A new entry-level Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 3 360 is on the way

A reader recently reached out about something interesting they found while digging through the official ChromeOS Auto Update Expiration (AUE) policy page: a brand-new, unannounced device labeled the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 3 360. This is the first sign of a successor to Samsung’s last entry-level convertible, and it gives me hope that the company might be ready to redeem itself in this segment.

A successor to a forgettable device

If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Samsung released the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 a couple of years back. And if you don’t remember it, you’re not alone. As we detailed in our hands-on impressions, that device was a pretty significant flop. It came with a fantastic-looking QHD screen that was bright and colorful, but the rest of the device was a bit of a mess.

From a flimsy keyboard to an all-plastic chassis to a very underwhelming processor and paltry 4GB of RAM, the Samsung Chromebook 2 360 had so many flaws for its price that I never recommended anyone ever consider buying on. The $449 price tag was the primary reason for this, and with the myriad of issue on the Chromebook 2 360, I’ve largely left it behind when thinking of the great selection of Chromebooks currently available.

Reason for optimism this time around?

Despite that past disappointment, there’s reason to be cautiously optimistic about this new model. Samsung has recently demonstrated that it can build truly excellent Chromebooks, as evidenced by the stellar Galaxy Chromebook Plus. That device nailed the premium feel, performance, and features, proving Samsung still knows how to make a great ChromeOS laptop. Our hope is that some of that magic and attention to detail will trickle down to this new, presumably more affordable, Galaxy Chromebook 3 360.

What we can infer from the name

For now, the only concrete information we have is the name and its appearance on the AUE list, which gives it an expiration date of June 2035 – standard for newly registered devices. The “360” in the name clearly indicates it will be a convertible model.

Given its likely position below the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, we can make some educated guesses about the internals. It’s plausible this device could be powered by one of Intel’s newer entry-level processors, like the Core 3-N355 or perhaps the even more budget-friendly N250 or N150. Paired with 4GB or maybe 8GB of RAM, this could be a solid contender in the sub-$400 space, if Samsung avoids the pitfalls of its predecessor.

We’ll be keeping a close eye out for more details on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 3 360 as it moves closer to an official announcement. Here’s hoping Samsung delivers a device worthy of the Galaxy name this time around.