Though we have seen a number of Chromebooks launched over the course of the yr, there have not been any main bulletins for the reason that spring. That is not the case, as we’re getting not one however two new and thrilling Chromebooks.
These gadgets have been introduced alongside a slew of latest modifications slated to reach on ChromeOS within the coming weeks and months. Fortunately, I used to be capable of spend a while with the brand new Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11″ and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, and I’m right here to share some ideas about my expertise.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11
In 2020, Lenovo launched the unique Chromebook Duet, a ChromeOS pill that endeared itself to many. This remained true till its successor was launched with the Chromebook Duet 3, which launched in 2022. It too turned an instantaneous fan-favorite, providing enhancements throughout the board.
Quick-forward to now, and Lenovo is again once more with the Chromebook Duet 11. In contrast to the leap between the unique Duet and the Duet 3, the modifications this time round are rather more refined. For one, there is not any Duet 5 successor to talk of, which comes as a little bit of a shock however seemingly proves that the plenty want smaller tablets.
Notably, Google identified that the Duet is the “best-selling Chromebook of all time,” which is downright spectacular. For sure, it is protected to imagine Lenovo and Google hope the brand new Duet 11 continues to promote like hotcakes.
If you happen to’re questioning about specs, we have you coated:
| Class | Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11″ |
|---|---|
| Show | 10.95-inch |
| Decision | 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) |
| Brightness | 400 nits |
| Processor | MediaTek Kompanio 838 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Battery | As much as 12 hours |
| Extras | USI 2.0 Stylus (offered individually) / Consists of Case with Keyboard and Kickstand |
After spending a while with the Duet 11, I’ve a sense that Lenovo has one other winner on its palms. The design is pretty much like the Duet 3, with a number of key variations. The very first thing that I observed, moreover what was on the display, was that Lenovo rearranged the ports with the Duet 11.
There’s nonetheless a USB-C port on the left, however that is now joined by the three.5mm headphone jack, one thing that was a stunning omission from the Duet 3. Lenovo additionally moved the USB-C port on the correct aspect to the highest of the Duet 11, possible simply in an try and make plugging in USB-C hubs or different peripherals extra accessible.
One other change that shocked me comes within the type of the brand new bodily privateness change on the prime. That is one characteristic that has turn into a little bit of a mainstay with “conventional” Chromebooks, so it is a good shock to see it land on the Duet 11.
If you happen to determine to select up the Duet 11 for your self, you may be pleased to know that Lenovo consists of its Case with Keyboard and Kickstand. This makes it a lot simpler to start out utilizing out of the field, however the identical cannot be mentioned about Lenovo’s stylus.
The Chromebook Duet 11 is USI 2.0 compliant, and fortunately, we do not have to fret about any points like we noticed with the Duet 3. Nonetheless, I am unable to assist however really feel as if Lenovo missed a possibility by not together with the stylus within the field. As a substitute, you may both have to select one up for your self or depend on one which you have already got.
One space of enchancment that was identified is that palm rejection has been significantly improved when writing or drawing on the Duet 11. Apparently, a few of that is being accomplished on the OS degree, which means that the ML mannequin modifications ought to supply enhancements to all Chromebooks that includes stylus help.
It is also value noting that Google is partnering with Goodnotes, as you can get a three-month subscription to the app without spending a dime. Including much more credence to the concept that Lenovo ought to have included a stylus within the field.
Nonetheless, I am nonetheless pleased to see the Case with Keyboard and Kickstand comes within the field, whereas additionally providing a slight redesign in comparison with the Duet 3’s combo. Notably, Lenovo ditched the material end from the earlier model, opting as an alternative for a rubber/silicone texture.
The keyboard has not modified a lot. Lenovo makes use of a mechanical trackpad and chiclet-style keys. The typing expertise continues to be one in all my favorites, even when it lacks the modifications supplied by the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
As for the Kickstand, there’s been a tweak to the design in an try and make the Duet a bit extra purposeful. Together with getting used to prop up the pill in your lap or on a desk in a horizontal orientation, it’s also possible to regulate the kickstand and use the Duet 11 vertically. It isn’t precisely probably the most dramatic change, however it’s positively a quality-of-life enchancment.
Talking of which, should you do determine to select up Lenovo’s USI 2.0 stylus pen, it nonetheless magnetically attaches to the again of the Duet 11. Lenovo additionally tweaked the stylus cutout on the again shell to attempt to hold the stylus from by chance falling off when sliding the Duet 11 out and in of your bag.
I did not understand this till later, however I’m form of dissatisfied that the Duet 11 would not fall underneath the Chromebook Plus umbrella. The plain motive is due to Lenovo’s resolution to depend on the Kompanio 828, versus an Intel or AMD chip. Apart from that, the Duet 11 has the whole lot else wanted to satisfy the minimal {hardware} specs for Chromebook Plus.
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That is to not say that the Duet 11 will not be performant, however it would miss out on among the new Chromebook Plus options that have been additionally introduced. On the brilliant aspect, Google is bringing increasingly options to non-Plus fashions, which is nice for not solely the Duet 11 however all Chromebook homeowners.
Pricing for the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 is available in at $349, and it is going to be obtainable someday this month.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
Arguably the extra thrilling announcement to return is that Samsung is getting again into Chromebooks in a giant manner. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is lastly official, bringing with it a number of main modifications and options that intention to place it above the remaining.
Beginning off, that is being touted because the “thinnest Chromebook Plus ever,” because it’s simply 11.8mm thick. One other advantage of that is that the Galaxy Chromebook Plus can be extremely gentle, weighing simply 2.58 kilos.
| Class | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|
| Show | 15.6-inch OLED |
| Brightness | 400 nits |
| Processor | Intel Core 3 100U (Raptor Lake-R) |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Battery | As much as 13 hours |
| Weight | 2.58 kilos |
| Extras | Fast Insert key |
When listening to these numbers, the very first thing that got here to thoughts was whether or not there could be keyboard (or deck) flex to deal with. I am pleased to say that this may not be a problem for anybody. Even when holding it with my index finger and thumb in a single nook and the laptop computer open, there wasn’t any discernible flex.
It is nice to see, as that’s normally one sticking level with fairly a number of completely different Chromebook fashions. However I am pleased to see that Samsung managed to work some magic to squash any potential considerations.
A part of the rationale why I used to be nervous concerning the potential for deck flex is that the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is packing a 15.6-inch OLED show. With bigger laptops, there’s normally a compromise to be made someplace, however I did not get the identical feeling in my time with Samsung’s upcoming providing.
The show itself seems simply as crisp and clear as you’d anticipate from a premium Samsung product. I would not be shocked if it is the identical panel that the corporate used with the Galaxy Ebook 4 360.
By way of efficiency, I do not see very many points, because the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is powered by the Intel Core 3 100U. That is a part of Intel’s Raptor Lake sequence, which appears to carry out fairly nicely on Home windows, so I surmise the identical shall be true with ChromeOS.
Paired with the Core 3 100U, Samsung consists of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which once more must be advantageous for almost all of individuals. My greatest sticking level is that it appears Samsung is barely providing a single configuration. So if you’d like extra RAM and/or extra storage, you are simply out of luck.
Together with being the “thinnest,” the Galaxy Chromebook Plus additionally takes house the excellence of being “the primary” in one other main manner. Very similar to we noticed earlier this yr when Microsoft mandated a Copilot key for Home windows laptops, Google is now introducing a brand new Fast Insert key.
Nonetheless, as an alternative of getting used to invoke Copilot or Gemini, pushing the Fast Insert key will carry up a drop-down menu in your display. From right here, you may entry a wide range of completely different instruments and options. These embody issues like Assist Me Write and different Gemini-powered options. Nevertheless it would not cease there, as you may view your searching historical past, search for a particular file in Google Drive, or simply insert an emoji.
I might argue that an much more vital profit is that the Fast Insert menu is not confined to only being obtainable with Google’s apps. It has been built-in on the OS degree, which means which you can benefit from it no matter what you are presently doing.
Seeing as I generally tend to modify between home windows filled with a wide range of tabs, I am unable to wait to get my palms on the Galaxy Chromebook Plus to place the Fast Insert key to the check. You is perhaps questioning whether or not that is coming to different Chromebook fashions, and there is each excellent news and unhealthy.
The “unhealthy” information is that the Fast Insert key will solely be obtainable with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus for now. The excellent news is definitely twofold: Google has confirmed that the Fast Insert key shall be obtainable on future Chromebook Plus fashions.
If you happen to’re feeling a bit ignored, do not. The Fast Insert menu will seem when utilizing the Launcher Key + F keyboard mixture. A part of what makes this so thrilling is that though you may not have the flowery new Fast Insert key, Google continues to be implementing a brand-new characteristic in a manner that everybody can take pleasure in.
Lately, we have seen various examples of what a premium Chromebook seems like. HP held that title with the likes of the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook and Dragonfly Professional Chromebook. Nonetheless, with HP seemingly bowing out of the high-end market, this opens the door for some competitors.
Acer and ASUS are already there with the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip. Nonetheless, there is not any such factor as not sufficient choices, and Samsung’s re-entry into the house with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus comes on the good time.
Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is available in at $699, and it’ll even be obtainable someday this month.
Quite a bit to be enthusiastic about
The Chromebook house has been pretty quiet as of late, however there is not any denying that the yr is ending with a bang. We lastly have a refreshed mannequin of the perfect ChromeOS pill with the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11. In the meantime, it appears as if Samsung is trying to redefine the time period “premium Chromebook” with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
That does not even account for the inflow of latest and thrilling options which can be coming to ChromeOS throughout the board, no matter whether or not you have got a “common” Chromebook or a Chromebook Plus. Preserve your eyes peeled for extra Chromebook content material, as I hope to get each of those gadgets in for overview simply in time for the 2024 vacation buying season.
