Back in 2022, there was optimism for Windows on ARM devices, and Samsung’s Galaxy Book Go was expected to lead the way. But as of 2024, it’s clear that Windows on ARM still has a long way to go. While Samsung’s Galaxy Book4 Edge, with its Snapdragon X Elite chip, managed to handle modern games, the Galaxy Book Go series, featuring older Snapdragon chips, is struggling to keep up.
There was an update in February last year with the Galaxy Book2 Go, but it still had compatibility issues and wasn’t much of an improvement over the original Galaxy Book Go. At this point, there’s little reason to recommend it over the more powerful ultrabooks on the market.
Design: Basic and Flimsy
The Galaxy Book Go’s design is plain and functional but not very impressive. It has a silver and black color scheme, and its compact size is good. However, the build quality feels cheap. The plastic body is lightweight but flexible and not very durable.
- Screen: While the 1080p resolution is commendable for the price, the screen quality is poor. Colors are dull, contrast is low, and the viewing angles are terrible.
- Hinge: The 180-degree hinge is stiff but wobbly, making it tricky to use on your lap.
- Ports: The laptop includes two USB Type-C ports, one USB Type-A, and an SD card slot, but it lacks HDMI, limiting your external display options.
Performance: A Struggle with ARM and Windows
The Galaxy Book Go runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip, which is optimized for mobile devices. Unfortunately, running Windows on ARM comes with significant limitations. The laptop works fine for basic tasks like web browsing and using simple apps. However, demanding tasks, such as running x86-based software, are slow due to Windows’ inefficient compatibility layer for ARM processors.
The 4GB of RAM is also insufficient for multitasking. Opening more than a couple of browser tabs or apps can significantly slow down performance. Chrome, in particular, runs poorly, though lighter apps like Edge are more manageable.
- Gaming: Lightweight 2D games work fine, but anything 3D or graphically demanding is too much for the laptop to handle.
- Battery Life: One area where the Galaxy Book Go shines is battery life. It lasted over 11 hours during tests, making it a solid choice for long-lasting use, but you probably won’t want to watch movies on it due to the screen quality.
Price and Availability: Budget-Friendly, But Limited Value
The Galaxy Book Go is priced at $349, placing it in the budget laptop category. For this price, it competes directly with Chromebooks and other entry-level laptops. However, for slightly more money, you can find better-performing devices like the Microsoft Surface Go or the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet.
Despite being affordable, the Galaxy Book Go’s limited performance, poor screen quality, and restricted functionality make it hard to recommend, especially when compared to better alternatives at similar price points.
Final Verdict: Missed Potential
The Samsung Galaxy Book Go is an affordable Windows on ARM laptop, but it falls short in too many areas. Its weak performance, poor screen, and budget build quality make it feel like Samsung cut too many corners. While it excels in battery life and basic functionality, it struggles with anything more demanding.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop with long battery life and don’t mind its limitations, the Galaxy Book Go might be a decent option. However, if you need better performance, multitasking capabilities, or a good display, you’d be better off looking elsewhere.
Key Specs Recap
- CPU: Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 (Octa-core, up to 2.55 GHz)
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 128GB eUFS
- Screen: 14-inch 1920 x 1080 (terrible quality despite resolution)
- Ports: USB Type-C (x2), USB Type-A, microSD, NanoSIM, audio jack
- Weight: 3.04 pounds (1.38 kg)
- Battery Life: 11 hours 30 minutes
