That’s not all, though: the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the first laptop to include Google’s new Quick Insert Key, a physical key that takes up the space that used to hold the startup key. Pressing it gives you immediate access to shortcuts for emoji, GIFs, the clipboard, and recent links and documents. It’s also integrated with Google Drive to let you search for anything, and you can ask Gemini AI to help you type right from the pop-up menu.
It’s a great addition, although it’s something you’ll have to consciously remember if you’ve used Chromebooks for a while. I ended up using it mostly as a GIF or emoji key, but it’s also a great way to quickly access browsing history. Given my job, it’s hard to assess the usefulness of having an AI writing assistant available at the press of a key, although I could see it being useful for students or professionals working on presentations or emails.
Photography: Daniel Thorp-Lancaster
One important feature Samsung is promoting with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is battery life, with up to 13 hours on a charge. I didn’t hit that number in normal use, but I frequently clocked nine to 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 managed to recharge it in about 1.5 hours.
The main weakness of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus? It’s something many other Chromebooks share: mediocre speakers. They both point downwards and sound pretty thin no matter what you’re listening to. It’s a sacrifice I’m okay with given the overall thickness of the laptop, but it’s worth noting if that’s a deciding factor in your laptop choice. Bring a good pair of wireless headphones, headphones, or computer speakers if you care about sound quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a unique option in the Chromebook space right now. Despite its thin and light design, Samsung took the time to deliver an experience with very few sacrifices. At $700, it’s a great buy for anyone who wants a premium foldable Chromebook that they can take anywhere without a problem. Notably, there’s no touchscreen and the clamshell design won’t be for everyone. If you need a 2-in-1 design or pen and ink capabilities, you can get a similar premium experience for the same price with the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714.