Acer's new Chromebook 11 has USB-C and Android app support, starts at $249

Acer has just announced its new Chromebook 11 (CB311-8H/T). Although this new Chromebook has USB-C support for power and peripherals, as well as an alleged 10-hour battery, its specs are balanced by a low-resolution display and an uncertain Celeron-badged processor. Starting at $249 and available in touch and non-touch versions, this new model doesn't actually go on sale until later this year—April in the US and March for the rest of the world.

SPECS

Screen	11.6" 1366x768, touch and non-touch
CPU	Untitled Intel Celeron
Storage	16/32GB
RAM	4GB
Peripherals	2x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1, 2x USB 3.0, MicroSD,
Wireless	Bluetooth 4.2, 2x2 MIMO 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Camera	"HDR"
Audio	Dual stereo speakers, mic
Dimensions	0.71" (18.15 mm) thin, 2.43 lbs (1.1 kg)

Acer didn't provide the exact model number for the CPU in the Chromebook 11, but based on the price and fanless design, it's likely to be one of the lower-end versions (read: basically an Atom). While that should be fine for very light workloads, historically they haven't performed too well. If it does end up being one of the higher-wattage Celeron CPUs, though, this Chromebook could be quite a performer.

Independent of the indeterminate CPU, the fanless design, sheer number of ports, and low price might make it appealing for some anyway.

Physically it's about what you'd expect for a Chromebook at this price-range, with what looks like an all-plastic design and a modest effort to differentiate in the form of a slubby fabric-like design on the lid. Like pretty much every new Chromebook going forward, it will also have support for Android apps, and it ships with the Google Play Store installed.

Acer's Chromebook 11 will be available in a few different variations, with 16 to 32GB of storage as well as touch and non-touch SKUs, though we don't know which precise combinations will be sold at what prices. Those should start at $249 (€249) when it goes on sale later this year.

For more details, you can check out Acer's full press release on the subject just below.

PRESS RELEASE

Acer Chromebook 11 Great for Content Consumption, Productivity, Fun

LAS VEGAS (2018-01-06)

Editor’s Summary

Up to 10 hours¹ of battery life for all-day use
Quiet, reliable fanless design makes it great for shared spaces
Two USB 3.1 Type-C ports for fast data transfer, charging, display output
Available with touch or non-touch display
Google Play fully supported at launch

Acer today introduced its new Chromebook 11 line that offers strong everyday performance and a portable design with all-day battery life of up to 10 hours. The new Acer Chromebook 11 (CB311-8HT / CB311-8H) offers an 11.6-inch display in a portable and fanless design, so it’s great for consumers and families who will move the device around or use in shared spaces. Plus, connecting peripherals, charging phones and other devices, and even sharing content on a large display can be done thanks to the Acer Chromebook 11’s two USB 3.1 Type C ports. “The new Acer Chromebook 11 continues Acer’s tradition of delivering strong performance with all the benefits of Chrome OS at an excellent value,” said James Lin, General Manager, Commercial & Detachable Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Chromebooks are widely known as a fast, easy and secure way to work and play both online and offline. Customers can play games, stay productive, enjoy content and do even more with the new Acer Chromebook 11 thanks to its support of Google Play.” Do More with Google Chrome; 10-Hour Battery Life and Strong, Quiet Performance The Acer Chromebook 11 provides easy access to the Google ecosystem including Google Drive, Gmail, and a variety of useful Chrome apps and extensions. Also, the Acer Chromebook 11 will fully support Google Play at launch, so customers will have access to millions of Android apps on Google Play to let them have more fun, be entertained, stay connected and remain productive. Plus, customers won’t have to take their power adapter on the go, as the new Acer Chromebook 11 provides up to 10 hours¹ of battery life on a single charge. Customers can also enjoy multiple apps and tabs at the same time on the Acer Chromebook 11, since it delivers strong performance with the latest Intel® Celeron® processors. The Acer Chromebook 11 comes with 4GB of memory and 16GB or 32GB of eMMC storage. The device’s fanless design allows it to run quietly, making it great for shared spaces such as in a family room, library or coffee shop. Stay Connected to Peripherals, Wirelessly The new Acer Chromebook 11 device includes two USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1 ports, which can be used to charge the device as well as other products, transfer data quickly and connect to an HD display. Plus, customers can use the MicroSD card reader to access and transfer content. The Acer Chromebook 11 also includes two USB 3.0 ports and Bluetooth 4.2. Customers can stay connected to their network with fast and reliable 2x2 MIMO 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. Display Options in a Portable Design The Acer Chromebook 11 has an 11.6-inch IPS² display available in either touch (CB311-8HT) or non-touch (CB311-8H) models with 1366x768 resolution to provide sharp and legible text as well as vivid, clear videos and photos. The high-dynamic range (HDR) camera produces clear and brighter photos as well as video for Google Hangouts and webchats. The dual stereo speakers and integrated microphone enhance the webcam experience with high-quality audio. The slim and portable form factor makes the Acer Chromebook 11 ideal for use anywhere; it measures only 0.71 inches (18.15mm) thin and weighs only 2.43 pounds (1.1kg). Acer Chromebook 11 Simplifies Security and Collaboration Chromebooks are easy to use and ideal for sharing by multiple users. Customers simply log into their own Google account to access their Gmail, Google Docs, apps, extensions, bookmarks, and other information. Chrome OS provides additional security since it’s automatically updated to guard against ever-changing online threats. Many Chromebook customers store their files on Google Drive which protects files, documents, and photos safely in the cloud, and ensures that the most current version of the file or document is always available and safe, even if the Chromebook is lost or stolen. Pricing and Availability Several models in the Acer Chromebook 11 line (CB311-8HT/ CB311-8H) will be available in North America in April with prices starting at $249, and in EMEA in March with prices starting at €249. Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via www.acer.com. ¹Battery life may vary depending on usage. Actual battery life varies depending on product specifications, computer settings and applications or features launched. All batteries’ maximum capacity diminishes with time and use. Based on Google power_LoadTest. (http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/testing/power-testing). ²All brands and product names mentioned herein include trademarks of their respective companies and are used solely to describe or identify the products. ³More information on Google Drive on Chrome devices: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/2703646?p=driveoffer&rd=1