Samsung’s new low-cost PCs have better displays and processors
While PC shipments have been seeing a steady decline, a number of manufacturers still see a future for notebooks – albeit without Microsoft’s OS, replaced by Google’s Chrome solution. And while Samsung conspicuously had no PC related releases even during CES, it’s pulling out all the stops for its Chrome OS powered Chromebook 2 Series, releasing 11.6 and 13.3-inch versions of the the new device.
11.6-inch Samsung Chromebook 2 specs
- Samsung Exynos 5 Octa processor (1.9GHz, 2MB L2 Cache)
- 4GB RAM
- 11.6-inch HD LED display, 1366 x 768 resolution
- 16GB storage
- 720p HD web camera
- WiFi
- 1 HDMI, 1 USB3.0, 1 USB2.0, MicroSD Multi-media Card Reader, Headphone out/Mic-in Combo, DC-in
13.3-inch Samsung Chromebook 2 specs
- Samsung Exynos 5 Octa processor (2.1GHz, 2MB L2 Cache)
- 4GB RAM
- 13.3-inch full HD LED display, 1920 x 1080 resolution
- 16GB storage
- 720p HD web camera
- WiFi
- 1 HDMI, 1 USB3.0, 1 USB2.0, MicroSD Multi-media Card Reader, Headphone out/Mic-in Combo, DC-in
Samsung’s Chromebooks are much cheaper to make and manufacture compared to traditional PCs because they usually use mobile components rather than pricier PC ones. In the Chromebook 2 Series’ case, it yses Samsung’s own Exynos 5 Octa mobile processor, paired with HD displays (full HD in the case of the 13.3-inch model). Samsung’s also throwing in 4GB of RAM, as well as 16GB of storage for both models. While that storage capacity may seem extremely low, remember that you’ll be pulling most of your data from the cloud (most of the time from Google’s own servers) so you really don’t need a roomy hard drive. Oh, in case you haven’t noticed, Sammy’s Chromebooks are spiffier this year, wearing the same faux leather back as the Galaxy Note 3.
Prices for the 11.6 and 13.3-inch variants of the Chromebook 2 have been pegged at $319.99 (Php 14080) and $399.99 (Php 17600) respectively, though no word on official local pricing has been set. It’ll start shipping on April.
