Acer Introduces Four New Education Chromebook Models
- By Kristal Kuykendall
- 01/24/22
Acer today introduced four new Chromebooks with the newest technologies, durable designs, and features optimal for education uses, including top-rated impact resistance, mechanically anchored keyboards, OceanGlass touchpads and use of post-consumer recycled plastics.
“The popularity of Chromebooks continues to grow thanks to the robust features in the Chrome Education Upgrade combined with advances in Chromebook design, features and technology,” Acer General Manager, Notebooks and IT Products Business James Lin said in a news release. “These new Acer Chromebooks deliver the foundational technology that help students strive for success at school, while also ensuring teachers and administrators have a powerful device for class preparation and IT management.”
The Chromebooks allow IT departments, through the Chrome Education Upgrade, to enroll, manage, monitor, and upgrade every device without ever touching it, using Chrome’s zero-touch enrollment option, where Acer ships Chromebooks directly to school sites and each device automatically enrolls as soon as the user connects to the Internet.
All of the four new Chromebooks were built to withstand the challenges of a busy school environment, featuring impact-resistant chassis that meet MIL-STD 810H standards. A shock-absorbent bumper and reinforced design protects the devices from damage if dropped and withstands up to 132.3 pounds of pressure, Acer said.
The Chromebooks are also more flexible, with the new Spin 311 model offering 360-degree opening and the other new models opening 180 degrees, and each includes a unique drainage system within the keyboard to helps protect internal components from accidental water spills.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 311, Acer Chromebook 512 and Acer Chromebook 511 feature mechanically anchored keys that are “difficult for inquisitive students to remove, but at the same time, simple for IT personnel to repair or replace,” Acer said. Widened brackets and reinforced I/O ports offer extra protection from student wear and tear.
Furthering Acer’s stated commitment to sustainability, the four new Chromebooks include an “environmentally friendly OceanGlass™ touchpad made entirely of abandoned ocean-bound plastic waste,” the company said. “Not only does the use of this waste contribute to the reduction of plastics adrift in the ocean, it also gives the touchpad a glass-like texture and responsive tactile feedback.”
Additionally, three of the Chromebooks — the Spin 311, the 512 and the 511 — integrate post-consumer recycled plastics into their chassis design, Acer said.
Acer shared the following highlights for each of the new models:
Acer Chromebook 512: Taller Display Boosts Productivity
The new Acer Chromebook 512 (C852/C852T) has as 12-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio for 18% more vertical space compared to an equally wide 16:9 display, meaning that students can see more text, maps, photos and schoolwork before needing to scroll. An optional panel with integrated multi-touch capabilities is also available.
The Acer Chromebook 512 responds to the need for better remote-learning equipment with two built-in microphones and a webcam with TNR technology for enhanced video quality. A blue glass IR-cut filter within the camera module helps to minimize background light flares. The model is powered by the latest N-series Intel processors, with a 12-hour battery life.
The 512 model will be available in North America in January starting at $349.99, the company said.
Acer Chromebook 511: Classic Compact Design; Safe for Young Students
The Acer Chromebook 511 (C734/C734T) is an 11.6-inch Chromebook available with either a standard or multi-touch display on top of a compact, durable design that makes it ideal for 1:1 programs, technology labs and wireless carts, the company said. The Acer Chromebook 511 is suitable for younger students with plastic coatings and meeting the ASTM F963-16 Toy Safety Standard and UL/IEC 60950-1 standards.
The Acer Chromebook 511 is also powered by the latest N-series Intel processors and provides up to 12 hours of battery life and responsive performance. It includes dual microphones, a flare-reducing HD webcam, and Temporal Noise Reduction technology to enhance video quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
The 511 model will be available in North America in February starting at $349.99, Acer said.
Acer Chromebook 314: Large 14-inch Display
Ideal for educators and older students who need to multitask for their classes and projects, the Acer Chromebook 314 (C934/C934T) has a large 14-inch FHD IPS touchscreen display with narrow 8.1 mm side bezels and an overall compact design. The display’s anti-glare coating allows it to be used even in bright lighting conditions, and it is also available with multi-touch options, Acer said.
With a nod to improving the remote learning experience, the 314 model comes with a flare-reducing webcam with TNR technology, DTS Audio for high-quality, distortion-free sound, and a pair of built-in microphones. The device has up to 10 hours of battery life and the Intel WiFi 6 (Gig+) wireless connection, said to be up to three times faster than WiFi 5.
The 314 model will be available in North America in the second half of 2022 starting at $429.99.
Acer Chromebook Spin 311: Convertible with Long Battery Life
The Acer Chromebook 311 (R722T/R723T) boasts a convertible design and improved durability with an 11.6-inch touch display protected by Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass, embedded with ionic silver said to resist the growth of odor- and stain-causing microorganisms. A pair of 360-degree hinges allow it to be used in four modes, such as clamshell mode for typing or presentation mode for showing off their work when in small groups.
The Chromebook’s MediaTek MT8183 processor provides “efficient performance that contributes to a long battery life of up to 15 hours,” Acer said. Its HD webcam has a camera shutter for privacy when not in calls. The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is available with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 (R723T) or WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 (R722T), depending on configuration.
The Spin 311 model will be available in North America in March starting at $399.99, the company said.
Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more, contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.