While Dell’s XPS line might lead the pack when it comes to ultraportable laptops, its closest competition has to be the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro series. With their dazzling AMOLED displays and remarkably thin designs, Samsung’s ultraportables have managed to stand out from the pack thus far, but they hope to snatch the top spot with an upcoming fleet of thin-and-light laptops: the Galaxy Book2. To prove it, Samsung offered PCMag a hands-on first look at the upcoming Galaxy Book2 Pro and Galaxy Book2 360.
While past models of the Galaxy Book family scored high marks in 2021 (see our review of the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 and the Galaxy Book Pro 13), the 2022 models show that Samsung has really pulled out all the stops. With a trio of new models that use the latest Intel 12th Generation (“Alder Lake”) processors, brilliant AMOLED displays, and some of the smartest integrations with phones and tablets we’ve seen, the latest crop of Samsung laptops is a genuinely exciting addition to a competitive category. (See our look at the first Intel 12th Generation chips for thin laptops like these.)
Pre-orders for the new laptops start March 18, with retail availability beginning on April 1.
Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360
The Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 is the top model in this new batch of systems, and it’s easy to see why. Coming in both 13.3- and 15.6-inch models, the Pro 360 is outfitted with Samsung’s Super AMOLED display technology, complete with a built-in digitizer for S-Pen support and a 360-degree hinge for multiple use modes.
Under the hood, the Pro 360 is outfitted with an Intel Core i7-1260P processor (and is configurable with Core i5 options) with integrated Intel Xe graphics. The 12th Generation P-series chips are a new middle type from Intel, 28-watt mobile CPUs that lie between the ultralight-focused U-series and the power-user H-series; the latter are usually confined to thicker high-end and gaming laptops. Configurable with 8GB to 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and NVMe storage of up to a full 1TB, the Pro 360 looks to be a well-appointed machine. The sleek design sticks to smaller USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports for connectivity, along with Wi-Fi 6E for lightning-fast networking.
In our hands-on time, we were especially impressed with the keyboard and touchpad, which offer comfortable typing and a wide, expansive surface for touches and taps. The hinges are slim and unassuming, while still providing easy conversion to tablet or tent modes, and the included S-Pen doesn’t require charging or batteries, making it more convenient than some active pens.
With two sizes available, the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 is sized just right for tablet use in the 13-inch model, but the 15-incher might be better for users that primarily want a laptop, with only occasional tablet use, since the larger size is a bit unwieldy to hold.
With the 13-inch model weighing in at 2.29 pounds and the 15-inch version weighing 3.6 pounds, there’s no weight difference from the past models, but Samsung has still packed in a lot of new features. The webcam not only bumps up the resolution to 1080p, but it also offers a wider 87-degree field of view along with software-side enhancements, like Studio Mode and Auto Framing.
The sound is also better in video calls, with bi-directional noise canceling. This feature not only cleans up the sound captured by your own microphone, but it also eliminates extraneous sound from incoming audio. The Dolby Atmos-enhanced speakers also sound great, with no rattle from the chassis when the volume was turned up all the way.
The laptop also gets a new intelligent cooling mode that adjusts fan speed while taking into account everything from laptop position to ambient noise levels to system load.
The Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 starts at $1,249.99 and, as mentioned, will be available in two sizes (13.3-inch and 15.6-inch). Models will come in burgundy, graphite, or silver finishes.
Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro
For a nearly identical laptop that skips the flipping and folding capabilities, you’ll want to look at the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro. With no touch screen and a standard hinge, the clamshell-classic design is still quite similar, but the two laptops aren’t identical, especially around connectivity.
The biggest difference is the port selection, which adds USB-A and HDMI output to the Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C connections that are also found on the Book2 Pro 360. It also drops the burgundy color option, sticking to the more subdued graphite and silver color schemes.
The overall design looks almost identical to the 360 model, but it’s a lot lighter weight. The 13.3-inch model weighs an extremely portable 1.92 pounds, and the 15.6-inch version is just 2.45 pounds. On top of that, Samsung claims that the laptop’s battery (63Wh in the 13-incher and 68Wh in the 15-inch model) will last up to 21 hours.
Given the “Pro” and the business focus, this Galaxy is also designed around security, with a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, and the 15-inch model adds Intel’s new powerful Arc graphics as an option, in addition to the integrated Xe graphics that come standard.
But there’s one more trick up Samsung’s sleeve, which was demoed on the Book2 Pro: If you have a Samsung phone or tablet, you can take advantage of Samsung’s tight integration between its different products. On Samsung phones, you can use the Link to Windows feature to enjoy apps and phone functions on your laptop, or you can use a phone or tablet as a small second screen, acting as a secondary monitor for the laptop. It’s a clever bit of functionality that many Samsung phone and tablet users may find pretty enticing.
The clamshell-design Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro laptop starts at $1,049.99, comes in graphite and silver color schemes, and (like the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360) will be available in 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch sizes.
Samsung Galaxy Book2 360
For a more basic 2-in-1 laptop, the non-“Pro” Samsung Galaxy Book2 360 is the one in the new Book2 line to look at. This 13.3-inch convertible laptop offers the same laptop/tablet switching functionality as the Pro 360, but at a slightly more affordable price and with a simpler feature set.
While the multi-mode design still lets you take advantage of the expanded flexibility and included S-Pen, the Book2 360 sticks to a more basic 720p webcam, and Wi-Fi 6 networking instead of the more advanced Wi-Fi 6E.
But everything else is much the same, from the Super AMOLED display to the Intel 12th Generation CPUs and Intel Xe graphics. Memory and storage allotments aren’t quite as expansive (up to 16GB memory and 512GB SSD storage), but you’ll still get plenty of ports, intelligent fan control, the bi-directional noise cancellation, and a slick-looking design.
The non-Pro Samsung Galaxy Book2 360 will come only in the 13-inch size. It starts at $899.99.
Coming Soon: Samsung Galaxy Book2 Business
Last of the new Book2 models, a fourth member of the Galaxy Book2 family is coming for small-business and enterprise users later this spring. This new entry is dubbed the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Business.
Though we didn’t get any hands-on time with this new entry, Samsung is positioning it as the suit-and-tie version of the above laptops, with a similar design and feature set, but more of a focus on security and utilitarian, as opposed to cutting-edge, features.
The display, for example, is still full HD, but not OLED, opting instead for an anti-glare panel. The port selection is expanded to include not only the more common USB Type-A and HDMI, but even an RJ-45 Ethernet port. And the 1080p webcam adds IR sensing for facial recognition, along with a physical privacy shutter.
Finally, the system will come with Windows 11 Pro, and security features like Intel vPro, Microsoft Secure Core, and even a Kensington lock slot for physically securing the machine.
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but Samsung did share that the Galaxy Book2 Business laptop should launch in April in select markets.
