Dell Updates Chromebook 11 With Stronger Options, Affordable Price

by Don Reisinger

It’s Google’s Chrome OS that makes a lightweight notebook a Chromebook, So users can expect to find Google’s cloud-based operating system running on the new Dell Chromebook 11. Like the previous model, users will have a full Chrome OS build, complete with offline mode. Judging by sales, customers liked what they found last year. They will likely feel the same way this year.

Dell names its device models according to their screen size. That means that the Chromebook 11 comes with an 11-inch screen. In fact, Dell’s device has an 11.6-inch display with a resolution of 1,366 by 768. That should be sufficient for most use. One other interesting point: The Chromebook 11 comes with an optional touch screen.

Dell says that it has boosted durability in the Chromebook 11. Chief among those improvements is a liquid-resistant keyboard and touchpad. And while the device shouldn’t be dropped intentionally, it’s designed to be a little more shock-resistant than the previous model.

“All-day-long battery life” is a common topic of discussion when examining mobile devices. What, exactly, constitutes all-day battery life? For Dell’s Chromebook 11, it’s 10 hours. Dell has said that its Chromebook 11 should be able to survive on a single charge for that long, but cautioned that the figure is based on its own internal testing under certain conditions. That means users’ actual experience will naturally vary.

The Chromebook 11 doesn’t necessarily come with a groundbreaking design. The device, while nicely mobile at less than 3 pounds, boasts a typical clamshell design with a black keyboard. The device’s back plate is a gray color Dell calls Foggy Night, and it’s not all that thin. Still, people aren’t necessarily buying the Chromebook 11 for its looks; they’re buying it for its price and value.

The Chromebook 11 comes with a nifty feature called Activity Light that’s designed for teachers. According to Dell, Activity Light is essentially a monitoring tool that allows teachers see what students are doing on their Chromebook 11 units and ensure that they’re actually doing schoolwork and collaborating with classmates on projects. Dell is aiming for the education market first with the Chromebook 11. Activity Light will be central to the company’s sales pitch.

Because the Chromebook 11 is running Chrome OS, the device comes with full syncing support with Android devices. So, whether it’s a file or something saved in Google Drive, what users do on their Android handset or tablet is immediately synced with their Chromebook 11.

The standard Chromebook 11 build comes with the standard, lower-powered Intel Core 2955U processor. While that should be sufficient for most use, Dell is now offering a higher-end version sporting the Intel Core i3 processor. The price is a bit higher, but Dell says that it will handle “demanding programs” that the lower-end chip will not.

Customers who want more from the Chromebook 11 can order it with an optional touch screen. The standard Chromebook 11 build comes with a regular screen, but those who want touch capabilities can get it with the touch-screen display add-on. That’s something that was missing in the older Chromebook 11. The touch screen comes with an anti-glare film to reduce issues with seeing things in direct sunlight.

One of the beauties of Chromebooks is that they are generally affordable. And the Dell Chromebook 11 is no different. The device starts at $279 for the standard model, but goes up to $299 for those who want more storage. Adding the Intel Core i3 will push the price to $379. All in all, it’s an affordable device, which is another reason why it will be attractive to the education market.