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Acer made a Chromebook even your kid can't kill

Designed for classroom or lab use, the 11.6-inch Chromebook 11 N7 C731 announced at CES 2017 is built for abuse.

Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials
  • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
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Joshua Goldman

The Acer Chromebook 11 N7 C731 announced at CES 2017 is two things others in the category aren't: inexpensive and tough.

Meeting the US MIL-STD 810G military standard, the 11.6-inch Google Chrome OS laptop can withstand drops from up to 48 inches (1.2 meters), can handle 132 pounds (60 kg) of downward force on its lid and has a spill-resistant keyboard. The keyboard's key caps are recessed to keep them from being easily removed.

Starting at $230, it arrives in the US later this month and will be available in other regions in February (the price converts to roughly £185 or AU$320). The Chromebook 11 N7 will be available with a 1,366x768-resolution IPS touchscreen (c731T) or with a standard LCD (C731) at the same res. Before you get too excited, though, it will only be for education and commercial customers.

Here's the rest of the stuff you'll find:

  • 1.6GHz Intel Celeron dual-core processor N3060
  • 4GB of memory
  • Intel HD Graphics
  • 16GB or 32GB eMMC for storage
  • 720p HD webcam
  • Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2x2 MIMO)
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • Built-in stereo speakers and microphone
  • Two USB 3.0 ports, SD card slot, HDMI output and 3.5mm headphone/mic jack
  • Up to 12 hours of battery life
  • Fanless cooling for quiet operation
  • 180-degree hinges to lay the screen flat for sharing