Acer has revealed all on the world’s first 15.6-inch Chromebook ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Shows (CES) 2015 in Las Vegas this week.
Not that the news will surprise many of you. We shared a sneak peek at Acer’s super-sized new Chromebook (and its smaller, ruggedized sibling) last month.
Plenty of you were excited by that news, so today’s official confirmation, which offers a few new bits of info, will no doubt please.
Screen Size
First off, the basics: the larger screen size is what makes this model so unique. Acer touts a screen size 27 percent larger than a 13.3-inch Chromebook models already available. This, they say, will give users “more real estate to view multiple tabs and apps.”
Sounds great, but in theory the resolution (and screen quality as there’s no IPS here) being offered is more comparable than at first blush.
Acer will offer two models: the cheaper using a standard HD (1366×768) resolution on that 15″ screen, the more expensive offering will push a full HD (1920×1080) resolution.
Rugged Design
The casing of the CB15 features a “fabric-like” embossing on the outer lid and has been designed to include a number of reinforcements. Acer says the outer casing can withstand up to 60kg of force, and dropped from 45cm or less onto a corner should see it sustain zero damage.
The Acer Chromebook 15 also features the largest touchpad of any Chromebook, and upward facing speakers for superior audio experience.
Bigger and better in so many ways does mean that this isn’t the lightest of Chromebooks. It weighs in at around 4.85lbs (2.2kg).
Processor, RAM and Storage
As with all Chromebooks Acer intends to produce a number of different models with specs, pricing and availability differing on a per-country basis.
You can expect to have a choice in storage size (either 16GB or 32GB), RAM (either 2GB or 4GB) and CPU (either fifth-gen Intel Core i3 or Intel Celeron (Broadwell)). Acer says the 5th Generation Intel Core processors “improve performance, graphics and battery life”.
Acer Chromebook 15 Specifications
- 15.6-inch display (HD or FHD resolution)
- 5th-Gen Intel Core i3 OR Intel Celeron (Broadwell) CPU
- 2/4GB RAM
- 16/32GB SSD
- 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI, SD Card reader
- Wi-Fi (ac) and Bluetooth 4.0
- 2.2kg/4.85lbs
- 8 hour battery life
- Rugged design
Acer say the model will go on sale in the US sometime soon priced from $249.99. International releases should follow thereafter.