Don’t let the “2” fool you: Samsung’s new Galaxy Chromebook 2 does not replace last year’s Galaxy Chromebook. Think of this as the stripped-down, leaner, more affordable version rather than a successor.

The original Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is a high-end, premium machine with one of the nicest screens I’ve ever used on any laptop. Unfortunately, it arrived just as the pandemic took off—buying a Chromebook for the same price as a MacBook probably wasn’t the best idea, especially since Google’s Chrome OS silos you in with Google services and Android apps. I can’t say for sure that this is what influenced certain decisions when Samsung was making the new model, but it certainly feels that way.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is still very much a premium machine, just a little less svelte, with a little less power and, more important, a much nicer price.

Like its predecessor (which remains available), the Galaxy Chromebook 2 comes in either red or gray, but you really should get the red. The world needs more red laptops.

Before I dive into what makes this machine a better value than the more expensive version, let’s tackle what you don’t get. The big loss is the 4K OLED panel, which has been replaced by a 1080p QLED panel. It’s not 4K, but it’s still a really nice screen with deep blacks and brilliant colors. (Designers will be happy to know it covers 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut.) Nice as the new screen is, it’s definitely a step down from the OLED. On the upside, battery life is better.

The stylus and fingerprint sensor are also missing. There’s no handy storage spot in the chassis like in the Galaxy Chromebook, but this version will work with any third-party USI pen.