Google certifies hundreds of laptops for ChromeOS Flex, and it just so happens that the Microsoft Surface Laptop SE is one of them. So, we decided to take this "Chromebook Killer" and use the power of ChromeOS Flex to turn it into a killer Chromebook.
We Turned This Chromebook Killer Into A Killer Chromebook!Chrome Unboxed2022-11-09 | Join our Patreon community for access to our private Discord, an ad-free website experience, and more: patreon.com/chromeunboxed
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Google certifies hundreds of laptops for ChromeOS Flex, and it just so happens that the Microsoft Surface Laptop SE is one of them. So, we decided to take this "Chromebook Killer" and use the power of ChromeOS Flex to turn it into a killer Chromebook.
The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition (we'll go with Framework or Framework Chromebook for the rest of this review) is a device that is largely without peer. In the Chromebook space, there's absolutely nothing like it and at $999, it is a very interesting Chromebook that gets much of the high-end equation right; even if some of the things that make it so unique might be a turn-off for those looking for the best, most premium Chromebook you can get.
Buy the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition: bit.ly/3TVCFjF
Buy the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook from HP: tidd.ly/3YU9aiS
By this point, you’ve likely seen our coverage (or someone else’s) of the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook. It’s been in the public eye since early January at CES 2023 and it’s been in my hands for just over a month at this point, so I feel like many of you watching this video know what we’re dealing with, here. This is a Chromebook like no other, and in nearly every way possible, it stands head and shoulders above the rest. I’ve had to stay pretty tight-lipped about it for weeks now, and I’m so glad I can finally share with you all the reasons this laptop is as close to the perfect Chromebook as we’ve ever seen.
When we first heard about the Dragonfly Pro a few weeks before CES 2023 via a pre-CES press event online, we were definitely intrigued. The specs, the look, and the simple approach to the configuration options all made us pretty curious about this Chromebook leading up to our time in Vegas; and a few minutes of hands-on time at CES solidified those intuitions. And not long after that, we headed up to New York for a reviewer’s workshop and learned even more about this unique Chromebook, confirming what I’d hoped about the Dragonfly Pro from the start. This isn’t just another Chromebook. This one is special.
As we inch closer and closer to the release of the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, we've been fortunate enough to not only get our hands on our existing Ceramic White review version of this beautiful Chromebook, but on the Sparkling Black one as well. Though the same rules apply as last time around (we can't say too much, yet), we wanted to at least get it out of the box and show it off you everyone on camera.
An anomaly if there ever was one, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is a device that makes little sense in a bunch of ways. So confounding was it that we put off doing an unboxing until now simply because we couldn’t get Samsung to agree to send one over to us. Stating that they didn’t even send out review units on this strange, little device, we simply continued to overlook this oddball Chromebook until recently.
Why have we decided to finally buy one and unbox it? It mainly comes down to curiosity. With Samsung’s very interesting track record in the Chromebook market, we all wondered if maybe we were overlooking something in Samsung’s latest efforts at a new ChromeOS device. As it turns out, that wasn’t the case, but this Chromebook does have a few really interesting additions that make it worth a look, even if it isn’t really worth the asking price.
If you saw our hands-on video of the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook from Las Vegas at CES 2023 and liked what you saw, there’s good news: we now have our review unit in the office and are sharing a bit more about it on video today.
Here’s the thing: as with most devices we review, we’re under a review embargo for the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook and there’s not much we’re allowed to say just yet. For this video, we just wanted to give you a better look at this gorgeous Chromebook without all the noise and poor lighting that CES provides.
As much as I’ve talked about the upcoming HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook since CES 2023, there’s a good chance you’ve heard me mention one of my favorite parts of this fresh, new take on a high-end, consumer-focused Chromebook: the simplified branding. The Dragonfly Pro will come in one configuration with one simple name and two color choices. That is all and it is a breath of fresh air in a market saturated with confusing product names and equally-confounding configuration choices.
Today’s unboxing finds us in possession of a Chromebook that stands on the opposite end of the spectrum from HP’s latest in nearly every way. Sure, the new Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook 5i (16-inch) is more of a mid-range entry, but that’s not what I’m talking about, here. Instead, this Chromebook stands opposed to what I’m praising HP for in that it has a confusing, clunky name and a very confusing list of specs for the money.
Even though we had a quick hands-on time with the brand-new ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip (let’s go with Vibe CX34 from here on out) at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, those impressions can be misleading. Between the noise, the crowds, and basic exhaustion, it is easy to misread a new device. And it can happen on either side of the coin, too.
In the case of something like the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook in 2020, I was absolutely enamored with that device while out at CES 2020. Once it arrived, the sheen wore off and all the shortcomings of that ambitious Chromebook became quickly apparent. Fortunately, the case is just the opposite with the ASUS Vibe CX34, leaving me even more impressed with this Chromebook now that it is here in the office than I was at CES.
Fast USB-C charging ✅ Solid, replaceable cone-like pen tip ✅ Enhanced palm rejection ✅ Magnets for secure storage on many Chromebooks ✅
It's worked on every USI-compatible Chromebook we've tried (including those pesky USI 2.0-only Chromebooks like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3) and things just work!
Bottom line - if you need a stylus for your Chromebook, this is the one we'd recommend. Check the link in our bio to purchase one for yourself and make sure to use our exclusive promo code at checkout to receive a discount!
The story of ASUS' 16-inch Chromebook - the CX5601 - is a bit of a strange one. From a surprise announcement one year ago at CES 2022 to a delayed arrival in stores and a lukewarm reception upon arrival, this Chromebook has made me wonder time and again just why ASUS made it in the first place. As what amounts to a slightly-larger CX5 - a Chromebook I liked a lot from the year prior, by the way - this big Chromebook isn't exactly the upgrade we were hoping for. Let's talk about it.
At CES 2023, we got a chance to check out Acer's new Add-in-One dock for the Chromebox CXI5. This device becomes just like an all-in-one when all connected and gives you the ability to upgrade or repair the Chromebox portion with ease. It's a different take on both the Chromebox and the Chromebase, and in the right scenario it could be a big hit.
CES 2023 was a packed show for us this time around. With affordable Chromebooks, high-end-amazing Chromebooks, Chromeboxes and a pseudo Chromebase, there was a lot to unpack in our few days spent in Vegas. We’ve already released videos of the fantatic-looking HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, the gaming focused ASUS Vibe CX34 Flip, and the affordable Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i, but this post is about another affordable Chromebook we didn’t anticipate seeing at CES this year: the ASUS Chromebook CM14.
We first ran into the Chromebook CM14 in MediaTek’s booth where they were using it to showcase the latest, affordable Kompanio 520 processor it possesses on the inside. In that setup, the CM14 was hooked up to a 1080p television and I streamed Fortnite via GeForce NOW while live-streaming my session in Discord. Compared to the Kompanio 500 in the original Lenovo Duet (which this new Kompanio 520 is replacing), this was a big step up.
The first Vibe Chromebook wasn't great, but this time around, I think we're seeing what ASUS is really capable of when charged with making a cloud gaming Chromebook. The Vibe CX34 Flip is everything the original, rehashed Vibe is not and where I couldn't recommend the initial offering, I'm quite excited by this latest effort from ASUS. We spent some time with it at CES 2023 and I came away pretty impressed with what ASUS is doing in the gaming Chromebook space with this new attempt.
I’ll go ahead and say it: the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook was my absolute favorite thing I saw at CES 2023. While not the most technologically advanced gadget I ran into, this Chromebook looks to answer the mail for Chromebook users looking for a premium, beautiful, powerful laptop running ChromeOS. We may have a lot of Chromebooks already in the market and also making their debut at CES 2023 this year, but in my opinion, none compare with this one. Truth be told; I’m a bit smitten right now.
There are few Chromebooks I go back for a second look at when we’re at shows like CES. The only other time I remember doing so was with the Samsung Chromebook Pro (our first CES) and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook, and both of those devices were incredibly significant in their respective times. I went back for a few extra looks and touches with the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook and each time I returned, I was equally impressed. This one is going to be special, folks.
Follow us: instagram.com/chromeunboxed twitter.com/chromeunboxed facebook.com/ChromeunboxedFirst Look! Acer Add-In-One Monitor and Chromebox at CES 2023Chrome Unboxed2023-01-09 | At CES 2023, Acer announced a new, 12th Gen Intel Chromebox that builds on the company’s solid CXI family of ChromeOS mini PCs but this device also comes matched with a new addon that makes it a very unique device space. Along with the powerful Intel Alder Lake Chromebox CXI5, Acer also launched what they are calling the Add-In-One 24 monitor solution. Here's a first look!
Follow us: instagram.com/chromeunboxed twitter.com/chromeunboxed facebook.com/ChromeunboxedIs This The Ultimate Gaming Chromebook? ASUS Vibe CX34 at CES 2023Chrome Unboxed2023-01-08 | ASUS just announced a new Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip at CES 2023 and from the looks of it, they are immediately back in the conversation of great gaming Chromebooks. While the Vibe CX55 Flip felt rehashed, reused, and recycled, this new Vibe CX34 feels fresh and full of moxie.
Join our Patreon community for exclusive extras, an ad-free website experience, and more: patreon.com/chromeunboxed
Follow us: instagram.com/chromeunboxed twitter.com/chromeunboxed facebook.com/ChromeunboxedImpressive MediaTek Kompanio 520 Demo at CES 2023Chrome Unboxed2023-01-07 | In the MediaTek booth at CES 2023, we got hands-on with the new ASUS Chromebook CM14 that is powered by the Kompanio 520. And to show us what this new entry-level processor is really made of they had a demo where Robby was about to play Fortnite on GeForceNOW, with an external monitor hooked up, and a Discord screen share running in the background!
Join our Patreon community for exclusive extras, an ad-free website experience, and more: patreon.com/chromeunboxed
One of the first Chromebooks we've had the opportunity to check out here in Las Vegas at CES 2023 is the brand-new Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i that was announced a few weeks back. If you recall, this Chromebook brings a lot to the table for an affordable device and could greatly change the landscape of low-priced, consumer-facing Chromebooks over the course of the next year.
In the fall of 2022, Google put together a launch of 3 cloud gaming-focused Chromebooks: one from Acer, one from Lenovo, and one from ASUS. We’ve either unboxed or reviewed the Acer and Lenovo variants of this new take on the large-screened Chromebook, but up until now, we’ve not talked much about the ASUS attempt. And to simply be frank about it, there’s a good reason for that: it’s not very good.
MediaTek recently unveiled their next-gen Kompanio processors for entry-level Chromebooks - the Kompanio 520 and 528 - and they're designed to elevate performance in more affordable devices.
Learn more and listen to our interview with Victor Tyan here: bit.ly/3FYOYGCThe Meaning of MediaTek Kompanio #shortsChrome Unboxed2022-12-24 | Sponsored by MediaTek: bit.ly/3NxuSoX
Here's Victor Tyan from MediaTek explaining the meaning of the Kompanio brand.
Watch the full interview and learn more here: bit.ly/3FYOYGC
Join our Patreon community for exclusive extras, an ad-free website experience, and more: patreon.com/chromeunboxed
One of the big upsides of the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is the ease of upgrades and/or repairs. With a truly modular build, this Chromebook does what no other can: it makes opening and working on your laptop a breeze.
To put this to the test, I wanted to attempt a RAM upgrade on our review unit without any setup, testing, or practice whatsoever. We had a RAM chip sitting around and with all I’ve seen about the Framework laptops in the past few months, I wagered that dropping in a bit of extra RAM would be quite simple. Spoiler alert: it really was.
Though there are countless Chromebooks out there to be interested in, there aren’t near as many processors. We generally see the same large and small core offerings from Intel each year, but the other players in the ChromeOS game have been upping their output. We now have a couple Snapdragon models (and one notable new one on the way), a few AMD options, and a few MediaTek SoCs out there. All told, that’s not a ton of processors to keep up with, so when a new one comes along, it gets our attention.
Thus is the story of the HP Chromebook x360 13b, a device that looks great, has some design flaws, and will make a decent Chromebook thanks mainly to the silicon on the inside: the new MediaTek Kompanio 1200. While this processor is a step less powerful than the much-loved Kompanio 1380 found in the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, it should still provide solid performance and stellar battery life. For now, we’re just getting introduced to this Chromebook, hopping in the box, and giving things an initial look.
We just wrapped up our Best Chromebooks of 2022 list and included on that list were two devices powered by MediaTek Kompanio processors. They are the Acer Chromebook 514 powered by the Kompanio 828 and the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 powered by the Kompanio 1380.
Learn more about these two devices and see the full list here: bit.ly/3V2Ocg2Good, Better, and Best Kompanio Processors #shortsChrome Unboxed2022-12-14 | Sponsored by MediaTek: bit.ly/3NxuSoX
Here's Adam King from MediaTek chatting about the good, better, and best lineup of Kompanio processors.
Watch the full interview and learn more here: bit.ly/3NxuSoX
Join our Patreon community for exclusive extras, an ad-free website experience, and more: patreon.com/chromeunboxed
I’ve put off doing a “review” of the Pixel Watch for a very good reason. Well, it’s a good reason to me, at least. To put it bluntly, I don’t really know what I’m talking about with smartwatches: or just watches at all for that matter. I’m not a watch guy and my foray into smartwatches before the Pixel Watch began and ended with Fitbit Versas: all four models of them. So to say that I have hard opinions on how the Pixel Watch stands up to the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, other Wear OS watches, or anything other than a Fitbit at this point is laughable. But, a lot of you have asked for my thoughts, so I’m going to give them to you. Just not in a standard review form.
Don’t get me wrong; I still have opinions on this watch and I’m going to share those. But in my inexperience with smartwatches, I’m not the guy that will be able to tell you how the Pixel Watch favorably – or unfavorably – compares with the Apple Watch. Or the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Or any watch, really. Even with my Fitbit Versas over the years, I didn’t lean on too many of the smartwatch features on a daily basis. When it comes to smartwatches, I’m kind of a clean slate. So if you hear all of that and think to yourself “I’d still like to hear what this guy thinks,” then let’s get into it.
***CORRECTION: The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 is non-touch for the model currently available at Best Buy***
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For quite a few years at this point, we’ve put out our list of the best Chromebooks released in that calendar year. While that is useful information for sure, the situation here at the end of 2022 is a bit different than it was in years prior. Though we’ve moved on from the pandemic in many ways, the residual effects still linger, and that has made the Chromebook market a very interesting thing at this point in the story.
There are devices we expected to be released by now that have not shown up, and at the same time, we’ve also arrived at a point in the Chromebook ecosystem where last year’s devices are still really awesome, really discounted, and still on our favorites list. So this year, we’re shaking up our list a bit and simply giving you our 12 favorite Chromebooks you can go out and buy right now at the end of 2022, regardless of their release date. Let’s get started.
Thin, light, and powerful! This is the HP Chromebook x360 13b powered by the new @mediaTek_inc Kompanio 1200 processor. A couple of our favorite features of this Chromebook include:
👉️ Thin, light, and fanless design 👉️ Plenty of power for getting work done 👉️ Great gaming experience 👉️ Excellent battery life
Learn more here: bit.ly/3NxuSoXFramework Laptop Chromebook Edition Unboxing & Early ImpressionsChrome Unboxed2022-11-22 | Brought to you by our Patreon community. Join for access to our private Discord, an ad-free website experience, and more: bit.ly/cu-join
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For the most part, unboxing a new Chromebook is a pretty standard thing. You usually get a Chromebook in some sort of paper-like sleeve, a charger, and a big cardboard box. While I fully support recyclable packaging for Chromebooks, I also appreciate when companies like Acer – with their Chromebook Vero 514 – take the time to still make that environmentally friendly box a bit more interesting than normal.
With the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition (Framework Chromebook from here on), this is all taken to the next level because not only is the packaging unique for this particular Chromebook, so is the Chromebook and all the other goodies inside it. Never before have we seen a device running ChromeOS capable of what the Framework Chromebook is, so you know this unboxing is a pretty special one.
Our first run in with one of the three new cloud gaming-focused Chromebooks went very well, making the Acer Chromebook 516 GE one of my absolute favorite laptops of the year at this point. Lenovo's contribution to this slightly-niche Chromebook space is the Ideapad Gaming Chromebook and it offers much of the same stuff that makes Acer's 516 GE such an exceptional Chromebook, so we've been pretty excited to get this one in the office and see what it's made of.
Follow us: instagram.com/chromeunboxed twitter.com/chromeunboxed facebook.com/ChromeunboxedWe turned the “Chromebook Killer” into a Killer Chromebook 😲Chrome Unboxed2022-11-14 | We recently visited the Chrome OS Flex Labs in NYC and saw first-hand how Google tests devices that are certified to work with Chrome OS Flex. One of the devices in the room was the Microsoft Surface SE so we went and bought one to put the certification to the test!
Join our Patreon community for exclusive extras, an ad-free website experience, and more: patreon.com/chromeunboxed
Sometimes, things just line up the right way when you weren’t expecting them to. That’s basically the story with the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, a Chromebook that is built for cloud gaming, marketed as such, and does a great job at that task. But in building a Chromebook suited for gaming, Acer went and created something far more attractive: a Chromebook that’s good at just about everything you could want.
On the surface, you may look at photos, videos, and spec sheets on this Chromebook and think things like that’s too big of a Chromebook for me or I’m not really that into gaming, but I’d tell you to stick around for this one. While not the perfect Chromebook all around – there will never be one – this Chromebook gets so much right and is such an absolute delight to use that even if you’ve not been into bigger Chromebooks before or you don’t consider yourself a gamer (I know I don’t), this device still has a whole lot to offer.