Samsung Chromebook review, by Hiranand Sunny Naresh

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http://www.todayonline.com/tech/gadgets/samsung-chromebook-review

When Google decided to create its own computer operating system (OS), it chose a strategy that left some people scratching their heads.

It did not build a cutting-edge, fully-featured operating system, but released a bare-bones version of the Linux operating system capable of running only one application: A Web browser.

That resulted in the Chromebook. The latest versions of the popular device have now reached our shores, with the Samsung, Acer and Hewlett-Packard versions going on sale today.

All three devices are equipped with mobile processors and little internal storage, and run on the browser-based Chrome OS, meaning they perform more like a tablet instead of an ultra-portable laptop.

My experience with the Wi-Fi-only Samsung Chromebook has been delightful. The sleek, 1.1kg machine, clad in silver plastic with an 11.6-inch screen, runs a more functional version of Google’s OS and carries a price tag far below that of most notebooks on the market.

Its keyboard has the same black chic feel more commonly found on Macbooks and there is a search button on the keyboard so you can use Google’s search engine without manually opening the Web browser.

I was impressed with how fast and easy it was to use this machine. About 10 seconds after switching it on, I was presented with a log-in screen. A few seconds later, after entering my Google account credentials, I was on the Web. I tried closing and reopening the laptop, and it woke up in less than five seconds.

Using a Chromebook to browse the Web is the most polished part of the experience. Like the standalone Chrome browser, which can be downloaded for PC, Mac or Linux, the version at the heart of Chrome OS is fast and pleasant to use.

You can also download apps, which work offline, from the Google Chrome Web store to cater to all your needs, from word processing to video and picture editing and games.

The Chromebook receives updates every six weeks, including anti-virus patches, so you need not worry about system maintenance. The updates run in the background so your machine will not restart unexpectedly or slow down while it is being updated.

While the Chromebook is not for everyone, it is a cheap alternative to a similarly-equipped tablet. It has a solid battery life, a wide array of productive and entertaining applications, a good looking body with top-notch aesthetics and, best of all, a price point almost anyone can hit.

The Samsung, HP (both S$449) and Acer (S$369) Chromebooks are now available at Courts retail stores across Singapore.