Chrome OS has dominated the education sector for several years, and Acer is one of the main names bringing products to market. Acer is releasing a fresh batch of Chromebook for education users this time, including one with a 3:2 display.
Following the introduction of a fleet of Chromebook prior to CES, Acer released six Windows 11 SE laptops for K-8 classrooms in January 2022. The company is now offering educators even more options by introducing four more Chromebook.
The Acer Chromebook 512, 211, 314 along with Chromebook Spin 311 are among the new Chromebook devices launched. In terms of engineering, all four devices are quite similar. They all satisfy the requirement of MIL-STD 810H durability standards, enduring drops of up to 48 feet and pressures of up to 60 kg.
The Chromebook 511, Chromebook 512, Chromebook 314, and Chromebook Spin 311 are targeted for this aspiring generation, whereas the Chromebook unveiled earlier this month by Acer were intended for everyday consumers on a budget. These new laptops have various similarities, yet they differ in a few significant ways.
Maximize learning with durable and eco-friendly design
Each of these notebooks features an “impact-resistant” chassis that complies with military-grade durability criteria set by MIL-STD 810H. It can be accomplished with shock-absorbent cushions and strengthened surfaces that allow them to withstand four-foot drops if a pupil knocks one off their desk.
Chromebook 314 is the only exception; the rest of them have implanted keys that are difficult to take off, and each has an easily flushable keyboard that won’t get sticky from beverage spills.
Furthermore, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is the most distinctive of the devices unveiled. To begin with, it’s the only convertible with a 360-degree rotating 11.6-inch display.
They also feature touchpads created from ocean-bound plastic debris and chassis manufactured from post-consumer recycled plastics. It’s called “Ocean Glass” by Acer since it claims to feel like glass, but don’t believe the hype: these are plastic.
Specifications
The display screen of Chromebook 511 & Spin 311 contains 11.6-inch/1366 x 768-pixels, while the Chromebook 512 and 314 feature 12-inch/1366 x 912 & 14-inch with 1080-pixels respectively. The screen of the Chromebook 512 offers a 3:2 aspect ratio instead of the usual 16:9.
The Chromebook 512, 511, and 314 are installed with Intel Celeron N4500, N5100, or Pentium Silver N6000 (For Version 512 & 314) CPUs. While the Spin 311 is initiated by the MediaTek MT8183 chip, which makes them unique. All the first three devices also feature 8GB of RAM. However, the Spin 311 only has 4GB.
All of them are limited to 64GB, excluding the Chromebook 314, which features 128GB of eMMC memory. The Spin 311 has the longest predicted runtimes at 15 hours; however, the Chromebook 314 (10 hours), Chromebook 511 (12 hours), and Chromebook 512 (12 hours) would shut down a lecture or two earlier.
Students also have a good range of ports, with at least one USB-C output and one USB-C input on all save the Chromebook 314 (3.2 pounds), with all but the Chromebook 314 (3.2 pounds) weighing under 2.87 pounds.
In terms of availability and pricing, the Acer Chromebook 512 will be available this month for $349.99, and the Chromebook 511 will be available in February for about the same price. The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 will be available in March for $399.99. Finally, the Acer Chromebook 314 will be available in the second half of the year for $429.99.