Fresh Intel silicon (CPU and GPU!), plus handy Galaxy-device cross-conveniences: See our first impressions of Samsung’s latest 2-in-1 and clamshell laptops debuting this week at MWC.
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.
