The Latest Chromebook

The Latest Chromebook
Published: Jun 28, 2012
Updated: Feb 2, 2021
2 minute read
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The Latest Chromebook

1

The new Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook is basically a netbook that is linked to a Google account.


Limited Offline Mode

2

Here you see that I’m able to access a Google Docs document while disconnected from the network. However, I can only view the document.


Top View

3

The Samsung Series 5 550 looks like a run-of-the-mill laptop and is unremarkable in design, style or dimensions.


Front Edge

4

There are no ports on the front of the Chromebook. There are no latches anywhere. The open/close action is smooth.


Right-Side View

5

The right side of the device (from left to right) includes a Secure Digital (SD) card slot, USB 2.0 port and a Kensington lock port for physical security.


Rear View

6

The Universal SIM card slot is shown in the rear view.


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Left-Side View

7

The left side of the Chromebook (from left to right) includes the power jack, RJ-45 network port (closed), DisplayPort ++ (compatible with High Definition Multimedia Interface [HDMI], Digital Video Interface [DVI] and VGA), USB 2.0 and headphone jack.


RJ-45 Port Open

8

To make a wire-line connection, just open the RJ-45 port.


Underside View

9

On the lower edge, you can see the two speaker ports. There is no user-serviceable battery access.


The All-New Chromebox

10

The Samsung Series 3 Chromebox is the first desktop device to run the Chrome operating system.


Front View

11

The front of the device (from left to right) includes the on-off switch, headphone jack and two USB 2.0 ports


Rear View

12

The rear of the devices (from left to right) includes a Kensington lock, power jack, DVI port, network connection, four USB 2.0 ports and two DisplayPort++ ports.


Underside View

13

There are no user-serviceable parts in the Chromebox.


Connecting to Google

14

Both the Chromebox and the Chromebook are tethered to a user’s Google account.


Welcome to Chrome

15

The user is greeted with an introduction to Chrome when first signing on to either the Chromebox or the Chromebook.

Cameron Sturdevant

Cameron Sturdevant is the executive editor of Enterprise Networking Planet. Prior to ENP, Cameron was technical analyst at PCWeek Labs, starting in 1997. Cameron finished up as the eWEEK Labs Technical Director in 2012. Before his extensive labs tenure Cameron paid his IT dues working in technical support and sales engineering at a software publishing firm . Cameron also spent two years with a database development firm, integrating applications with mainframe legacy programs. Cameron's areas of expertise include virtual and physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing, enterprise networking and mobility. In addition to reviews, Cameron has covered monolithic enterprise management systems throughout their lifecycles, providing the eWEEK reader with all-important history and context. Cameron takes special care in cultivating his IT manager contacts, to ensure that his analysis is grounded in real-world concern. Follow Cameron on Twitter at csturdevant, or reach him by email at cameron.sturdevant@quinstreet.com.

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