|

Samsung Chromebook 4 Review: Is this the best Chromebook ever?

The Samsung Chromebook 4 is a premium-looking laptop with a more classic appearance. It has the same modern-style body as the Asus Chromebook Flip C302.

Furthermore, the Samsung Chromebook 4 is a good choice for individuals looking for a lightweight laptop. It’s ideal for people who want to try out Chrome OS but don’t want to spend too much money on a computer that won’t last long.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 is the new gold standard of value, according to Samsung. This goal is achieved due to its combination of decent performance with low pricing.

Samsung Chromebook 4 Tech Specs:

  • Brand: Samsung
  • Screen: 11.6 inches
  • Display: 1366 x 768
  • Storage: 64GB
  • Storage Type: eMMC
  • RAM: 4GB
  • RAM Type: DDR4 SDRAM
  • Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
  • Product Dimensions: 11.33 x 7.96 x 0.6

PROS

  • Portable
  • Great keyboard
  • Long battery life
  • Good performance

CONS

  • Chunky display
  • No touchscreen
  • Not so great viewing angles

Chrome OS laptops are getting more and more premium all the time, but a lot of people still just want a cheap way to go online. That’s where Samsung’s Chromebook 4 comes in, replacing the popular Samsung Chromebook 3.

This computer is worth a look for students because it was featured on our best laptops under $500 page, but it doesn’t make it onto our list of the top Chromebooks and laptops with the greatest battery life because of its low highs.

While the Samsung Chromebook 4’s battery life is adequate and its price low, the laptop’s 11.6-inch display isn’t bright or colorful enough. Furthermore, this computer features a non-touchscreen display, so you won’t be able to access Android apps from the Google Play store.

There’s still a lot to like about the Samsung Chromebook 4’s affordable $229 price, long battery life, and decent performance, but you should think carefully before purchasing it.

https://itechguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2-Samsung-Chromebook-4-Review-My-Initial-Thoughts-1024x684.jpg

Samsung Chromebook 4: Price and configurations

The Samsung Chromebook 4 is available in two sizes: the $229 11.6-inch model we tested and the $259 15.6-inch Chromebook 4+, with smaller bezels. For $50, you may increase the internal storage and RAM from 32GB and 4GB to 64GB and 6GB, respectively.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Design

The Samsung Chromebook 4 has the same basic look as you’d expect for its low price. The Samsung Chromebook 4 looks very similar to other MacBook clones that we’ve seen over time, with curved edges and silver color.

The aluminum top of this laptop feels nicer than I anticipated, but the plastic body reflects the machine’s low price. Because of its thick display bezels, this computer seems even more vintage, but I don’t feel like you should demand more for a machine that costs less than $250.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 is a hair heavier than the Samsung Chromebook 3 (2.5 pounds, 0.7 inches) and a bit lighter and thinner than the Lenovo C330 (2.82 pounds, 11.4 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches).

The Dell Chromebook 3189 (3.2 pounds, 0.8 inches) is heavier and thicker than both of these models (3.1 pounds, 0.9 inches).

The left side of the Chromebook 4 features a USB-C port (which you’ll need for charging the device) next to the MicroSD card slot and headphone jack.

The right side of the Chromebook includes a security lock slot and a USB 3.0 connection, in addition to an unusual absence of a bottom edge on the USB 3.0 port on that side.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 also passed several military drop tests, including transit drop, vibration, extreme temperatures, and freezing, humidity, dust blasts, and low pressure. We’ll find out how well it withstands a fall from our hands shortly.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Build Quality

The majority of Chromebooks on the market have a plastic casing. Because you can’t expect much more for this amount, it’s not something you should be concerned about.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 has a plastic body, but the lid is made of aluminum. This is an excellent decision by Samsung since it imparts a somewhat higher luxury feel to the laptop than other budget models.

The exterior is made of expensive-looking aluminum, which isn’t likely to catch anyone’s attention. That being said, it does seem attractive and rather tiny.

If you’re searching for a laptop that you can take with you when traveling, this one fits the bill. The 11.6-inch screen and the lightweight construction (2.6lbs / 1.18kg) assist in making this laptop compact.

https://www.chromecomputing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-4-chromebook-build-quality-589x450.jpg?ezimgfmt=rs:589x450/rscb27/ng:webp/ngcb27

There are no hybrid capabilities with this laptop. It’s a laptop-only gadget, so it doesn’t include the Hybrid functionality that you can find on certain Chrome OS machines.

A Hybrid device may be turned all the way around, allowing it to be used as either a laptop or a tablet. Personally speaking, not being able to do it isn’t the end of the world. They’re excellent; however, I’ve never found them overly useful on most Chromebooks.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Display

The Samsung Chromebook 4’s display is the most common complaint. This Chromebook does not have a touch screen, which is surprising given that Android app support is nearly universal on Chrome OS devices.

The Samsung Chromebook 3 didn’t have a touchscreen either, but the Lenovo Chromebook C330 and Dell Chromebook 3189 do.

Followed by brightness, let’s move on to that. After removing the Samsung Chromebook 4 from its box, I attempted to increase the brightness level right away, only to discover that I couldn’t.

During a trailer for Jumanji: The Next Level, I noticed that the panel’s white cast silenced all of the colors in the clip, from Kevin Hart’s crimson bandana around his neck to the green fauna surrounding the characters and the browns of Jack Black’s snake as it ate him headfirst.

When we measured the Samsung Chromebook 4 with our colorimeter, it had a low 64% sRGB gamut, which was similar to the score of the Samsung Chromebook 3 (63%).

That’s less than the average of 83 percent for Chromebooks (83%), as well as those from Lenovo Chromebook C330 (75%) and Dell Chromebook 3189 (81%).

The Samsung Chromebook 4 has a brightness of just 210 nits, which is lower than the average 216 nits. The Lenovo Chromebook C330 (250 nits), Dell Chromebook 3189 (223 nits), and Samsung Chromebook 3 all exhibited greater brightness.

Colors on the Samsung Chromebook 4 became considerably dimmer when we viewed the screen from 30 degrees to the left or right.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Keyboard and touchpad

I’ve found Samsung’s Chromebook 4 to be a pleasant typing experience. The keys felt shallow, but they’re not terrible. On my first attempt, I reached 71 words per minute (not far from my 80-wpm average) on the 10FastFingers test.

The touchpad on the Acer Chromebook 14 (CB3-431) is also pretty good, and it performs adequately enough when tracking taps and scrolling. Pinch and pull gestures worked well as well.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Connectivity

When purchasing a new laptop, many customers overlook the available connectivity choices. Having decent connectivity is essential, and the Samsung Chromebook 4 won’t let you down.

It includes one USB A port and one USB C port. This means you’ll be able to connect old or new peripherals without difficulty, which is great news.

A USB C connector, which is the more modern type of USB connection, can also be used to charge your laptop or link an external display. This makes it a much better option than USB A.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 also features a Micro SD slot. This slot allows you to easily add more storage later on.

Upgrading your Chromebook’s storage by adding an SD Card is a cheap method to expand it. It’s important to remember that Android apps cannot be installed onto SD cards.

If you’re still using wired headphones, you’ll be fine because it also includes a headphone jack. If you’ve switched to Bluetooth headphones, this laptop will accommodate you nicely.

  • USB Type-A: 1
  • USB Type-C: 1
  • Bluetooth: yes
  • WiFi: yes
  • Webcam: yes
  • Micro SD slot: yes
  • Headphone Jack: yes

Samsung Chromebook 4: Audio

The Samsung Chromebook 4 filled a small chamber with barely acceptable sound when I played Run the Jewels’ “Legend Has It.” Killer Mike and El-P’s voices were audible, instrumentals seemed to be correct, and there was even some bass.

Is it possible that there is bass in this track? Probably not. If you intend on acquiring the Chromebook 4, I recommend using headphones or dedicated computer speakers.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Processor (CPU) Performance Review

https://itechguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/4-Samsung-Chromebook-4-Processor-CPU-Performance-Review-1024x683.jpg

The Intel Celeron N4000 is the lowest-end Intel processor available in the current generation of chips. The Intel Celeron N4000 CPU operates at speeds between 1.10 GHz and 2.6 GHz, with built-in turbo boost technology.

According to computer reviews, the laptop received a score of 1435 on the pass mark. However, owing to its mid-range CPU status, it is more than sufficient for basic tasks.

However, the Celeron N4000 core lacks hyperthreading. The Samsung Chromebook 4, on the other hand, does not perform worse than other Chromebooks equipped with similar CPUs.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Memory (RAM) Performance Review

https://itechguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/5-Samsung-Chromebook-4-Memory-RAM-Performance-Review-1024x683.jpg

The Samsung Chromebook 4 comes with either 4GB or 6GB LPDDR4 SDRAM memory, which is one area where the device outperforms its competitors.

Although most Chromebooks in this category have the same amount of RAM, they usually appear to be slow. Even with the same amount of RAM, most Chromebooks in this price range appear to be inefficient. The performance of this laptop is rather good, especially for a budget device.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 handles multitasking well, especially for the price. Operations like launching apps, switching between tabs, and streaming videos are quick.

I ran two instances of this program simultaneously on my computer. It handled everything just fine with about 10 Chrome tabs, a Google Drive file, and a 1080 YouTube video all open. However, when attempting to execute a program at the same time as all of these other tasks, it simply appeared to slow down.

Furthermore, its multitasking ability is adequate for a Chromebook in the beginner category. It may operate various programs and browsers at once.

You should not, however, expect consistent performance. After all, there’s only so much a laptop of this price range can accomplish.

Even though you won’t believe such a small machine could be this quick and efficient, it is. It’s also quite reasonably priced.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Storage Options & Performance Review

https://itechguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/6-Samsung-Chromebook-4-Storage-Options-Performance-Review-1024x680.jpg

The Samsung Chromebook 4 has two storage choices: 32 GB or 64 GB of eMMC memory. The amount of storage available on the Samsung Chromebook 3 was very limited, with just 16 GB possible.

You may also utilize the internal SD card slot to expand your storage space. It also has two USB connections, allowing you to connect external hard drives.

However, if you use a lot of storage, you won’t have to worry about running out. You may store your data in the cloud (Google Drive) and access them from anywhere with an internet connection.

Furthermore, because its capacity may be altered, you may better tailor your storage to your requirements. If you want to customize the amount of space on your hard drive, there are several alternatives open to you.

Furthermore, the Samsung Chromebook 4 allows for fast data transmission. You may easily upload your files, films, photographs, and other items at a speed of up to 5GB per second.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Graphics Card Performance Review

https://itechguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/7-Samsung-Chromebook-4-Graphics-Card-Performance-Review-1024x683.jpg

The Samsung Chromebook 4 is equipped with an Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU. Although the laptop’s 11.6″ wide HD screen has a 1366 x 768 resolution, it adds to the experience.

However, the integrated Graphics card received a video card benchmark score of 361, according to computer reviews. It’s suitable for basic multimedia tasks and light gaming, similar to the Intel HD 500.

It also features Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640, which is optimized for smoother, quicker gaming. Furthermore, it has enough productivity and a good visual experience for playing typical games. Its screen hues, on the other hand, occasionally fade out.

The Chromebook performed well during a graphics card test. The game ran at comfortable frame rates while running on the Chromebook. There was, however, an occurrence of images distorting from time to time, making it somewhat uncomfortable at times.

Finally, while it isn’t capable of running high-end games flawlessly, it can play most titles with ease.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Performance

The Intel Celeron 3000N processor and 4GB of RAM in the Samsung Chromebook 4 give enough oomph for multitasking, especially at this price.

When I split the screen among 12 Chrome tabs, including ones for Giphy, a Google doc, and a 1080p YouTube video (Nick Offerman’s Hot One’s episode is a joy), I experienced latency only when I went back to the Giphy page. The Google doc, with my notes on how the system performed, stayed responsive.

The Chromebook 4 handled Asphalt 9 at playable frame rates. There was a little bit of clipping and tearing on occasion, but this did not cause me to crash off the track.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 achieved a Geekbench 4 general performance score of 3,613, which was lower than the 5,128 category average but higher than the 2,934 obtained by the Lenovo Chromebook C330 (MediaTek MT8173C CPU, 4GB of RAM).

On the JetStream 2 benchmark, which measures JavaScript and WebAssembly performance, the Chromebook 4 posted a score of 49.03, below the 66.22 category average and well below the Lenovo C330’s result of 31.32.

The Chrome OS 5.0-powered Chromebook 4 performed well on the WebGL Aquarium model, producing 500 fish at 60 fps. The Lenovo C330 ran 500 fish at a mere 25 frames per second.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Battery Life & Performance Review

https://itechguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/8-Samsung-Chromebook-4-Battery-Life-Performance-Review-1024x703.jpg

According to Samsung, this computer’s battery life is about 12.5 hours in Google’s scenario test.

Finally, the Samsung Chromebook 4’s battery life is comparable to that of other Chrome OS devices. Above all, it’s important to remember that this assessment was conducted when the device was new and running on its stock firmware.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 lasted for almost five days on a battery life test. With web surfing and video streaming, it lasted just over five hours (about 10 hours, 30 minutes).

The laptop’s battery, nevertheless, is in good condition. It should last you a bit longer than the advertised time despite frequent lighter operations.

Furthermore, it has a battery life of an hour longer than the average battery duration (9:36) and 30 minutes longer than the Lenovo Chromebook C330’s (9:51). It receives a 9 for its outstanding battery life.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Webcam

The Samsung Chromebook 4’s 0.9-megapixel camera is perfectly adequate. I was surprised (you’d be shocked how bad some of these cameras can be) by the amount of clarity I saw while snapping a selfie with it, but I wasn’t blown away.

I turned my back on the light and exposed my mustard-colored shirt to the dark.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Heat

I streamed 15 minutes of 1080p video on the Samsung Chromebook 4, and the laptop stayed within acceptable temperatures (above 95 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout.

The touchpad (77 degrees) and keyboard (84 degrees) on the cooler end of the laptop received above-average heat treatment, while the backside reached as high as 98.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Software

The Samsung Chromebook 4 is the first Chrome OS laptop with a touchscreen, and it’s one of the most affordable. Like all modern Chromebooks, it runs Android applications, but you can only download them from the Google Play store.

This means that your child can’t play Fortnite on a Chromebook. Even so, we’ve compiled a list of the best Android games for Chrome OS to keep you occupied while away from home.

Frequently Asked Questions

https://itechguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/9-Samsung-Chromebook-4-Review-Frequently-Asked-Questions-1024x810.jpg

1. Is the Samsung Chromebook 4 Better Than the Samsung Chromebook 3?

The Samsung Chromebook 4 and Samsung Chromebook 3 are the best Samsung Chromebooks currently on the market. However, because of its superior characteristics and price, the Samsung Chromebook 4 wins over the Samsung Chromebook 3.

2. Is the Samsung Chromebook 4 touchscreen-enabled?

No, the Samsung Chromebook 4 does not have a touchscreen. Even though touchscreens are quite important in modern-day Chromebooks, the Samsung Chromebook 4 lacks one.

3. Is the Samsung Chromebook 4 a good choice?

This Chromebook may not be high-end. It has all of the features that students and business people need. It’s powerful enough for basic computing activities, making it ideal for students and office workers.

4. Is the Samsung Chromebook 4 Education-Friendly?

Yes, that’s correct. It’s an excellent choice for students since to its mobility and lengthy battery life.

5. When Was The Samsung Chromebook 4 Released?

The Samsung Chromebook 4 was announced on October 7, 2019.

6. Is this Chromebook for you?

The Samsung Chromebook 4 is appropriate for a variety of purposes, but it all depends on your needs. If you’re searching for a low-cost laptop that can handle the majority of computing tasks, you’ve come to the correct place. This includes social media usage, online purchasing, movie streaming, and Android app usage. You may discover that certain sophisticated Android apps take longer to load on this device than they would on a higher-performing Chromebook. Remember that this machine does not have a touchscreen, therefore not all Android applications will function as expected.

The display isn’t spectacular, which you should be aware of. As a result, it will still be useable and the battery life of this laptop is exceptional, with over 12 hours of usage before needing to recharge. For the price, it’s a decent laptop that looks nice, and it has good battery life as well.

Final Thoughts

https://itechguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/10-Samsung-Chromebook-4-Review-My-Final-Thoughts-1024x683.jpg

For a low-cost Chromebook, the Samsung Chromebook 4’s longevity, keyboard, and performance make it an acceptable choice. If only the display were brighter and more colorful, it would be an outstanding option.

The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is ideal for users looking for a laptop with decent battery life and good performance. Yes, it costs $50 more than the Samsung Chromebook 4, but it also has a touchscreen, which the Samsung Chromebook 4 lacks.

However, if you just want a Chromebook for Google Docs and basic web surfing, the Samsung Chromebook 4 is worth considering.

I hope you found this Samsung Chromebook 4 review useful? If you found the review useful, please share.

You may also leave a review for this product by using the “Leave a Reply” button after this page.

Samsung Chromebook 4
2 Samsung Chromebook 4 Review My Initial Thoughts | Samsung Chromebook 4 Review: Is this the best Chromebook ever?

11.6-inch 64GB eMMC, 4GB RAM, Gigabit Wi-Fi, Chrome OS, HD Intel Celeron Processor N4000

Product Brand: Samsung

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: $199.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.4

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *