REVIEWS NEWS SPEAKERS HEADPHONES HI-FI TV SMARTPHONES GADGETS HOME THEATRE PHOTO COMPUTERS SMART HOME

Review: Samsung Galaxy Book Ion

Weighed and found too light

Samsung Galaxy Book Ion looks promising on paper, but disappoints on a few key points. Especially the price taken into account.

Karakter
Samsung Galaxy Book Ion
forfatter
Published 2020-10-25 - 12:00 am
Our opinion
Ultralight, and still many connection options. PowerShare via the machine's touchpad is a fun extra feature. Good battery life.
At this price, the performance is not overwhelming. The screen resolution is too low and the color reproduction is not natural enough. The sound is simply miserable.
Specifications
  • Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5
  • Screen: 13.3 ”QLED FHD (1920 x 1080)
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Hard disk: 512 SSD
  • Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
  • Operating system: Windows 10 Home
  • Dimensions and weight: 30.57 x 19.98 x 1.29 cm / 970 g
  • Battery: 69.7 Wh
  • Other: 720p HD camera, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Thunderbolt 3, 2x USB-C, HDMI, 3.5 mm jack
  • Web: samsung.com

Samsung’s new MacBook Air competitor is ultra-thin and built in silver and ultra-light magnesium. With its only 970 grams, the Galaxy book Ion is also slightly lighter than the Macbook Air, and it also generally takes up a little less space even if the screen size is the same. In addition, the Galaxy Book Ion offers more connectivity than Apple’s smallest laptop – including a full-size HDMI port.

Our test specimen came in a slightly better configuration from the manufacturer, than Apple’s equivalent device, which of course means that the specific test machine from Samsung performed better than the MacBook Air in our Benchmark tests.

If, on the other hand, you remember that the price difference between the two test machines is over $ 500 (and that a MacBook Air with specifications that correspond to the test copy of Galaxy Book Ion is still cheaper than Samsung’s laptops), Galaxy Book Ion’s performance is not terribly impressive.

Unlike the MacBook Air, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes with a full-size HDMI port. (Photo: Samsung)

A Windows PC in the same price range, the HP Specter x360 13, is better across the board, even though it has a year and a half behind it. And the HP machine delivered at least proper sound – just like the MacBook Air – while the sound from the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion mostly sounds like something coming out of an inkbox at the end of a string.

The screen uses the same QLED technology as is known from Samsung TVs, but compared to Apple’s screen, the image on the Galaxy Book Ion seems strangely unnatural. And if you are going to use your laptop to edit photos or video where color authenticity is a high priority, there is no doubt that the MacBook Air is the right choice. Also because the Galaxy Book Ion, despite the expensive screen technology, only comes with FHD resolution, which honestly does not provide much space to work on.

The keyboard on Samsung’s laptop has been approved, but Apple’s new scissor keyboard is better. By comparison, the wanderlust and tactile feel of the Samsung keys is a thin cup of tea.

Finally, it must be mentioned that the Galaxy Book Ion can do a little trick that the MacBook Air cannot. You can use the touchpad to charge other devices that support the Qi standard wirelessly. But we do not know how many watts the so-called PowerShare function charges, because Samsung does not state it anywhere. But it does not go fast.

Samsung Galaxy Book Ion does not shy away from the MacBook Air, but loses by technical knockout and must leave the podium to Apple.

Also in this test

Apple MacBook Air 13 (2020)

Best value for money

Even though the Apple MacBook Air 13 is not quite as cheap as it has been, you still get a surprising amount for your money with Apple's slimmest laptop.

Retina display with True Tone, sleek design and quality from the top shelf as well as excellent sound.
Not overwhelmingly good battery life. Only two USB-C ports.
No reason to pay more

The Acer Predator Helios 300 isn't a top model at a fantastical price. But the performance is high class and the screen is better than expected.

Fastest MacBook Air ever

Apple's ultrabook has a new design and a boost that means business. But the price is accordingly.

Elegant laptop for the creatives

MSI Creator Z16 delivers on all important points - and looks good while doing it.

Razer: Now, we mean business!

With a well-made little "MacBook killer", Razer shows that they can do more than just gaming PCs.

The safe choice

Behind the dull exterior lives a powerful processor and an excellent graphics card - but they can not escape.

Monitor with surround image

Philips ultra-wide screen puts you in the middle of the action, whether it's games, movies or spreadsheets.

Follow LB Tech Reviews