Chromebook of the Week: These Two Acers: C738T-C8Q2 C738T-C5R6

With migration to the cloud on the rise, many IT decision-makers are looking to leverage the potential of Chromebooks to boost productivity. The devices can help employees securely create, collaborate and store their work in the cloud. The ability to run G Suite and Android apps allows the Chromebook to unleash a powerful computing experience for businesses of varying sizes.

An increasing number of organizations have adopted cloud-based apps and mobile workflows. This is aimed at maintaining a sharp competitive edge, expand services and meet customer needs.

The Chromebook comes with a streamlined operating system. It is well-suited to individuals and teams relying on the cloud for their workflow. The device has become a major hit with both consumers and educators. It is no surprise that the product outsold Macs in 2016, making it the second most popular computing device in America.

The Chromebook's success has prompted many IT decision-makers to take a fresh look and reevaluate the real business potential of the device.   This week we'll look at two chromebooks from Acer that deliver flexibility and performance with a 360 degree hinge.  

Acer Chromebook R 11: Models C738T-C8Q2 and C738T-C5R6

The Chromebook 11 has a sturdy, convertible design and boots in seconds. It also offers an IPS touchscreen, impressive performance, solid build quality and full-size media ports. It can work in four different modes: laptop, tent, tablet and display mode. The tent mode allows the device to stand upright on its edges. The display mode enables the screen to face outwards while the keyboard faces down. It provides this level of flexibility without compromising on sturdiness.

The C738T-C8Q2 and C738T-C5R6 models share many similarities, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen, 1366 x 768 (HD) display and 4GB of memory. However, they use different processors. The C738T-C8Q2 is fitted with an Intel Celeron N3060 whereas the C738T-C5R6 model uses the Celeron N3150.

The Celeron N3060 boasts around 20 percent higher turbo clock speed and offers more 12 caches per core. The processor is newer than the N3150 and offers better overclocked clock speed (Air). The Celeron N3150, on the other hand, offers more cores and 3.2 times better performance per dollar.

Is the Acer Chromebook R 11 Good for Business?

The R 11 is a good option for field-based workers looking for a notebook with business-grade features. It offers a comfortable keyboard, relatively optimal battery life and great performance. In addition, it looks professional and classy. Its sturdy design is a perk for individuals planning to use it while on the go.

The device weighs 2.7 pounds, which makes it slightly lighter than the Dell Chromebook 11 (2.8 pounds). However, it is heavier than the Lenovo 100S Chromebook (2.5 pounds).

The Chromebook R 11 can rotate 360 degrees thanks to its flexible hinge. The folding design is aimed at providing flexibility, which is useful for busy professionals. The hybrid experience also encompasses the tent mode. Businesspeople can take advantage of the mode to show presentations and slideshows to colleagues.

When it comes to productivity tools, the R11 like other Chromebooks offers a decent selection of web-based apps, including Docs, Drive, Slides. Additional applications are available in the Chrome Web Store. The platform offers apps for email management, accounting, note taking and more.

Many reviews highlight the quality keyboard as one of the Chromebook 11's strongest points. The deeper keys travel generously and provide awesome feedback on each keystroke. This is great for marathon work sessions.  Analysts at CNET.com praised the R11 by calling it ''a finger-friendly hybrid Chromebook for less.''

Here's what the experts are saying about the Chromebook 11:

PC Mag – the device's 11.6-inch touchscreen comes with In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology. This allows users to view the display without compromising on picture quality. The technology is particularly useful when showing slideshows and presentations to a small group of people. The entire team will be able to view the display straight on.

PC Advisor - the Chromebook R11 is available at a brilliant price tag. The device is well-suited to anyone who requires more functionality than a tablet computer offers. ''It's an impressive new entry into the Chromebook market from Acer.''

CNET – a Chromebook's job can be daunting. On the one hand, it has to be affordable, which translates to a bare-bones operating system. On the other hand, the device must stand out in a market overflowing with inexpensive alternatives. The Acer Chromebook R 11 makes the most of the situation.

It takes Two to Collaborate

The majority of analysts agree that the Acer Chromebook R 11 offers an impressive performance. It provides a wide selection of features at a low price. The comfortable keyboard allows employees to work on the device for longer without experiencing finger fatigue.

It takes two to collaborate  which makes this week's pick of these Acer Chromebooks very appropriate.  It's also a good segway to announce that Chromebook of the week column is now bi-weekly and will not be published next week.    

Check out the full line of Acer Chromebooks in the Apps Admin Shop.