Today marks the launch of a new Chrome OS notebook from Acer, the new iteration of the company’s Chromebook 11. In many ways, this is an incremental update to the laptop that was released last year, but upgrades to its physical shell and the system’s monitor do plenty to sweeten the deal.
In an attempt to appeal to the on-the-go lifestyles of students and people working in business, Acer has made a concentrated effort to make the Chromebook 11 more portable. The laptop is less than an inch thick and weighs just 2.4 pounds, so it can easily be placed in a bag and carried from place to place while you’re out and about.
Another key element of portability is toughness, an area that’s seen some major improvements. Acer asserts that the Chromebook 11 can survive a fall of up to two feet without any damage, and can withstand a whopping 132 pounds of pressure being applied to its lid before succumbing.
This robust exterior helps protect the improved IPS display that’s being introduced with this version of the Chromebook 11. The 11.6-inch, 1,366 x 768 screen is set to offer a greater range of acceptable viewing angles than its predecessor, according to a report from Liliputing.
The system also benefits from a 3,220mAh battery that allows for up to nine hours of usage on a single charge, and connectivity options that include HDMI, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0 ports. Optional paid upgrades give customers the choice to outfit the laptop with up to 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage space.
Acer first announced this laptop among the raft of products the company showcased at CES 2016 earlier this month. The Chromebook 11 is now available for purchase, with the basic configuration of the system, without any optional upgrades, priced at a budget-friendly $180.
