Why the 2021 Samsung Galaxy Book Pro is Still the Ultrabook King of Value

We’re now four generations into Samsung’s new wave of Galaxy Books, but let’s take a step back. The original Galaxy Book Pro from 2021 still stands out—not just for nostalgia, but because it’s arguably one of the best value-for-money ultrabooks ever released.

Three years later, the price has dropped significantly, and the unit we picked up back in 2021 has aged like fine wine. Before diving into performance and features, let’s talk numbers: price. Compared to its closest rival, the 2021 LG Gram, the Galaxy Book Pro now sells for noticeably less. You can snag the 8GB RAM + 512GB SSD configuration for around $600. If you’re aiming for more power, the 16GB RAM + 1TB SSD version hovers just above $750. And with frequent discounts on eBay, Amazon, and Best Buy, the deals are often too good to ignore.

The Display: A Category Killer

Where the Galaxy Book Pro truly smacks down the LG Gram—and most other competitors, including some mid-range and even flagship laptops in 2025—is the display. The Super AMOLED panel is a stunner. Even today, it feels like a revelation.

We’ve compared it side-by-side with a 2022 Redmi Gaming Book (which boasts one of the best LCDs in its class), and honestly, the Galaxy Book Pro still comes out on top. It’s one of those “seeing is believing” moments. The colors are vibrant, the blacks are deep, and the contrast is unmatched.

Performance That Holds Up

Powered by 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 chips, this laptop still handles most modern tasks with ease. We’ve used ours extensively for software development, and it hasn’t skipped a beat. It's fast, reliable, and efficient—everything you’d want in a productivity-focused machine.

A Hidden Gem: Built-in Screen Recorder

Here’s a feature you don’t hear about often, but it’s surprisingly useful: the built-in screen recorder. It’s straightforward, intuitive, and requires zero setup—unlike more complex tools like OBS Studio.

Need to quickly show a teammate a bug or walk a QA through an issue? Two clicks. Want to record a tutorial with webcam overlay (circular or rectangular)? A few more clicks, and you’re good to go. No need to fiddle with PNG masks or extra software. It’s a small touch, but one that makes a big difference in everyday use.

Ultra-Portability Without Compromise

The "Gram" in LG Gram is meant to emphasize weight, but the 2021 Galaxy Book Pro actually beats it in both weight and overall portability. Despite its feather-light design, it doesn’t skimp on ports. On the left side, you’ll find two USB-C ports and an HDMI. On the right, there’s a USB-A port and a microSD card reader.

Fun fact: it’s so thin, the USB-A port actually dips beneath the chassis line. Sleek design done right.

Durability: Thin Doesn’t Mean Fragile

There have been some reports of screen crack lines forming on this model over time due to its thin build. However, I’m happy to report that our unit is still rock-solid. And trust me—it’s been through a lot. I’ve woken up more than once lying on top of it (don’t ask), dropped it a couple of times, and taken it on rough, bumpy trips. Aside from a few surface scratches around the edges, it’s held up beautifully.

Pro tip: Our unit was manufactured in Vietnam, and based on what I’ve seen, units from Vietnam seem to be more resilient. Keep that in mind if you're hunting for a secondhand model.