Samsung Unveils New Galaxy Book Pro Laptops

Samsung’s new line of Galaxy Book laptops features many smartphone-inspired improvements that will “re-invent the personal computer”.

TM Roh, Samsung’s Mobile Communications President and Head in the opening keynote of Samsung’s April 2021 Unpacked Credit: Samsung

The tech giant revealed two new Galaxy Book Pro laptops: the Galaxy Book Pro and the Galaxy Book pro 360 in its Unpacked event on 28 April 2021. The two laptops were said to be the embodiment of mobility, connectivity and continuity – the company’s answer to the question: “why can’t laptops be more like smartphones?”.

The Galaxy Book Pro and the Galaxy Book Pro 360 were both designed to meet the needs of modern mobile-first users. Both laptops are lightweight and compact, with the 15-inch variants of the Galaxy Book Pro 360 and the Galaxy Book Pro weighing only 1.39 kg and 1.15kg respectively. Both laptops were awarded MIL-STD-810G for various hostile weathers and environments. This certification ensures the laptops’ compactness did not come at the cost of their durability.

A 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro Credit: Samsung

Connectivity varies between laptop configurations and size. Although both laptops are Wi-Fi 6E ready, the 13-inch Galaxy Book Pro supports 5G while its 15-inch version does not. The 13-inch Galaxy Book Pro, on the other hand, has LTE support while its 15-inch counterpart does not.

Both laptops have specifications that are similar to each other. The laptops feature 11th-gen Intel Core processors from i3 to i7, a Super AMOLED display that is eye-care certified to reduce the effects of blue light, an NVMe SSD that has a 1TB storage capacity and AKG speakers. Both laptops also have the same 720p HD camera and dual-array microphones as well as a fingerprint scanner on the power key to authenticate the user’s identity.

However, this is where the similarities of the two laptops’ specifications end.

A 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 and an S Pen Credit: Samsung

One big difference between both laptops is how their displays work. While the Galaxy Book Pro’s display functions like any typical laptop, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 features a display that you can flip a full 360 degrees and use as either a tablet or have it in Stand mode. For this reason, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 will get an S Pen included in-box on purchase.

You can actually get a different GPU depending on the laptop’s processor. The 13-inch variants of both the Galaxy Book Pro and the Galaxy Book Pro 360 will come installed with an Intel Iris Xe graphics GPU if you go with an i7 or i5 processor. On the other hand, a Galaxy Book Pro 360 with an i3 processor will have an Intel UHD graphics GPU equipped instead. The 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro, on the other hand, will have an option for the NVIDIA GeForce MX450, although this depends on the region.

As for ports, you’ll be getting a varied number of ports depending on what model and size you plan to get. The 13-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 has a Thunderbolt 4 port, a 3.5pi headphone/mic jack, one port each for MicroSD and nanoSIM and two USB Type-C ports. The 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 also have the same amount of ports except that it doesn’t have a nanoSIM port.

The available ports of a 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro Credit: Samsung

The 13-inch Galaxy Book Pro has one Thunderbolt 4 port, a USB Type-C port, one USB 3.2 port, a 3.5pi headphone/mic jack, MicroSD and nanoSIM. The 15-inch variant also has the same ports, but Samsung removed the nanoSIM port for an HDMI port.

Last but not least is the battery of both the Galaxy Book Pro and the Galaxy Book Pro 360. Samsung stated that both laptops’ batteries are long-lasting enough to keep the laptop going through the day. The 13-inch variant for both laptops comes with a 63Wh battery while the 15-inch variants will have a 68Wh battery installed. All laptop sizes come with a 65W Type-C Fast charger so you can charge the laptops quickly if needed.

The Galaxy Book Pro and the Galaxy Book Pro 360 are now available for pre-order in the US. The 13-inch Galaxy Book Pro has a starting price tag of US$999.99 with the 15-inch starts at US$1099.99. Meanwhile, the 13-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 can be pre-ordered at a starting price of US$1199.99 while the 15-inch variant will start at US$1299.99.

Information from Samsung’s US website suggests that both the Galaxy Book Pro and the Galaxy Book 360 will be available for purchase on 14 May 2021.

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Written by John Paul Joaquin