. Sometimes it stops inexplicably but it works. Hulu worked really well with no problem at all until last night when now I am getting some flash error that will not let it play (still looking into this). Netflix is not yet available but they are working on support for it. There is a really nice plugin for enabling PGP for GMail in Google Chrome. So far it has not worked but I have faith in the developer to get it to work for this iteration of Chrome as well. Internet browsing is really great. I have had a nice experience with this laptop. I have had no problems with it other than the ones noted. I read another review that criticized it for having a plastic body that squeaked when he used it and the head phone jack being toward the back of the machine. These two things made no difference to me. I don't have any problems with the plastic case and have not had it squeak on me. I also found no issue with the head phone jack being near the rear of the machine. If you want to use this machine for other things besides what the limited operating system can do, you have the option of enabling developer mode and installing a costume Google Chrome OS or another OS altogether without voiding your warranty. Overall I am very happy with this laptop. The performance, capability, ease of use, and value are outstanding. The fast boot and light weight make this awesome. The only thing that I really don't like about it is it didn't come with bacon. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment and I will try to answer you as best as possible.