Sophisticated Chromebook / + partial settlement with the C720P

Sophisticated Chromebook / + partial settlement with the C720P

Acer Aspire CB3-111-C61U 29.5 cm (11.6 inches) Chromebook (Intel Celeron dual-core N2830, 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, Intel HD Graphics, Chrome) white (Personal Computers)

Customer Review

This review is still ongoing expanded uses any questions please just the comments
This review is divided into chapters so you can skip topics if necessary.

Foreword (Why Chrome?)

I was for some time in search of a second device for use away from the office computer, on vacation, on the road or on the couch. The idea behind Google Chrome corresponds fully to my needs: Most of what I am doing, I am doing today in the browser: Surfing, online banking, search for information, write reviews, write e-mails. Since reviews and emails are from a certain length to write in my view hardly on a tablet with touch keyboard, the Hardwareteastatur will not soon die out.

And for the above described use Chromebooks as created. A reamed browser with slimmer but for hardware designed for optimum performance. As memory serves a 16GB eMMC (flash memory) and to virus software and updates you do not have to worry. The only condition: To use a Chromebook reasonable, you have to have a Google Account and may seek the Google services like mail, YouTube, Google. By the way, 82 percent of all Chromebooks were sold in 2013 in the USA, in Germany sales are behaving a bit.

So I am a pilgrimage to the local Google Store in Hamburg and had a look at the exhibited there. Of the surveyed units Samsung 303C12 (slower Exynos 5250 processor, mediocre processing), HP Chromebook 11 (also Exynos 5250 processor, relatively expensive), I liked the issued Acer C720P (nice design, Celeron processor, subjectively best screen but unfortunately glossy / reflective ) preferably. Of the staff I got the tip that the successor com C720P that here-reviewed ACER will appear CB3-111. And so I waited and was an early adopter of the last delivered Acer Chromebooks CB3-111.

Packaging and accessories

The Acer CB3-111 is supplied in a sturdy box. The Chromebook is additionally protected by a one-way flow bag against scratches. There is a Quick Start Guide, which indicates that the Chromebook has to be plugged in before the first use. In addition, international conformity declaration for submission to possibly entry to third countries are. The Chromebook is loaded with a usual standard power supply, which is but held in the housing color white. USB charging is not possible.

Appearance, ports, first impression

The CB3-111 is completely white and has a matte finish and keeps fingerprints thus remotely optically. On the left side there is a USB 3.0 connection (indicated by the blue counterpart in port) and an SD card reader. On the front panel there are no connections. On the right side there is a USB 2.0 connection, the audio output (headphone / speaker) and a hole for attaching a Kensington lock. On the back is a HDMI output and a port for receiving the power supply connector. The device works on the first touch amazingly handy and flat but at the same time stable and rigid enough. However, the display is minimal tension and bulges by ca.1mm in the middle to the top, but what stands out only at very close inspection. I hope this relaxes a little.

The hinges make a good impression to be open 2 hands needed. The display is sufficiently rigid and does not wind back.

The Chromebook has no replaceable battery, the bottom is completely screwed and there are only 2 openings for the speakers and no further air vents.

Dimensions and weight / compared to C720P

The new Acer CB3-111 has become compared to its predecessor C720P overall slimmer in size. This is evident especially in the height, which is slightly higher at C720P with 19,9mm, said CB3-111 consistently only 18,66mm is high. The weight shrinks slightly from 1,35kg to 1.25kg. The exact dimensions of the two Chromebooks compared:

Acer CB3-111:

Height at the front: 18,65 mm
Rear height: 18,65 mm
Height: 18.7 mm
Width: 299 mm
Depth: 202 mm
Weight: 1.25 kg

Acer C720P:

Height: 19.9 mm
Width: 288 mm

Depth: 204 mm
Weight: 1.35 kg

The processor / compared to C720

The CB3-111 has installed a Celeron processor N2830. This Acer built in the sequel to the C720P also a Celeron processor with 2 cores.

This does have on paper a higher clock frequency (2,41GZ) compared to the Intel Celeron 2955U from the Acer C720P (1.4GHz), but has a small on-chip L2 / L3 cache (N2830: 1024KB; 2955U: 2560KB) what in different benchmarks at significantly lower points leads (eg Cinebench, PassMark, Geekbench 3).

So Acer installed a weaker processor in a new device. Makes you wonder seriously why Acer has so decided.

The answer lies in the strength of the new N2830, which is on the market since the first quarter of 2014: The TDP of the N2830 (TDP: Thermal Design Power, the maximum thermal power loss) is 7.5 watts compared to the 2955U from the C720P, which nor 15W had been halved.

The positive effects: less power consumption and lower heat, allow the new CB3-111 a fanless cooling concept. Also can be installed by the lower power consumption, a smaller battery. Battery capacity decreases of 3950 mAh (C720P) at 3220 mAh (CB3-111). This saves weight and the one to the other costs, which is also a reason for the lower selling price compared to the C720P. The runtime increases even slightly from 7.5 h (C720P) to 8 hours (CB3-111) lt. Manufacturer.

The issue varies the power I can answer this way: On the Chromebook everything runs in normal operation a dozen browser windows liquid. Also ran tested Youtube video at 720p run without stuttering.
If you like 25 tabs open at the same time has a lot of power users and videos looks, in my opinion should rather take a look at the upcoming Acer Chromebook CB5-311, which will have a powerful Tegra processor K1.

The Screen

The Acer CB3-111 has built a matte screen (TN technology) with a HD Ready resolution of 1366x768 pixels. This corresponds to 11.6 screen a pixel density of 135dpi, which I ertrachte to this size as ideal. Screen content can be displayed on this size very well. Those looking for a Full HD device (1920x1080), the above new Acer Chromebook CB5-311 should look, which offers 13.3-inch Full HD resolution. I welcome the decision for a matte panel when CB3-111 much because in my opinion, do not make sense for mobile devices reflective panels.

Although reflective panels can colors appear strong and see Me at play very nice, but turn out to laptops with changing light conditions impractical, because you have to align the device with light sources in order to work properly can.

After the first unpack the unit was a cheap muddy panel, like I do with the Lenovo IdeaPad A10 have seen in a colleague there, my greatest fear. This fear did not come true, fortunately. Of course, there is the screen of CB3-111 not a high-end panel but my subjective impression is very positive. The panel's contrast and shows colors sufficiently strong.

A certain viewing angle dependence is present, but this fall is not nearly as crass like the Samsung Chromebook 303C12. You have to move your head already relatively well, so that the picture changed considerably. I work mainly with a very stable viewing angles IPS monitor from Eizo and feel the viewing angle of the TN panel is not as disturbing from CB3-111.

It is also encouraging the maximum brightness which is subjectively judged to be very good. With a brightness durschnittlichen days at home I feel the 3/4 setting pleasant. The steps up to 100% brightness again bring a tidy plus brightness. I appreciate the maximum brightness at 250 cd / m² and thus this should be sufficient for most applications. I hope at this point soon to grudge readings.

Also important: In comparison to the C720P is at the CB3-111 screen is not a touch panel. Personally, I did not understand the meaning of such touch panels in a normal Chromebook when C720P anyway and so I miss this not the CB3-111, but maybe there are people out there where this functionality is important.

The Keyboard

Acer installed a nice keyboard, which uses the entire width. The letters are in lower case need not be printed in capital letters, what irritated me short. The keyboard has a short stroke and a soft stop. One can thus very quietly write without others annoyed by keyboard clatter.

At the top of the keyboard, the special hot keys are located, with which one can control, for example, the brightness, volume, browser in the background and so on. I find the keyboard well done and ergonomic. I've already written a couple of longer texts and one gets along very well.

The Speaker

On the underside of CB3-111 2 stereo speakers are present. I can go through a couple of YouTube music videos and my conclusion is that the speaker documentation super suck because votes are very clearly understood, but music is not suitable, since mid-tones tones are weak and depth rendered even weaker.

Who often listens to music on Chromebook should plan to connect an external speaker or headphones from the headphone jack on the right side firmly.

The Mouse

The mouse pad falls pleasingly large out for such a small Chromebook. It can caress pleasant and has integrated mouse buttons, which are installed at the bottom left and bottom right of the mouse pad. The only thing that bothers me is that in my model the mouse pad sits minimally wrong, so it has different gaps in the frame mount. This may be an isolated incident, the operator does not bother at least.

As I'm used to it from other laptops, the mouse pad support multitouch, so for example the 2-finger scrolling, which I find indispensable. I am yet to try on, what gestures the device is still supported.

Noise emissions

For many a not insignificant factor is the volume of Chromebooks / notebooks, for a surrender fan can be annoying quickly in peaceful surroundings. Acer has thankfully created a fanless Chromebook. It's not only completely free fan, it whimpers not, it does not hums. I have good ears, hear buzzing many power and can confirm that this Chromebook makes 0% noise.

Boot, standby, Account

The Chromebook is generally boot for fast and trouble-free work made the break. The Acer CB3-111 is no exception. It boots in less than 8 seconds from the off state.

You can always just close the lid, then the Chromebook automatically switches to standby mode. This is signaled by a flashing orange light at regular intervals whether the top bar. The standby mode uses very little power. In less than 2 seconds, the Chromebook from this mode can be used again. Feels like it is "right there". It's just super convenient if you during the day can close the Chromebook during breaks and knows that it is immediately ready for use - even if you just want to briefly look for commands something.

A Chromebook is very simple to use by many people in the household - even without Google Account. Who has a Google account, to its access to the home page can easily set us log in with his password. Browsing history, settings are visible only to the relevant users. As is known from Windows, each user can choose their own account image for identification.

If you want to give his Chromebook times or leave home use by a guest, you can these easy via the "guest mode" surf. In this mode, nothing is saved and the visitor does not leave marks.

Google Chrome App Store

It has normal access to Google Apps / Chrome Store and can download there as desired apps for the browser.
I recommend for the Surf operation default, the following 3 Apps:

1. AdBlock: To hide annoying advertising
2. WOT: To indicate potentially dangerous sites
3. Chrome Notepad: Quick notes that you are typing in the Chromebook in the in the browser Notepad stored and can be installed on the host computer is also running the Chrome browser to read. This is very handy if you have surf notes / ideas in which you want to continue working at the host computer.

Of course, there are thousands more apps, simply schonmal advance daily in the Google Chrome store.

Conclusion

I've been looking for a viable writing and surfing machine and this Chromebook my expectations fully met. It has a unique design and is very compact. The free processing is (despite the two criticized processing abnormalities) for the cheap price fine. The matte display will not win any awards, but is sufficiently rich in contrast and viewing angle stable and also has a good brightness.

The performance is absolutely sufficient for the average user, although here again the Note is made that for higher demands are new Chromebooks with stronger processors in the start Öchern These models are then but larger (13.3 inches) and will be more expensive.

You get it for absolutely low entry cost a Chromebook on the amount of time by which the vast majority of users will be satisfied. In my opinion, Acer has brought here an absolutely sophisticated Chromebook on the market.

A sophisticated desktop PC system with multiple hard drives, a large screen, mouse, keyboard, sound system will replace a Chromebook Never. For me it is quite clear to be seen as "second unit". But: Who was always intrigued by the mobility of a so-called "ultrabooks" and can complete all tasks with the skills of Chromebooks is considering the low price have a lot of fun with this device. Clearly below the 11.6 "Chromebook for me the No.1. If you want a larger or faster Chromebook, I recommend the above mentioned variants of CB5 to look at times. I do not want this refer only to Acer, but this is the CB5-311 only way I know Chromebook that will be offered with a powerful Tegra K1. Acer offers in America the way an Acer C720-3871 with i3 processor at. With a little patience and luck, these models come one day after D.

I'm afraid I'm a bit far swung, but I hope through this detailed information to all interested parties to have helped in the purchasing decision.

11.6 inches Sleeves / Chromebook bags

Those looking for a matching bag, here is a small selection:

AmazonBasics laptop sleeve 11.6 inch (Black)
Plemo Envelope PU Leather Case Sleeve Case for 27.9 to 29.5 cm (11 to 11.6 inches) Brown
HP 29,46cm 11.6Zoll White Sleeve PROJECT Retail (White)

The AmazonBasics bag I use at home. This is very well located and is ideal for home use.
The HP bags have 2cm "room for improvement", sit relatively loose but are best interior and exterior upholstery.
Those looking for a stylish bag for Café should take a look at the Plemo PU leather bag in brown.

Start Chromebook always in Incognito mode: Tutorial

Not every Google fan and Chrome users will want the browser constantly collects the history data. "No record history" A lack of functionality is the biggest gripe of users, for example, switch from Firefox to Chrome browser.

While the PC simply could supplement with Chrome "-incognito" in the start parameters and Chrome automatically in incognito mode (No Surf data stored on the device) could start missing this possibility on the Chromebook.

For that I have developed the following workaround:
It simply invites the extension "Auto Incognito Mode" via the browser. There you are in the options the following parameters:

"Http: // * / *"
"Https: // * / *"

Once you open any page, the normal Chrome automatically closes and it opens in Chrome Incognito mode. When you start the Chromebook the Chrome browser always starts with. If you put eg Google.de HOMEPAGE enough there once in the URL bar to click + ENTER and Chrome immediately goes into Incognito mode.

** Update 13.10.2014 **

After a few charging cycles which now already has the Chromebook behind, no errors or flaws are detected. I can confirm the review so the full extent also in regular operation.

Positive can I talk about the battery: This holds in pure surf operating noticeably longer than the specified 8 hours at about 3/4 brightness. Who just surfing, reading, writing will come more than 9 hours. Video / Music / Flash mode, press the runtime, however, of course, slightly downwards. In this respect, 8 hours have a value which reflects a good life in mixed operation.

Much worse than the original Rank: 1/5
October 14
Addictive 4 1 Rank: 5/5
November 4
Super ball 2 1 Rank: 5/5
September 6
Perfect! 1 4442 Rank: 5/5
March 2
impec 1101 Rank: 4/5
January 11

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