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Samsung Chromebook XE500C21

Based on 49 reviews

Excellent:

3
Good:

6
Average:

8
Bad:

32

Pros

Quick boot time.
Faster processor, more RAM than previous model make for better performance.
Improved Chrome OS interface with desktop and file manager.
Attractive design.
Comfortable keyboard.
Relatively bright matte display.
Updated design with a complete (and much needed) redo on the trackpad.
Excellent video performance.
Smooth scrolling and snappy input.
Six hours of battery.
Login screen great for multi-user environments.
All your bookmarks and history can be synced.
Solid, portable hardware.
Multiband 3G radio.
Boots quickly, resumes instantly.
Applications automatically updated.
Easy to import settings from web-based programs.
Cloud storage makes it effortless to replace a laptop.

Cons

Limited storage.
Offline abilities.
Considering limits of OS and hardware.
Expensive.
Offline document editing not yet available.
Doesn't support 4G.
No keyboard backlight.
No DVD drive.
No Bluetooth.
Speakers stink.
Screen is dim and lacks sharpness.
Does not run standard Windows applications.
Essentially a paperweight if you lose WiFi or 3G access.
VGA requires a dongle attachment.
No Java support.

By Engadget on November 07, 2012

No matter how cheap Chromebooks get, they will always be a polarizing class of product: there are some people who couldn't be paid to use a laptop where everything is done in the browser. That said, $249 seems like an appropriate price for this sort...

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By Computerworld on October 19, 2012

How much would you pay for a cloud-centric computer? With its new $249 Samsung Chromebook -- a system based on the idea of doing almost everything online -- Google is hoping it's finally gotten the price right. The new Samsung Chromebook runs...

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By PC Advisor on July 02, 2012

A year ago, we saw the first Samsung Chromebook and we were left feeling pretty underwhelmed with it. Not only was the hardware clunky and slow, but Google’s much-anticipated Chrome OS was far more basic and limited in what it could do that we...

60
By G4tv.com on June 26, 2012

Video Review: The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook is both fast and fun to use, with easy access to your favorite apps, cloud computing and more. Chris Hardwick and Matt Mira take a closer look at the notebook from Samsung for Gadget...

60
By Computer Shopper on June 18, 2012

Samsung's latest Chromebook offers better performance and usability, but the price is still steep, considering the limitations of Chrome OS and the constant need for an Internet connection....

60
By Geek.com on June 12, 2012

It’s been about a year since the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook launched. In that time we’ve seen a lot happen with Google’s Chrome browser. Chrome OS has also made for lot of news since then, but we haven’t seen it make major...

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By LaptopMag on June 06, 2012

The Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550 offers an improved cloud-computing experience inside a slick and comfortable design, but it's too pricey given its limited...

50
By CNET UK on May 30, 2012

Solid hardware and a slightly improved Chrome OS aren't enough to save the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550 from the hordes of similarly priced but more capable tablets and laptops. There are way too many caveats and compromises for us to recommend...

40
By Wired on May 29, 2012

When the first Chromebooks showed up, they felt more like reference designs than fully baked notebooks.Google’s initial attempt at a machine powered entirely by a web browser, the black CR-48, was a developer-only laptop with a slow processor and...

70
By Engadget on May 29, 2012

The Series 5 550 and devices like it aren't likely to take a big bite out of the consumer market until someone trims the price.After testing not one but two new Chrome devices, it's clear that Google's fledgling OS is more pleasant to use...

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