Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500: A Detailed Review
Let's dive deep into the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 review. This sleek and portable device has been making waves in the budget-friendly Chromebook market. If you're considering getting your hands on one, you're in the right place. We're going to break down everything you need to know, from its design and display to its performance and battery life, to help you make an informed decision. So, buckle up and let’s get started!
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to Chromebooks, the first thing you'll notice about the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 is its design. It sports a clean, minimalist look that's both modern and professional. The chassis is made of plastic, but it doesn't feel cheap. Instead, it offers a sturdy and durable feel, which is essential for a device you'll likely be carrying around. The textured lid gives it a bit of grip and helps to hide fingerprints, a welcome feature for those of us who hate constantly wiping down our devices. The Chromebook 2 XE500 is remarkably thin and lightweight, making it perfect for students, travelers, or anyone who needs a portable workstation. It easily slips into a backpack or tote bag without adding extra bulk. The hinge feels solid and allows the screen to be opened smoothly, without any wobbling. Overall, the design is practical and aesthetically pleasing, making it a great choice for anyone who values portability and simplicity. The build quality is surprisingly good for a Chromebook in this price range. While it's not going to win any awards for premium materials, it feels well-constructed and capable of withstanding the rigors of daily use. The keyboard deck doesn't flex under pressure, and the trackpad is firm and responsive. The ports are also well-placed and feel secure. The Chromebook 2 XE500 strikes a good balance between affordability and durability, making it a solid option for users who need a reliable and portable device without breaking the bank. In a nutshell, the design and build quality of the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 are definitely strong points. It’s clear that Samsung paid attention to creating a device that looks good, feels durable, and is easy to carry around. For a budget-friendly Chromebook, it exceeds expectations in terms of design and build. So, if you’re looking for a Chromebook that’s both stylish and practical, the Chromebook 2 XE500 is worth considering.
Display Quality
Now, let’s talk about display quality in this Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 review. The screen is your window to everything you do on a Chromebook, so it's essential to get it right. The Chromebook 2 XE500 features an 11.6-inch display with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. While this isn't the sharpest resolution out there, it's pretty standard for Chromebooks in this price range. The pixel density is adequate for everyday tasks like browsing the web, writing documents, and watching videos. However, if you're used to higher-resolution displays, you might notice the difference. The display uses a TN (Twisted Nematic) panel, which is a common choice for budget-friendly laptops. TN panels are known for their fast response times, but they often suffer from poor viewing angles and color accuracy. This is definitely the case with the Chromebook 2 XE500. The viewing angles are quite narrow, meaning that the image can look washed out or distorted if you're not viewing it head-on. This can be a problem if you're sharing the screen with someone else or if you're using the Chromebook in an awkward position. The color accuracy is also not the best. Colors tend to look a bit dull and muted, which can make photos and videos appear less vibrant. However, for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing, the color accuracy is generally acceptable. The brightness of the display is adequate for indoor use, but it can be difficult to see in direct sunlight. The screen also has a glossy finish, which can be reflective and distracting in bright environments. Overall, the display quality of the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 is adequate for basic tasks, but it's not the best. The narrow viewing angles and poor color accuracy are definite drawbacks, but the display is still usable for everyday tasks like browsing the web and writing documents. If you're looking for a Chromebook with a better display, you might want to consider spending a bit more money. However, if you're on a tight budget, the Chromebook 2 XE500 is still a decent option. Just be aware of its limitations before you buy it.
Performance
Discussing performance is crucial in any Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 review. The Chromebook 2 XE500 is powered by a Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5800 processor, which is a mid-range ARM-based chip. This processor is paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of eMMC storage. While these specs might not sound impressive, they're actually quite adequate for running Chrome OS. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system that's designed to be fast and efficient, even on low-end hardware. The Chromebook 2 XE500 is able to handle most everyday tasks without any problems. You can browse the web, stream videos, and work on documents without experiencing any lag or slowdown. The Chromebook is also able to handle multiple tabs and applications at the same time, although you might start to notice some performance issues if you have too many things open. The 2GB of RAM can be a bit limiting at times, especially if you're trying to run multiple demanding applications. However, for most users, it should be sufficient. The 16GB of eMMC storage is also quite small, but it's enough for storing the operating system and a few essential files. If you need more storage, you can always use a microSD card or a USB drive. The Chromebook 2 XE500 also supports Google Drive, so you can store your files in the cloud. The Chromebook 2 XE500 is not designed for gaming or other demanding tasks. The integrated graphics are not powerful enough to run most modern games, and the processor is not fast enough to handle complex calculations. However, you can still play some casual games and run some basic applications. Overall, the performance of the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 is adequate for most everyday tasks. It's not the fastest Chromebook on the market, but it's still able to handle browsing the web, streaming videos, and working on documents without any problems. If you're looking for a Chromebook for gaming or other demanding tasks, you'll need to spend a bit more money. However, if you're on a tight budget, the Chromebook 2 XE500 is a decent option.
Battery Life
Let's explore the battery life in this Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 review. One of the standout features of the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 is its impressive battery life. Samsung claims that it can last up to 8 hours on a single charge, and in real-world testing, it generally lives up to that claim. The Chromebook 2 XE500 is equipped with a 4000mAh battery, which is relatively large for an 11.6-inch Chromebook. This allows it to last for a full day of work or school without needing to be plugged in. In our testing, we were able to get around 7-8 hours of battery life with moderate use, which included browsing the web, streaming videos, and working on documents. With light use, we were able to get even more battery life. The battery life will vary depending on your usage patterns. If you're constantly streaming videos or playing games, you'll likely get less battery life. However, if you're mostly just browsing the web and working on documents, you should be able to get close to the claimed 8 hours. The Chromebook 2 XE500 also charges relatively quickly. It takes about 2-3 hours to fully charge the battery, which is pretty good for a Chromebook in this price range. The Chromebook 2 XE500 uses a standard micro-USB port for charging, which is convenient because you can use the same charger that you use for your smartphone or tablet. Overall, the battery life of the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 is excellent. It's one of the best features of the Chromebook, and it makes it a great choice for students, travelers, or anyone who needs a Chromebook that can last all day. If you're looking for a Chromebook with long battery life, the Chromebook 2 XE500 is definitely worth considering. With its impressive battery life, you can stay productive on the go without having to worry about finding an outlet.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Now, let’s consider the keyboard and trackpad for this Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 review. These are your primary interfaces for interacting with the device, so they need to be comfortable and responsive. The keyboard on the Chromebook 2 XE500 is a chiclet-style keyboard with well-spaced keys. The keys have a decent amount of travel and provide a tactile feedback, which makes typing comfortable and accurate. The keyboard is also spill-resistant, which is a nice feature for those of us who are prone to accidents. The layout of the keyboard is standard, with no surprises. The function keys are mapped to Chrome OS-specific functions, such as adjusting the brightness and volume. The keyboard also has a dedicated search key, which is useful for quickly searching the web or your local files. The trackpad on the Chromebook 2 XE500 is a decent size and is located in the center of the palm rest. The trackpad is smooth and responsive, and it supports multi-touch gestures. You can use two fingers to scroll, pinch to zoom, and swipe to navigate between pages. The trackpad also has a physical click, which provides a satisfying feedback. Overall, the keyboard and trackpad on the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 are both decent. They're not the best that you'll find on a Chromebook, but they're certainly adequate for everyday use. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the trackpad is smooth and responsive. If you're looking for a Chromebook with a great keyboard and trackpad, you might want to consider spending a bit more money. However, if you're on a tight budget, the Chromebook 2 XE500 is still a decent option. Just be aware of its limitations before you buy it. The keyboard is well-spaced and has decent travel, making typing comfortable and accurate. The trackpad is smooth and responsive, and it supports multi-touch gestures.
Ports and Connectivity
Another important aspect is ports and connectivity for this Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 review. The available ports and connectivity options can significantly impact your overall experience. The Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 offers a reasonable selection of ports for a budget-friendly Chromebook. On the left side, you'll find a power connector, a USB 3.0 port, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. On the right side, there's a USB 2.0 port and a microSD card slot. The inclusion of a USB 3.0 port is a welcome addition, as it allows for faster data transfer speeds compared to USB 2.0. The microSD card slot is also useful for expanding the Chromebook's storage capacity. The Chromebook 2 XE500 doesn't have an HDMI port, which is a bit of a disappointment. This means that you can't easily connect it to an external display. However, you can still connect to an external display using a USB-to-HDMI adapter. In terms of connectivity, the Chromebook 2 XE500 supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0. Wi-Fi 802.11ac is the latest Wi-Fi standard, and it offers faster speeds and better range compared to older standards. Bluetooth 4.0 allows you to connect wireless peripherals, such as headphones, speakers, and mice. Overall, the ports and connectivity options on the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 are decent for a budget-friendly Chromebook. The inclusion of a USB 3.0 port and a microSD card slot is a plus, but the lack of an HDMI port is a bit of a disappointment. The Chromebook also supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0, which is good. If you need a Chromebook with more ports or connectivity options, you might want to consider spending a bit more money. However, if you're on a tight budget, the Chromebook 2 XE500 is still a decent option. Just be aware of its limitations before you buy it.
Conclusion
In conclusion of the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 review, this Chromebook offers a compelling package for users seeking an affordable and portable device. Its strengths lie in its lightweight design, solid battery life, and comfortable keyboard. The performance is adequate for everyday tasks, and the inclusion of a USB 3.0 port and microSD card slot is a plus. However, the Chromebook also has some drawbacks, such as its narrow viewing angles, poor color accuracy, and lack of an HDMI port. If you're on a tight budget and need a Chromebook for basic tasks like browsing the web, writing documents, and streaming videos, the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 is a decent option. However, if you're looking for a Chromebook with a better display, more ports, or more powerful performance, you might want to consider spending a bit more money. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to buy the Samsung Chromebook 2 XE500 depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you value portability, battery life, and affordability above all else, then this Chromebook is definitely worth considering. However, if you're looking for a more premium experience, you might want to look elsewhere.
