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Acer C7 Chromebook getting 16GB SSD option, keeping $199 price tag
Acer's C7 Chromebook is the cheapest way to get in on Google's cloud-OS party. But, it still ships a 320GB 5,400RPM drive. Truth be told, such a large amount of local storage is counter to the whole idea of Chrome OS -- not to mention that the slow spin introduces a certain amount of unwelcome lag. Thankfully the bargain-basement $199 laptop is about to get an SSD makeover, according to a listing at Best Buy. The official specs at the Google Play store still list the standard hard drive, but the big box shop has a model featuring 16GB of solid state storage. The updated C7 keeps the same affordable price point, though we have no idea when it might start shipping. Best Buy lists the Chromebook simply as "coming soon," with no estimated delivery date. From what we can see there are no other changes to the machine, so if you weren't a fan of the cheap construction before, don't expect that to change. [Thanks, Cody]
Acer extends $199 C7 Chromebook distribution to NewEgg, TigerDirect, Staples.com
If you're absolutely stuck on not spending a penny more than $199 on a laptop, then you've probably had your eye on Acer's C7 Chromebook. The barebones machine won't be taking home any awards for performance, battery life or build quality this holiday season, but it does fit the bill at just shy of 200 bucks, including 100 gigs of Google Drive storage for the first two years (a $120 value). NewEgg, TigerDirect and Staples.com have now joined the ranks of proud C7 distributors, in addition to Google Play and Best Buy, giving you a few more e-tailer options to choose from when it comes time to hand over your pair of Franklins for the 3.05-pound "stocking stuffer."
Acer C7 Chromebook review: Chrome OS on the cheap, but at what cost?
It's been just over a month since Google unveiled its gorgeous and affordable $249 Samsung Chromebook only to surprise us days later with an even cheaper system, the $199 Acer C7 Chromebook. At first glance, these two laptops are very similar, both in purpose (cloud-based computing on a budget) and in specs (11.6-inch display, dual-core CPU, 2GB of RAM), but there are significant differences under the hood. Samsung's offering achieves its svelte form factor, 6.5-hour battery life and attractive price via a fully integrated and fanless ARM-based design while Acer takes a more conservative approach -- cramming standard off-the-shelf components like a 2.5-inch hard drive, small-outline memory module, mini-PCIe WiFi card, and Intel Celeron processor into a traditional netbook-like chassis. Does being $50 cheaper make up for the C7's lack of sex appeal and short 4-hour battery life? What other compromises in performance and build quality (if any) were made to achieve this lower cost? Most importantly, which budget Chromebook is right for you? Find out after the break.