Acer - 15.6" Chromebook - Intel Celeron - 4GB Memory - 16GB Solid State Drive - Linen White

My daughter uses this at her desk in her room for her homework. Upon opening the lid yesterday, the monitor "popped". I contacted Acer since it's only been 7 months since we purchased it and they said that monitor issues are not covered under warranty and we'd have to pay to ship it to them, $120 to repair and then pay to have it shipped back to us. Not happy and will never purchase another Acer product again. Wish I had made the purchase at Costco.

A few weeks before buying this device I was deciding between Chromebook or a low price Windows 10 computer. I have 6 year old imac and it runs better and faster than most newer windows computer, but they are very expensive. I can't afford an apple laptop. I don't have that kind of money! I analyse my computing usage and I concluded that most, if not all, my computing task are cloud based. I hardly use the computer's software. I use google drive for all my documents because it is simple and very productive. Before buying this Acer Chromebook I had purchase a Windows 10 HP computer that was about 60% off, open box + additional discount. The decision was mostly because it cost $150 and it was Windows 10. When I turned it on it took a while to open windows, then I had to go through the registration process. Microsoft wanted for me to create/join their different accounts services but I declined. When I completed the registration, the computer needed to update and it was announcing that it this will only take a moment. This is very typical with windows. I went to the kitchen, made myself a snack, talk to my wife for a while on how this new window is annoying as prior windows, and when I got back at the computer it still was updating. After it was complete, I used it for a while but I stopped and decided to return it because Cortana was continually popping up suggesting thing which I was doing on internet explorer. I knew I could turn off this feature but I decided at that moment that I will return this new annoying windows to the store and replace it with a chromebook. The Acer Chromebook gave me a complete opposite experience. It only took 7 seconds to start up and a few minute to register the computer. It is lightweight and the batteries last a very long time. I can take this computer to my 3 hours night class and not worry about the batteries. The biggest PLUS is the quality of the screen. I enjoy this part because it get very close the the apple screens. The speaker sound very good and it is load. I am very satisfied with this laptop. THIS IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE TO An Apple LAPTOP. Never again Windows computer. It requires wifi connection, but now a days there is connection everywhere. Worst case scenario of no wifi, most cell phone can be set up to allow tethering/ local wifi, just be careful of data plan. Most software are online, for example Quickbooks, Microsoft Office, .... An alternative to the costly and frequent newer version of Microsoft office is google docs/sheet/slide.... (IT is free, simple to use, and easy to share and open on any device).

For people who understand the Chromebook's unique characteristics, the Acer 15 Chromebook is the cat's pajamas. Most Chromebooks feature a 13.3-in. screen, but the Acer offers a sizeable alternative with its 15.6-in. offering. Its full HD clarity is enhanced by a matte finish that reduces glare. The two large speakers--visible on either side of the keyboard offer a full, rich sound--way beyond what you'd expect from a sub-300 dollar laptop. The processor is gutsy enough to keep things moving along briskly. Streaming HD content is a breeze. I experienced full motion with little to no buffering and only rare minor stuttering. It's easy to read on. Magazines are glorious with crisp graphics. Text is crisp and easy to read. Unless you've been doing the homework, you're not going to understand a Chromebooks full capability--and the parameters in which it operates. Take a look. Save some dough. You'll be glad you did it.

I was worried that an Intel Celeron processor wouldn't be fast enough because I've heard how much better i3 Core (and up) processors are from several people. However, this computer had all the other features I wanted (4GB Ram, SSD, 2 USB ports one of which is USB 3, SD card slot, huge full HD display screen, long battery life, plus the bonuses of a very wide angle of tilt on the screen and large top mounted speakers for better sound) at a great price so I had to test it out before I blew it off. I surfed the web for about 30 minutes opening up as many tabs as I could and going as fast as I could. It kept up so I decided to add on five more tabs of websites I knew were data heavy and one of which would slow down most computers. Even with these five open plus ten others I had previously opened it still worked fine, so I popped over to YouTube and played a video. With that going I started bouncing around the tabs and it never showed a problem with keeping up once. I decided to do one last test. I closed everything and opened a YouTube video. With that one still playing I opened another, and with that one playing I opened another, and so on. I didn't notice the computer slow down at all until I opened the tenth video, which it just couldn't quite keep up with although they all still played. With nine open, however, there was no lagging or buffering at all even when I bounced between tabs. I was sold! I'm not a gamer, so I have no idea how this would work for a gamer. However, for myself, I have never had a single issue with speed and I couldn't be happier. I'm thrilled I saved my money and didn't buy a faster processor which it turns out I didn't need anyway!

So I have seen some people talk bad about this Chromebook because it dont function like a Windows laptop. You would think they would do some RESEARCH before buying a $250.00 laptop, but I guess in this case they didnt. Anyways for those of you who dont know what a Chromebook is. Its basically a laptop with lower end hardware (dont let this scare you away) that works very well with the Chrome operation system. Most lower end hardware work well with the Chrome OS because the Chrome OS dont need much resources to run well since its just a web browser installed on a laptop, thats it. Boot times are always 5 seconds and app launch times are very quick. So now that I have explained what the Chrome OS is I will list below the biggest reasons why I bought this Chromebook over any other Chromebook. 1. Screen This was one, if not the biggest reason why I bought this computer. This beauty has a full HD (1920 by 1080) IPS matte 15 inch screen. In other words, this screen is just downright amazing and really is top notch especially for the price. Usually you dont get this type of screen on any laptop unless you pay like $500.00 and up. I am also a big fan of the size being 15.6 inches because this gives me a ton of room on the screen to see a ton of content, videos just pop out and overall its just a great experience for less than $300.00. 2. Speakers The speakers on here are fantastic! No they are not some bass booming speakers but what these speakers offer is loudness. These speakers get very loud without crackling or any distortion in the sound. Honestly I dont even have them half way up when I am watching YouTube because they would be too loud. These speakers even do have some bass to them which is also nice. So if your someone who wants to be able to listen to some music or watch videos without headphones then this is it for you! Great built in speakers for a amazing price! 3. Construction This laptop does not feel cheap. Yes it is plastic but its not to flimsy unless you put a ton of force on it but thats to be expected with MOST laptops, even laptops made out of aluminum. This plastic housing feels nice, its inviting with a somewhat different type of texture. I cant quiet put my finger on it but if I had to take a shot at it I would say its kinda feels like a soft fabric material. Its something youd have to feel for youself to understand what I mean. This laptop also feels light. No its not as light as the 12 inch MacBook but its not as expensive as one either. Weighing in at 4.85 pounds you may think that is heavy but since the weight is distributed all throughout this 15.6 inch laptop it really dont feel like it weighs to much. 4. The 4GB of RAM I understand many Chromebooks have 4GB of RAM but if this acer Chromebook were to only have 2GB of RAM I would not have bought this computer despite the beautiful display, great speakers and amazing design. The 4GB of RAM really does help keeping this running as smooth as butter. 5. Upgradeable M.2 SSD Very few Chromebooks have this feature, the upgradeable SSD. Yes, you can upgrade the m.2 SSD in this Chromebook by taking out the 18 bottom screws and installing the new SSD. I understand this is a Chromebook but having the ability to upgrade something is nice. With the upgrade I can put more movies, music, pictures and media in general on the SSD. Just make sure not to upgrade it within the 1 year warranty because unfortunately it WILL VOID the warranty. 6. Battery life Battery life so far has been great. Its been lasting me about 8 hours (sometimes more) with light web browsing, reading articles, typing documents. The battery lasts anywhere from 4 to 5 hours when I am watching YouTube or Netflix, which to me is great because half the laptops in general cant even last 3 hours watching a movie. 7. Price The price is right on this fellas! The $250.00 hits home! For $250.00 you get a FULL HD IPS DISPLY, 4GB RAM, GREAT SPEAKERS, and the ability to upgrade the SSD. I have not come across any other Chromebook that offers this many all in one. GREAT JOB ACER, WOOHOO!! In this part of the review I will list the things that are OKAY. They are not great but they are not bad either, thats what makes them just OKAY. 1. Mouse pad The mouse pad is big and easy to use. Use 2 fingers to tap to do a right click, click anywhere on the bottom to do a left click, use two fingers to scroll up and down and to go back a page online. Other than that it does nothing else. This to me is great because you cant expect the world for $250.00. The small problem I have with this mouse pad is that sometimes it skips, it not often it happens but when it does happen its annoying. 2. The white color I myself like the white color but hate how easily it gets dirty. I tried to buy the black Acer Chromebook but BestBuy did not have them. I can easily solve the problem by buying a clear hard shell for this Chromebook off Amazon (which is what I did) but it would be nice not having to worry about getting my laptop dirty. 3. Can sometimes feel limiting The Chrome OS is great dont get me wrong but sometimes it can feel limiting since for the most part its just a web browser install on a laptop. I dont like how I can put shortcuts on the desktop or have a better file system. These things are nothing major to me but it would be nice if Google could do something about this later on. In this last section of my review I will list the things I dont like about the Chromebook. 1. Cant permanently disable some startup 3rd party apps What I mean by this is that some of the apps (about 2 or 3 to be exact) startup in the background automatically when I startup my laptop. It dont slow down boot time or performance but it does use more ram which is unnecessary since I am not using that app. Sure I can startup task manager and end it but itll startup again after I reboot my system. This to me is very annoying because I want those apps but I hate having them use my resources even when I am not using those apps. 2. Power key I dont like where the power key is placed. With it being built into the keyboard it makes it easier for me to hit that power key withing meaning to. Its not a big concern to me but when it happens its annoying for sure. Conclusion Overall is your looking for your first Chromebook and you know you want something big, with a beautiful display, a great amount of RAM, loud clear speakers and good battery life all while being under $300.00 then this is it for you! It does everything I expected it to do all while being fast and staying cool. This laptop does what Acer said it can do. If you are not sure if you want a Chromebook I would advise you to watch some videos online about the Chrome OS. So overall I am very happy with my purchase and might even buy another for my dad! If anyone has any questions even if you think it may be a bad question please feel free to ask! I will be happy to help

I took a leap of faith and plunged into this Chromebook.... for work! Since I keep everything in my cloud drive, i figured it should work OK for me. And it has, for the most part. But rather than starting with drawbacks, I'll start with what impressed me. The huge screen (for Chromebooks) is very nice, wide viewing angles, smudge resistant, and crystal clear. When i powered it up, Whoa! My tablet doesn't even start this fast. Instant on, as far as I'm concerned. As soon as I signed in to my Google account, I felt right at home. Interesting variation from Windows 10, with the quick action key, I can search or go to one of my application extensions, or even review my Google Now cards. Very cool. Drawbacks? I didn't realize how compromised I'd be trying to manipulate documents and spreadsheets. Not even Office Online felt good, so I ended up committing to a subscription to use an Open Office product, the same I'd been using all along on my Windows laptop. So be prepared to engineer some workarounds of your own. As for me I'm up to the challenge, because I really like this nifty little show pony. Oh, and the battery is atomic or something; lasts for days (give or take).

Chromebooks, (in general), have become my full time "go to" laptop. I've owned four different ones over the past 2 years and I've never regretted my decision for a second. Why so many so soon ? And why this 15" Acer in particular ?? Basically, I started out with an 11" screen size Acer rebuilt unit. But as soon as I realized how much I could do with it, I gave the tiny one to the grand kids and got a 13" screen size Toshiba. Still too small a screen for my old eyes, so I got a 14" HP Chromebook and wore it out !! This 15" Acer with it's HD screen is wonderful for older eyes. I believe in Chromebooks so much, I've even begun teaching community classes on how to use a Chromebook as a retirement project !!

I bought this machine because I just wanted a simple machine to watch videos, Facebook, online games, Hulu etc. and this machine hands down is a winner. This got better benchmarks then my HP Envy with the A8 quad core in it. The 1080p IPS screen is crisp and the images are sharp and clear. Keyboard takes some getting used too but it gets the job done. The speakers are crisp and enough to fill the room. I get 8+ hours on a charge with the brightness at 40%. Great machine overall and would recommend to anyone looking for a great machine and a nice price.