Acer has unveiled the newest 11.6-inch C720 ultraportable Chromebook, the first to bring Intel's Haswell micro-architecture, for $249.99.
Acer, one of the leading computer manufacturers, was among the first ones to bring Chromebooks to the market. Now that the Chromebooks have gained immense popularity, the company is trying to win over the market share by introducing new models. The latest addition is the Acer C720, which debuts Intel's Haswell processor with a promised 8-hour battery life.
Chromebooks have become a new trend for those who want 24/7 Internet and rely on internet-connected applications. They are fast, light, secure and carry less baggage. These machines run Chrome OS and supported applications.
"The Acer C720 is a significant step forward for our highly-acclaimed Acer Chromebook line, as it delivers speedy performance, quick boot times, a matte anti-glare display and a slimmer design that is portable enough for anywhere use," Arif Maskatia, chief technology officer, Acer America, said in a press release. "These key advances allow families and students to continue collaborating, learning and playing in exciting ways, all while staying secure since Chrome OS includes multiple layers of protection from online threats."
The latest Acer C720 is built upon its previous model, the C710. It sports an identical exterior but is slightly thinner and weighs less than 3 pounds. This is a plus factor for those who use Chromebooks while on-the-go. The key specifications of the new C720 Chromebook are as follows:
Processor: Intel Celeron 2955U
Display: 11.6-inch, 1366x768, matte, outdoor viewable
Memory: 4GB
Storage: 16GB
Battery life: 8.5 hours
In addition, the C720 sports one 3.0 USB port and another 2.0. This is designed to target the entry-level market and is in direct competition with the likes of new HP Chromebook 11, which features an ARM processor and starts at $279. This HP machine is touted to have a 6-hour battery life.
The Acer C710 Chromebook is listed on the company's website for $249.99. The new C720 is yet to be released but is available for pre-order on Amazon for $249.99. Amazon.com is offering a special discount on the new machine, which brings the price down to $240.27, a four percent discount.
