Acer introduced the Chromebook Spin 11 (R751T), a 360-degree convertible laptop designed primarily for schools. While it may not set new hardware records, the combination of hardware features and pricing make the Chromebook Spin 11 a compelling choice.
In this article, you will learn:
- How the Chromebook Spin 11 is protected from falls and liquid disasters.
- The hardware specifications of the new School Chromebook Spin 11.
- The expected battery life of the device.
- Whether it is equipped with a stylus for easy navigation.
Military-Grade Durability
Acer presented two new laptops designed for students and teachers at the BETT (British Education and Training Technology Show) in London. One of these Chromebooks, the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 (R751T), boasts impressive features and is specifically designed for school use.
The Chromebook Spin 11 is a convertible laptop with an 11.6″ display and dimensions of 296 × 206 × 20.5 mm. Weighing only 1.4 kg, it features an extremely robust design and complies with the rigorous requirements of the American military standard MIL-STD 810G. Acer ensures that it can withstand drops from a height of 122 cm without affecting its hardware. Additionally, the laptop is designed to be immune to liquid spills up to 330 ml, as it has been tested and certified to protect key components within the device.
The Spin 11 is a convertible version of the 11 N7 Chromebook model. It offers four typical modes of operation: tent, display, tablet, and laptop. The laptop is equipped with reinforced hinges that provide secure and stable support for the display.
Solid Performance and Impressive Battery Life
The performance of the Chromebook Spin 11 depends on the configuration chosen by the user. It is available with a 2-core Intel Celeron N3350 or a 4-core N3450 processor, along with 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM and eMMC storage options of 32 GB or 64 GB. The laptop features an 11.6″ Touch IPS display capable of rendering HD content. For added protection against damage, it is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Acer has also applied a layer of antimicrobial silver ions to the screen for hygiene purposes.
Wireless connectivity options include a NIC WiFi 802.11ac with 2×2 MIMO and Bluetooth version 4.2. The Chromebook Spin 11 sports two cameras, one on the lid (1 MP) and another on the keyboard deck (5 MP). Notably, the second camera functions as a “World View Camera,” which transforms the laptop into a microscope-like tool when placed in tablet mode.
In terms of connectivity, the Spin 11 is equipped with two USB 3.0 ports, two USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen1) ports, and a microSD card reader. The laptop’s battery life is impressive, offering up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge.
This new laptop comes with a Wacom stylus that allows users to write or draw directly on the laptop’s screen. The stylus uses EMR technology, which doesn’t require a battery and is mechanically robust.
Chromebook Spin 11: A Compelling Choice for Schools
While Chromebooks have had limitations when running Android applications, developers are continually working to enhance the compatibility of their apps with these devices. Adobe has recently released a series of Android applications optimized to run on ChromeOS, making them compatible with the Chromebook Spin 11.
The Adobe applications compatible with ChromeOS include Mix Photoshop, Lightroom Mobile, Illustrator Draw, Photoshop, Sketch, Adobe Comp CC, Creative Cloud, and Mobile. The transition toward official launch is progressing smoothly and is expected to occur later this spring.