Chromebook Reviews

Review: Acer Chromebook R 13 -- a Chromebook with class

This sleek, nicely-designed Chromebook offers a touch screen, convertible display and the ability to use Android apps.

acer chromebook r 13
Acer

  • Acer Chromebook R xiii

There's been a lot of doom and gloom talk lately about how badly PCs -- both desktops and laptops -- are selling. According to a contempo written report from IDC, "Worldwide PC shipments are forecast to turn down by half dozen.four% year over year in 2016."

Nevertheless, the same report goes on to say that "overlap in usage and converging designs is accelerating the shift in notebooks to ultra slim and convertible designs, which are at present expected to business relationship for well-nigh 63% of notebook shipments past 2020."

In other words, buyers are looking with favor on convertibles: Laptops with displays that can be moved to a variety of dissimilar positions, so that the organisation can be used non just every bit a keyboarded computer, but as a presentation device or tablet as well.

One of the more contempo convertibles to striking the market is the Acer Chromebook R 13, a recent addition to Acer's line of laptops using Google'south Chrome Bone. The R 13 has the same moveable display as last year'southward Acer Chromebook R eleven -- its hinges let it to be moved almost 360 degrees, from a "airtight laptop" position around to an open laptop, farther dorsum then that you can prop it upwardly on a desk-bound, and finally so that the display rests confront-upward on the back of the keyboard, allowing it to be used equally a tablet.

The new Chromebook R 13 is a slightly larger, slightly improved version of the R 11; and while I liked the R eleven when I tried it out about a year ago, I was fifty-fifty more than impressed with the new device -- with a few caveats, it is 1 of the better Chromebooks available today.

The smaller R 11 offered an 11.6-in. 1366 x 768 IPS display; the R 13's IPS display has been upgraded to a 13.3-in. 1920 10 1080 resolution. The comeback is obvious; although the R xiii isn't going to compete with the latest MacBook or Surface as far as image quality is concerned, it is certainly quite practiced plenty for viewing videos and other graphics. I tried it with several movies (and varying levels of action) and had only i complaint: the colors were a fleck done out when compared to more high-end displays. Sound comes from two speakers on the other side of the keyboard, and while the audio is  adequate, it won't blow whatever walls down.

The unit of measurement measures 12.viii x 0.61 x 0.six in. and weighs 3.28 lb., which puts it on the edge of the "lightweight" category. Information technology has a much more than solid feel than most Chromebooks, although there is some flex if you lot lean on the superlative of the lid or push on the hinge. That being said, I got the impression that this one will concluding for the long booty.

I was extremely impressed with the keyboard, which has a very skilful feel; the keys have just enough give to be comfy for long periods of typing. The touchpad isn't as big equally the ones you'll discover on some high-end laptops, but it was quite big enough for me (although I still have problem remembering that there is no "right click" on a Chromebook touchpad; y'all have to tap it with two fingers instead). My only regret is the lack of backlighting on the keyboard.

The other specs are pretty impressive. The R xiii is equipped with a MediaTek MT8173C processor and 4GB of RAM (the minimum amount that you want it yous're going to practice any serious work on a Chromebook). It is powered via a USB-C port and includes a micro-USB port likewise, allowing yous to utilize it with older addition devices and not have to worry almost a dongle (dissimilar some devices I could mention). In that location is also an HDMI port and a microSD slot, which means that y'all can add together to the organisation'southward storage (the R 13 comes in a 32GB and 64GB version).

One of the selling points of this automobile is that it is i of the few Chromebooks currently capable of running Android apps, although at the time of testing, you could only access them in Chromebook'southward beta aqueduct. I tried it with a couple of apps, and they installed smoothly and worked fine. I'chiliad non sure what the reward is, brusque of leading the way to merging the two operating systems, just it'southward certainly an interesting experiment.

Other features? At that place is an Hd webcam (1280 x 720) that offers 720p HD sound/video recording. The iv.670mAh battery is listed as practiced for up to 12 hours; while I didn't perform any formal testing, it certainly lasted over a 24-hour interval's worth of employ with power to spare.

Lesser line

Chromebooks are withal thought past many to be inferior second cousins to macOS and Windows systems. However, because how many users do near, if non all, of their work online, Chromebooks are a becoming a more realistic and even desirable culling -- they tend to be less expensive, less complicated and more trouble-free.

The Acer Chromebook R 13 is an first-class example of a solid, mid-level organization. It's got a very expert display, great battery life, a comfy keyboard, and (because it has 4GB of RAM)  enough power to run a video or a reasonable number of tabs without pausing for breath. Non to mention its touch on screen, moveable display and ability to use Android apps. If you're shopping for a Chromebook, this would definitely be i to consider.

  • Pros

    • Brandish revolves to convert from laptop, to presentation mode, to tablet
    • Good performance
    • Can use Android apps (on beta aqueduct)
    • Well designed, with fantabulous keyboard

    Cons

    • Colors on display a piddling washed out
    • Audio volume non impressive

Barbara Krasnoff is a freelance writer and editor who has spent more years as a tech journalist than she cares to acknowledge. Samples of her piece of work tin can be found at clippings.me; she'southward likewise on Twitter equally @BarbaraKrasnoff.

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