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Only two days after launching US preorders for Acer's Chrome OS-based notebooks, Amazon has officially opened the floodgates today. The e-tailer is currently offering the Acer AC700-1099 Wi-Fi for $349 with free shipping, which is about as cheap as you can expect to find a Chromebook in the near future (Samsung's versions are pricier outright because they're better equipped, while Acer's 3G model will surely cost more).
The 3.2lb system comes equipped with a dual-core (four threads) 1.66GHz Intel Atom N570 processor, an Intel GMA 3150, 16GB of NAND flash-based storage, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, an 11.6-inch 1366x768 display, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, integrated speakers, a multi-touch trackpad and a purported "full-sized" keyboard. Connectivity includes one HDMI port and two USB 2.0 ports, while battery life peaks at six hours.
As noted, this model lacks mobile broadband, so you'll have to rely on 802.11a/b/g/n for Internet access. Acer's 3G version doesn't appear to be available yet (nor have we seen pricing), but it should have seemingly identical specifications to the Wi-Fi iteration besides the cellular connectivity. Samsung's Series 5 Chromebook has been available through Amazon for some time in Wi-Fi ($429) or 3G-equipped ($499) models.
Network connectivity aside, the Series 5 Chromebook comes with a 12.1-inch 1280x800 display, a 4-in-1 card reader, a mini-VGA port, and offers up to 8.5 hours of battery life. Despite its beefier battery life and other minor extras, most reviewers seem to agree that Samsung's Chromebooks are a poor value compared to Windows-based netbooks, so perhaps Acer's cheaper offerings will fare a little better in the public mind.
User Comments: 10
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And let the Chromebook hate begin!
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Cota said:
bakape said:And let the Chromebook hate begin!
You were late, check your calendar.
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You were late, check your calendar.
I meant in this thread particularly.
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Don't know about hate, but since you're looking for negative opinions I'll say that this laptop is still rather meh for the price.
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bakape said:
And let the Chromebook hate begin!
Most people seem to dislike the Chromebooks, and not necessarily Chrome OS itself.
If you're going to unveil your flagship product, why put it on an underpowered and overpriced piece of hardware?
Throw in another hundred bucks and you can get a normal laptop with a full OS on it.
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A ChromeBook NEEDS to be £200 MAX or less.
This is silly trying to charge the same price as if it had a full OS, such as Windows on it.
Doesn't help itself that the hardware isn't great either.
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True. I have no idea why they didn't go with the ARM architecture from the start as well, at least as another option.
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Is it freaking anyone else out looking at the keyboard.
Looks kind of childish, and no right click?!?!?!
Though thinking about it... It probably won't be needed....
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Most users .. DONT agree that the value isn't there compared to windows laptops. The build quality is outstanding, and the architecture of the OS means it will surely out last the under $500 disposable windows "laptops". Chrome books are outselling net books and tablets.
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But not with 2 years of limited wi-fi
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