The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook released last year is going to be getting an update in early 2012. The current Samsung Series 5 Chromebook sells for $379.99 on Amazon.com. For those who don’t know, Chromebooks are basically laptops with Google’s Chrome OS instead of Windows installed. Chrome OS is all about working and storing in the cloud, so there’s a minimal amount of storage on a Chromebook itself and the OS is light weight and fast to start. Put simply, it’s like having a laptop with nothing but a Chrome browser installed.
So what’s new with the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook 2012 version? Not a whole lot to be honest, just an updated lid finish that is less shiny and glossy than the 2011 version and an Intel Celeron processor instead of Atom. Here are the known specs on the new Samsung Series 5 Chromebook:
- Processor: Intel Celeron
- Screen: 12.1-inch 300 nit display, 1280 x 800 resolution
- OS: Google Chrome
- Storage: 16GB SSD
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Weight: 3.2lbs
- Dimensions: 11.6 inches x 8.6 inches x 0.8 inches
- Ports: Two USB 2.0, 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
- Availability: June 2012
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Price: $399 for Wi-Fi only version, $449 with Verizon 3G and Wi-Fi
Unrelated to laptops, Samsung will also be releasing a desktop version they’re dubbing the Chromebox. The Samsung Series 3 Chromebox will have the exact same internal specs as the Series 5 Chromebook. However, it will include a wireless keyboard-and-mouse combo and also have more ports including five USB 2.0 sockets, DVI, DisplayPort and a headphone jack. The cost of the Series 3 Chromebox will be $399 and availability is also slated for June 2012.
It’s doubtful Samsung sold a whole lot of the Series 5 Chromebooks, it’s one of those devices that early adopters and geeks will love but the fact it’s so hard to print and has limited capabilities will deter the average consumer. You can read our review of the Acer AC700 Chromebook to get an idea of what the limitations are you run into with the Chrome OS. That said, if you’re looking for a cheap and portable laptop that’s only use will be to get on the web, it could be a good option as a secondary computer to a more fully fledged Windows or Mac computer.
They come in for a lot of stick… but the post is right, as a primary computer – a Chromebook is a no-no. As a secondary computer however, I think they’re great, particularly if you value portability and battery – as I do.
9 times out of 10, the first thing I hit when I power up my laptop, is the Chrome icon, so it’d be nice to start in Chrome.
Google should prioritise improving its Docs suite and the printing facility and then I’d definitely get one. Price could come down just a little too.
How can the screen be 12.1 inches when the dimensions max at 11.6 inches??
Hi Michael, the measurement of the screen is diagonal, not width. Laptop and TV screens are always measured and reported on the diagonal distance. You can see a diagram here: http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/chromebook/XE500C21-A01US-specs