Acer launches array of Chromebooks starting from RM999
Acer Malaysia expanded their line-up of Chromebooks in a variety of form factors today in a launch in Kuala Lumpur for both education and enterprise conerns. Launched today was the Chromebook R 11 C738T, the Work 14 CPS-471 , the 11 N7 C731 and the Chromebox for Meetings CXV2. All the new devices run Chrome OS which is ideal for education and for enterprise purposes as it’s easily deployable and offers easy enforcement of device-wide policies for administrators and has, of course, access to the Android app ecosystem.
Chromebook R11 C738T
The Chromebook R11 C738T comes with an 11.6-inch HD resolution touchscreen that sports a 360-degree wobble-free hinge that lets you rotate it around to deploy the notebook in a number of different configurations ranging from the traditional notebook style all the way flipped around into a traditional tablet form factor for a total of four – tablet, tent, notebook and display modes. Of particular note is that it has a pair of smart stereo speakers that adjust their output based on how the screen is deployed for optimum sound.
At 19.2mm thin with a 1.25kg carry weigh and 10 hours of battery life, it offers exceptional portabiltiy and endurance in the field as it’s also able to survive a modest drop too. The convertible runs Chrome OS on an Intel Celeron N3160 quad-core processor, 4GB RAM and 32GB of onboard storage, Intel HD graphics along with a single USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port and a HDMI port as well as MIMO 802.11ac Wi-Fi. It ships in black for RM1,499. |
Acer Chromebook for Work 14 CP5-471
The Acer Chromebook for Work 14 CP5-471 is a traditionally styled notebook running Chrome OS for business environments on a nippy Intel Core i5-6200U Skylake processor paired with a generous 8GB RAM and 32GB of storage and Intel HD graphics along with 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The display is a 14-inch HD non-touch capable job. In terms of connectivity, the Chromebook 14 CP5-471 comes with a pair of USB 3.0 ports, a single USB Type-C port, a single HDMI port and an audio jack. What makes it special though is the fact that it’s built to milspec standards to the tune of a MIL-STD 810G rating so it’s able to survive up to 330ml of water spillage on it, up to 60kg of weight on it and even a modest drop to the deck from the height of a grown man’s shoulders.
It even has Gorilla glass sheathing its display. Corporate buyers can even customise the stock mirrored finish top lid with customised logos for a more unified look.It comes in the only colour you’ll ever need – which in this case is granite gray for RM2,299.
Acer Chromebook 11 N7 C731
Like its other siblings the Acer Chromebook 11 N7 C731 is spill resistant and able to survive up to 330ml of spilled liquid – about the equivalent of a couple of cups of coffee without undue damage due to built-in drainage holes while a honeycomb style internal chassis ensures it survives up to 60kg of crush weight and like the other aforementioned Chromebooks, it’s able to survive a modest drop to the floor without undue damage.
The hinge and top lid have been heavily reinforced too with the aforementioned hinge able to flip all the way flat on the table at 180-degrees. The hardware consists of an 11.6-inch HD display and an Intel Celeron dual-core N3060 processor with Intel 802.11AC wireless connectivity with a pair of USB 3.0 ports and it comes in two different configurations. The variant with 2GB RAM and 16GB of storage retails for RM999 while the higher specced variant with 4GB RAM and 32GB of expandable storage retails for RM1,099.
Acer Chromebox for Meeting CXV2 and Chromebox CXI2
These two desktop based Chromeboxes naturally sport Chrome OS running under the hood and are small enough to be mounted behind a monitor or anywhere else where you can stash a paperback.
The Chromebox CXV2 is a corporate solution for conference calls and comes with an omnidirectional speaker, a webcam with Carl Zeiss lens and a handy remote control with a set of QWERTY keys for basic input along with the Chrome Box proper which comes with an Intel Core i7-5500U processor, 4GB RAM, Intel HD graphics, a 16GB SSD, Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, a card reader and a display port too. The price costs a rather princely RM4,599.
The Chromebox CXI2 is more traditional set top box about the size of a paperback with a fast 8-second boot-up, an Intel Core i3-5005U processor, 4GB RAM, Intel HD graphics, a 16GB SSD, Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, a card reader, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, a HDMI-out, a display port and a mini PCI express slot. According to Acer, it sees service in a lot of digital signage solutions among other corporate applications and retails for RM1,999.
All the new devices are available at RM42 per month for 2 years with zero interest in a lease-to-use programme for Acer Chromebooks and Chromeboxes with a buy-back iPad or Laptop offer that reduces costs with up to 3 monthly payments. All the aforementioned devices are available nationwide for corporate and education clients for now though they will be eventually made available for retail use later on down the line this year. For more details check out Acer’s official site here.
