Samsung’s Chromebook Leverages Rising Buyer Interest in Chrome OS

Samsung has become the latest company to capitalize on strong buyer interest in Chrome OS computers by introducing the Chromebook Plus hybrid notebook-tablet.

Chromebooks are notebook PCs that run Google’s Chrome OS cloud-based operating system, which is a high-powered version of Google’s Chrome browser but includes offline support and storage. It’s a lightweight operating system that can’t compete with Windows in terms of application support and desktop features. But its light resource footprint is what makes it—and perhaps the Chromebook Plus—attractive to so many customers.

The Chromebook Plus ships with a 2GHz OP1 ARM processor. More importantly, the processor comes with a whopping six cores, allowing it to handle internet browsing, multiple web applications, games and more with ease. The computer also ships with 4GB of memory, which is sufficient in the Chromebook market.

The Chromebook Plus comes with a 12.3-inch LED display and 2,400-by-1,600 resolution. While the display won’t deliver groundbreaking visual quality, it doubles as a touch-screen, adding a bit more depth to its functionality.

The Chromebook Plus is a full-featured hybrid, letting users employ it in four different ways. The device obviously can be used as a notebook or tablet, but it also can be propped up in a tent-like fashion for watching videos or other online content. Or, users can fold it flat to make it easy to write on the display.

The Chromebook Plus comes with a Samsung-made stylus. With it, users can digitally write on the screen, similar to Microsoft’s Surface Book or other computers that work with a stylus. In addition to writing on the screen, the Chromebook Plus’ stylus can be used for other tasks such as taking a screenshot, magnifying an image and unlocking the screen.

Like other Chrome OS devices, the Chromebook Plus comes with Google Play support, giving users access the millions of third-paty apps available in Google Play to add to their Chromebook Plus. Other Google Play content, including games, music and books, also can be downloaded to the Chromebook Plus.

Since the Chromebook Plus runs on Chrome OS, users can opt to store their content online via Google Drive. Those who prefer to store their content locally, however, can do so on the computer’s internal storage drive. But be aware: Chromebook Plus’ storage capacity tops out at 32GB.

Samsung said that its Chromebook Plus should be able to deliver a level of portability road warriors desire. The device is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs only 2.4 pounds, making it one of the easier-to-carry computers at the higher end of the Chromebook market. Despite that, the Chromebook Plus has a full-sized keyboard and trackpad, so users won’t lose productivity.

For a computer that relies upon connectivity and portability, it’s odd that Samsung skimped on wireless features. The Chromebook Plus supports 802.11n WiFi, which means users won’t be able to take advantage of 802.11ac connectivity. In addition, it’s using the somewhat old Bluetooth 4.0 spec rather than newer wireless connections.

Samsung’s Chromebook Plus is slated to start shipping Feb. 5, according to the company. Those interested in buying the computer are able to pre-order now through Feb. 1. The Chromebook Plus is available for $450.