Samsung has been making Chromebooks ever since it introduced the first one way back in 2011, but now it’s ready to up the ante a notch with its new Chomebook Plus and Pro . This time around, they can run any Android app from the Google Play store, and they’e also the first Chromebooks to come with a stylus.
In fact, the two Chromebooks differ only in processor and their integrated graphics; the Plus uses a custom ARM chip, while the Pro uses a faster Intel Core m3. Otherwise, they share the same specs:
12.3″ 2400×1600 touchscreen display
3:2 aspect ratio
Pressure sensitive stylus support
32 GB e.MMC storage
720p camera
4 GB RAM
Up to 8 hour battery life
2.38lb metal design
The bezels are refreshingly small, and the stylus is notched in the side and looks much like a longer version of the one on the Note 7. As you’d expect from a stylus-toting laptop, it turns into a tablet by flipping over the screen.
Google first brought Android support to Chromebooks in September (after announcing it in May), but it was limited to just a few models. It’s nice to see more models bringing Android support, and stylus support should make the tablets a lot more useful for students who prefer to handwrite their notes.
The Chromebook Plus will be the first to launch, arriving in February for $449. The Intel version will arrive in the Spring for an undisclosed price.
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