The Acer C720 Chromebook (C720-3404) ($379.99 as tested) is a power user's Chromebook, which at first seems to be an oxymoron. If you've already had experience with Chrome OS-based laptops, but want a system with a bit more power for multitasking or working with multiple screens in Google Hangouts, the C720-3404($389.99 at Amazon) is worth a closer look. However, for the same list price, you may be tempted by budget laptops with full Windows operating systems and greater compatibility with existing apps, albeit with slower processors.
Design and Features
The C720-3404 follows the same design that we saw in the Acer C720 Chromebook (C720-2800). It still works fine, but its dark-gray exterior is looking increasingly dated when compared with sleek systems like the HP Chromebook 11 (Verizon LTE)($249.99 at eBay).
The C720-3404 also has the same 11.6-inch 1,366-by-768-resolution LCD seen on previous Acer Chromebook models. It has narrow viewing angles, especially when compared with systems with In-Plane Switching (IPS) screens like the HP Chromebook 11 and the pricier Google Chromebook Pixel( at Amazon). There's no touch screen like on the Acer Chromebook C720P-2600($299.00 at Acer) or the Chromebook Pixel, but that's not a big deal, since Chrome OS isn't optimized for touch screens. The keyboard is adequate for typing anything from school papers to 1,000-page manuscripts, and the one-piece touchpad is nicely sized and responsive.
Similar Products
HP Chromebook 11 (Verizon LTE)
Acer C720 Chromebook (C720-2800)
Toshiba CB35-A3120 Chromebook
There are 4GB of system memory and a 32GB solid-state drive (SSD) for local storage. That may seem a smallish amount for both, but Chrome OS doesn't have to worry about keeping memory-intensive programs like anti-virus active in the background. Also, since Chrome works online most of the time, you're expected to use Google Drive's online storage instead of the relatively paltry 32GB onboard (about 23GB of which is actually available). Users can supplement that with a 64GB SD card or by plugging in an external USB drive. Ports include an HDMI port, a Kensington lock port, a USB 2.0 port, and a USB 3.0 port. Like other Chromebooks, the C720-3404 comes with 12 free Gogo Internet passes and 100GB of Google Drive storage for two years. The system also comes with a one-year warranty.
Performance
The C720-3404 is snappy to use, taking about 5 to 7 seconds to boot up. Usability will depend on the state of your Wi-Fi network, but you can set up some apps (like Angry Birds and Google Docs) to work offline. Connectivity is handled by 802.11a/b/g/n dual band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Video with 1080p resolution downscaled smoothly to the system's 720p screen. It was a bit smoother than Celeron-powered Chromebooks like the C720-2800, but you'd need a critical eye to notice the difference. Loading and working on spreadsheets in Google Docs feels just as fast as it does on Intel Core i3- and -i5-equipped Windows and Mac laptops. The one situation where we see an improvement is in video conferencing like Google Hangouts, where up to 10 video streams can be displayed in your Web browser, and will play smoothly.
On our battery rundown test, the C720-3404 clocked a decent 7 hours, 5 minutes, outlasting the Acer C720-2800 by a half-hour and coming close to the Toshiba CB35-A3120 Chromebook (7:10). That's low, however, compared with the Asus C200 Chromebook( at Amazon) (11:14) and the Dell Chromebook 11($299.00 at Dell Technologies) (9:08). Still, the laptop should last most of the work day away from a power plug.
The Acer C720 Chromebook is brimming with features and has appeal for the power Chrome OS user. It's noticeably faster than Celeron-powered Chromebooks and may satisfy those who need a bit more power. However, at $379.99, it's one of the most expensive Chromebooks we're reviewed, though well short of the $1,500 Google Chromebook Pixel. The extra power is welcome, but general users working in Google Docs or simply surfing the Web may not notice the speed bump unless they add lots of extensions to Chrome and expect 20 open tabs to still respond quickly. The HP Chromebook 11 (Verizon LTE) is still our Editors' Choice for Chromebooks with cellular wireless capability and a better IPS screen at a list price that's almost $100 less.
The Acer C720 adds an Intel Core i3 processor to the company's Chromebook lineup. Chrome OS power users who rely on dozens of extensions and plugins should feel the benefit, but they'll pay.
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