Samsung's gleaming crimson Galaxy Chromebook 2 has been on the market for nearly a year. Its latest attempt at this item is currently on sale, and it's something a little different.
As far as I can tell, the new Galaxy Chromebook 2 is not quite as red as its predecessor. (It's in black and white, and it's rather lovely.) It does, however, offer a 360-degree hinge and a lower starting price of $429.99, making it a more...practical purchase on numerous levels.
With a 12.4-inch screen, it's still a touch smaller than its predecessor, which had a 13.3-inch screen. However, because of its aspect ratio and resolution, it should be able to display more than other displays of this size. The increased vertical area allows for greater scrolling and multitasking than a normal low-cost Chromebook, while the higher resolution allows for crisper text and images. Larger, clearer writing is especially beneficial to students with visual impairments or learning difficulties, so a screen like this is one method for schools to invest in accessibility.
The Chromebook 2 360's specifications include 4GB of RAM, 64GB or 128GB of eMMC storage, and a 45.5Wh battery. (The extra storage, which is only $20 more, is a must-have.) All of this is driven by an Intel Celeron N4500 CPU — "Celeron" would be an off-putting term to read in a Windows laptop article, but Chrome OS performs considerably better on slower processors than Windows.
Two USB-C ports, one USB 3.2 Type-A port, one microSD slot, one combination audio jack, one nano security slot, and an optional nano-SIM card round out the ports. In my opinion, the 360 wins since the more costly Galaxy Chromebook 2 lacks the USB-A port.
This appears to be little more than a "Galaxy Chromebook 2" in name alone. It doesn't resemble its predecessor in any way. However, it does appear to be a notch or two finer than the standard (ugly and ancient) gadgets seen in school laptop carts, and it almost likely will provide a better viewing experience (an area where schools should be investing). Durability is, of course, a crucial feature of any student laptop, and while we can't tell from the photos, prior Galaxy Chromebooks have been well-made.
With the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 and Microsoft's new Surface Laptop SE, this year is shaping up to be a year where PC manufacturers better renowned for luxury products try their hand at education. As computers become increasingly integral to the classroom experience, it's opening up some fascinating possibilities for schools. Perhaps the age of the stereotypically ugly and sluggish school laptop cart is coming to an end — but how many schools choose to purchase these fancy-screened machines will determine that.