But that’s not all. The Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the first laptop to feature Google’s new quick insert key. This is a physical key that takes up the space that was used to hold the launcher key. Press this to instantly access emojis, GIFs, clipboard, recent links and document shortcuts. It’s also integrated with Google Drive, so you can search for anything. You can also ask Gemini AI to help you write directly from the pop-up menu.
It’s a nice addition, but if you’ve been using your Chromebook for a while, you should remember to use it consciously. I mainly used it as a GIF or emoji key, but it’s also a great way to quickly access your browsing history. Given my job, it’s hard to evaluate the usefulness of having an AI writing assistant available at the press of a key, but I’ve found it useful for students and professionals working on presentations and emails.
Photo: Daniel Thorpe-Lancaster
The big feature that Samsung touts on the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is its battery life, which it claims lasts up to 13 hours on a single charge. I didn’t hit that number during normal use, but I frequently logged 9-11 hours depending on what I was doing. Samsung sent me a review unit with a European charging brick, so I can’t speak to its fast charging capabilities. However, my Anker charger was able to fully charge it in about 1.5 hours.
What’s the one big weakness of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus? It’s a mid-range speaker, which is shared with many other Chromebooks. Both have a downward sound, and no matter what you listen to, the sound will be quite thin. Given the overall thickness of the laptop, this is an acceptable sacrifice to me, but worth noting if it’s a deciding factor in your laptop choice. If sound quality is important to you, bring suitable wireless headphones, earbuds, or computer speakers.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a unique option in the current Chromebook space. Despite the thin and light design, Samsung has taken the time to deliver the experience with little sacrifice. For $700, it’s a great buy for anyone who wants a premium clamshell Chromebook that can be easily taken anywhere. Notably, there’s no touchscreen and the clamshell design won’t be for everyone. If you want a 2-in-1 design or pen-and-ink functionality, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 gives you a similarly premium experience for about the same price.
