Computer maker Acer announced the debut of its C720 Chromebook line that is powered by an Intel Celeron 2955U processor based on the Intel Haswell micro-architecture, which improves speed and battery life.
The first model in the C720 Series, the C720-2800, is currently available for preorder at Amazon and BestBuy’s online store with 4GB of memory and a 16GB solid state drive (SSD) at a suggested retail price of $249.99 in the United States. Additional configurations will be available in the coming weeks, a company statement noted.
The device weighs only 2.76 pounds and features an 11.6-inch ComfyView HD display with a 1366×768 resolution and a matte, anti-glare property so users can see better outside or in bright light situations.Multiple layers of security features including data encryption and verified boot protect the C720 against online threats, malware and viruses, and the operating system is updated by Google automatically.
In addition, users can access files offline, as well as open and edit Microsoft Office documents, not to mention Google Documents. Users can have separate accounts to ensure their information is kept safe if the Chromebook is lost, stolen, or lent to a friend, and storage on Google Drive protects files, documents, and photos in the cloud.
“The C720 is a significant step forward for our highly-acclaimed Chromebook line, as it delivers speedy performance, quick boot times, a matte anti-glare display and a slimmer design that is portable enough for anywhere use,” Arif Maskatia, chief technology officer for Acer America, said in a statement. “These key advances allow families and students to continue collaborating, learning and playing in exciting ways, all while staying secure since Chrome OS includes multiple layers of protection from online threats.”
The C720 has a design that is more than 30 percent thinner than its predecessor, measuring only 0.75-inches thick, and sports a full-size keyboard, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi connectivity, and up to 8.5 hours of battery life. For educational settings, the Chromebooks have a Kensington lock to secure them to a classroom or mobile cart.
Rounding out the package is an integrated HD webcam and microphone for video calls, a dual speaker design for enhanced audio, a USB 3.0 port as well as a USB 2.0 port. It also has an HDMI port for pushing video and content to external displays and HDTVs. In addition, customers can access other media and files through the SD card reader.
Acer’s announcement comes just two days after HP unveiled its latest Chrome OS device, the Chromebook 11, an ultra-thin notebook that weighs about 2.3 pounds and includes a micro-USB charger that can also recharge a user’s Android phone or tablet.
The Chromebook 11 features an 11.6-inch IPS screen with a 176-degree wide viewing angle, a magnesium frame for strength, a quiet fanless chassis, an Exynos 5250 GAIA ARM processor, 2GB of DDR RAM, a 16GB solid-state hard drive, WiFi, speakers mounted under the keyboard and about six hours of battery life on a full charge.