With the Chromebook, Acer marked an impressive entry into the arena of speedy, reliable, mobile computing that didn’t compromise on style. The Acer Chromebook 15 CB3-532-C8DF is the newest offering from the contemporary laptop maker—a 15.6” laptop that weighs only 4.3lbs and delivers a super-long battery backup of 12 hours.
Driven by a dual-core Intel Celeron N3060 processor (up to 2.48 GHz), this beautifully designed computer definitely has its pulse on the needs of those constantly on-the-run. The new Chromebook with its tangibly more expansive screen (27% larger) comes with a highly affordable price tag of $229.99.
At first sight, the new Chromebook exudes the charm that we’ve come to associate with this product line—a metallic cover that looks highly durable and a sleek profile with a 1″-height. But happily, the device retains not only the style of its ancestors but also their reliability.
As time passes, computing devices become increasingly indispensable; the need for them to multitask also gets more profound. The Chromebook 15 is quite a little performer, with its productive (and responsive) Chrome OS, 4GB RAM (LPDDR3), and 16GB of memory (eMMC). It also comes with built-in cloud support.
This configuration works well for basic multitasking and day-to-day tasks like checking e-mail, browsing the internet, or using your favorite apps. Talking of apps, this Chromebook offers access to over 2 million apps (Android) from the Google PlayStore. All in all, you have here a device that can serve you well in the classroom or office, at home or while you are traveling.
With this Chromebook, you get a reasonably vivid and attractive display for the price: a High-Definition, LED backlit screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768. It supports Intel HD Graphics 400 (integrated graphics with shared LPDDR3 memory). Additionally, the display complies with the Acer ComfyView technology that helps limit reflection and build a more realistic viewing experience.
An especially thoughtful feature is the wide-angle display that simplifies collaboration with peers, friends and colleagues—the display remains accurate irrespective of the viewing angle. On the whole, it is convenient to use this laptop for multimedia pursuits. In addition to the larger display area, you get two stereo speakers that face upward. This strategic design produces an improved auditory effect.
Chromebooks have always been well-connected, and this one is no different. It offers IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi, an HDMI port for external displays, two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, Bluetooth 4.1, an SD card reader, and a webcam. The webcam is particularly delightful for it supports viewing angles up to 88°.
Talk about being able to see more than ever when you make video calls! For all that connectivity, however, security is not compromised, thanks to the inbuilt virus protection. On the flipside, you might miss a fingerprint reader (which means touch login is ruled out) and a DVD/CD drive.
The Acer Chromebook 15 CB3-532-C8DF delivers quite a lot in an under-$250 price range: a decent processing configuration, attractive A/V support, long battery-backup, and some excellent connectivity options. Plus, you get the quintessential convenience of a Chromebook, i.e., millions of apps to simplify your everyday life. It promises to be one exciting, multifaceted offering!