BETT 2021: Acer unveils 4 new Chromebooks for the classroom

Ahead of one of the largest EDU-centered tech shows in the world – BETT – Acer is unveiling a swath of new Chromebooks entirely centered on the classroom. Including devices that are powered by Intel, Qualcomm and MediaTek, this new lineup of rugged Chromebooks brings something to the table for just about every school you could imagine. This announcement brings together both clamshells and convertibles, next-gen Intel mobile processors, current-gen MediaTek silicon and a surprise in the form of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c.

Acer Chromebook 511

First up is the Acer Chromebook 511 powered by the Snapdragon 7c compute platform from Qualcomm. With options for LTE, unreal battery life, and MIL-STD 810H rugged build quality, the Acer Chromebook 511 is built for the classroom. Equipped with spill-resistance and reinforced I/O ports, this Chromebook can take a beating and deliver performance where it counts.

With up to 20 hours of battery life and certification for the ASTM F963-16 Toy Safety Standard and optional touch display, the Acer Chromebook 511 meets and/or exceeds the needs of both early learners and older students as well. Availability will start in the US at $399.99 in April and €399 in the EMEA in March.

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Acer Chromebook 311

Utilizing the tried and true MediaTek 8183 (the same processor we have in the Lenovo Duet), the new Acer Chromebook 311 is designed for classroom abuse. With MIL-STD 810H compliance, the ability to absorb drops of 4 feet, and ability to stand up to up to 132.28 pounds of downward force, the Chromebook 311 is ready for any amount of ruckus you can throw its way. The keyboard can withstand up to 11.6 ounces of water and the keys have been mechanically anchored to make them virtually pry-resistant.

Same as the Chromebook 511, we have up to 20 hours of battery life, certification for the ASTM F963-16 Toy Safety Standard and an optional touch display. The Acer Chromebook 111 meets and/or exceeds the needs early learners with a starting price of $299.99 US that includes an HDR webcam. EMEA availability will be in March for €269.

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Acer Chromebook 311 Full Image Gallery

Acer Chromebook Spin 512 & 511

In the same vein as the clamshell Acer Chromebook 311 and 511, we also have new Intel-powered covertible Chromebooks at BETT 2021 as well. Both of these Chromebooks share quite a bit in common with the latest small-core Intel Jasper Lake processors (Pentium Gold and Silver), anti-microbial parts and convertible bodies.

The Spin 511 and 512 both come with an IPS displays, MIL-STD 810H certification, drop resistance up to 4 feet, downward force resistance of up to 132 pounds, and widened brackets that provide additional support to the converting frames. I/O has also been reinforceed to ensure operability even after frequent, rough use. Additionally, both devices come with mechanically anchored keys that are tamper resistant and the frames are spill resistant up to 11 ounces of water. Additionally, the touchpads are also moisture-resistant to maintain high standards of quality control.

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Acer Chromebook Spin 511

Acer Chromebook Spin 511 Full Image Gallery

The larger Spin 512 deployes a unique 3:2 aspect ratio on its HD+ display and both devices have an anti-microbial coating over the screen to keep germs reduced against a broad range of bacteria. The Spin 512 also uses this anti-microbial coating on the keyboard and surrounding surface to completely keep the Chromebook from being a device that passes bacteria from student to student in non-one-to-one schools. Both devices meet the same ASTM F963-16 Toy Safety Standards as the non-convertible Chromebooks mentioned above.

Finally, these new Chromebooks offer more privacy with a physical privacy shade on the cameras, 8MP world-facing cameras, 10 hours of battery life, and HDR webcams. The Chromebook Spin 512 will be available in April starting at $429.99 in the US and EMEA in March at €399. The Spin 511 will come to the US in April for a $399.99 starting price and €369 in the EMEA in March.

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Acer Chromebook Spin 511