Buying guide for best Samsung laptops

It may be hard to believe, but Samsung started as a grocery store in the 1930s. They didn’t begin making electronics until 1969.

Today, Samsung is best known for producing all kinds of electronic devices and appliances. This includes their smartphones, tablets, refrigerators, and TVs.

Samsung's laptops are available in a wide range of stylish designs. And, they have a range of features that set them apart from competing laptops from companies like Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and Apple.

Samsung’s family of laptops run the gamut from inexpensive Chromebooks to high-end laptops that offer the power and performance required for high-end computing and PC gaming. This means it’s fairly easy to find a Samsung laptop that will meet your computing or budgetary needs.

As with any laptop, Samsung laptops vary in processing power, screen size, battery life, and other key features. To find the right one for you, think about your needs. What you will use your laptop for?

When cleaning your laptop display screen, use a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water.

Big things to look for in a Samsung laptop

When shopping for a Samsung laptop, you will want to start by choosing between a laptop running Microsoft Windows and a Chromebook. You then can focus on some of the key components between these two types of PCs.

Laptop vs. Chromebook

Samsung Chromebooks are generally cheaper and smaller than laptops running Windows.

They often use a fairly affordable Intel Celeron processor as well as Google's streamlined Chrome OS. And, their lightweight design makes these Chromebook laptops some of the best options for portable use.

Also, some offer touchscreen capabilities in a versatile 2-in-1 design. This combines the best features of a tablet with a laptop.

For the best processing power and performance speed, though, you’ll want to stick with a Samsung notebook or laptop. An example is the Samsung Galaxy Book Go.

Samsung's Windows 10 Home laptops are a bit different from their Chromebook counterparts, which use a completely different operating system and have access to a distinct set of apps.

Samsung Notebooks also generally feature larger displays than their Chromebook counterparts and longer battery life.

CPU

As with any PC, the central processor unit, or CPU, is the most important chip inside any Samsung laptop.

All of the computer’s processes are handled by the CPU. You will want a fast, powerful processor for multitasking and enjoying any program you may want to use without slowdown or lag.

CPU power is measured by the clock speed of the chip (in GHz) and by the number of cores it has. Larger numbers for both measurements mean a better performance.

However, the best CPUs are only found in Samsung laptops with high prices. So, if you want to save money and you don’t need to run high-end software, you can go with a lesser CPU.

Screen size

Whether you need a simple, sharp FHD display for web browsing or a handsome 4K model for viewing streaming apps and games, it is important to get a screen that fits your needs.

Samsung's laptops typically measure between 11 and 16 inches. If you go with a Samsung Chromebook, your choices are often limited to screens of 10.1 to 11.6 inches. Note that a laptop screen is measured diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner.

A Samsung laptop with a precise touchscreen is especially helpful when you’re on the move or working in a tight space. We look carefully at touchscreen Samsung laptops in our research.

In addition to straightforward measurements like screen size, we take into account each Samsung laptop’s aspect ratio, the ratio of its screen width to height. A good aspect ratio allows you to make the most of the available real estate.

Some of the most worthwhile Samsung laptops we review aren’t big and flashy. Instead, many of them are compact, durable, and reasonably priced.

While Samsung is well-known for its smartphones and tablets, our research shows that Samsung laptops are some of the best notebook PCs on the market.

We look at Samsung laptops that are suitable for casual use or simple word processing. To get a balanced view, we also look at those that pack great power and high-end features.

While the Windows operating system is the most powerful and customizable platform offered by Samsung laptops, we also spend time researching the company’s excellent Chromebook lineup.

We seek out Samsung laptops with bright, high-contrast screens, wide color gamuts, and narrow bezels.

We enjoy reviewing Samsung laptops and are particularly inspired by their slim form factors and light weights.

In our research, we have found that the Samsung laptops of the last few years utilize a number of advanced and convenient features. This includes premium touchpads and 360-degree hinges.

When selecting Samsung laptops for our shortlist, we pay attention to the aesthetic appeal of the display and finish.

Must-have Samsung laptop features

After you’ve chosen the key components you want in your Samsung laptop, you can pick some other features.

These will help you enjoy your laptop even more. Think about how you’ll use the machine and find features that match your desired use.

Battery: Most Samsung laptop computers can easily go for a full work day of 8 hours before they need to be recharged. WIth that said, Samsung laptops are made with a battery life of 12 to as much as 20 hours or more. A good example is the Galaxy Book Flex.

RAM: RAM is short for random access memory. RAM is the temporary storage area where the laptop keeps the data it is now using. The more RAM you have, the faster the Samsung laptop will perform. The average Samsung laptop will have 4, 8, or 16GB of RAM. Average Samsung laptops will have 4GB or 8GB of RAM.

Storage: Samsung laptops typically have a SSD, or solid state drive, for storage. SSDs deliver above-average performance with reading and writing speeds for your laptop's data. So, they are preferable to older HDD (hard disk drive) technology. The average hard drive size for a Samsung laptop is from 64GB to 512GB.

Case color: Samsung laptops are available in a wide range of colors. You can standard black or silver tones. Then there are options such as the Fiesta Red Galaxy Chromebook, Royal Blue Galaxy Book Flex, and Mystic Bronze Galaxy Book Pro 360.

If battery life is a concern, understand that a large screen running at full brightness will drain the battery much faster than a small screen with reduced brightness.

Samsung laptop prices

Inexpensive

Prices for Samsung laptops vary a lot.

If you want to save money, find a low-priced Samsung Chromebook for between $100 and $300. The inexpensive Fiesta Red Chromebook 2 and featherweight Samsung Chromebook Plus are prime examples of Samsung's most affordable laptops for web browsing, telecommuting, or at-home school via webcam.

Mid-range

Mid-range Samsung laptops cost anywhere between $300 and $500. Laptops like the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 are versatile PCs that can do a wide range of tasks. This includes basic gaming, quality video streaming, and creating digital art.

Expensive

The most expensive laptops from Samsung run from $500 to over $1,500.

The top end of this range has laptops with reliable, smooth gaming and that can run high-end software. If you want the performance that comes with owning 11th gen processors, energy-saving Exynos chip, and visuals that rival a MacBook, look in this high price range.

Tips

Take care of your Samsung laptop to get the most out of it. Here are some good tips:

• Use antivirus software you trust. Anyone who has a laptop connected to a public WiFi network runs the risk of getting a virus or malware. It’s especially risky when you’re out and about. Always have antivirus software running, and keep it up to date.
• Accidents happen. Think about getting a specialized laptop case to protect your Samsung laptop if you take it outside of your home or office. Not only are the best laptop cases shockproof and ruggedly made, but some act as a clean stand to rest your laptop. This is much better than a stick table or desk.
• Get Microsoft Windows updates. Many Samsung laptops run Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system. These PCs run at their best when they are regularly checked for updates. The updates improve the laptop computer's security, add features, and improve the performance.
• Avoid rapid temperature changes. If you’re carrying your Samsung laptop with you to class or to a meeting off-site, don’t expose it to really high or low temperatures for long periods of time. Keep it out of direct sunlight. If it gets super cold, don’t turn it on until it has reached room temperature.
• Let the laptop breathe. A laptop cools its internal components with airflow from interior fans. If you block the machine’s vents, you could cause it to overheat. Always leave plenty of free space around a laptop's vents.

Even though Samsung makes waterproof smartphones, only a few of its laptops have water-resistant features.

Other products we considered

Most shoppers should find a great Samsung laptop in our matrix that they can use for years to come. But maybe you’re looking for something a little different.

We looked at a few other products as well.

Samsung Chromebook 4: Do you want a big screen above all else in a low-priced laptop? The Samsung Chromebook 4 has a 15.6-inch full-HD screen. The big screen size makes it easy to multitask, and the plastic case is quite sturdy.

Samsung NP530XBB Notebook: Do you want a laptop that stands out with its whimsical design and interesting color options? The Samsung NP530XBB Notebook is a fun choice. With an HDMI and USB-C port, this laptop is easy to connect to a variety of devices.

Samsung Odyssey Notebook: Do you want a stylish high-power gaming laptop with a backlit keyboard? Do you need to save some money on your new laptop? Check the Samsung Odyssey Notebook, a great value choice. Its Intel Core i7 and 8GB or 16GB RAM make it able to handle the latest games.

Some Samsung notebooks and laptops have touchscreens. This can make using the device easier, especially for someone who is used to using a smartphone.

FAQ

Q. How can I get a deal on a new Samsung laptop?

A. The best time to buy a Samsung laptop is during holiday sales, such as Labor Day or the weeks leading up to Christmas. You may be surprised to see massive discounts on laptops, so browse retailers like Amazon and the official Samsung website to find the deepest price cuts available.

Q. Does the S Pen come with all Samsung touchscreen laptops?

A. Not all Samsung touchscreen laptops include their versatile and precise S Pen stylus, but many of their models do. Read the product description carefully to see whether the S Pen is included if a touchscreen is a must-have feature for you.

Q. How can I identify a Samsung laptop with quality parts?

A. One simple way to tell if a Samsung laptop is outfitted with a wider range of connectivity, speedy Wi-Fi 6, and a reliable Bluetooth connection is to check for models from the Intel Evo series. This includes the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro.