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Chromebook

The Best Big Screen Chromebook Is On Sale Now
Gaming Gear

The Best Big Screen Chromebook Is On Sale Now

by admin


Back to school is always a great time to pick up a deal on a new laptop for the upcoming semester, and the Asus CX15 Chromebook is available at Walmart for $159. It may not be the fanciest option, but it has a sizable screen and a full keyboard with a numpad, all for less than the cost of a new textbook. If you’re just looking for a no-frills Chromebook for occasional web-based work and a slightly larger display, this is a great deal.

Photograph: Luke Larsen

When it comes to performance, the CX15 isn’t terribly exciting, with an Intel Celeron N4500 and 4 GB of memory. Fortunately, that should be fine for regular note-taking, email sending, and essay editing, with most of that work happening in your browser anyway. The extra-large 15-inch screen is great for putting two windows next to each other while getting some work done, or for watching a movie in the evening, even if the color accuracy isn’t the best.

The Chromebook CX15 is available in two colors, a classic and professional Pure Gray as well as a more fun and friendly Fabric Blue. Both feature the full-size keyboard, which is going to make writing out long paragraphs more comfortable, and the full numpad for you math and science nerds out there. The touchpad isn’t our favorite, with some occasional clunkiness, but you could do a lot worse for the price.

It has only 120 GB of internal storage, which is fairly common for Chromebooks, because it’s expected you’ll lean heavily on Google’s cloud storage options. To that end, the Asus Chromebook CX15 includes three months of the Google One AI Premium Plan, which includes 2 TB of cloud storage as well as a variety of AI-enhanced tools. You’ll also get three months of YouTube Premium, which gives you an ad-free experience while watching videos and listening to music.

If the Asus Chromebook CX15 isn’t speaking to you, there are several other deals currently running on some of our other favorite Chromebooks. We’ve also put together a list of our favorite back-to-school laptop deals if you’re specifically looking for a new laptop to bring to class or the library.



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Google and Lenovo Created the 'Most Advanced Chromebook Plus Yet'
Gaming Gear

Google and Lenovo Created the ‘Most Advanced Chromebook Plus Yet’

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Hot on the heels of Google I/O, the company’s annual developer conference, Google is rolling out updates to ChromeOS and a new flagship laptop to showcase them: the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14. Designed to help take advantage of AI software like Gemini and NotebookLM, the new Chromebook Plus has some impressive specs for a $650 laptop.

Not just dirt-cheap and simple devices for the absolute basics, there are Chromebooks among some of the best laptops currently available. I don’t doubt that when I get done testing this new Lenovo, it’ll join them.

About the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14

Lenovo’s latest Chromebook Plus looks and feels like a premium laptop, but it’ll start at only $650 when it arrives in late June. Spending an extra $100 gets you more RAM, twice the storage and a touchscreen. Google says it’s the first Chromebook Plus to run on an Arm chip and the first ever to use the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra chip. That should not only give it good AI performance but extraordinary battery life — up to 17 hours. 

  • MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chip (50 TOPS)
  • 12GB ($650) or 16GB ($750) of RAM 
  • 128GB or 256GB UFS 4.0 storage
  • 14-inch, 1,920×1,200-pixel OLED (touchscreen available)
  • Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
  • 2x USB-C (5Gbps, DisplayPort 1.4 support), USB-A (5Gbps), 3.5mm combo jack
  • Starts at 2.6 pounds (1.2 kilograms)
  • 5-megapixel webcam with dual mics and privacy shutter
  • Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support
  • Fingerprint reader option

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 will also have two exclusive on-device AI features. Smart grouping will scan your current open tabs and documents and use AI to recommend organizing them into logical groups. For example, if you’re planning a trip or organizing an event, it’ll be able to suggest a grouping of all the relevant information you have open. 

The other exclusive feature is image editing straight from the Gallery app. It’ll add advanced AI options like removing backgrounds or creating stickers. 

AI updates for ChromeOS

Google also announced new features that will roll out to Chromebook Plus models starting today. The most helpful for me is the addition of select to search and text capture. Just like Circle to Search, you’ll be able to highlight a picture or text and get instant Google search results. Text capture can be used similarly to pull data into Google Workspace apps or calendars. 

Google

The Quick Insert key, which first appeared last year on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, lets you easily get contextual writing help. Now, you’ll be able to highlight text and generate AI images based on that text. For example, I wrote an email about a Fourth of July barbecue, highlighted the text, and it produced a flyer for the event (packed with typos, but still). 

The other big addition is that NotebookLM will come installed on every Chromebook Plus. It’s an AI tool can ingest complex materials like research papers and help simplify them. You can then ask it questions like a chatbot, but the answers only come from the information you’ve given it. It can even generate a podcast from it. 

Every Chromebook Plus includes one year of Google’s AI Pro plan, which really lets you sink into Google Gemini AI, including its Veo 3 AI video generator. Just don’t get too attached, unless you’re willing to pay $240 once the first year ends. 



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Acer Chromebook Plus 514 open on desk with pink background
Product Reviews

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: a fast machine with a great display and a sleek design

by admin



Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Two-minute review

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 has some strong specs that make it suitable for all kinds of workloads. For a 14-inch device, it has a rather slender and light frame. The lid material also looks premium and is outlined with a gloss rim that adds a touch of elegance.

The keyboard looks cheaper by comparison but, still, it feels built to a sufficiently high standard. The touchpad is better on this front, with its smooth finish and solid construction.

The Chromebook Plus 514 has two USB-A and two USB-C ports, which helps to make it a practical machine to live with. It also has an HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack, both of which are also welcome additions – but it’s a slight shame there’s no SD card slot of any kind.


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In action, the Chromebook Plus 514 is quite impressive, even compared to some of the best Chromebooks. It handled most tasks I threw at it with admirable composure. Multitasking is also possible, as it can switch between apps with speed and takes multiple browser tabs in its stride. However, fan noise is certainly noticeable when workloads become demanding, but thankfully I didn’t find it disruptive; the same goes for the mild heat it produces.

It also has some impressive gaming performance, allowing me to play mobile games with high settings and frame rates. It also streams 4K content without stuttering or buffering.

(Image credit: Future)

Such content is even more of a joy to experience thanks to the excellent WUXGA display in my unit, which is very clear and sharp with plenty of contrast. Colors are also rendered vibrantly, although perhaps not quite to the degree of some of the best Chromebook displays.

Typing on the Chromebook Plus 514 is pleasant enough, with the well-spaced keys and relatively long travel helping with feedback, although the lack of dampening can make it feel a little unrefined at times. The touchpad, although large, didn’t get in the way when hammering away at the keys, and it’s also easy to use thanks to its large size and smooth texture.

The battery life of the Chromebook Plus 514 is reasonable, lasting about eight and a half hours according to our tests. This is better than some of its competitors, but there are others that can beat it on this front.

With a starting price of $399 / £399 (about AU$560), the Chromebook Plus 514 sits in the middle of the Chromebook Plus market, but when you consider its performance for a Chromebook and sharp display, it’s certainly a device worth considering for work and play.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Price and availability

  • $399 / £399 (about AU$560)
  • Available now with multiple configurations
  • Middle of the Chromebook Plus market

The Chromebook Plus 514 starts from $399 / £399 (about AU$560) and is available in two colorways: Iron and Silver. Various configurations are possible, including a choice between Intel or AMD hardware and Full HD or WUXGA displays.

This is a mid-range price for a Chromebook Plus. It’s cheaper than the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, for instance, which boasts a similar performance but does of course have a larger display, although it doesn’t have quite as high a resolution.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly – but still very capable – Chromebook Plus, then the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a great choice, and is our pick as the best student Chromebook. However, this doesn’t have an especially impressive battery life.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Specs

My review unit of the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 was specified with an Intel Core 3 CPU, WUXGA display, and 128GB of storage:

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$399 / £399 (about AU$560)

CPU

Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.7GHz)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

RAM

8GB LPDDR5

Screen

14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10

Storage

128GB UFS

Ports

2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth

Camera

HD 1080p

Weight

3.15lbs (1.43kg)

Dimensions

12.9 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches (32.7 x 22.5 x 2cm)

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

  • Premium from the outside
  • Strong yet smooth hinge
  • Good port selection

The Chromebook Plus 514 has a slender, dynamic figure considering its 14-inch size. It’s also surprisingly light and thin, although the lid is a little thicker than I’ve seen on other Chromebooks. All its sides are pleasingly neat, although there are a few juts and ridges that spoil its clean lines.

The finish of the lid looks and feels premium, with its metallic edges doing a subtle but noticeable job of enhancing its quality. It’s easy to open thanks to the smooth hinge mechanism, which also provides plenty of stability at any angle – even when it’s opened to its full 180 degrees, which is impressive for a Chromebook this size. However, this isn’t a convertible device, so it won’t be able to rival the usability of the best tablets.

The keyboard looks and feels less impressive, with the faux-metallic keycaps appearing quite cheap, and the lack of backlighting on my model was also something I lamented (although this can be optioned on certain models). However, the keys feel well made and their selection is reasonable, with their various shortcut functions clearly labeled. The touchpad is large and smooth, and seems to be engineered to an even higher standard than the keys.

The Chromebook Plus 514 also features the Quick Insert key, which can be used to summon a search box, with useful suggestions provided based on your recent files and web pages, among other items.

Underneath you’ll find vents and two large rubber bars in place of four individual feet. The back one is thicker than the front, which means the whole unit sits with a slight forward tilt, but this is barely noticeable in use.

I was pleased with the port selection for the most part. There’s no SD card slot, which is a little disappointing, but it has an HDMI port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and two USB-A and two USB-C ports, which lends the Chromebook Plus 514 versatile connectivity.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

  • Handles productivity, video, and light gaming
  • Sharp and bright display
  • Noisy at times

Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Acer Chromebook Plus 514:

TechRadar Battery Life Test: 8 hours and 30 minutes
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 275.980
Kraken Benchmark: 438.7ms
Speedometer 3.0: 16.5 (±1.3)

I found the performance of the Chromebook Plus 514 quite impressive. Apps are quick to launch and switch between, and it handles multiple browser tabs without issue. This is thanks to its 8GB of RAM, which allows for seamless multitasking for the most part. Light productivity tasks, such as spreadsheet editing, are also dispatched without issue.

The Chromebook Plus 514 streams ultra-high-definition content with aplomb, too, and it even has capable gaming performance. I managed to play Asphalt Legends Unite on high graphics settings with next to no slowdown, which was impressive.

However, the downside of all this power is that the Chromebook Plus 514 can get quite loud as the fans kick in. It’s not as loud as other devices I’ve tried though, and the pitch at which they whir isn’t grating. The chassis can also get quite warm at the rear, but again not to a bothersome degree.

On the other hand, the display is hard to fault in any regard. The WUGXA resolution is very clean and sharp, capable of surprisingly high brightness levels for a Chromebook. Contrast is also strong and colors are vivid, although perhaps not quite to the extent of some displays.

(Image credit: Future)

However, plenty of viewing angles are possible and it does a respectable job of eliminating glare in unfavorable lighting conditions. In essence, it rivals the displays of not only the best Chromebooks, but also some of the best laptops.

Typing on the Chromebook Plus 514 is a mostly pleasant experience, thanks to the generous spacing of the keys. Their travel is quite deep, which helps with tactility; however, they lack dampening, which can make them feel a little harsh when you’re thumping away rapidly.

Thankfully, despite its large size, the trackpad didn’t get in my way while typing. It’s also precise and responsive, as well as offering smooth gliding. Its large surface area helps to make navigation that little bit easier, too.

Unfortunately, the speakers on the Chromebook Plus 514 aren’t particularly impressive, producing a tinny sound owing to the lack of bass response. Small amounts of distortion can also be heard at times, but the overall audio quality is clear enough to be usable, if not enjoyable.

  • Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life of the Chromebook Plus 514 is reasonable. During our test, which involved running a movie on a continuous loop, it managed to last about eight and a half hours, which is about average compared to other Chromebooks we’ve tried.

It’s a markedly better performance than the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, which we rate as the best student Chromebook, as that device only managed a paltry five hours. However, it’s worse than the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023), which managed to exceed over ten hours.

Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 514?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The Chromebook Plus 514 has a reasonable starting price, placing it somewhere in the middle of the Chromebook Plus market.

3.5 / 5

Design

The Chromebook Plus 514 looks good from the outside, although the keyboard is a little drab. Overall build quality is good, though, and the port selection is useful.

4 / 5

Performance

For a Chromebook, it’s fast no matter the task, and it can handle multiple workloads quite well, although it can get a little noisy in such cases.

4.5 / 5

Battery life

Battery life is fairly average relative to other Chromebooks, outlasting the weakest among them but falling short of the strongest.

3.5 / 5

Total Score

The Chromebook Plus 514 is fast at all kinds of tasks and has a fantastic WUXGA display. Starting prices are reasonable as well, all of which makes it worth your consideration.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch

Acer Chromebook Plus 515

Price

$399 / £399 (about AU$560)

$549.99 / £449.99 / AU$749

$399.99 / £399.99 (around AU$633)

CPU

Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.7GHz)

Intel Core i3-N305 (8 threads, 3.80GHz)

Intel Core i3-1215U

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

Intel UHD Graphics

RAM

8GB LPDDR5

8GB LPDDR5

8GB

Screen

14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10

15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 144Hz, 16:9, non-touch screen

15.6-inch FHD (1920×1080) IPS, 16:9

Storage

128GB UFS

128GB UFS

128GB

Ports

2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio

1x Type-A USB port, 2x Type-C ports, 1x HDMI port, and 1x headset jack

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth

MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 MT7921 (2×2), Bluetooth 5.3

Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6E AX211, Bluetooth 5.1

Camera

HD 1080p

1080p FHD camera with privacy shutter

1080p HD video at 60 fps

Weight

3.15lbs (1.43kg)

3.81lbs (1.73kg)

3.7lbs (1.68 kg)

Dimensions

12.9 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches (32.7 x 22.5 x 2cm)

14.28 x 9.5 x 0.78 inches (36.26 x 24.15 x 1.98cm)

14.2 x 9.39 x 0.79 inches (360.6 x 238.5 x 19.99 mm; W x D x H)

How I tested the Acer Chromebook Plus 514

  • Tested for two days
  • Used for work and entertainment
  • Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Chromebook Plus 514 for two days, during which time I used it for working and for entertainment.

I streamed 4K content on YouTube and played games such as Asphalt Legends Unite. I also connected it to various peripherals via Bluetooth and its ports.

I have plentiful experience with Chromebooks and other mobile devices, and have reviewed a number of them as well.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Price Comparison



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Lenovoduet
Gaming Gear

Lenovo’s 2-in-1 Chromebook Acts as Both a Tablet and Laptop for Practically Nothing, Keyboard Included

by admin


Chromebooks are incredibly versatile and can sometimes be the better option for a lot of users when compared to a full Windows laptop with all the bells and whistles. If you just need something with a larger screen than your phone to do the tasks you’d otherwise do there, then Chromebook is the way to go. Best Buy has the Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook at a pretty sizable discount. Normally priced at $399, but for a limited time you can get it for $150 off (-37.5%). That brings it down to just $249.

The Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook supports Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution in it’s 11-inch  touchscreen. It’s running on a MediaTek Kompanio 800 processor with an integrated graphics card. Memory-wise, we’re looking at 4GB and storage-wise, it’s working with 128GB. The keypad and cover come in a respectable luna gray colorway, perfect for those who like their style subtle.

See at Best Buy

Versatility at Its Finest

It’s namesake of the “Duet” comes from this being a two-in-one device. They keypad is detachable and given that the screen is a touchscreen, you can effectively transform your Chromebook laptop into a tablet in seconds. This adds a ton of versatility to how you choose to use your Lenovo IdeaPad, letting you switch between laptop and tablet on the fly given the task at hand. Killing time browsing through Instagram? Take the keypad off and layback on the couch. Drafting a longwinded email to a tough client? Maybe pop that keyboard back on and sit at your desk.

The case doubles as a stand, so whether or not you have the keypad attached, you can prop the Lenovo IdeaPad up at the ideal viewing angle. That makes it great for catching up on your favorite TV shows in a pinch.

The Chrome OS is fast and secure. It supports a ton of built-in Google apps such as Gmail, Gemini, Docs, Photos, YouTube, and more. It’s loads super quickly, booting up in just 10 seconds. And then with 10 hours of battery life, it will handle the whole work day and then some on a single charge.

Chat with friends or colleagues with ease thanks to the fixed-focus front-facing 5MP camera. Additionally, it has a rear-facing 8MP for taking photos and videos which is capable of auto-focusing so you can capture subjects at any distance.



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Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 open on desk with pink background
Product Reviews

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: a small and expertly crafted Chromebook, but it lacks the grunt of more powerful machines

by admin



Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360: Two-minute review

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is a 2-in-1 Chromebook with a small form factor for easy portability. It’s this miniature size that first strikes the eye, followed by the sleek and minimal design. It also has a sturdy construction, although it’s thicker and heavier than you might expect. Regardless, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is still easy to carry around.

Opening up the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 further reveals its high level of engineering. The hinge mechanism, for instance, is silky smooth to operate yet provides plenty of stability.

Of course, as you may have guessed from its name, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is convertible, so you can flip the screen all the way back and use it as a tablet. However, this isn’t ideal, as the aforementioned heft prevents this from being practical for extended periods. It does much better, though, when tented upside down on a desk, as you can still operate it via the touchscreen, but without being burdened by the weight.


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When it comes to performance, there are some disappointments. The specs of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 are rather middling compared to the best Chromebooks, which means that multitasking and even moderate gaming can be a stretch for it. Thankfully, it does much better at light productivity and playing back video content.

The 12.4 inch display I had in my review unit was glorious, rendering images and scenes vividly and with plenty of brightness. The 2560 x 1600 resolution also provides stunning clarity, as does the high gloss finish.

However, the latter aspect can cause prominent reflections, and the contrast can be too high. However, these drawbacks aren’t persistent or egregious, and they didn’t ruin the overall experience for me.

The touchscreen is very responsive and easy to use, as is the trackpad and keyboard. I could type accurately thanks to the generous spacing of the keys, which is impressive when you consider the small form factor of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360. They’re also very tactile for Chromebook keys.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 sits at the mid-to-high end of the market in terms of pricing, which may seem unjustified given its performance is lacking in certain departments, especially when compared to Windows or Mac laptops. However, that small and sublime build, combined with the exquisite display, might just be enough to win you over.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

  • $429.99 / £419 / AU$707
  • Available now
  • Higher end of the market

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 costs $429.99 / £419 / AU$707 and is available now. However, we have seen it on sale for considerably less. It can be configured with either 32GB or 64GB of storage, and various screen sizes are available, although only one colorway is offered.

This is a good price for a convertible and expertly crafted Chromebook. However, the CPU and RAM it’s equipped with are on the weaker side, but the performance is still capable enough.

It’s still quite a lot more expensive than the Acer Spin 314 Chromebook, though, which is one of our favorite models. This has more storage and a much better battery life than the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, although its resolution isn’t as high, and we found it can get quite hot when processing strenuous workloads – but these were about the only drawbacks we could find with it.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Specs

My Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review unit was configured with a 12.4-inch display and 64GB of storage.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$429.99 / £419 / AU$707

CPU

Intel Celeron N4500 1.10GHz (2 threads, 2.80GHz)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

RAM

4GB LPDDR4x

Screen

12.4-inch WQXGA LED Display (2560 x 1600), Touch

Storage

64GB e.MMC

Ports

1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6, LTE (Option), Bluetooth v5.1

Camera

HD 720p / 8MP

Weight

2.82lbs (1.28kg)

Dimensions

11.3 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches (28.8 x 20.7 x 1.7cm)

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

  • Looks premium
  • Heavier than expected
  • Great hinge mechanism

The design of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is a notable step up from the usual budget fare of many Chromebooks. It looks very sleek, especially in the light grey colorway, and its metal-looking imparts a premium appearance that rivals even some of the best laptops around.

Every dimension is almost completely flat, save from the most minimal of protrusions of the power and volume buttons on either side. Even the underside is free from unsightly vents or etchings, and the four rubber feet are very small and thin, which also makes it easier to slide the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 into your bag.

Despite appearances, however, the unit is made from plastic, not metal, and as a result the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 doesn’t feel quite as premium as it looks. It’s still well-made, and Samsung even markets the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 as a tough device, with its spill-resistant keyboard and ability to withstand light drops.

The downside is that it’s thicker and heavier than its small form factor might lead you to believe. This is a minor disappointment from a portability perspective, although it’s still easy to carry around.

Flipping open the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 and positioning the screen at different angles is easy, thanks to the silky smooth hinge mechanism. There’s a small amount of wobble after making adjustments, but this isn’t concerning and it remains perfectly stable in use.

The screen can also rotate all the back to 360 degrees, letting you use the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 as a tablet. This works well to an extent, although the aforementioned thickness and weight means this mode isn’t practical for long periods, and isn’t a match for the best tablets in this regard. However, it works much better when you rotate the screen by about 315 degrees instead, flip it upside down, and tent it on a desk.

The keyboard is also well made, although it feels less premium than the rest of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, since the keys have a scratchy texture that doesn’t feel the most pleasant to touch. However, they operate very well, and despite the small layout, they’re generously spaced apart. There’s also a good selection of keys available, including various ChromeOS shortcuts on the top row, arrow keys and a long enter key.

The trackpad falls more in line with the overall standard of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360. It’s quite small but reasonably wide and feels very smooth to the touch, making it easy to operate.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

  • Unimpressive specs
  • Some stuttering
  • Excellent display

Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360:

TechRadar Battery Life Test: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 108.216
Kraken Benchmark: 1298.6ms
Speedometer 3.0: 4.79 (±0.23)

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 features an Intel Celeron N4500 1.10GHz CPU and 4GB RAM, neither of which are particularly promising in terms of performance, even by Chromebook standards.

It can handle light tasks, from entertainment to general productivity, but it can come somewhat unstuck even when reasonable demands are made of it. For instance, switching between various windows isn’t always the smoothest experience, and I did experience some stuttering when loading pages and navigating between multiple tabs in Chrome, despite not having an excessive amount open.

Light productivity work is also subject to small amounts of lag on occasion, although for word processing and spreadsheet editing, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is still capable enough to be usable without frustration.

When it comes to gaming, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is even less impressive. Playing Asphalt Legends Units was a slow and stutter-ridden experience, even on moderate graphical settings.

However, it was much more competent when streaming video content, with 4K videos loading quickly and playing without buffering midway. The viewing experience is further enhanced by the excellent display of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360.

The WQXGA resolution is very welcome on a Chromebook device, and even more so on a display this small, since the crispness and sharpness is more apparent. This benefits not just video content, but also general navigation and productivity, since the whole UI is rendered with brilliant clarity.

Colors are vivid and there’s plenty of brightness on offer too, both of which mean the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is immune to the washed-out look that some Chromebook displays suffer from.

(Image credit: Future)

However, the contrast can be a little too strong, which creates a more garish image at times. What’s more, the screen is very glossy, which, while radiant, is prone to heavy reflections. This is more noticeable at lower brightness settings, but thankfully it didn’t ruin my viewing experiences completely – although there were certainly occasions when it was less than ideal.

This high shine also means that finger marks are highlighted more than I would’ve liked, so you’ll likely want to have a cloth to hand if you’re using the touchscreen frequently.

Thankfully, the touchscreen performs excellently: it’s responsive and smooth, which makes navigation and gesturing easy. It’s also great for doodling and creating signatures, although it’s a shame no stylus is included to unleash its full potential in this regard.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is a joy to type on, with the aforementioned spacing of the keys helping me to achieve greater accuracy. They also have a surprising amount of depth to their travel, which makes them feel more tactile.

The trackpad is pleasant to use as well, despite its relatively small size. Cursor movements are incredibly smooth, and, as with the touchscreen, it’s responsive to the various gestures you can perform.

As for audio, the integrated speakers on the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 are sufficient for clear, distortion-free listening; however, as you might expect, they lack low-end depth. I wouldn’t recommend them for listening to music, but for the odd podcast or YouTube video, they fit the bill.

  • Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 isn’t terribly impressive. During our TechRadar test, where we play a video on a continuous loop, it managed to last six and a half hours. This is considerably down on the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023), our current pick as the best Chromebook overall, which managed over ten hours.

Still, it did better than the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, which we rate as the best student Chromebook, as this managed just over five hours. What’s more, charging the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is reassuringly quick, as it took just just over two hours to fully replenish from empty.

Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 verges towards the higher end of the Chromebook market, but its design and screen are class-leading.

4 / 5

Design

Small, good-looking, and well-made, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 puts many other Chromebooks to shame.

4.5 / 5

Performance

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is capable enough, but serious multitasking and gaming are beyond its means. The display is excellent, though.

3.5 / 5

Battery life

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is on the lower end of the longevity spectrum, and didn’t perform terribly well in our battery test.

3 / 5

Total Score

The excellent design and display of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 are great, but don’t expect blistering multitasking or gaming performance. If you want a small device to do some light work and watch content, it could be the ideal choice.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360

Acer Chromebook Spin 314

Acer Chromebook Plus 515

Price

$429.99 / £419 / AU$707

$380 / £329 (around AU$661)

$399.99 / £399.99 (around AU$633)

CPU

Intel Celeron N4500 1.10GHz (2 threads, 2.80GHz)

Intel Pentium N6000 Processor

Intel Core i3-1215U

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

Intel shared graphics

Intel UHD Graphics

RAM

4GB LPDDR4x

4GB DDR4

8GB

Screen

12.4-inch WQXGA LED Display (2560 x 1600), Touch

14-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080p

15.6-inch full HD (1920×1080) display with IPS, 16:9 aspect ratio

Storage

64GB e.MMC

128GB eMMC

128GB

Ports

1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio

USB Type-C x 2, USB 3.1 x 1 , HDMI x 1

1x Type-A USB port, 2x Type-C ports, 1x HDMI port, and 1x headset jack

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6, LTE (Option), Bluetooth v5.1

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0

Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6E AX211, Bluetooth 5.1

Camera

HD 720p / 8MP

720p webcam

1080p HD video at 60 fps

Weight

2.82lbs (1.28kg)

3.42lbs (1.55kg)

3.7lbs (1.68 kg)

Dimensions

11.3 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches (28.8 x 20.7 x 1.7cm)

26.5 x 326 x 227mm

14.2 x 9.39 x 0.79 inches (360.6 x 238.5 x 19.99 mm; W x D x H)

If the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 doesn’t seem right for you, here are some alternatives:

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360

  • Tested for full day
  • Ran benchmark tests
  • Experienced Chromebook reviewer

I tested the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 for a full day, during which time I used it for general browsing, working, and gaming.

I also put it through TechRadar’s battery test for laptops and Chromebooks, which involves playing back a 1080p movie on a continuous loop. I also ran various benchmark tests to further assess its performance.

I have reviewed numerous laptops and Chromebooks in the past, including other Samsung models. These have ranged in price, form factors, and specs, so I am well versed in the wider portable computer market and know how the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 stacks up to the competition.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360: Price Comparison



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Asuschromebook
Gaming Gear

ASUS 14-Inch Chromebook Costs Almost Nothing, an Absolute Steal for a 4.9-Star Laptop

by admin


In search of a new laptop? If you’re primary need for a computer is basic web browsing, email drafting, word processing, and YouTube video-watching, then you really don’t need to shell out for anything crazy expensive. A Chromebook is kind of the perfect tool for these use cases plus they’re super great for travel. Asus has its Chromebook CX14 on sale over at Best Buy. Right now, it’s been shaved down almost 50%. That brings the price from its usual $279 to just $149. You can save a cool $130 for a limited time.

Something unique about this Chromebook is the screen can lay flat at a 180° angle with its keyboard. This makes collaboration with others easier as everyone around the table can see what’s on display.

See at Best Buy

This Asus Chromebook CX14 has a decently sized screen, measuring in at 14inches. It displays in full 1080p HD. The narrow bezels allow you to make the most of your screen space while keeping the laptop as whole compact and easy to travel with. And you can travel with it anywhere because the screen has a matte anti-glare coating to help reduce reflections. Respond to emails out at your favorite sunny outdoor coffeeshop.

Lightweight, Yet Durable

Speaking of travel, you can maintain peace of mind toting this Chromebook around with you wherever you go. It’s built solid, meeting industry-leading MIL-STD 810H US military standard. That means it has undergone stringent testing to withstand panel pressure, shock, and drops to ensure maximum toughness.

The Asus Chromebook is quick to start up, only taking 10 seconds to being operational from when you push the button. The side comprises of several useful ports including a full-function reversible USB-C port that can be used for easy charging or to connect peripherals. You also get a USB 3.2 Type A port. The Chromebook also has an AUX port, my beloved (still mad at Apple for removing them from phones).

This Chromebook comes with a three month trial of Gemini Advanced premium plan—Google’s own AI. That also comes with a full 2TB of cloud storage. Just don’t save anything important only to that unless you plan on subscribing after the three months are up. Though when that expires, you do also get one free year of 100GB cloud storage with Google One.

Get your Asus 14-inch Chromebook CX14 for just $149 at Best Buy before the price goes back up to $279. Right now, you’d be saving a whole $130, which is almost 50%.

See at Best Buy



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Ideapad3i
Product Reviews

Lenovo’s Top Chromebook Just Crashed to Its Best Price of 2025, Memorial Day Exclusive on Amazon

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If you’re looking to buy a new laptop, here’s some important advice: you don’t need the best and the brightest. You don’t need the newest model. You don’t need the most expensive one, either. You can get along just fine with lower specs at a lower price point. Because you probably don’t need all the best specs or anything like that, especially if you aren’t using your computer for intensive tasks. In fact, you can use a computer you can get at an affordable price and you should have all that you need.

See at Amazon

You can head to Amazon right now to get a computer that should tick all the boxes you’re looking for. Plus, it’s under $200, which is a steal. You can get the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook for just $179 right now at Amazon, down from its usual price of $290. That’s $111 off and a discount of 38%.

A capable computer at a cheap price

If you tend to spend most of your time on the computer streaming video, taking classes or meetings, and working in Google Docs or Sheets, a Chromebook like this is easy and simple to set up. The IdeaPad 3i runs on Chrome OS, which is lightweight, easy to use, and designed to get you from power-on to productivity in seconds.

Under the hood, it’s powered by an Intel Celeron N4500 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. That’s not a power machine by any means, but for a Chromebook, that’s enough to get you through the workday or keep you doing whatever it is you normally work on or play during your normal routine.

You should get decent battery life out of your new Chromebook, too. Chrome OS is very power-efficient, and the IdeaPad 3i holds a charge long enough to get you from work to leisure time. It’s also lightweight and slim, so it’s easy to slide into a backpack or tote bag on the go. You really could just slide it into a purse or something if you need

There’s no shortage of ports, either. You’ll find multiple USB connections and even a microSD slot for expandable storage, which is handy for offloading photos, assignments, or extra files.

For less than $200, this laptop really can’t be beaten. It’s perfect for students, anyone who wants a low-maintenance, everyday computer, or even writers and other folks who don’t have media-intensive tasks to do at work. . It’s not trying to be a gaming rig or a video editing powerhouse, but it is focused on being fast, simple, and affordable. And for a lot of people that’ll be exactly what they need.

See at Amazon



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Lenovoideapadduet5
Gaming Gear

Lenovo’s 2-in-1 Chromebook Works as a Laptop or Tablet for Peanuts, and It Even Comes With a Keyboard

by admin


Chromebooks are incredibly versatile and can sometimes be the better option for a lot of users when compared to a full Windows laptop with all the bells and whistles. If you just need something with a larger screen than your phone to do the tasks you’d otherwise do there, then Chromebook is the way to go. Best Buy has the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook at a pretty sizable discount. Normally priced at $499, but for a limited time you can get it for $200 off (-40%). That brings it down to just $299.

See at Best Buy

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook supports Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution in it’s 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen. It’s running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7cG2 processor and a Qualcomm Adreno 618 graphics card. Memory-wise, we’re looking at 8GB  and storage-wise, it’s working with 128GB. The keypad and cover come in a lovely abyss-blue colorway which subtle but still more fun than a traditional black.

Versatility at Its Finest

It’s namesake of the “Duet” comes from this being a two-in-one device. They keypad is detachable and given that the screen is a touchscreen, you can effectively transform your Chromebook laptop into a tablet in seconds. This adds a ton of versatility to how you choose to use your Lenovo IdeaPad, letting you switch between laptop and tablet on the fly given the task at hand. Killing time browsing through Instagram? Take the keypad off and layback on the couch. Drafting a longwinded email to a tough client? Maybe pop that keyboard back on and sit at your desk.

The case doubles as a stand, so whether or not you have the keypad attached, you can prop the Lenovo IdeaPad up at the ideal viewing angle. That makes it great for catching up on your favorite TV shows in a pinch.

The Chrome OS is fast and secure. It supports a ton of built-in Google apps such as Gmail, Gemini, Docs, Photos, YouTube, and more. It’s loads super quickly, booting up in just 10 seconds. And then with 10 hours of battery life, it will handle the whole work day and then some on a single charge.

Chat with friends or colleagues with ease thanks to the fixed-focus front-facing 5MP camera. Additionally, it has a rear-facing 8MP for taking photos and videos which is capable of auto-focusing so you can capture subjects at any distance.

Included with the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is a 30-day trial for the Microsoft Office suite. If you don’t want to pay after that period is up, you can always pivot over to Google’s free apps like Docs and Sheets. You’ll also get a three-month trial for Gemini Advanced which includes 2TB of cloud storage.

Save $200 (40%) on the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 over at Best Buy for a limited time, picking it up for just $299.

See at Best Buy



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Need a budget-friendly laptop? This Asus Chromebook is on sale for $159
Gaming Gear

Need a budget-friendly laptop? This Asus Chromebook is on sale for $159

by admin



If you need a new laptop but you’re on a tight budget, you may want to take a look at Chromebook deals. These affordable devices are still pretty dependable, and here’s an offer that’s light on the wallet: the Asus CX15 Chromebook for only $159 from Walmart, following a $61 discount on its original price of $220. We’re not sure how much time is remaining before you miss out on the savings though, so if you’re interested, you should hurry up and proceed with the transaction as soon as you can.

Why you should buy the Asus CX15 Chromebook

A Chromebook is a Chrome OS-powered laptop that depends on web-based apps instead of installed software, allowing it to run smoothly despite being equipped with low-end components. That means you shouldn’t expect the Asus CX15 Chromebook to challenge the speed of the top-tier configurations of the best laptops, but it’s the perfect device for daily tasks and student workloads. If you’ll be using it for browsing the internet, building presentations, and working on documents that are on the cloud, then the Asus CX15 Chromebook with the Intel Celeron N4500 processor and 4GB of RAM will be more than enough.

The Asus CX15 Chromebook features a 15.6-inch screen with Full HD resolution, which is pretty nice for a laptop that’s this affordable. The Chromebook is also durable as it’s built according to military-grade standards, and it comes with a 128GB eMMC for storage that you can supplement with cloud storage services. The Asus CX15 Chromebook also comes with a USB-A port, a USB-C port, and an audio jack so you can connect the accessories you need for every task at hand.

The Asus CX15 Chromebook is available in one of the lowest-priced laptop deals you can buy right now. It’s on sale with a $61 discount that brings it down from $220 to just $159, though there’s no telling until when. If you think the Asus CX15 Chromebook will meet your needs and it matches your budget, then you should move forward with the purchase immediately. Go slow, and you may lose this chance at savings on the Asus CX15 Chromebook.





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