Acer will launch an updated version of its cheap Chromebook 11-inch line. The Acer Chromebook 11 CB3-131 will sport a new ruggedised design coated in, quote, “nano-imprinted textured aluminium [to provide a] premium look and feel.”
As well as looking swanky the upgrade will allow the device to cope with the stresses and knocks that come with education and business life. Acer say the lid can cope with downward pressure of 60 kgs, while the casing will emerge unscathed from tabletop plummets of 2 feet or less.
The industrious design doesn’t come weight penalty. The device weighs a only 2.4 pounds, and stands barely 0.7 inches thick.
Acer’s new Chromebook 11 uses the same quad-core Intel Celeron N2840 Bay Trail processor as last year’s model, and will once again be available in 2GB RAM/16GB SSD and 4GB/32GB SSD configurations.
Expect it to retail from $180 when it launches next month in the US, and from €329 in Europe.
Lenovo is launching a brand new ThinkPad 13 Chromebook.
ThinkPads are renowned for their build quality (i.e., can withstand a more hardy lifestyle than a regular budget laptop). A reinforced plastic shell and chassis frame is coupled with a ThinkPad keyboard, spacious multitouch trackpad, and a smattering of ports.
Notably, the Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Chromebook offers a USB-C port for peripherals and charging, plus two USB 3.0 ports for legacy add-ons. A HDMI out and SD card slot round out the proceedings.
The new machine also comes with ThinkPad specs. A choice of Intel Core i3 and i5 processor is available (though it defaults to a pantsy Intel Celeron). As much as 8GB of RAM and 32GB of solid state storage is on offer, too.
Although the base model will sport 1080p TN display it could be worth ponying up the cash for the optional IPS panel. to give you better color and and easier to read screen.
