New Google Chromebook from Samsung launched ($249)

We’re at Google San Francisco where the company has just announced a new Chromebook from Samsung. This latest Samsung Chromebook which is thin (0.8″), light (2.5lbs) and very affordable ($249, 229UKP), also happens to run on a new ARM architecture code named A15. The ARM A15 is the next-generation central processor (CPU) core design from ARM and it is superior to the current ARM A9 design used by most tablet chips today. Samsung’s chip is called Exynos 5250 and it is a dual-core processor. If you are not familiar with these chips, read our system-on-a-chip (or SoC) reference post.

Because of this low-power ARM-based chip, Samsung has been able to create a fan-less computer. Yet, the machine is fast enough to play 1080p video at 30FPS on the 11.6″ display (1366×768). At the moment, there is only WiFi connectivity, although a more expensive broadband version is definitely possible from a technical standpoint.

There is 16GB of internal storage, but Google is adding 100GB of cloud-based storage on Google Drive, free for 2 years. This new Chromebook will be available next week from Amazon, which has become a tight partner of Google when it comes to selling Chromebooks. But offline, it is BestBuy which will feature those Chromebooks in 500 locations across the country. If you want to see it in action, that’s the place to go to. The same laptop will also be available in the UK next week.

Specifications highlight

• 11.6″ display 1366×768
• ARM dual-core Exynos 5250 (A15 core), fan-less design
• Full-size keyboard + trackpad
• 0.8″ thin, 2.5lbs
• $249
• 1080p video 30FPS
• WIFI only
• 16GB of internal storage
• 100GB of Google Drive cloud storage (free for 2 years)
• microSD slot and full size SD slot
• Battery capacity: 30wh
• Ports: HDMI, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, 3.5mm audio (Ethernet possible with a USB adapter)
• Official Google product page

Google presentation in San Francisco:

Official Chromebook launch video from Google: