Acer AC700 Chromebook available, shipping soon
The device is currently available for order on Amazon, but users will need to wait until mid-July for the device to ship.
The Acer AC700 Chromebook is available now.
The AC700 is Acer's first Chromebook launch. The device comes with an 11.6-inch HD LED-backlit LCD and features HDMI output for those who want to connect the device to an HDTV. The Chromebook weighs 2.95 pounds and comes in at just one-inch thick. Users can connect to the Web via Wi-Fi and work on the device for six hours on a single charge.
The AC700 runs Google's Chrome operating system, a cloud-based platform that relies solely on the Web to get work done. People can save files in the cloud, use Google Docs to type out documents, and access the Chrome Web Store to add applications to the platform.
Acer's Chromebook follows the launch of Samsung Chromebooks earlier this month. Those devices, dubbed the Series 5, feature 12.1-inch displays and offer up to 8.5 hours of continuous usage on a single charge. Unlike Acer's option, Samsung is selling a version of the Series 5 that allows people to connect to both Wi-Fi and 3G networks. According to Acer, its 3G option will ship later this summer.
The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook earned 2.5 stars out of 5 from CNET editors. The device earned high marks for its battery life and nice looks, but lost points on its price--$499.99 for the 3G model--and issues with Chrome OS, including its need for a constant Web connection.
Consumers can order the Acer AC700 on Amazon.com now for $349.99. However, according to Amazon, the device won't ship until mid-July.