Websites with detailed specs and pre-order information reportedly popped up and down during the past few days. Engadget turned to Chrome Unboxed for information on the Chromebook Pro leaks, including a pre-order page on Adorama — which no longer exists. Forbes also cited Chrome Unboxed in its coverage of the expected Samsung Chromebook Pro, which it mentions would be positioned to compete with Hewlett-Packard’s Chromebook 13.
According to the reports, the Chromebook Pro will have an all-metal case, a six-core 2GHz ARM CPU, 4GB RAM, and 32GB of onboard storage. Battery life is rated at 10 hours. The machine is expected to include a 12.3-inch, 2,400 x 1,600 resolution touchscreen. The screen is supposed to rotate 360 degrees so you can use like a conventional notebook with a keyboard or as a flat tablet. In tablet configuration, an included stylus could support pen-friendly Android applications, similar to the pens in Samsung Note phablets.
The Chromebook Pro’s metal case reportedly measures 0.5 or 0.55 inches thick and weighs 2.38 pounds. Pricing from the leaked pages was $500. That price is higher than previous Samsung Chromebooks and more expensive than low-end Windows notebooks. However, the pricing, if it sticks, is low for a sub-2.4 pound Windows notebook with a thin all-metal case and high-resolution screen. That price is the same as the HP Chromebook 13.
Chromebooks are abound at or near the $200 price level, typically with plastic cases, 1,366 x 768 resolution screens, 2GB RAM, and 16GB Storage. The step up to the $300 price level includes such higher-powered Chromebooks as the Acer Chromebook 14 with a metal chassis, full-HD display, 4GB RAM, and 32GB of storage.
By incorporating a still-yet-higher resolution touchscreen display, and one that rotates and supports an included stylus plus a more powerful processor, the spec list for what appears to be the Samsung Chromebook Pro should spark some interest in those content with the Chrome OS who seek a relatively powerful machine with premium features.
