Tag Archives: Chromebook

[Editorial] Daily Driving the Chromebook Part 2: Is Chrome OS Made for Laptop or Tablets?

April 29, 2022 Darwin Sucipto 2 Comments

In writing this second part of the editorial, we had a little bit of a setback. We forgot to take photos of the first set-up process. We had to completely reset the device to document the first set-up and boot experience. We suspect we will be experiencing more of that later in this Chromebook journey.

We are still using the same Chromebook that Acer has provided for our experiment, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. We spoke about it too in our previous editorial in this series. It is a powerful notebook with Intel’s 11^th Generation Core i5 packed into the hardware. No dedicated discrete GPU anywhere within the Chromebook, you hardly need it anyway.

Reset – once you log in – everything restores

Resetting the Chromebook is a relatively simple process. You do not need to rummage around the settings to get to the ‘reset’ page. You just need to access settings and go to the bottom most tab on the left and you will find the reset button there. From there, it is just a matter of a few safety checks and you are good to go.

Unlike Windows devices, Chrome OS resets pretty much nearly immediately. It is as if nothing had happened, and your Chromebook is already wiped clean. You do not even need to keep it plugged into a power source. You get pretty much the same boot display as you would when you restart your Chromebook or boot it up from its ‘off’ power state. It is unusual, and uncanny.

The set-up process is as simple as it is before. There is a small difference now though. Once you logged in with Google, Chrome OS remembers your previous setup before and downloads all the apps and plugins for Chrome you previously had. It saved us a lot of time and effort to get things going the second round.

It will only work if you had a Chrome OS registered with your Google account. With a steady internet connection, most of the apps and plugins from before were installed within the next 30 minutes, and I did not have to do anything else other than sign into my Google account in the first five minutes.

Like Android, But Not Like Android

The only way we can describe the experience of the Chrome OS at this point is that it is a hybrid between an Android tablet and a PC experience. You get the best and nuances of both worlds. It is touch optimised, more so than Windows. The Chrome OS is also optimised for the mouse and keyboard experience which most Android tablets struggle with.

You get to use most, if not all your Android apps on the Chromebook. A lot of them would give you PC like interfaces but optimised for touch experience. The web browser is as it is, a regular Chrome browser you get on any PC.

Turning the 13.5-inch display into a multi-window experience is much easier to compared to an Android smartphone or tablet. There is a small caveat, you can only have two windows side-by-side. You simply drag any window to the edge of the display, and it snaps into place nicely.

Your Android device can also be integrated with the Chromebook. There is something called Phone Hub on Chrome OS that is rather painless to set up. It serves as a notification hub and limited control panel for your smartphone. You do not get screen mirroring experience as per Your Phone app on Windows, but we think simplified controls are still the way to go.

With the Phone Hub, your Chromebook is a remote work powerhouse. Chrome OS automatically prompts you to turn on wireless hotspot when it does not have any WiFi networks to connect to. You do not even have to manually turn on hotspot on your smartphone to get it connected privately, it just does. you disconnect, your smartphone immediately turns off its hotspot automatically, which is clever.

There is an issue here, however. Chrome OS works only if it is connected. Yes, apps installed on the device will still work. But most apps and even Chrome browser requires constant internet connection to work.

Before we move on, we mentioned that the YouTube App was indeed a webpage version of it. After the most recent update to Chrome OS (100.xx), the YouTube App is a standalone app that launches into its own window. It still retains a lot of its webpage features on the window, but it does not sit within the browser.

Breezing Through Work

For most of our work, we rely on Microsoft’s 365 suite. We rely on OneDrive for all our cloud storage needs, we also work plenty of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. In fact, these editorials get typed out on Microsoft Word first before finally making it to the screen in front of you now. Of course, we also rely heavily on our emails to get the latest updates from brands you love.

Microsoft apps has been taken down from the Google Play Store for Chrome OS. While you can technically find a workaround in the form of apk format install files, we did not. We wanted to see if we could work with the browser version of Microsoft 365 apps on the Chrome OS. OneDrive is not taken down from the Play Store, but we ended up preferring the browser experience over the app.

For emails, we could technically rely on the Gmail apps that also offers a browser experience without the browser. It seems that Gmail only takes on Google accounts though, which also means that we had to access our emails through the browser. Accessing emails through the browser also eliminates the need for you to set-up POP3 or IMAP servers for your Chromebook. You can technically install other email client apps from Google Play Store, I was happy enough with accessing emails through the browser, so I did not bother with that.

Oddly enough, I did not miss Microsoft 365 apps all that much. So far, we have mostly been working with Microsoft Word on the Chromebook. While it would be nice to have an app to work with, we think that the mobile optimized app will not do any justice to the Chromebook’s display real estate.

The browser version of Microsoft Word feels very much like the full Windows and Apple version of the app that is fully optimized for mouse and keyboard input. In some ways we never really missed having the mobile-first app experience. The browser allows you to have multiple instances of Microsoft Word, or PowerPoint, or Excel, which is always a welcome for multitasking.

The only sort of complain we have in this case is the fact that you must launch the Microsoft 365 web app within the browser first before you get to access any of your files for Microsoft Word and such. It is quicker for you to access your files via OneDrive, so you might want to consider that.

More on Part 3

There is still much to explore on Chrome OS. While we have touched on Phone Hub, we felt that there is a little more that we can discover. Yes, Chrome OS needs to be connected all the time to. It is the same requirement as most smartphones today though.

While we did explore the gaming aspects of the Chromebook, we are not ready to make a conclusion on it just yet. Steam will also be making itself available for Chrome OS sometime soon, though we do not know when. In this case, gaming could be something worth looking into with Chrome OS thanks to many cloud gaming solutions you might find today. If you have a gaming PC at home, you can even game remotely in the house.

Working with the Chromebook is a pleasure though. Beyond the hardware, Chrome OS seems to be able to keep up with everything we need it to do. Sure, we have not put it through its paces with photo editing work on the go and such. Everything else, including converting or compressing our photos for publication is simple enough to do with a steady internet connection. If you have a smartphone data plan, it is good enough for you to set up your Chromebook into a remote workstation and get things done.

So far, so good. While we are a little peeved that we must constantly ensure that we are connected to the internet one way or another, we have not missed working with Windows laptops so far. Everything we need in a thin-and-light is in the Chromebook. We can appreciate its long battery life too; you tend to get a lot more battery life from the Chromebook than you do on Windows laptops. We will talk about its battery life in the coming weeks too, of course.

Computers, Editorial, Lifestyle

[Editorial] Daily Driving the Chromebook Part 1: Introducing the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. Wait, Why Chrome OS?

April 22, 2022 Darwin Sucipto 1 Comment

When you go out to buy a laptop, there is usually two options for you to pick from. You can either go with Windows laptops, which will open yourself up to a world of options. You can also go for the Mac option, which would simplify your options but at a higher cost. There is a third option though – Chrome OS.

At this point, we see many question marks on many people’s heads. “Why a Chrome OS?” you may ask. It is an odd choice in the sea of choices in the market, an unpopular one. But at the same time, we think it could be a sound and sensible one.

While the Chrome OS is regarded as the simplest of operating systems (OS), it is still a valid operating system you can choose when you buy a laptop for work. The education sector loves Chromebooks because they are rather cost effective and simplistic in nature. It is fuss free to work with, a perfect introduction into the world of computing.

Chrome OS is and can be so much more than just a laptop made for the school. It can be a rather simple way for organizations to manage their work devices. It is an inexpensive solution for enterprises looking to equip their employees for their digital transformation. They can be premium machines that fulfill all sorts of needs too, except for gaming.

So, we wondered; what is it like to live with a Chromebook? Is the Chromebook worthy to be a daily driver? Is the Chrome OS even the right platform to begin with when it comes to corporate use?

The Hardware

We are very lucky to get our hands on the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. Thanks to the support of Acer, we did not have to fuss over choosing the right Chromebook to work with. It is also the most premium Chromebook you can find in their line-up of Chromebooks.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is nothing like a budget Chromebook made for the school. It still can take scrapes and bumps with MIL-STD810G certification. It is an MYR 3,799 convertible. It is also a rather powerful Chromebook.

It packs Intel’s 11^th Generation Core i5-1135G7 processor, something you generally find on thin-and-light Windows notebooks. It has 8GB of RAM and 256GB in storage. Acer advised us against opening the guts of the notebook to replace or upgrade anything within the Chromebook in fear of bricking the unit, so we will comply with their requests for now.

It is a convertible, so it also comes with a glass protected touch display that measures in at 13.5-inch with 2,256 by 1,504 pixels on tap from the IPS panel. Yes, it is a 3:2 aspect ratio display, quite odd. The dual speakers leave a little more to be desired, but you can plug your headphones in with the AUX jack, or connect your Bluetooth enabled gear to the Chromebook.

Aside from the AUX jack, you have two USB Type-C ports, both Thunderbolt ports thanks to Intel. The Chromebook charges via USB Type-C too. There is another USB port beside a MicroSD card reader, a Type-A for convenience. There is also a full-sized HDMI port for extra versatility.

Setting up Chrome OS

Our focus isn’t too much on the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 though. This four-part editorial will focus on the Chrome OS. We will be working exclusively on the Chromebook for four continuous weeks. We still go back to our main Windows rigs for video editing. Everything else will be done on the Chromebook and Chrome OS though. In fact, this article is mostly typed and edited on the Chromebook itself.

While we are aware of Google Chrome OS, we are rather new to the interface. We expected some learning curve; there are some, though not as steep as we expected it to be. There are a few major differences in the interface that we will talk about in the coming weeks. Before we get into any of that, we must set up the Chrome OS first.

Its first boot leads us to a very familiar set-up screen. Obviously, you do not get a Windows style or Mac style set-up. It is even simpler than what we expected, to be fair. If you already have a Google Account in the first place, that is really all you need to get going. Within five minutes, we are ready to work with the Chromebook.

First Impressions – Picking Up the Clues

We see a familiar desktop home screen, a welcome at least coming from the Windows ecosystem. Except, we were a little disappointed when we found out that we cannot put anything on the home screen. You can only change the wallpaper of your home screen. We sort of expected a more Android like experience, especially with widgets. Sadly, it is what it is.

The icon on the interface is digitally enlarged to fit eh 13.5-inch display by default. The resizing is clearly a nod to optimising the touch interface for users. We changed the icon sizing to smallest the system allows us to, just because.

Touch Optimised, Simple, Clean

While it is a touch sensitive display, Android gesture controls do not work with Chrome OS, at least not when you are in laptop mode anyway. I must remind myself that I am not using an Android tablet here, just plain ol’ Chrome OS with no overlays. At the same time, you are going to get the same Chrome OS from any Chromebooks you pick up off the shelf. You get different specifications, sure, but they are essentially still the same interface with no extra bloatware.

Apps Matters

We were excited to look through Google Play Store for app downloads and were not too disappointed with it. Most apps made for the smartphone and tablet works. Some of them even allows you to pick between a smartphone or tablet interface, and even change the window size on the fly. The Chrome OS allows you to fully multitask in differently sized windows with the help of a mouse and keyboard.

Like Android, But Unlike Android

Very much like Android tablets, not all the apps that is made for the smartphone works or is available to download. Not all the Android apps that is available for the Chrome OS works flawlessly too, sadly.

The Chrome OS is naturally always on standby. That also means that, by default at least, you only need to unfold your Chromebook and Chrome OS is ready for you instantly.

While there is no special arrangement for the keyboard, there are a few subtle differences between the keyboard on a Chromebook and a Windows laptop. For one, there is no Caps Lock key on the Chrome OS. In its place is a large ‘start’ button to launch the ‘shelf’. There are no function row keys (F1-F12) to be found on the Chromebook either, you hardly ever need them anyway.

Chrome on Chrome OS

Plenty of the apps you may not find on the Google Play Store on the Chromebook can be used on the browser. Obviously, the apps need to have the browser variants of their apps to work. Some of the ‘apps’ on your Chromebook will still lead you to the webpage. Apps like YouTube, for example, can only be used on the web. We will talk about working with Microsoft 365 a bit more in the coming weeks.

This effectively means that two sorts of app store are at your disposal. You have the Google Play Store, which we have already talked about. Then there is the Google Chrome Web Store for you to install plugins on Chrome itself.

More On Part 2

We are also still exploring Chrome OS and still getting to know the system. In the coming parts we will also be talking about updating your Chrome OS and its development support in the future. A lot of things we have covered today are rather on the surface and introductory.

There are still plenty to explore on the Chrome OS. Phone Hub for example, has more to be explored. We have not even started on the stylus experience on the Chromebook.

Getting it up and running was not just simple, it was quick. We did not install everything we wanted nor did a deep search of what we wanted to install on the device, but there is plenty on offer with the device. We think that the plugins on Chrome browser could be a lot of help in making the Chromebook feels like a regular working PC. Gaming is one thing we look forward to talk about in the coming weeks.

Do comment below if there is anything specific that you want to find out about the Chromebook. Of course, comment if there is anything you would like us to do or try on the Chromebook. We will do our best to accommodate and try out everything you recommend and suggest to us.

Advertorial, Lifestyle

HP has an Intel Powered Laptop for Everyone with Unbeatable Discounts During LAZADA’s Birthday Sale!

March 24, 2022 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

We live in a world where not having a computer can be a huge handicap. Post pandemic, this reality is even more real than ever. We are working, communicating and connecting with each other with technology more than we ever did. However, it’s harder to come by devices that we can rely on that don’t burn through our bank accounts. That’s changing with offers coming from SNS Network in conjunction with LAZADA’s Birthday!

HP’s offerings are built for more than just one purpose – we’ve seen them grow their line up with Chromebooks, gaming laptops and even purpose-built design laptops. These laptops are built with performance in mind and are equipped with the latest and greatest processors from Intel® ranging from the Intel® Celeron® to the latest generation Intel® Core™ processors. These laptops can also be versatile like the HP Spectre x360, HP EliteBook x360 or the HP ENVY x360. These convertible laptops also come with stylus input for a more natural feeling interaction.

Whatever your need, HP’s lineup of laptops is bound to have something that is uniquely catered for you. If you’re looking for a versatile laptop for education, the HP Chromebook x360 is built to cater to you. Powered by the Intel® Celeron® N4020, it’s equipped with enough power for all your educational needs. Its versatile 360° hinge also allows it to adapt to any space you are working on. The HP Chromebook x360 also comes with a durable chassis that can withstand falls from the desk or even an accidental spill. It’s available during LAZADA’s Birthday sale for MYR679! That’s a whopping MYR720 off the retail price of MYR1,399.

If you’re looking for a laptop that is able to handle work and some play, HP has a plethora of laptops to choose from. Laptops like the HP Pavilion Laptop 14 equipped with the 11^th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 with a 14-inch FHD screen are built to bring together portability and performance at an affordable price point. This specific model is getting a whopping MYR740 discount during the sale. If the Pavilion Laptop isn’t your style, the HP Probook 440 G8 would fill the same shoes with enterprise-grade security and comparable specifications. It will be available for MYR3,329 – an MYR270 discount off its retail price. If you need some graphical prowess, the HP Laptop 15s is also on sale with NVIDIA® GeForce® MX350. The discreet graphics card will give you additional power for work involving graphics and design and it’s available for MYR2,859 during the sale.

Running on Intel®’s 11^th Generation Core™ processors gives these laptops an edge over the competition. The 11th Generation Core™ processors are able to run more efficiently giving you up to 20% better battery life. That’s about an hour’s worth of usage! The processors are also more powerful than before. They promise about 15% better performance with single and multicore processing. You’ll be able to tackle large excel files, pivot tables and even some light design work without many problems. With their integrated Intel® Iris® X^e Graphics platform, you can even do some basic gaming or even edit videos with up to 4K resolution without a hitch. These laptops are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what’s available and on offer during the LAZADA Birthday Sale starting on the 27^th of March 2022. The SNS-HP LAZADA store will feature everything from desktops, all-in-ones, laptops, and even gaming setups powered by Intel®’s processors for proven performance. You can even grab printers, monitors and other accessories during the sale with massive discounts happening from 12 am to 2 am on the 27^th of March 2022. SNS Network will be offering massive savings of up to MYR860 on laptops!

Psst! Pssst! Wanna know a little secret? You can already start adding what you want to your cart on the LAZADA app. LAZADA will then notify you when the superb Birthday sale kicks off later this month. You’ll be the first to know when the item you want goes on sale! What are you waiting for!? Head on down to the SNS-HP LAZADA store and select your laptops!

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DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE IS AN ADVERTORIAL COMMISSIONED BY SNS NETWORK. IT MAY NOT REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE TECHENT EDITORIAL BOARD.

Computers, Gaming, News

Steam ‘Borealis’ for Chrome OS is Coming! But Which Chromebooks will get them?

February 21, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Two years ago in 2020, Google and Valve made a small but significant decision that would bring Chrome OS to the next level. With the introduction of Intel’s 10^th generation Core processors, Google says that they are working on bringing Steam on the platform. If you have not known what Steam is yet, they are the largest game library in the known world. When we say game library, they are also an online game store that brought about the revolution of how we play and buy games today. Instead of buying physical copies, Steam brought about the age of digital copies of games; meaning you do not need CDs or DVDs to run your games anymore. That is why plenty of new notebooks and even pre-built PCs does not come with a disk tray anymore.

The announcement was made two years ago though, and we have not seen a single hint of Steam coming to Chrome OS since then. Until 9to5 Google uncovered something, that is. Apparently, things have already been swinging for quite some time now in the works of bringing Steam to Chrome OS and the latest development update came in January 2022. A developer commented on the processes they are working on and a sort of expected timeline for the project.

According to 9to5 Google the changelog that they were going through has introduced a list of supposedly supported Chromebooks and some minimum requirements. Of course, the Chromebooks listed are not named outrightly. From the codenames they have, it can be determined which Chromebooks are supposed to be getting Steam support. Most of them for now comes from Acer and ASUS.

Volta – Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-1H)
Volet – Acer Chromebook 515
Voxel – Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (CP713-3W)
Delbin – ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5500)
Drobit – ASUS Chromebook CX9 (CX9400)
Elemi – HP Pro c640 G2 Chromebook
Lindar – Unknown/unreleased Chromebook from Lenovo

The minimum requirement listed on the changelog also mentions that the Chromebook needs to have at least an 11^th Generation Intel Core i5 processor and more than 7GB of RAM. So far, the specs reserved for Steam on Chromebooks are higher-end Chromebooks. But this is also a form of good news for Chrome OS fans.

With the introduction of Steam on top of Chrome OS also means that there will be a new breed of gamers that plays games on Chrome OS. NVIDIA is already working closely with Google and MediaTek to be more present in the development of and for Chrome OS. They are also working on a discrete GPU for Chrome OS, albeit for very specific use cases, for some time now. At the same time, the list of supported hardware is still expanding. There are already evidence showing that even AMD’s newer chips might be on the support list soon. A few of Google’s Chrome OS partners have also revealed that they are working on RGB versions of their Chromebooks. Would we see Steam pre-installed or supported by then? We do not know, only time will tell. But we are looking forward.

Source: 9to5 Google

Computers, News

Acer’s Chromebooks Look to Empower Remote Work & Education

January 7, 2022 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Chromebooks are growing in popularity thanks to their lightweight form factor and feature-packed ChromeOS. They’ve found a niche in education and work thanks to their easy to deploy, built-in security features and also their compatibility with Google’s Ecosystem. Acer has been one of the platforms ardent supporters releasing Chromebooks for nearly 5-years now. This year, Acer has streamlined and focused its offerings to cater to a niche that has emerged thanks to the realities we face as we adapt to a new normal.

Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Built to be your Kompanio-n

The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 comes in a sleek and svelte body built of durable aluminium. It runs on MediaTek’s system on chip (SoC) for Chromebooks – the MediaTek Kompanio 1380. The SoC comes with the now ubiquitous big.LITTLE microarchitecture that allows it to strike a balance between raw power and power efficiency. Acer claims that the Spin 513 will be able to withstand a full day capping out at about 10 hours of battery life.

It comes with a 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and bezels that measure only 7.7mm. The display has a 2256×1504 pixel resolution. Given its Spin moniker, it’s not surprising that the Chromebook is able to convert from laptop to tablet or even display screen (in tent mode). It also comes certified with military specc’d durability with MIL-STD-810H certification. It also comes with DTS Audio for an immersive audio experience, WiFi 6 and a Type-C USB port.

Continuing Earthion with the Acer Chromebook 315 & Chromebook 314

Acer is no stranger to building laptops that have the environment front and centre. While the new Acer Chromebook 315 and 314 may not go the strides that is cousin, the Vero lineup does, the two new Chromebook offerings come with a unique touchpad that helps recycle ocean plastics. OceanGlass is a unique material made of ocean-bound plastic waste that has been recycled to give a glass-like feel. Using this material, Acer’s two new Chromebooks deliver a sleeker, more tactile experience with their touchpads while reducing plastics in our waterways and ecosystem.

Both the Chromebooks run on the latest Intel Pentium and Celeron processors for the best battery life and performance combo. They have support for WiFi 6 and feature a pair of USB Type-C ports for extendibility. Both also boast impressive 10-hour battery life and DTS Audio. The Chromebook 315 comes with additional connectivity options including a micro SD card slot.

On the display side of things, the 315 comes with a larger 15.6-inch display with an FHD resolution. It also features a dedicated Numpad keyboard and an HDR webcam with a wide field-of-view (FOV). The 314 comes with a smaller 14-inch display. Both Chromebooks come with an anti-glare coating making them a little more comfortable to use over long periods of time. They also come with options for multi-touch displays.

Pricing & Availability

The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 will make its way to North America in June 2022 with prices starting at USD$599.99 while the EMEA region will be seeing it in April 2022 priced starting from EUR649.

The Chromebook 315 and 314 will be available in North America in January 2022 and June 2022 respectively. Both will be priced starting from USD$299.99. The EMEA region will be getting them in late 2022 for the 315 and April 2022 for the 314. The 315 will be priced starting at EUR399 while the 314 will be EUR369.

Computers, Lifestyle, News

[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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Tag Archives: Chromebook

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