Why the $349 Acer Chromebook Spin 11 Is Worthwhile Hybrid PC Option

Acer on Jan. 23 expanded its Chromebook line with the introduction of the new Chromebook Spin 11. As its name suggests, Acer’s Chromebook comes with an 11-inch screen. It runs on Intel’s Pentium or Celeron processors, depending on the configuration customers choose, and carries a $349 price tag. The Chromebook Spin 11 is a two-in-one hybrid with a 360 degree hinge that connects the screen with the keyboard, allowing it to be used as a tablet or as a notebook. Acer has pitched the Chromebook Spin 11 as an affordable option for consumers and business users. This slide show will look at the features that Acer has bundled into the Chromebook Spin 11 to make that argument.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 is a hybrid with the ability to be used in four different capacities. Its standard mode is as a notebook, thanks to its clamshell design and physical keyboard. A 360-degree hinge allows users to turn the screen around and use it solely as a tablet. Propping the Chromebook on its edges in a “tent” design can be useful for viewing content. Acer also says the keyboard can be used as a stand to prop up the display.

Acer’s Chromebook has an 11.6-inch display featuring a 1,366-by-768-pixel resolution. The display is also touch-enabled to provide fast access to software features without using a mouse.

Acer said that the Chromebook Spin 11 can support a stylus, so users can digitally write on the screen and annotate PDFs. However, the stylus is optional on the Chromebook Spin 11 So users will need to buy one separately. According to Acer, the computer is compatible with any stylus powered by Wacom Electro-Magnetic Resonance (EMR) technology.

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 11 comes in a variety of models based on the processing power users might want. According to Acer, when the Chromebook Spin 11 is released, customers will be able to choose from the Intel Pentium quad-core N4200, the Intel Celeron quad-core N3450, and the Intel Celeron dual-core N3350. None of these processors anywhere near top of the line, but they will be fine for Internet browsing, word processing, productivity apps and other basic personal and business uses.

In addition to processor choices, users will need to decide how much RAM and storage they want in the Chromebook. Acer is planning to offer one version that comes with 4GB of RAM and another with 8GB. The company is also offering the choice of 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage.

Acer has given owners the opportunity to use two cameras with the Chromebook Spin 11. One of them is a traditional front-facing camera located above the display for capturing selfies or holding one-to-one video conferences. The other, however, sits above the keyboard. According to Acer, that HD webcam has been built with a “wide field of view” so multiple people participating in a video conference can be seen in the frame.

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 11 has what the company has identified as “all-day battery life.” While Acer didn’t say exactly how long the Chromebook Spin 11’s battery life will last, mileage may vary depending on the configuration users choose. Different processors, for instance, have different power-saving features.

Acer has bundled several ports in its latest Chromebook, including two USB 3.1 Type-Cs, the company said in a statement. Users will also find two USB 3.0 ports and a microSD card reader. The Type-C ports can be used to transfer data up to a whopping 5Gbps, Acer said in a statement.

In a statement announcing the Chromebook Spin 11, Acer said that its computer will deliver “safety and security” because it runs Google’s Chrome OS cloud-based operating system. Acer said that Chrome OS will get automatic updates and will benefit from Google’s “multiple levels of security.” It’s also worth noting that Android apps available in Google Play should also work on the Chromebook.

Acer will begin shipping the Chromebook Spin 11 line in North America in March, although the company disclose an exact shipment date. Acer said that pricing on its new Chromebook will start at $349, but cautioned that it will be selling “several models” with prices that vary according to the processor, RAM, and storage options customers want.