The previously-launched Acer C910 Chromebook is getting a hardware upgrade with a faster 5th generation Intel Core i5 processor being put inside.
The previous versions of the 15.6-inch Chromebook that launched in January had slower Intel Core i3-5005U or Intel Celeron 3205U processors. The new version has the Intel Core i5-5200U chip that Acer claims offers the "fastest performance in a commercial Chromebook to date."
Aside from the processor upgrade, the 4.85 pound Acer C910 Chromebook has 4GB of RAM and 32GB of SSD storage inside, along with a battery life of up to 8 hours. There's the option of choosing either an 1920x1080 or 1366x768 resolution display. The new version of the Acer C910 Chromebook will go on sale in April for the starting price of $499.
Press Release:
Acer Debuts Industry's Fastest-Performing Commercial Chromebook
First Chromebook with 15.6-inch display now available for commercial customers with 5th Generation Intel Core i5 Processor
San Jose, Calif. (March 19, 2015) – Acer America today sets a new milestone in the Chromebook market with the fastest commercial model in the industry – the Acer C910 Chromebook with a 5th Generation Intel Core i5 processor. The Acer C910 Chromebook is part of Acer's commercial Chromebook line and is designed for education and business customers who need extra screen real estate along with outstanding Chrome performance and a durable design.
This new model will use the 5th Generation Intel Core i5-5200U Processor to deliver the fastest performance in a commercial Chromebook to date. The new model expands the Acer C910 line that uses 5th Generation Intel Core i3 and next generation Intel® Celeron™ processors(1) based on Intel 5th Generation Core micro-architecture.
"The new faster performing Acer C910 Chromebook with an Intel Core i5 processor is raising the bar for Chromebook performance," said Carlos Siqueiros, mobility business manager, Acer America. "The advanced technology will boost productivity and help our education and commercial customers get the most out of their Chromebook experience for collaboration on important projects and research."
According to Gartner, Acer leads the Chromebook market with approximately 40 percent market share worldwide.
The new heightened performance of the Acer C910 Chromebook is the ideal complement to the other advanced capabilities of the device. Most unique is the Acer C910's 15.6-inch display – the industry's first of that size – which helps increase productivity by giving customers more real estate to view multiple tabs and apps. It's also ideal for shared environments such as classrooms, labs or conference rooms. The crisp and vibrant display comes with either a full HD IPS (1920x1080 resolution) display with wide viewing angles or an HD (1366x768 resolution) display that helps meet the limited budgets of schools. Both displays feature Acer ComfyView with anti-glare properties to minimize reflection and eye strain.
Durable Design Ideal for Students
The Acer C910 Chromebook was designed with extra durability features to handle extra-punishing environments such as schools. The Acer C910 has a reinforced cover that withstands up to 60kg of force, while the corners can tolerate up to 45cm drops without damage. Plus, the Chromebook was designed to endure more twisting and stress, further bolstered by a sleek and comfortable design that ensures a secure grip. The Acer C910 features the largest touchpad of any Chromebook today, so customers have greater freedom when navigating, zooming and scrolling.
Acer C910 is the Complete All-Day Device
The Acer C910 delivers long all-day battery life of up to 8 hours, so people will be able to use it to stay productive and have fun. Online connections are fast and secure with 2x2Wifi 802.11AC with MIMO technology.(5) It also has two full-sized upward facing speakers for greater volume and clarity. Customers can connect other peripherals to it via Bluetooth 4.0, the USB 3.0 port, USB 2.0 port and HDMI port, as well as read SD cards to access and transfer files.
The Acer C910 weighs only 2.2kg (4.85 pounds) and measures only 393w x 256d x 24.2h mm (15.4w x 10.08d x 0.95h inches).
Support for Multiple Customers; Advanced Security
The Acer C910 is ideal for people who view, edit, create and collaborate both online and offline in programs, such as Office documents and Gmail. Chromebooks are simple to use and can be easily shared by multiple users. Storage on Google Drive protects files, documents, and photos safely in the cloud, and ensures that the most current version of the file or document is always available and safe, even if the Chromebook is lost or stolen.
Security is a key benefit of Chromebooks, as they are automatically updated to guard against ever-changing online threats. In addition, the Supervised Users feature helps get children online in a safe, controlled way.
Model, Availability and Pricing
The Acer C910 Chromebook C910-54M1 has a 5th Generation Intel Core i5-5200U processor, 4GB of DDR low voltage memory, 32GB SSD storage and a 15.6-inch Full HD display. It will be offered in the U.S. beginning in April at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $499.99. Exact specifications, prices and availability of other models will vary by region.
Reader comments
The Acer C910 Chromebook gets faster with an Intel Core i5 processor
If you factor in the cost of 1TB Google Drive storage for three years, the cost of the Pixel is $750. So for $250 more than the high end of this Chromebook, you can get double the RAM, better build, better screen, longer battery life, and a backlit keyboard with a battery gauge on the outside of the Chromebook. Just to name a few. Looks like my decision is made. On to the Google store for me.
This is still a pretty good Chromebook though.
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I agree with you on this, also portability is superior.
The only problem is that I've read that if you've already redeemed a free Google drive pass your new one with the pixel might not work. Not sure if the 100g from a regular Chromebook counts against it though.
I see what you did there, but I don't think you can subtract the cost of Google Drive from the Pixel as there is no option to buy it without Google Drive or at a lesser cost. The way I see it, the Pixel is $500 more.
Agreed
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Hey, I just have to justify it to my boyfriend. I think I can get the free Drive storage thing to work for me. We'll see.Fingers crossed.
She is just factoring the benefits, and she has a good point. I would love a Chromebook with a i5 processor, but with a 15" screen and $500 price tag no thanks. It's still ChromeOS and limited in its own ways. But if you can justify spending $500 on a Chromebook you might as well step it up as she said. Just a better value.
I'll stick with my Toshiba Chromebook 2 :P
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So tempting! I wonder how much the IPS 1080p one will cost. I'm debating between this and the pixel. Not so sure about portability with this laptop though.
My last gen Aspire V7 gets the job done with comparable specs. 500 is too pricey for a Chromebook.
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Since Chromebooks are meant to be cloud machines, is there a noticeable benefit going from an i3 to an i5? I can see more RAM providing a benefit, but I'm not seeing the CPU upgrade doing much? Is anyone with an i5 Chromebook here that can say how it runs?
More smoothly running tabs= more pron. Benefit found
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The full HD 15-inch display and Core i5 sounds nice, but 5 pounds is too heavy.
I've been using the Toshiba Chromebook 2 for about a week, and I love it, especially the display. I was concerned that I'd have buyer's remorse after new releases are announced, but $330 is more in line with how much I'd like to spend on a Chromebook. I wanted something lightweight, but larger than my previous 11-inch Chromebook. The 13-inch Toshiba seems like a great choice, and it's fast enough for me, although I might feel differently after months of use.
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$500, you're encroaching on a full fledged Windows laptop at this point. The sweet spot for Chromebooks is $300. I wouldn't pay anymore for one.
+1
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Lenovo's site (US) has an i7 FHD 15.6 screen right now for $579. I would go with that one instead of the $500 chrome.
You can find full fledged Windows laptops for even less! Why would anyone buy a Chromebook!?
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Damn 500$ for 32GB of memory storage, that just blows my mind lol who would spend this type of money??
Now slim that down to a 12" still with a 1080p screen option and I'm tempted.
Just don't have a need for laptops larger than 13" nowadays. My days of lugging around 3kg of laptop and powersupply are long in the past.
Also kind of disappointing to see see ignorant muppets posting on ChromeOS/Chromebook threads that still refuse to understand the basics of the philosophy. To those dinosaurs I say why not go post in a storage thread about how excited you are about adding another 20TB to your porn/torrent cluster at home.
It is common of 90% of commenters to dismiss any use-case, consideration or requirement that doesn't match theirs. They are effectively blind to other's needs, in a blatant and arrogant way.
For the elderly and their technical support guy/gal the ChromeOS is a got sent. My dad have saved a few bucks in antivirus and I have saved hundreds in gas doing on-site support. I couldn't believe the simple stuff to confuse them. I couldn't believe how they couldn't see the download that starts at the bottom of them browser after clicking on a link to update Chrome Remote Desktop. I still can't understand how they don't differentiate a banner inside the browser from an OS pop up window.
Ohh yeah.....a Chromebook saves me money and headaches, and with a 15" screen....even his old eyes can see the content. He could replace the Chromebox for a Chromebook.
Yeah, once I start going outside the $300 range, I start to look at other more capable devices beyond just a cloud connected machine. I find the appeal of a chromebook that I am not needing to pay for all the extra components and processing power needed for a full blown machine; and while this is a somewhat limited machine, it can handle most of my needs at that price. Once I start spending more, I am sacrificing too much. But, maybe it's one of those things that says "this particular chromebook just isn't for me". Hopefully, they still focus on the low end chromebook model. I am still happy with my HP 11, but wouldn't mind upgrading a year or two from now.
Eh to much for a Chromebook plus its nice is has 1080p but what type of panel exactly? TFT panels I hope not
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