Acer takes a low-power netbook and
transforms it into an inexpensive Chromebook
My opinion of Google's Chromebook concept
was heavily influenced by the original Samsung Series 5, which I reviewed here
in Micro Mart. I accept now that many things have changed since then, and
Chrome OS is now a more mature experience.
Combining those developments and some
price-sensitive engineering, Acer has made its C7 Chromebook a noticeably more
grown-up device, which might attract a wider range of potential users.
Acer
C7 Chromebook
On initial inspection, it would be easy to
assume that it's a Windows netbook, until you power it up and find Chrome OS
installed. This is almost identical hardware to the Acer Aspire One A0756-2641,
a minimalist Windows-based netbook.
Aesthetically speaking, the C7 is neither a
symphony of fine design nor a cacophony of functionality. Instead, it chooses
to exist in a bland yet inoffensive space between those two extremes.
Inside the built-to-a-price plastic
exterior lives a 11.6" 1366x768 pixel display, Intel Celeron 847 1.1 GHz
processor, 2GB of DDR3 and a 320GB hard drive. That last item confused me
somewhat, as most Chromebooks come with a modest amount of flash storage, not a
physical hard drive with a useful capacity.
The PC origins also provide many helpful
external features missing from other Chromebook designs, like three USB ports,
VGA and HDMI outputs, an SD card reader, an Ethernet port and a webcam.
The
PC origins also provide many helpful external features missing from other
Chromebook designs
Going back to the hard drive, bucking
tablet trends, this item is not only replaceable, but you can also give the
computer more RAM (4GB if you like), and the battery is also easily swappable.
If the 320GB stuffed inside the C7 isn't
enough for you, Google has also very kindly decided to boost owners' Google
Drive storage to 100GB for two years. That's an impressive amount of free Cloud
storage, though you might find it difficult to cope when the expansion expires
in 2015.
The ability to switch to another battery is
very helpful, because the life of this item in use is just four hours.
Unusually for a quoted lifespan, testing revealed this to be a very accurate
representation.
That’s a slight negative, but having used
the C7 for a couple of days now, much of what else the system has to offer is
really impressive. From a cold boot the system is ready to use in under 20
seconds, the screen is reasonably sharp and bright, and Chrome OS is quite
responsive even with plenty of tabs open.
If
the 320GB stuffed inside the C7 isn't enough for you, Google has also very
kindly decided to boost owners' Google Drive storage to 100GB for two years
How useful it is to you will entirely
depend on how you use a computer. A browser-based OS does have limits, and I'd
hate to need to use this to prepare a collection of DSLR images for print.
However, for those who generally surf and create the odd document it's a more
than acceptable arrangement, and who uses Google extensively will love it.
Compared with the Samsung Series 5
implementation of Chrome OS, I found myself missing the Windows desktop much
less. Those who use Android on a regular basis will get an immediate boost of
confidence from the similarities between the two.
The caveat to using it is the necessity for
internet connectivity, which isn't helped by the choice Acer made not to didn't
give the C7 any option to have its own 3G SIM installed. Without local access
Wi-Fi you’ll be tethered to your phone and the limits of whatever data service
contract you have.
That is a problem that most people have
with many portable computing devices, and not specific to this one, but it’s
worth considering how you'll address that point if you intend to travel
extensively with your Chromebook.
Personally, I do not care for the keyboard,
and would have quite happily paid another $38 - $48 for one that had more
travel and sensitivity than the one used. Along with fixing that, the C7 could
also benefit from a better screen that had less acute vertical viewing angles.
Please realize that in mentioning those
points, I'm not trying to put anyone off buying the C7, but merely adjusting
their expectations. For most people the keyboard and screen will be more than
adequate, given a typical usage pattern.
The major annoyance for a UK customer is
the knowledge that in the US this identical machine costs, you guessed it,
$199. At UK pricing, the C7 is a bargain, but at the US one, it's an absolute
steal.
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Details
§ Price:
$303
§ Manufacturer:
Acer
§ Website:
www.acer.co.uk
§ Required
spec: Wi-Fi access to the internet
§ Model
no. C710-B8472G32iii
Key Features
§ The
Acer C710 Chromebook opens the door to thousands of apps, with everything you
do safe and secure in the cloud
§ 11.6"
HD LED LCD display - HD video is clear, vivid and easier than ever to enjoy
on this 11.6" portable Chrome OS netbook
§ HD
Webcam for video chat
§ HDMI
output - Transfers 1080p HD video to monitors, projectors, and TVs!
§ Extra-large
button-free touchpad
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