Manage updates with the Download AppSamsung Chromebook Series 5 (Wi-Fi, white)
Manufacturer: Samsung Part number: XE500C21-white-wifi
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Despite solid hardware, great battery life, and fast startup, we can't recommend the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 until and unless Google improves the Chrome OS.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 05/23/2013 |
CNET editors' review
Samsung Chromebook Series 5 (Wi-Fi, white) price range: $350.00
- Reviewed by: Joshua Goldman
- Reviewed on: 06/10/2011
- Released on: 10/18/2012
The good: The Samsung Chromebook Series 5 is a small, attractive Netbook with long battery life, true instant-on Web access, and enough computing to use the Internet.
The bad: The Series 5 is expensive for its features and abilities, and using it can be frustrating depending on your wireless signal strength.
The bottom line: Despite solid hardware, great battery life, and fast startup, we can't recommend the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 until and unless Google improves the Chrome OS.
User reviews
-
-
Samsung Chromebook (wifi)
by RayPowell on January 19, 2012
Pros: + Keyboard is comfortable
+ Mousepad is large, comfortable, and very easy to use
+ Battery life is amazing
+ Start up time is also fast
+ OS updates faster than a reboot of any other netbook OSCons: - Chromebook does not support Java
- Sound volume is extremely low making it useless to watch Hulu, Netflix, Etc... without headphonesSummary: I love my Samsung Chromebook, and it is because it is the quickest way to get onto the internet. I have read reviews saying that people do not like it ...
Summary: I love my Samsung Chromebook, and it is because it is the quickest way to get onto the internet. I have read reviews saying that people do not like it since it does not have a dvd/cdrom or because it is not like a laptop. I just want to say to those people, DUH! This Chromebook is strictly for going on the internet. If you like listening to cds or watching dvds on a laptop type of computer, then this is NOT the item for you. If you want to go on the internet, do research, or chat online, then this is the item for you.
It is simple, sleek, lightweight, and something that you can easily toss into your bag for travel. I have the Wifi version, and I absolutely love it. I can use it at home, or I can go to the coffee shop around the corner and connect there without having to worry about someone stealing my info or having to worry about getting a virus from using an open Wifi connection.
The keyboard is comfortable, and I haven't even noticed that the CAPS key has been replaced by a search key. If you want or need CAPS, then just hold down the shift key, its that simple. The mousepad is large, comfortable, and very easy to use. It is very sensitive, and the lightest touch will have the curson/arrow moving on the screen. It moves with the pad of your finger, or even with your knuckle.
For those who like to play games on the internet, like pogo.com, there is a bit of a problem and that is that the Chromebook does not support Java, and I dont know if it ever will. That is the only downfall I have had with the Chromebook.
I use this for hours while sitting in bed, or sitting on the couch and it is amazing how cool is stays. I had a laptop and it got so hot on my legs I couldnt stand it. Even sitting with a pillow on my lap, the heat from the laptop would go through the pillow and still bother my legs. So this Chromebook is wonderfully built, it gets a tiny bit warm, but nothing that is uncomfortable, and this is over the period of hours.
The battery life is amazing, I only have to charge it every other day, if that often. Depending on how much I use it, it is absolutely amazing! I don't know how they did it, but this battery is what people wish for on their laptops. 8+ hours in a single charge? Its amazing!
Now, for the speed of things on the Chromebook, I have been using my Chromebook for about 2 weeks now and it does searches fast, pages open faster than they do on my Dell desktop, and I think that is because there is no virus software that slows down this type of computer. On a desktop there are so many different programs running in the background that NEED to be running in the background, and it really messes up the speed of things. On any Chromebook there is no need for virus software, or any of that other junk, and it makes a world of difference.
The start up time is also as fast as they say. Each time I turn it on, I time it, and its always 8 seconds, how cool is that?!?!
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who likes something that is portable, lightweight, and easily connects to the internet. If you do not need a big computer or a heavy laptop, then this would be the option for you. If you have kids heading off to college and you don't want them to have an expensive computer/laptop that someone might steal or they might lose, then this would be the perfect option for them. And if it does gets lost, all their info is stored online, not on the hard drive. Older people can connect to the internet with no problem, and this is also good for people who like lounging around their house.
Do you ever want to be on the internet, but not stuck behind the desktop all day? Or want to enjoy the beautiful weather outside, but need to get some work done on the internet? Or travel alot and don't want to carry around a heavy laptop that is expensive and might get lost or stolen? Then this is the option for you, a Chromebook. I absolutely love mine, wish I had gotten it earlier.
For cheap price of this Chromebook Wi-Fi, suggest check before you will buy it at -> Laptopscheap1.blogspot.com/2012/01/samsung-series-5-wi-fi.html
Enjoy!8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
It exactly does what is says... but nothing more
by rieln on July 8, 2011
Pros: Sleek, well designed, good screen, awesome screen (also outside), portable, high 'gadget' level, looks cool, feels cool, long battery duration (8 hours is easy)
Cons: Speed. It' s fast enough but heavy sites just won't be nice to work at. Try chrome-experiments, you see that that' s not what Google wants you to do ;)
Summary: It's a browser you can take with you and it's nothing more. For me it is a Pro, because I only want to have a browser. Not being ...
Summary: It's a browser you can take with you and it's nothing more. For me it is a Pro, because I only want to have a browser. Not being annoyed with an underlying OS, it's very handy to just browse and work online. I get annoyed by a netbook running windows because it will need your attention now and then and after 3 months, just starting a browser takes more time than a compleet reboot of this system :)
If you think of that, it's a nice device which makes your online experience better than any tablet. But, nothing to see outside the browser. So decide for yourself.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Big Dissapointment...
by kpk54 on June 20, 2011
Pros: Loads up fast and comes on quickly when taken out of sleep mode.
Cons: Definately need improvement with the Chrome O.S. Also many problems with the touch pad....
Summary: Had nothing but problems since I got this over the weekend. Was having a very "very slight" problem with the sign in procedures. Called Samsung for help. Tech. Rep. didn'...
Summary: Had nothing but problems since I got this over the weekend. Was having a very "very slight" problem with the sign in procedures. Called Samsung for help. Tech. Rep. didn't seem to be very knowledgable with this new Chromebook. She had me eventually reset the netbook to Factory Settings and said that we would start from the beginning. As I said she didn't seem to know what she was doing. After resetting the computer I found out that "EVERYTHING" had been deleted from the Chromebook, including the entire Chrome O.S. Program! She then immediately transferred me to another Support Tech, He said that before resetting the computer all data should be removed from the unit via a Flash Drive before attempting to resetting anything. This is something the first Tech should have known but didn't ! The second Tech. tried helping me but with no luck. He transferred me to a third "specialist" and he told me that I would have to go to the Samsung "Recovery" Website to redown the entire system on a flash drive and then download it back into the chromebook. This took a while, but it did work! And I was back to square one... Thank God!!! Was afraid to use the the Chromebook for a while, but went back to working with it. Found a serious problem though... The touch pad is not very responsive at all. Turned the settings all the way to "sensitive " Touch and it still takes five or six clicks to finally be able to advance to a new webpage.You have an option to switch to a touch rather then a tap on the touch pad, but that still does not work very well!!! Thinkiing of taking this back for a refund...
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
An admirable performer, especially for the price!
by Zentheoutcast on July 18, 2011
Pros: - Light-ish weight
- High res screen
- Instant-on
- Great battery life
- Very comfortable keyboard
- Simple, clean OS
- Multi-touch scrolling works like a charmCons: - Touchpad is occasionally irritating
- Won't work well (if at all) for more complex tasks
- No ethernet port/no built-in video-outSummary: The first thing anyone looking at a chromebook should recognize is that this isn't meant for everyone; In fact, it's almost a niche-market machine.
The chromebook is designed ...Summary: The first thing anyone looking at a chromebook should recognize is that this isn't meant for everyone; In fact, it's almost a niche-market machine.
The chromebook is designed for web browsing and light productivity work, making it very similar in purpose to a netbook. In a practical sense, however, it finds its place somewhere between a netbook and a laptop in both features and price.
The screen is high-resolution for its size and price, and looks absolutely lovely. The sturdily-built keyboard doesn't feel at all cramped and the smooth "chiclet" keys are very pleasant to type on (but seriously, no home/end keys??); I am actually in fact typing this review on mine right now.
The main draws to this machine are the stellar boot times (8 seconds from off to usable, instant on if it's asleep), the fantastic battery life (~8 hrs of use, almost a week in sleep!), and the chrome OS (which is where most users will be divided).
The Chrome OS takes virtually no time to get used to if you've ever used the Chrome browser, since that browser is nearly the entire OS. The OS is extremely responsive, even when running several tabs at once; in fact I have never been able to make the machine feel slow under load. However the fact that the OS is only a browser means any .exe or .zip files you get will be virtually useless (there are some web utilities for opening zips, but it is a pain). Also the machine is nearly bricked without an internet connection. You can opt for the 3G version if that seems appealing to you, but I grabbed the wifi version since I'm mainly using it at work and school (I can also tether to my phone in a pinch).
What it comes down to is what you plan on using this machine for: If you want a laptop for doing all around computer-y things, this is not for you. However if you just want a ultra-portable, convenient web platform that feels closer in size and picture to a traditional computer, consider a chromebook.
The most important thing is that if you know what to expect, you will NOT be disappointed.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
High quality package which functions as advertised.
by reddogco on August 8, 2011
Pros: Compact and light, good battery life, good screen, fast startup.
You can setup multiple accounts (+guest account).
The Chromebook made me discover many features of Chrome, I did not know about.Cons: Trackpad seems sluggish/inaccurate at times.
Experiencing WIFI connection issues with the Apple Airport Extreme - it does not pickup a gateway IP address. Works OK on other Wifi routers.
No ethernet port.
Little bit on the pricy side.Summary: If price is not an object, then this is certainly worth getting.
The multiple accounts feature (which the IOS and Android devices don't have), instant-on and a good battery ...Summary: If price is not an object, then this is certainly worth getting.
The multiple accounts feature (which the IOS and Android devices don't have), instant-on and a good battery life make it well suited as a shared unit in a home environment.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Under performing hardware with poor software
by weathermaps on June 30, 2012
Pros: Great weight
Boots quicklyCons: Under powered CPU stutters on video playback
Poor response of touch pad
Slows down with even two or three tab windows open
Way too expensive for what you get.Summary: I ended up putting ubuntu on this machine, which makes it slightly more usable. but still needs stronger CPU and better touchpad.
Summary: I ended up putting ubuntu on this machine, which makes it slightly more usable. but still needs stronger CPU and better touchpad.
-
Not worth the money
by Kabukiman81 on September 29, 2011
Pros: Well, its fast.
Cons: Very limited offline capabilities. I'm not saying that it has to work like a regular computer, for that would defeat the purpose. However, at the very least, it should have an offline mode where you can access cached application resources.
Summary: The bottom line is that $400+ is way too much to spend for this product. I would be willing to pay no more than $200 for it. However, for novelty'...
Summary: The bottom line is that $400+ is way too much to spend for this product. I would be willing to pay no more than $200 for it. However, for novelty's sake, if someone were to give me one, I would not say no.
-
Perfect for Some!
by dbrow43 on September 19, 2011
Pros: Great battery life and if you can adjust to the cloud and make it work for you then its great!
Cons: Can't do anything really worth mentioning offline
-
Delighting
by Itzikshm on August 21, 2011
Pros: Trivial setup, highly intuitive UI, great keyboard, very good battery life, quick. The app selection is already surprisingly good.
Cons: Poor speakers, narrow viewing angles
-
Very disappointed with Google Chromebook
by awdesign1 on July 5, 2011
Pros: you can't use it if you have Google Business account.
Cons: none for business use
Summary: Very stupid design !! if you have Google Business account you can't use it. you have to have regular gmail account to use it. a lot of business people now ...
Summary: Very stupid design !! if you have Google Business account you can't use it. you have to have regular gmail account to use it. a lot of business people now use Google Business (premier account) and you can't use this if you have Google Business (premier account). .. Come on Google ... you can be smarter than Apple !!
very disappointed with Google Chromebook, wasted a lot of time, will return Chromebook ASAP.0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Part number: XE500C21-white-wifi
- Description: The anti-reflective 12.1" LED display has a mirror effect and produces the sharpest images with 300 nlt brightness, which is up to 40% brighter than normal laptops. Get outstanding picture quality and text readability, even when you're outdoors. Enjoy the web longer without straining your eyes. Chromebooks keep your applications, documents, favorites and settings safely in the cloud. That means you can login to a friend's Chomebook and access your profile without disturbing theirs. Or, if you lose or break your Chromebook you have nothing to worry about. Just get another and login, you will be back up and running in minutes like nothing happened. Make the most of the web by using a keyboard that's designed for it. Your Chromebook comes equipped with a dedicated search key, a row of web-enabled keys, and a comfortable, full-size layout that doesn't cramp your fingers so you can get more done and make fewer errors.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- System Type Chromebook
- OS Provided Google Chrome OS
- Notebook type Budget ,
Ultrathin Processor / Chipset
- CPU Intel Atom N570 / 1.66 GHz
- Number of Cores Dual-Core
- Cache L2 cache - 1 MB
- Front Side Bus 667 MHz
- Chipset Intel NM10 Express
Memory
- RAM 2 GB
- Max RAM Supported 2 GB
- Technology DDR3 SDRAM
Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Hard Drive 16 GB,
SSD - Storage Removable None
- Hard drive type Solid state
Display
- Type 12.1 in
- LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight
- Max Resolution 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
- Widescreen Yes
- Image Aspect Ratio 16:10
- Features Matt
Audio & Video
- Graphics Processor Intel GMA 3150
- Memory Allocation Technology Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
- Camera Yes
- Resolution 1 Megapixel
- Sound Stereo speakers , Microphone
- Codec Realtek ALC272
- Compliant Standards SRS Premium Sound,
High Definition Audio Input
- Type Keyboard,
Touchpad - Features Multi-gesture touch pad,
Scrolling,
Buttonless touchpad Communications
- Wireless 802.11n
Battery
- Technology 6-cell
- Installed Qty 1
- Capacity 8280 mAh
- Run Time 8.5 hour(s)
AC Adapter
- Output 40 Watt
Connections & Expansion
- Slots Memory,
Memory card reader - Interfaces VGA,
Headphone/microphone combo jack,
2 x USB 2.0 - Interfaces 2 x USB - USB,
1 x Display / video - VGA,
1 x Microphone/Headphone - Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 card reader ( SDXC Memory Card ),
( SD Memory Card ),
( SDHC Memory Card ),
( MultiMediaCard ) Software
- Software Included Drivers & Utilities
Miscellaneous
- Color Arctic white
- Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip
- Features System password,
Hard drive password - Cables Included VGA adapter
- Localization United States
Dimensions & Weight
- Width 11.6 in
- Depth 8.6 in
- Height 0.8 in
- Weight 3.3 lbs
Sustainability
- ENERGY STAR Qualified Yes
- EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold
- Greenpeace policy rating (Nov 2011) 4.1
- Greenpeace policy rating (Nov 2012) 4.2
Product series
-
Samsung Chromebook Series 5 (Wi-Fi, white)
Manufacturer: Samsung
Specs: Intel Atom N570 / 1.66 GHz ( Dual-Core ),
/ 2 GB (max),
2 GB,
16 GB,
Google Chrome OS,
12.1 in TFT active matrix,
1280 x 800 ( WXGA ),
Intel GMA 3150 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0,
3.3 lbs,
L2 cache,
1 MB,
Arctic white -
Samsung Chromebook Series 5 (3G, silver)
Manufacturer: Samsung
Specs: Intel Atom N570 / 1.66 GHz ( Dual-Core ),
2 GB,
16 GB,
Google Chrome OS,
12.1 in TFT active matrix,
1280 x 800 ( WXGA ),
Intel GMA 3150 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0,
3.3 lbs,
L2 cache,
1 MB,
Titan silver
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Samsung products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Samsung
- Address:
105 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 - Phone: 1-800-726-7864
- Fax: 1-973-601-6001
%20-%20Compare%20prices,%20reviews,%20user%20opinions%20-%20Shopper.com&srcUrl=http://shopper.cnet.com/notebooks/samsung-chromebook-series-5/4014-3121_9-34677639.html?orderBy%3Dprice%26sortDesc%3Dfalse&x_breadcrumb=3000:3121&x_arw_bkts=MAD:first_impression){kind=small}