Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

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ruanddu
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Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by ruanddu »

Anyone compared the Acer C720 to the HP Chromebook 11 hands-on? Or, after your research have you decided to go with one or the other? Thanks.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Mel Lindauer »

ruanddu wrote:Anyone compared the Acer C720 to the HP Chromebook 11 hands-on? Or, after your research have you decided to go with one or the other? Thanks.
I chose the Acer. It had more features (3 USB ports, including one USB 3, a VGA port for attaching a large monitor, RJ45 port, etc.) than others costing more. I've been very pleased with it.
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Toons
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Toons »

I purchased the Samsung Chromebook (3g-2 years free) June of this year,really enjoy it immensely. :happy

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
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MDfive21
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by MDfive21 »

i had an acer netbook for a while and the problem with those little computers is the fan. after a while all computer fans get gunked up with dust and get noisy. there was no way to replace or even clean the fan without complete dis assembly and i wasn't prepared to pay a shop to do it ($100-150) or risk doing it myself.

i wouldn't buy another one without making sure i could clean or replace the fan somewhat easily. IME a 10" tablet with external keyboard would be preferable to something with a fan.
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matjen
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by matjen »

This buying guide just came out and may be useful:

http://blogs.computerworld.com/laptops/ ... ying-guide
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Mel Lindauer »

MDfive21 wrote:i had an acer netbook for a while and the problem with those little computers is the fan. after a while all computer fans get gunked up with dust and get noisy. there was no way to replace or even clean the fan without complete dis assembly and i wasn't prepared to pay a shop to do it ($100-150) or risk doing it myself.

i wouldn't buy another one without making sure i could clean or replace the fan somewhat easily. IME a 10" tablet with external keyboard would be preferable to something with a fan.
Chromebooks are different than netbooks. AFAIK, they don't have (or need) fans. Their storage is SS.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Mel Lindauer »

Toons wrote:I purchased the Samsung Chromebook (3g-2 years free) June of this year,really enjoy it immensely. :happy

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
I see that it costs $369 vs the Acer's $199 (without the free 3g, of course, but I prefer and use wifi). I think it's $249 without the "free" 3g.
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obgraham
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by obgraham »

Their storage is SS.
I have a several yrs old netbook on its last legs. SS memory, no fan. Man does that puppy get HOT.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by JoMoney »

$199 sounds like a pretty good deal. I know when the Samsung Chromebooks first came available at a local Best Buy store, there were even lower priced "open box buy" prices available after people bought them without knowing what they were and returned them. No guarantee this will happen, but something to keep in mind if you like to pinch pennies.

I'm glad to see other people using Chrome as an OS. I'm quite pleased with it's capabilities and simplicity. I wish I could get my mother switched over to it.
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ieee488
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by ieee488 »

JoMoney wrote:I'm glad to see other people using Chrome as an OS. I'm quite pleased with it's capabilities and simplicity. I wish I could get my mother switched over to it.
Why won't she switch?
Is there an application she needs that is found only in Windows?
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by JoMoney »

ieee488 wrote:
JoMoney wrote:I'm glad to see other people using Chrome as an OS. I'm quite pleased with it's capabilities and simplicity. I wish I could get my mother switched over to it.
Why won't she switch?
Is there an application she needs that is found only in Windows?
She's been taking photography classes that use Adobe Photoshop. "Pixlr Editor" works great on Chrome, but since it's not exactly the same it bothers her. Same with the Microsoft Office applications... although I think once she's in a position that forces her into one of the newer versions of Office (the ones with the ribbon bar) I think the change will shock her enough to make it easier to change to Chrome.
"To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realize; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks." - Benjamin Graham
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Toons »

Mel Lindauer wrote:
Toons wrote:I purchased the Samsung Chromebook (3g-2 years free) June of this year,really enjoy it immensely. :happy

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
I see that it costs $369 vs the Acer's $199 (without the free 3g, of course, but I prefer and use wifi). I think it's $249 without the "free" 3g.
Currently at Google Store both Acer C720 and Samsung Chromebook are offered for 249.00.
The Acer C270 is fairly new,lighter ,improved battery life,new Intel processor.
The Acer C7 is 199.00,3 lbs,Intel Dual Core Celeron,4 hour battery life
The Samsung Chromebook 3g(free 2 years) is 329.00.
I also like the performance of the Samsung Exynos 5 Dual Processor
I use both Wif-Fi and 3g (when on the road).Nice option to have for me
Below are a couple links,one to Google Store with specs on all chrome books and the other link is a review comparing Acer C720 and HP Chrome Book 11 :happy

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/d ... books.html

http://techland.time.com/2013/10/18/sid ... acer-c720/

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/ ... ebook.html
Last edited by Toons on Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by cheese_breath »

Mel Lindauer wrote:
MDfive21 wrote:i had an acer netbook for a while and the problem with those little computers is the fan. after a while all computer fans get gunked up with dust and get noisy. there was no way to replace or even clean the fan without complete dis assembly and i wasn't prepared to pay a shop to do it ($100-150) or risk doing it myself.

i wouldn't buy another one without making sure i could clean or replace the fan somewhat easily. IME a 10" tablet with external keyboard would be preferable to something with a fan.
Chromebooks are different than netbooks. AFAIK, they don't have (or need) fans. Their storage is SS.
Not all of them. My Acer Chromebook purchased last January is not SS.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by cheese_breath »

Without even comparing I would stick with Acer. My last few experiences with HP have not been good. Two defective printers and laptop falling apart. Conversely my Acer Chromebook is great.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Mel Lindauer »

Hi Toons:

I got the $369 price from the link provided in a post above. Here it is again.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
Toons wrote:
Mel Lindauer wrote:
Toons wrote:I purchased the Samsung Chromebook (3g-2 years free) June of this year,really enjoy it immensely. :happy

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
I see that it costs $369 vs the Acer's $199 (without the free 3g, of course, but I prefer and use wifi). I think it's $249 without the "free" 3g.
Currently at Google Store both Acer C720 and Samsung Chromebook are offered for 249.00.
The Acer C270 is fairly new,lighter ,improved battery life,new Intel processor.
The Acer C7 is 199.00,3 lbs,Intel Dual Core Celeron,4 hour battery life
The Samsung Chromebook 3g(free 2 years) is 329.00.
I also like the performance of the Samsung Exynos 5 Dual Processor
I use both Wif-Fi and 3g (when on the road).Nice option to have for me
Below are a couple links,one to Google Store with specs on all chrome books and the other link is a review comparing Acer C720 and HP Chrome Book 11 :happy

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/d ... books.html

http://techland.time.com/2013/10/18/sid ... acer-c720/

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/ ... ebook.html
Best Regards - Mel | | Semper Fi
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Toons »

Mel Lindauer wrote:Hi Toons:

I got the $369 price from the link provided in a post above. Here it is again.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
Toons wrote:
Mel Lindauer wrote:
Toons wrote:I purchased the Samsung Chromebook (3g-2 years free) June of this year,really enjoy it immensely. :happy

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
I see that it costs $369 vs the Acer's $199 (without the free 3g, of course, but I prefer and use wifi). I think it's $249 without the "free" 3g.
Currently at Google Store both Acer C720 and Samsung Chromebook are offered for 249.00.
The Acer C270 is fairly new,lighter ,improved battery life,new Intel processor.
The Acer C7 is 199.00,3 lbs,Intel Dual Core Celeron,4 hour battery life
The Samsung Chromebook 3g(free 2 years) is 329.00.
I also like the performance of the Samsung Exynos 5 Dual Processor
I use both Wif-Fi and 3g (when on the road).Nice option to have for me
Below are a couple links,one to Google Store with specs on all chrome books and the other link is a review comparing Acer C720 and HP Chrome Book 11 :happy

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/d ... books.html

http://techland.time.com/2013/10/18/sid ... acer-c720/

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/ ... ebook.html

HI Mel,
Yes I posted that link :happy
It is supply and demand at Amazon,as mentioned I paid 329 back in June,below is the link to Google Store where it can be purchased for 329,along with other various Chromebooks,Acer,HP
:happy

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/de ... html#ss-cb
"One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity" –Bruce Lee
rj49
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by rj49 »

JoMoney wrote:$199 sounds like a pretty good deal. I know when the Samsung Chromebooks first came available at a local Best Buy store, there were even lower priced "open box buy" prices available after people bought them without knowing what they were and returned them. No guarantee this will happen, but something to keep in mind if you like to pinch pennies.

I'm glad to see other people using Chrome as an OS. I'm quite pleased with it's capabilities and simplicity. I wish I could get my mother switched over to it.
I got a Samsung Chromebook at Best Buy for $219. you can search online for inventory, and then open the box to make sure of no cosmetic damage. I love mine, since it's an obvious copying of the Macbook Air, but at a fifth of the price, so I won't cry if I damage it. It also gets pretty good battery life and is very light, so it makes a great portable computer.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Mel Lindauer »

Bummer. I guess that's one of the problems of being an "early adopter" since the new Acer sounds like it's worth an additional $50. The shorter battery life is the only thing I don't like about my Chromebook, but I keep it plugged in most of the time, so the 4-hour battery life is not really a big deal. However, I'd certainly prefer the longer battery life when it's not convenient to plug it in.
Toons wrote:
Mel Lindauer wrote:Hi Toons:

I got the $369 price from the link provided in a post above. Here it is again.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
Toons wrote:
Mel Lindauer wrote:
Toons wrote:I purchased the Samsung Chromebook (3g-2 years free) June of this year,really enjoy it immensely. :happy

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12- ... chromebook
I see that it costs $369 vs the Acer's $199 (without the free 3g, of course, but I prefer and use wifi). I think it's $249 without the "free" 3g.
Currently at Google Store both Acer C720 and Samsung Chromebook are offered for 249.00.
The Acer C270 is fairly new,lighter ,improved battery life,new Intel processor.
The Acer C7 is 199.00,3 lbs,Intel Dual Core Celeron,4 hour battery life
The Samsung Chromebook 3g(free 2 years) is 329.00.
I also like the performance of the Samsung Exynos 5 Dual Processor
I use both Wif-Fi and 3g (when on the road).Nice option to have for me
Below are a couple links,one to Google Store with specs on all chrome books and the other link is a review comparing Acer C720 and HP Chrome Book 11 :happy

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/d ... books.html

http://techland.time.com/2013/10/18/sid ... acer-c720/

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/ ... ebook.html

HI Mel,
Yes I posted that link :happy
It is supply and demand at Amazon,as mentioned I paid 329 back in June,below is the link to Google Store where it can be purchased for 329,along with other various Chromebooks,Acer,HP
:happy

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/de ... html#ss-cb
Best Regards - Mel | | Semper Fi
slay65
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by slay65 »

Unless you get a very good deal I would stay away from the current Samsung models since the "newer" Chromebooks are out now. I would choose between the HP Chromebook 11, HP Chromebook 14 or the Acer 720.

I like the looks/size of the Chromebook 11 ($279). The power and Broadband of the Chromebook 14 ($349 at Walmart only), and the price and power of the Acer 720 ($249). I have seen the two HPs in person and they both look nice. I would get the Chromebook 11 if it has a better processor. I am scared off the reports of sluggishness on more complex web pages. So I am leaning to getting the HP Chromebook 14. It is a little bigger/heavier then I want but you get the 2 years free WAN (200mb/month). My 2nd Choice is the Acer 720 if I wanted a smaller devices. Chromebook 11 is third on my list but would be at the top if it had a better CPU.
pochax
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by pochax »

Assuming you do not need 3G/4G here are the pros/cons of each as i see it:
HP Chromebook 11 ($279)
PROS
nice elegant design/keyboard
nice IPS display (not full 1080p but none of them are on any chromebook except the Pixel)
microUSB charger (so most cell phone/electronic chargers NOT from Apple will be compatible)
No fan noise
more customizable/colors to choose from
speakers are built into keyboard so sound is better (arguably)

CONS
ARM-based Exynos processor is same as in prior year samsung (not as high-performing as Intel CPUs)
mediocre battery life (5-6 hrs much like prior-year samsung model)
2GB RAM okay but starts to show when many tabs/windows are opened
lack of SDcard reader, HDMI and USB 3.0 (only USB 2.0)

Acer C720 ($249) (don't confuse with C710 old model which is $199)
PROS
slight cheaper than HP
Intel Haswell-based CPU is better than ARM-based
4GB RAM (vs. 2GB in HP)
Better ports availability (HDMI, USB 3.0, SDcard reader)
Better battery life (8-9 hrs?)

CONS
Lackluster design
anti-glare screen is decent but not as good as HP IPS display

So if you are a form over function person who doesn't need long-battery-life and faster CPU, than HP seems right. Btw, there is a HP Chromebook 14 ($299) for a bigger screen (i don't think it's IPS like the 11, but i could be wrong). however, it does have the Intel CPU and better battery life, but i don't think its design measures up to the HP 11. If it were me, i would want the CPU power and ports of the Acer but i am still waiting to see what Toshiba's chromebook (yet to be released) will offer. i would pay mid-$300s for a Intel-Haswell based Chromebook with 4GB RAM and better display (IPS or even 1080p???)....i think that's what's missing from the chromebook lineup.
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ruanddu
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by ruanddu »

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to keep watching the offerings for the next month, as the Acer C720 doesn't appear to be shipped for about 3-4 weeks.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by cheese_breath »

Whichever one you end up choosing I wouldn't let a little wait deter me. Better to wait an extra 3-4 weeks for your first choice than be stuck with your second choice for 4 years.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by ejvyas »

HP is crap quality. If you want to buy another chromebook immediately after warranty ends then go for HP. Heck - I believe they have a conditional statement to fail after warranty ends. (experience of 3 HP)
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by Pajamas »

I'm curious as to why you aren't considering the Samsung? The new HP looks nice but I would wait to see what Samsung comes out with next if at all possible.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by midareff »

JoMoney wrote:
ieee488 wrote:
JoMoney wrote:I'm glad to see other people using Chrome as an OS. I'm quite pleased with it's capabilities and simplicity. I wish I could get my mother switched over to it.
Why won't she switch?
Is there an application she needs that is found only in Windows?
She's been taking photography classes that use Adobe Photoshop. "Pixlr Editor" works great on Chrome, but since it's not exactly the same it bothers her. Same with the Microsoft Office applications... although I think once she's in a position that forces her into one of the newer versions of Office (the ones with the ribbon bar) I think the change will shock her enough to make it easier to change to Chrome.
IMHO you might need to push her to another photo software. Adobe has moved Photoshop to the cloud with a monthly rental fee. As cameras change and get replaced you will eventually wind up with a camera not supported by the Photoshop you presently own. You might have her take a look at Lightroom, another Adobe program which is excellent and will continue to be sold and updated without monthly user fees.
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by swaption »

Just picked up an HP Chromebook 14 4G today in Walmart. Had to drive about an hour, but not due to lack of Walmarts in my area, they are obviously selling quite well. This is for my daughter to mostly use in her room for homework, etc, so portability of the heavier 14 inch model not a problem. At $349 it is $50 more than the wi-fi only version, but this also comes with an extra 2 GB RAM. 4G not a big priority, but really a no brainier given the memory. But nice to have if doing homework on a long car ride with no wi-fi.

Initial impressions are that it is an outstanding machine. Got the white color, and the fit and finish is first class. My daughter loves it. She is 12, just gave it to her tonight, and figure she'll be completely up the Chrome learning curve by this time tomorrow.
swaption
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by swaption »

FYI, just saw for the first time the Chromebook 14 available through HP online, in both the wi-fi and 4G versions. Previously only saw it on Amazon and Walmart (both gone on-line). Comes with free 2 day shipping. This of course was inevitable after my 2 hour round trip drive on Saturday. You can read my thoughts above. One thing worth reiterating is the form factor. Many give the 11 inch version high marks on this front. Putting size considerations aside, any differences can't be by much. This is a really nice computer.
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ruanddu
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Re: Acer Chromebook Versus HP Chromebook - Your Opinion?

Post by ruanddu »

Good to know, Swaption. Thanks for info. I still am on the sidelines waiting it out a bit.
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