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CES 2017 has barely gotten underway and Acer has already stepped up to bat with the first official Chromebook reveal of the trade show.
The Acer Chromebook 11 N7(C731) isn’t glamorous but it’s not meant to be. This new model is targeted at the educational market and sports some pretty impressive durability features.
Rugged design
We’ll get to the internals in a moment but first let’s take a look at what makes this Chromebook so tough.
The device endured rigorous testing to meet the demanding U.S. MIL-STD 810G military standard. This military specification testing validates the ruggedness, durability and quality of the Chromebook 11 N7 (C731), so that student learning can take place in a variety of environments.
Acer Press Release
U.S. MIL-STD 810G testing can cover a wide range of environmental factors and doesn’t carry with it a specific compliance for consumer products. However, according to Acer’s site the Chromebook 11 N7 was:
Tested by qualified 3rd party labs for certain tests procedure under MIL-STD 810G (Oct 2008) for environmental conditions that include high and low temperatures, humidity, vibrations, mechanical shocks on drops, rain, dust and sand.
Additionally, Acer’s new rugged Chromebook is being touted to withstand up to 132 pounds of downward force on the lid, drops from heights up to 48″ and a spill-resistant keyboard that will drain away up to 11oz of fluid.
Combine that with recessed keys on the keyboard and this has the makings of a tank that should see a few good years of service in the educational system.
Internals
Performance wise, the Acer 11 N7 isn’t going to win any races. But, as we have seen with so many last generation Braswell devices, it should be up to the task of handling moderate computing as well as managing Android Apps from the Google Play Store when released.
Here’s what you’ll find inside the Acer Chromebook 11 N7:
- Intel Celeron processor (likely the Braswell N30XX or N31XX)
- 11.6″ 1366 x 768 Display with optional IPS touch
- 4GB ram
- 16GB or 32GB eMMC storage
- 180° lay-flat hinge
- 2 – USB 3.0 ports
- 1 – HDMI out
- Multi-media SD card reader
All-in-all this is standard fare for and educational Chromebook. But, the durability of the Acer Chromebook 11 N7 should put it at the head of the class when it comes to ruggedness.
Starting price for the Acer is $229 U.S. and it will me made available this month to school districts and consumers alike.
