Two new low-cost Chromebooks have gone on sale in the US priced at just $149 — making them the cheapest Chromebooks released to date.
Made by Chinese companies Haier and Hisense, the two devices feature 11.6-inch LCD displays with HD resolution, are encased in fairly nondescript black plastic bodies and are based around the Rockchip RK3288 processor.
Both Chromebooks are available to pre-order in the United States priced at $149.
What does $149 get you? Let’s take a look.
Hisense Chromebook Specs
Like the ASUS C201, ASUS Chromebook Flip and ASUS Chromebit, the 11.6-inch Hisense Chromebook is based around the Rockchip RK3288 quad-core processor from the Chinese chipmaker of the same name.
Guesstimating the performance of this chip is hard. Rockchip primarily targets the mid-range and low-end sector for tablets, smartphones, and embedded devices.
What is obvious is that this processor is not going to blow older Intel Chromebooks, much less the newer Pixel, out of the water in raw performance. It should be capable enough to meet most casual user and education needs, though.
Inside buyers will find:
- Rockchip RK3288 Quadcore processor @ 1.8 GHz
- 2GB RAM
- 16 GB eMMC Flash Storage
- 8.5 hour battery life
On the ports and extras side there is dual-band Wi-Fi (MIMO) with support for the latest ‘ac’ , Bluetooth, 2x USB 2.0 ports, a HDMI out and an MicroSD card reader. A 1.3MP webcam rounds things out for those egregious desk selfies.
Featuring a texturised lid and a metal palm rest, the Hiesense device is possibly the more ‘premium’ feeling of the two.
Haier Chromebook 11 Chromebook Specs
The 11.6-inch Haier Chromebook is a little less showy than the Hisense (no texturised lid) but does features the same set of core specifications, albeit with the offer of better battery life.
- Rockchip RK3288 Quadcore processor @ 1.8 GHz
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB eMMC Flash Storage
- 10 Hour Battery life
On the ports and extras side there is built-in dual-band Wi-Fi (MIMO) with support for the latest ‘ac’ standard, Bluetooth 4.0, 2x USB 2.0 ports, a HDMI out and an MicroSD card reader. A 1.3MP webcam rounds things out for yet more egregious desk selfies.
So, where’s the difference?
Both the Haier and Hisense Chromebook come with an 11.6-inch wide-screen LED backlit display running at a HD resolution (1366×768). They retail for the same price ($149) and different aesthetically in only minor ways.
The Hisense Chromebook is thinner (0.6-inches thick) but heavier (3.3lbs), and offers a 8.5 hour battery. It is available at Walmart
The Haier Chromebook is thicker (0.71-inches thick) but lighter (2.4lbs) and offers a 10 hour battery. It is available at Amazon US.