Josh Goldman/CNET
Acer Chromebook 317 (CB317-1HT-P5PF).
The Acer Chromebook 317 I tested is $500 however it in fact starts at a low $329, ₤ 299 in the UK or about AU$ 590 in Australia. At that price, youre getting a Chromebook good for productivity fundamentals, but still with a big full-HD 17.3-inch screen. The $500 version is markedly better inside and out with a much faster Intel Pentium processor, two times the RAM, a full-HD touchscreen, a backlit keyboard and a 1080p cam that improved sharpness and information in my video chats compared to the normal 720p cams. Generally, spending the money not just gets you better performance but a general enhanced experience..
Rate as examined.
Display size/resolution.
Chromebook range has grown over the last a number of years as these laptops moved from fringe devices into the mainstream. There is something that hasnt changed excessive with them, though, whichs size. Other than for the periodic 15-inch Chromebook, producers have stuck to screen sizes of 14 inches or smaller. It wasnt till last year that the very first 17.3-inch design was released, the Acer Chromebook 317– 10 years after the very first Chromebook showed up. The 317 is basically a portable all-in-one ChromeOS desktop. The big display screen makes multitasking a breeze, or perhaps simply streaming a YouTube video in the corner while you work on a presentation and watch on email or chat. It is big and heavy compared to all those smaller Chromebooks, so its not an excellent alternative if movement is a concern. However its definitely little adequate to move around your house and with more than 10 hours of battery life in my tests, you can work all the time and still have time left for a video chat with household, gaming or streaming a motion picture..
Do not LikeSlower Pentium processor and eMMC storage.
LikeCompelling, premium features for its priceExcellent battery life.
$ 500.
17.3-inch 1,920×1,080-pixel touch display.
Processor.
1.1 GHz Intel Pentium Silver N6000.
Memory.
8GB LPDDR4X 2933MHz.
Graphics.
Integrated Intel UHD Graphics.
Storage.
64GB eMMC flash memory.
Ports.
USB-C (x2), USB-A (x2), audio/mic jack, HDMI out, microSD card slot.
Networking.
802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6) Bluetooth 5.0.
Google Chrome OS/Android 11.
Weight.
Running system.
4.8 pounds (2.2 kilograms).
The Acer Chromebook 317 I evaluated is $500 but it in fact starts at a low $329, ₤ 299 in the UK or about AU$ 590 in Australia. At that rate, youre getting a Chromebook excellent for efficiency fundamentals, however still with a big full-HD 17.3-inch screen. If you believe youll download a lot of apps or keep your files, pictures and videos on the Chromebook, its 64GB of eMMC flash storage will fill up quick (and its slower than a solid-state drive). The lower-end storage and processor keep this 317 from being a really premium Chromebook, but honestly, this ought to satisfy most needs for a general-purpose household machine. The Acer Chromebook 317 is a simple option for a WFH Chromebook that is hardly ever if ever going to leave your home.
That said, the efficiency is still a notch or more below that of an Intel Core i-series processor or an equivalent AMD Ryzen chip. If you require the fastest efficiency, youll have to consider other options. Likewise, if you believe youll download a lot of apps or keep your files, images and videos on the Chromebook, its 64GB of eMMC flash storage will fill quick (and its slower than a solid-state drive). There is a microSD card slot for storage expansion, and theres constantly cloud storage. Acer put single USB-C and USB-A ports on each side.
Josh Goldman/CNET.
The lower-end storage and processor keep this 317 from being a really superior Chromebook, but honestly, this should please most needs for a general-purpose household machine. When you desire to have numerous windows open, the huge screen is certainly a perk. It particularly makes schoolwork much easier compared to the 11.6-inch models typically handed out by schools. (Or at least, that was the feedback I received from my kids.) And, while the display screens color accuracy and brightness are simply OK, they didnt take away from watching films and video gaming on it. Having Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) helps, too, specifically if you subscribe to a streaming-game service like Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.Obviously, the bigger size– its simply under 1 inch thick– and its nearly 5-pound weight make it much better for use around the home or workplace than bring around school or a routine commute. (If you need a Chromebook thats smaller and lighter, here are our best recommendations at the moment.) Unlike numerous 17-inch Windows laptop computers weve tested in the past at this cost, battery life here is good: Although Acer rates it at up to 10 hours, mine ran for 11 hours, 58 minutes on our streaming video test. The 317 has a simple, tidy style. Also dull..
Josh Goldman/CNET.
Its a little disappointing there isnt an HDMI output to make the 317 less complicated for connecting to an external screen. The Acer Chromebook 317 is a simple option for a WFH Chromebook that is rarely if ever going to leave your house. Whether you like to run a number of apps in the background or love to keep every tab youve ever opened open, the additional RAM and much better processor will keep things running efficiently.
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