Acer AC700 Chromebook (Black)
Feature
- Features - Acer AC700-N572G02akk (11.6 inch) Chromebook
- Acer Nplify 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN
- CPU Speed - 1.66 GHz
- Graphics Device - UMA
- 2GB Memory
Product Overview
Acer Aspire AC700 116 INCH HD Atom DC N570 2GB 16GB SSD 6cell Google Chrome Black LUSG50C004 Acer Retail Decommit 80 of 82 people found the following review helpful
Why You Might Want a Device Running Chrome OS, By
Captain Awesome (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Acer AC700 Chromebook (Black) (Personal Computers)
I have one of the laptops that Google originally distributed in order to test Chrome OS. As the idea behind a Chromebook/box is new to some, I thought I'd focus on the operating system, though I've covered the hardware to a point.I'll try to make this in-depth without it being too technical.
If you're looking for a quick idea of whether or not this is for you, jump to the bottom and read the summary.
The Concept
The premise on which Chrome OS is based is that almost everything you do when you use your computer happens in your browser, so Google have built a system that makes that experience as fast, as simple and as secure as they can. That simplicity also leads to an 8-hour battery life, which very few laptops can offer.
This simpler approach means that you don't have to deal with software updates(with one exception, see below) or worry about anti-virus software.
This also means all of your files and media is stored on other computers, on the internet. Some people aren't ready for that and if you're not, a Chromebook/box isn't for you.
Applications and Limitations
As you might imagine, just the web means no Windows, Mac or other typical software applications. Because of this, there's no CD or DVD drive in a Chromebook/box.
Though `just the web' may sound extremely-limiting, you can do a lot in your browser; multimedia editing(including video), as well as voice and video chat is all entirely possible on a Chrome device, as is the creation and editing of documents, spreadsheets and presentations. This software is available all over the web and there's a selection of useful tools to be found in the Chrome Web Store, with free and paid solutions.
That said, you can just type in a web address or search as you would normally to find a helpful website. As an example, Google, Zoho and Microsoft all offer web-based office suites, some of those are free and some paid.
Setup
Setting up a Chromebook/box is as simple as turning it on, putting in your Wi-Fi(or plugging in an Ethernet cable) connection details and logging in.
If there's a new version of the operating system(as there was when I set my machine up) it will download that before you can continue. This may seem odd, as the idea is to make updates invisible to you, but a Chromebook/boxes check for updates the first time they're run in case something in that update changes something key, like the introduction process for new users.
Once the laptop has checked for updates, it reboots and you login. You're then shown how to do various things with the click-able touchpad, such as scrolling and right-clicking.
Speed
After the first time it's turned on a Chrome device is designed to be very fast. In my experience, that means booting up in around 9 seconds from off, whether that means the power button being pressed or the lid being lifted. If you close the lid for a while but leave the machine on, it should resume instantly.
Security
Whilst not being able to install traditional software can seem restrictive, it also has a huge benefit: no more anti-virus software.
Viruses are so common on Windows(and lately the Mac operating system, OS X) because the more software that's installed, the more potential vulnerabilities there are to exploit.
Because the a Chromebook/box knows what software should be installed, it can keep a copy in an encrypted area of the hard drive. Each time you turn the machine on, it checks to see if anything unathorised has changed in the software. If it has, that encrypted copy overwrites everything and any updates will be installed when you connect to the internet.
No system is 100% secure, but this method(called verified boot) makes it much harder to compromise your machine.
Privacy and Google
Some users don't like the idea of being dependent on any large company for their computing needs. So, does a a Chromebook/box make you reliant upon Google?
In short, no. Whilst Google does encourage you to log in to a a Chromebook/box with your Google account, you can log in under Guest mode. Whilst using Guest mode, nothing you do is saved on the machine, you don't need to log in to a Google service and you're free to use any web-based service you choose. Google is currently working on other login methods.
However, should you choose to login using your Google account(as I do and most users ultimately will) your settings and bookmarks can be saved and synched across any other device running Chrome(which now includes Android phones running Ice Cream Sandwich - version 4.0 of Android - and above), just as they are in for the Chrome browser.
Files and Devices
A key thing when using a system like this is being able to use files people email you and external hardware, just like you would on a Windows PC or a Mac.
If someone... Read more
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Basic Is Sometimes Best., By
Kim Hatton "Kim Hatton" (Nottingham) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: Acer AC700 Chromebook (Black) (Personal Computers)
Original review 02/04/12When my laptop died and I found that it would cost £250 to repair it was a no brainer to spend another £30 and replace it with a Chromebook. I had used my laptop almost purely for browsing and had been thinking about a Chromebook since they had first arrived on the scene. Now I've had it for a couple of days I consider it the best purchase I've made since I switched to iMac. It's very light, compact and is up and running in 8 seconds. I log in using my Gmail account but if I want to log in without using a password I simply choose 'Guest User'.
The screen though small is very clear and sharp and the speed of page loading is very impressive. Battery Life is very good, better than advertised in fact - 7 hours rather than the 6 hours quoted. The keyboard is a good full size and the trackpad easy to use - although there are keys for scrolling up and down and side to side. Unlike Windows there was no delay in connection to my WLAN network. All I want now is a spare battery which is proving hard to track down outside of the USA but which I am confident of finding.
Finally, the case is almost Matt black and doesn't pick up finger marks that easily. All round a smart machine and, though you can't, of course, use Microsoft Word or Mac Notebook you can use google documents. One small thing. It would be nice to be able to print out documents.But I don't have a google cloud compatible printer. Of more importance the Google Media Player is not available for use to UK customers at present - something that, hopefully, Google will rectify very soon.
The Acer Chromebook comes with mic and headphones sockets, 2 usb ports and a HDMI port.
All in all this is proving to be a first class buy with only one 'fault'. Although the battery is obviously user replaceable I haven't found anywhere in the UK who can sell me a spare.
UPDATE: When I phoned Acer Europe to ask about batteries I was told that the Chromebook had not been released in this country.!!? I finally ran down a battery on ebay for £23.00 inc P&P.
Update 17 July 2012
Originally this was a five star review. Then Chrome updated twice in a few days. As a result, it would seem, pages took ages loading or didn't load at all. My wireless connection kept being reported as down when it was functioning fine and I had a full signal on Chromebook. This 'crashes' happened a great deal for a couple of days but seem to have almost ceased in the last day or so. I hope it stays that way. A problem from being an early adopter?
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Excellent bit of kit, By
R. Avery (Essex, United Kingdom,) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: Acer AC700 Chromebook (Black) (Personal Computers)
I love it. Turn it on and surfing within seconds. I'm a google user and it syncs my google account with all the books marks, history and remembers last pages open etc. However, it works for me as I am always near a wifi connection (chromebooks only work online, do not work offline) and use my iPhone 'wifi' connection on the move, this does not have 3G itself. I would perhaps stating the obvious but only buy this if you like chrome browser and its more productive if your a google/gmail user. Doc editing is only achieved online via google docs, skydrive (office web apps) or akin. I share through Dropbox. Getting the picture? Its all online so you need to be happy to use the online productivity tools. USB drives are supported but you need to do the online upload to view/edit the docs. Seriously though, for me, its perfect. None of the windows virus, endless updates and all the rest of it to keep it going... I also like the security, its handles separate page browsing as if separate connections. Early days for "all in the cloud" but it works. As I understand it ChromeOS is an evolution of Android for small laptops/netbooks and it is a great alternative to those of us that prefer a real keyboard to a touch tablet. Performance is average but not lightening, quite reasonable for the money paid. Above average lower end netbook build quality, full size keys cleverly laid out work well. 'Buttonless mousepad' a little different but intuitive and was fully used to it after a couple of hours. What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
- Samsung Series 5 Wi-Fi Chromebook (Arctic White)
- My Google Chromebook
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