The cheapest Google netbook yet
Chromebooks are laptops that
use the Google Chrome OS
operating system, not
Windows. Chrome OS works
best if you regularly use
Google services to manage
what you do online. Sign in
with your Google account and
your Gmail and Google Docs
will be ready and waiting.
Chrome OS is different from
all other operating systems
because almost all of its
programs are accessed in the
Chrome browser. These
so-called web apps generally
aren’t as powerful or have as
many features as Windows
programs, but they are
becoming increasingly
sophisticated and could be all
you need.
Bought through the Chrome
Web Store, some of these
apps now even work without
an internet connection. This
didn’t use to be the case,
which was a big problem with
previous versions of Chrome
OS.
The web-only nature of
Chrome OS means it’s easy to
use. Anyone who knows how
to use a web browser will be
able to learn how to use
Chrome OS very quickly.
There’s also no need for anti
virus-software as all anti-virus
scanning is done on Google’s
servers.
The C7 feels similar to
Acer’s cheap Windows-based
netbooks. The black and grey
plastic design feels flimsy and
cheap and it creaks and bends
under even the slightest
pressure. Although the C7 only
has a lowly 1.1GHz Intel
Celeron processor, this is more
than fast enough to run the
simple Chrome OS. But its
battery life is awful, lasting
three hours when we just
visited basic websites and
used undemanding apps. This
doesn’t even match Acer’s
claimed four hours of battery
life.
The touchpad is small and
scrolling by swiping two
fingers up and down the pad
feels slow, but cursor
movement is accurate and
smooth. The keyboard takes
some time to get used to,
though. Although the keys are
large, they feel stiff and don’t
have enough travel, so typing
is awkward.
Unlike other Chromebooks
that have a small SSD, the C7
has a large 320GB hard disk
for storing movies, music and
photos from your camera
using the SD card slot. In
addition, Google provides
100GB of online storage space
free for two years.
Acer has squeezed
1366×768 pixels into the 11.6in
screen. We would have
preferred a bigger screen,
however – that many pixels in
so little space can be a strain
on the eyes. The screen isn’t
bright either.
The Acer Chromebook C7 is
cheap and easy to use, making
it attractive as a computer for a
novice or as a second
computer. However, its short
battery life, flimsy build quality
and substandard keyboard
means it’s only worth buying if
you’re on a very strict budget.
VERDICT: Cheap
• Chrome OS
• poor build quality
• Short battery life
• Large hard disk
• Small screen
★★★☆☆
INFO: www.google.co.in/
chromebook