Tag Archives: Chrome OS

[Next@acer] Acer Launches New Chromebooks for All Kinds of Things

October 20, 2021 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Acer is big on Chromebooks, if you have not yet realised. They have one of the most complete line-ups of Chromebooks that are available for your money. With the most recent launch, they could very well be offering the most complete Chromebook line-ups you can find in the market today.

Acer Chromebook Spin 514

Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer

The new Chromebook Spin 514 is a 14-incher that is also a touch sensitive display. The touch sensitive display can also be tilted all the way to the back for some convertible action. It is only a Full HD panel though, so do not get ahead of yourself too much.

You still get a powerful 11^th generation Intel Core i7 with the Chromebook Spin 514, which is actually a lot more power than you actually need to run a Chromebook. At the same time there is an Enterprise variant for this notebook, so a powerful CPU should not be a surprise. Oddly enough though, they designed the Chromebook Spin 514 without a fan, so the Intel Core i7 might have been tuned down anyway to keep thermals at an optimum.

Still, you are getting quite a powerful workhorse here. You have two speakers that faces upward for crisp and clear DTS Audio quality sound. For the best-in-class voice call experiences, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 comes with two microphones as well. At the same time, the MIL-STD 810H certified construction will ensure that your Chromebook will work in any conditions and after it takes on some abuse.

Acer Chromebook 515

Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer

If a large display is what you need in a Chromebook, then there is Acer’s Chromebook 515 that comes with a 15.6-inch IPS display. The 15-incher comes with a Full HD panel that should be ideal in most working requirements.

It also packs Intel’s latest 11^th generation Core i7 processors complete with Iris X^e Graphics to boot. With up to 512GB in storage and 16GB of RAM, you should not be wanting more from your Chromebook. Considering, this is a high-end set-up for a Chromebook as well.

Of course, you also get DTS Audio for high-quality audio for your audio conferencing needs. It also packs two microphones to make your video conferencing experience the best it can be on a Chromebook. If you need some privacy, there is a webcam shutter.

Of course, the Chromebook 515 comes with MIL-STD 810H build standards. It is powerful and durable. A Corning Gorilla Glass on the touchpad should also ensure that the Chromebook outlasts any abuse you can throw at it.

Acer Chromebook 514

Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer

The Chromebook are never meant to be ultra-powerful notebooks to take on the likes of the gaming PCs or MacBook Pros in the market. Not yet anyway. But they are made to be some of the most reliable notebooks in the market that can run on nearly anything, even a MediaTek integrated chip.

The Acer Chromebook 514 runs exactly on that. Specifically, the Chromebook 514 runs on a MediaTek Kompanio 828 octa-core processor made for computing platforms. This one is for the content creators out there, apparently.

The integrated chip also means that the 14-incher offers a battery life of up to 15 hours on a single charge. The battery can be quickly charged up to 50% within just 40 minutes. Because there is so little in the way of components, it only weighs about 1.3kg and is just below 17mm thick.

Acer Chromebook Spin 314

Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer

If you need a device at home for your kids to start their school with, you can consider the budget friendly Acer Chromebook Spin 314. It is not just budget friendly though, it is also made partly with sustainable materials. It features an OceanGlass touchpad, a sort of glass surface type of material that is made up of recycled plastic you pick up from the ocean.

It features Intel’s latest generation processors. That also means that it is still powerful enough to work with when your kids need it most. The 14-inch Full HD IPS display allows your kids to have enough screen real estate to work with when it comes to their schoolwork, and even video conferencing. With 10-hours in battery life, your kids would not have any excuse for missing class too.

Pricing and Availability

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 will be available in the North American region starting January 2022. It will retail for US$ 699.99 (MYR 2,920*). In EMEA region the Chromebook Spin 514 will be available in October 2021 onward with prices from EUR€ 799 (MYR 3,880**). The Enterprise variant will be available for US$ 899.99 (MYR 3,754**) and EUR€ 1,049 (MYR 5,094**)in respective regions.

The Acer Chromebook 515 will be available in EMEA region starting in October 2021 onward. When it is available, it will set you back EUR€ 499 (MYR 2,423**). The Enterprise variant of the Chromebook 515 will be available in North American region in January 2022 with prices starting from US$ 649.99 (MYR 2,711*). It will also be available in EMEA in October with prices starting at EUR€ 799.

The Acer Chromebook 514 will be available in North American region in December 2021 onward. In EMEA region, the Acer Chromebook 514 will be available in October. Prices start at US$ 399.99 (MYR 1,668*) and EUR€ 399 (MYR 1,938**) respectively.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 convertible will be available in the North American region November 2021 onward. It will be available in EMEA region this month itself too. Prices start at US$ 499.99 (MYR 2,086*) and EUR€ 449 (MYR 2,181**) in respective regions.

There is no confirmation yet on when the new Chromebooks will be coming to Malaysia, there are no official pricing for the local market just yet too. For more information on Acer’s Chromebooks, you can access their website.

* Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = 4.17 on xe.com as of 20/10/2021

** Approximately based on exchange rate of EUR€ 1 = 4.86 on xe.com as of 20/10/2021

Android, Computers, Mobile, News

Chromebooks are Losing Microsoft Office 365 Apps

August 26, 2021 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

When Google introduces the Chrome OS and the Chromebooks along with it, everyone was kind of thrilled. Finally, a new operating system (OS) that could take on the giants that are Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s Mac OS, even Linux maybe. Sadly, it was not to be that way and the Chrome OS turned out to be something completely different.

The Chrome OS has grown into something completely different though. It has grown into a unique OS that proved popular amongst schools and students because of its simplicity. Because its interface mimics that off an Android smartphone as well, but for a bigger screen, navigation is much more intuitive as well.

The Chrome OS started out as a completely web-based OS which would require you to be constantly online to make it function. Google’s Play Store has added plenty of offline capabilities to Chrome OS and allow the Chromebook to be a productivity and learning powerhouse it is today. One of the best additions for productivity on the Chrome OS is Microsoft’s Office 365 apps like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and even Excel.

It looks like that might change soon though. Microsoft’s Office suite will be leaving the Google Play Store from the 18^thof September 2021 onward. That also means that apps like outlook will not be supported on Chrome OS. Microsoft claims that the move of removing their apps from Google Play Store is a part of their effort to optimise the Microsoft experience on the Chrome OS and Chromebook.

You still can access Microsoft’s suite of apps online though. Outlook.com and Office.com will still be available via web and signing into Microsoft account should be a breeze. The only problem is that you must be constantly online for that though. At the same time, the web experience is different compared to the Android App version.

Alternatively, there are Google’s G Suite apps still available on Chrome OS. Of course, with the Chrome OS, the native Google Apps should feel a little more optimised and seamless with your Google account. At the same time, you have an offline experience with G Suite apps on Chromebooks.

Business, Computers, News

Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 Compute Platform for Laptops

May 24, 2021 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Qualcomm is expanding its horizons with a new take on their Snapdragon 7c Compute Platform. The company started looking into mobile compute back in 2017 and introduced their first generation 7c back in 2019. Slightly over a year after, the company is bringing a new, improved take meant for an always connected future.

The new generation Snapdragon 7c compute platform takes aim at an emerging need for always connected PCs at an affordable price point. The new generation comes with the Snapdragon X15 4G LTE modem which provides on-the-go connectivity; allowing devices that come with the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 to switch seamlessly between WiFi and cellular networks. Qualcomm is looking to address the growing need for reliable, stable connections in the age of Work from Anywhere.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c compute platform brings together performance, battery life and connectivity. It comes with an Octa-core Kryo 468 CPU which can be run at speeds of up to 2.55GHz providing enough compute for on-the-go work. Similar to its mobile counterparts, the compute platform comes with an Adreno GPU which supports QHD resolution at 60Hz. It also utilizes the Qualcomm Spectra 255 image signal processor which supports up to 14-bit image signal processing. The package, overall, should rival some of the entry level and lower mid range laptops we see in the market.

Affordable Performance for Entry Level Systems

Qualcomm isn’t just building the compute platform for performance, it’s looking at bringing value to a more affordable segment of laptops. To that end, they have been developing the 7c compute platform to bring performance which lasts. They are touting that the Snapdragon 7c is able to provide performance and multiday battery life. The new generation of the compute platform is built with up to 60% more productivity performance per watt compared to currently available laptops. However, they are also making things more affordable with a lower entry level when it comes to pricing. The 7c platform costs about one third of the currently available premium x86 systems.

The Snapdragon 7c compute platform isn’t just about the silicon either. Qualcomm is baking in AI features which help with on-the-go working. Their Hexagon 629 DSP in the 7c is able to handle over 5 trillion operations a second with its built-in AI engine. This AI enhances device security and even powers more accurate voice recognition and even features like gaze correction for video conferencing.

Working with OEMs for a Diverse Device Ecosystem

The emergence of Work from Anywhere and its acceleration in the midst of the current pandemic has necessitated Qualcomm and its partners to develop unique solutions. Qualcomm has been working with companies like Acer, ASUS, Lenovo and Samsung to create sturdy, affordable and powerful laptops built on the compute platform. This time, the company is working with manufacturers and even software companies for a more complete and optimised experience on the Snapdragon 7c Compute platform.

Manufacturers like Lenovo, HP and Acer are working on creating on-the-go work systems which take advantage of the compute system. They have Windows 10 laptops running on the 7c. Qualcomm has also been working to optimise the platform to better support all versions of Windows 10 for a better user experience.

That said, Windows isn’t the only operating system that Qualcomm is optimising the Snapdragon 7c for either. The company is also working with companies like Acer and ASUS to cultivate a Chrome OS ecosystem. Systems like the Acer Spin 513 Chromebook are already making their way to the market.

Computers, News

[CES 2021] AMD Powered Acer Chromebook Spin 514 Unleashed

January 11, 2021 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Chromebooks just got a little more interesting with the newly unveiled Acer Chromebook Spin 514. The new Chromebook comes equipped with the latest AMD Ryzen 3000 C-Series Mobile Processors. The processor is complemented with AMD Radeon graphics. This new Spin 514 marries capable performance with stylish design. This paired with the responsiveness and battery life that Chrome OS gives makes the Acer Chromebook Spin a viable option for those looking for a workhorse on the go.

The built-in AMD Radeon™ graphics takes things to the next level by providing better performance whether it be gameplay or media streaming but also opens new doors when it comes to content creation on Chromebooks. That said, these features also empower business users by bolstering the capabilities of Chrome OS when it comes to business applications. The AMD architecture allows larger more complex operations to be done in programs such as Google Sheets.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514’s convertible design also allows users to interact more naturally with Chrome OS and allows users to write, draw and sketch on the Chromebook. It also has military grade durability on its sleek body. The aluminium laptop comes equipped with either the Ryzen 5 (3500C) or the Ryzen 7 (3700C) complemented with AMD’s RADEON Vega Mobile graphics platform.

Acer Chromebook Spin 514 weighs only 1.55kg and is only 17.35mm thin. However, the cover of the laptop is exceptionally strong and can withstand up to 60kg (132lbs) of downward force or a drop from a height of up to 122cm (48-inches). The Chromebook Spin 514 comes with 14-inch Full HD touch IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection to prevent scratches. Just like any other Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 has support for Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0. It also comes with 16GB of RAM and up to 256GB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage.

The Acer Chromebook Enterprise Spin 514 optimizes the Spin 514 for corporate and business use with features that allow businesses to manage devices at scale. In fact, Chrome OS itself is optimized for businesses looking to migrate to the cloud. The cloud-based OS will allow users to a lot more flexibility when it comes to working on the go. With one-touch enrollment, users are able to quickly enrol devices into the workforce. IT Departments can also easily control updates, configure apps, update policies and more remotely via Chrome OS’s web-based management system.

Pricing & Availability

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 will be available in three colors: Pure Silver, Steel Gray, and Mist Green. The CP514-1H variant will be available starting February 2021 in North America and March 2021 in EMEA with prices starting at USD$479.99 (MYR1,940.66) and EUR529 (MYR2,622.45) respectively.

The Enterprise version (CP514-1WH) will launch in March 2021 in North America and EMEA for USD$749.99 (MYR3032.31) and EUR 799 (MYR3962.29) respectively.

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