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Acer Chromebook C720
81
Engadget Review
As the first Chromebook with a Core i3 processor, the Acer C720 offers modest performance gains over its rivals, along with equally long battery life. You might want to wait and see if other laptop makers come out with something a little better designed -- perhaps with a nicer screen. Even so, at this price, the C720 remains a good value in its own right.
Pros
- Core i3 processor offers modest, but noticeable performance gains
- Battery life keeps pace with lower-powered models
- Generally a good value, especially considering the price
Cons
- Screen has poor viewing angles
- Generally cheap build quality, including a shallow keyboard
- Only Acer's lower-end Chromebook is offered with a touchscreen
View All Critic & User Reviews
Acer Chromebook C720
- Critic Reviews (13)
- User Reviews (14)
- 74AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE13 ReviewsCNET70King of the budget ChromebooksThe Acer Chromebook C720P manages to get better at all the key things, adding up to a little laptop alternative that's better than any budget Chromebook we've seen before.PC Mag80Acer C720 Chromebook (C720-2800)The Acer C720 (C720-2800) comes closer to Chromebook nirvana, but we still haven't reached that level yet. It's a couple of tweaks from being the perfect low cost bridge between mobile device and full-fledged laptop.Laptop Magazine70Acer C720 Chromebook ReviewThe Acer C720 Chromebook offers smooth performance and other improvements for a budget-friendly price.Ars Technica70Review: Acer and Haswell give Chrome OS the batterWe’re getting very close to what I would consider the perfect Chromebook this year, but use either the HP Chromebook 11 or the Acer C720 for long and you’ll see that we’re not quite there yet.Computerworld60Acer C720 Chromebook review: High on power, low onThe problem is that while the C720 feels like a next-gen system on the inside, it feels like last year's low-end computer on the outside. Its display is disappointing, its keyboard is unpleasant to use, its design is uninspired and its build quality mediocre at best.ZDNetNot RatedAcer C720 Chromebook first impressions: Fast and cOf the many Chromebooks tested, the Acer is easily the fastest with the exception of the Chromebook Pixel. The Pixel costs over $1,000 more than the Acer so that's to be expected.EngadgetNot RatedNew Acer Chromebook with Haswell hands-on (video)The 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 resolution display is a little on the small side, but still looks crisp and colorful enough to our eyes. The raised chiclet keyboard feels tactile and comfortable to use, and Acer wisely chose to adhere to the standard Chromebook keyboard layout.SlashGear80Acer Chromebook C720 ReviewThe laptop is a step ahead of many other competing Chromebooks, and is more than able to hold its own as an everyday laptop for those who do basic tasks: media, email, Internet, chatting, word processing, and such.Pocket-LintNot RatedAcer C7 Chromebook hands-on, the no-nonsense HasweThe latest C7, however, boots up in just 8 seconds - more than doubling its load time by comparison. That's partly down to the 16GB SSD on board to keep everything that much nippier...It's small, it's simple-looking, and it's got the majority of what you'll need for simple tasks.TechRadar90Acer C720 Chromebook reviewWe don't reccomend the Acer C720, or any Chromebook, for that matter, as someone's main machine. It's as a computing sidekick that the C720 shines, a machine you can forget to charge.Computer Shopper70Acer C720 Chromebook Review and RatingsChromebook was peppy in our tests, with good battery life and a nice mix of ports, but you feel and see the low price in its styling, screen, and keyboard.The Verge80Acer C720 Chromebook reviewThere are better computers on the market than the C720, but not for under $250, which ultimately seals the deal.TrustedReviews70Acer C720 Chromebook reviewPutting the average screen and frustrations with the keyboard/touchpad aside, the Acer Chromebook C720 is still a great value for money laptop.Expert Reviews80Acer C720 Chromebook reviewChrome OS’s offline support still needs a little work, but it’s hard to complain when the C720 is such a bargain. If all you need is a no-nonsense laptop where you can get online easily and take with you on the move, the C720 could be for you. It wins a Budget Buy award.HotHardware80Acer C720 Chromebook ReviewIf you’re looking for a straight-up notebook replacement you may find the Acer C720 somewhat lacking, but if you're looking for a secondary device that's enjoyable to use and won't cost you much, you’ll probably dig this machine.Mobile Tech Review60Acer Chromebook C720Honestly, you get a solidly built, though decidedly unsexy machine for the price. It has a matte 1366 x 768 display, Bluetooth, dual band WiFi, a decent keyboard and trackpad and good battery life. So what's the catch? It's a Chromebook.
- 89AVERAGE USER SCORE14 ReviewsEngadget Reader90August 8, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90May 24, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!You can end up paying about 226 dollars. less that the 249 listed. This machine is a wonderful buy-no reason for most people to spend more. I received 2 years 15 (or was is 30?) GB cloud storage in addition to the 15 that comes with the original purchase. Only hassle is PDF files have to be edited through app for about 9 dollars monthly if you are going to use it. No burning CDs but hook up player if you want.I really enjoy working on the 720. Everything flows, and it's wonderful not to be on Windows. Keypad is light to the touch, basically everything is adequate or above. I can see why schools want them. This Acer is like the Ford Model T. The advertising this time is actually honest. A computer for everyone.Engadget Reader70November 17, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A good value for money chromebook but lacks a wow factor. Poor display is disappointing however the price to specification ratio is excellent.Engadget Reader80July 18, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90May 23, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!This is a great little web surfing and simple computing device. The perfect size and weight to be extremely portable and easy to use. Excellent for getting rid of the complexities of a full blown operating system.Engadget Reader90March 15, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90March 14, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90March 6, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!This is a Chromebook. That is what you are buying. This one presented, to me, the absolute best value at $200. I have made all my ratings with respect to the price. I honestly think they dropped the ball on the display and that's about it; The viewing angles aren't so great but good enough to lay in bed and watch Netflix or Skype* (needs another Linux OS*). The laptop is light. Considerably. Very thin. This is a perfect combination of well-picked value hardware. ChromeOS lacks some functionality, but it's designed that way to be very compact in size and speedy in operation. BrowserSince I installed Ubuntu, it has done everything I want of it. The hardware is hardly a limiting factor when it comes to this laptop and I wouldn't rate it down because it does have very good compatibility with Linux as well.Engadget Reader100February 27, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Design: functional and even plain but really harkens back to a simpler time in computing when computers were designed totally functionally and looked like they were made for the hackers and programmers who used them rather than being designed for everyone by graphic and industrial designers and what not. I really like how understated it is.Performance: I have crashed it once doing a google hangout while a youtube video was playing and 15-20 tabs were open but saving everything and rebooting in 5-7 seconds makes it more of a "what just happened?" situation rather than oh my god my computer just crashed. I love a light weight browser based computer. We're getting to a new place in computing and it's really exciting.In the month or so since I've begun using the machine my love for it has really only grown. It's a pleasure to use. There are some improvements and changes that could absolutely be made but for the price of $200 it's hard to imagine how it could be better without upping the price. That being said if the there was a touch more ram & memory. The keys were a bit more solid and had longer travel and the screen was sharper/brighter and had better viewing angles I'd gladly spend $100 more. But the reality is I didn't and I could scarcely be happier with the package that Acer put together. It's really an excellent machine that I would not hesitate to buy again and strongly recommend to others. Not just the seasoned computer veteran but the average person. Chromebooks have really arrived and it's amazing to think they'll only get better and better from here.Engadget Reader90February 19, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!When I wanted a small portable PC after my Dell Inspiron bit the dust I was in between a tablet and another PC. Being budget minded and keeping functionality in mind I wanted a small portable device where I would be able to watch Netflix, read email, create documents and be productive. When I saw the Acer C720 it was the answer to my requirements. Although a little on the cheap side when flipped open the exterior is nice. The display is awesome, its sharp and clean. It boots up fast, the battery life is great. I can watch Netflix and use Chrome documents, convert them to Word or Excel and export them to my desktop. Furthermore I am able to print using the cloud so it a big plus for me. It has three USB ports and an HDMI port. The touch pad takes a bit getting used to but I bought a mouse and it works great. One note is that when you use headphones you must push in the plug in firmly otherwise the sound comes out of the speakers. This product is great for the price. I really like the AcerEngadget Reader80February 10, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100January 21, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Excellent - does what it says on the tinGoodwhen you connect your phone via USB it treats it as an Ethernet connectionBadcould not tether to Samsung S4 via Bluetooth (phone issue or chromebook issue??)Engadget Reader80December 26, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100December 24, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Does everything for me that I could possibly want. The keyboard is rock solid. Mouse pad is sensitive and works as good as any I have ever used. Took me mere minutes to set up including adding a wireless printer. The toolbar icons make it simple to do everything I want. Is unbelievable that I can purchase this for under $200. Best value for the buck I have ever seen,I
Key Specs
TYPE
Ultraportable
SCREEN SIZE
11.622
SCREEN RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
BUNDLED OS
Linux
CPU FAMILY
Celeron
PROCESSOR SPEED
1.419
SYSTEM RAM
41
POINTING DEVICE
Trackpad
VIDEO OUTPUTS
HDMI
MAXIMUM BATTERY LIFE
Up to 8.520
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