The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is available in two colours, Fiesta Red and Mercury Grey. Still, the former’s crimson hue helps this laptop stand out on a crowded table. At the same time, the machined aluminium chassis, which occupies 12 x 8 x 0.6 in. and weighs about 2.7 lbs. the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is just a little heavier and larger than many competing Chromebooks and its own predecessor. But at the same time, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 feels so light that you won’t notice it unless you’re holding it, and if you put it in your backpack you might forget about it.
There are two USB-C ports, a recent trend, on the Galaxy Chromebook 2, one on each side, so you are free to plug your charger into whichever is easier. Both ports can be used to charge devices, but only when the laptop is switched on. The power button is located on the right side of the laptop, while the volume rocker, headphone jack and microSD card reader are located on the left side. On the original Galaxy Chromebook’s right side was a clever slot that could be used to securely hide the S-Pen stylus. However, after using the Chromebook 2 for work and play for a few days, I never once felt the urge to reach for the stylus, so I wouldn’t be bothered without this slot.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]But OLED or not, this display remains one of the best displays I’ve seen on a Chromebook. It is gorgeous. Colours are vibrant and accurate, contrast is strong and you can see every detail. This machine is also great for watching videos. It is glossy and there is some reflection, but nothing that bothers me. The other disappointment is that it’s 16:9 (1920 x 1080 resolution) – the Chromebook Spin 713 also has a very nice panel with a generous 3:2 aspect ratio. Overall, though, the Chromebook 2 is very nice. It also has good sound from the speakers and performs well enough as an entertainment device.
As mentioned before, the Chromebook 2 lacks some of the more snazzy features found on more expensive devices (including the Galaxy Chromebook). Most importantly, there is no biometric authentication, only passwords, and I miss the convenience of its predecessor’s fingerprint reader. (If you’re super password-opposed, you can technically pair the Chromebook with an Android phone and unlock it with that phone’s biometrics.)
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2’s keyboard is visually pleasing, with an eye-catching black and red colour scheme. The keys on the previous generation Galaxy Chromebook were red, which was not the best choice of colour for a scarlet deck. The dizzying keys seemed to blend in with the laptop, and Samsung listened to reviewers and offered a high-contrast keyboard on the Galaxy Chromebook 2, which I appreciated.