Introduction
The Acer Chromebook C720 emerges as a budget-friendly yet powerful Chromebook, presenting substantial enhancements over its predecessor, the C7. This model boasts a leaner design, increased speed, reduced weight, and extended battery longevity, all at an exceptionally low cost of just Dhs. 92.14. Despite being somewhat overlooked by Google, Acer has invested in significant upgrades, enhancing the overall build and user experience. The laptop exhibits a sturdy display hinge, a rigid structure, and a user-friendly keyboard and trackpad.
The C720 may have a simple design, but it's highly efficient. Its 11.6-inch matte display reduces glare and reflections, ensuring usability. While it lacks some aesthetic features of its counterparts, it compensates with a comprehensive set of ports including USB 3.0, HDMI out, USB 2.0, an SD card reader, and a security lock slot.
Internally, the C720 differentiates itself with Intel's Haswell processor, boosting both performance and battery life. Google claims 8.5 hours of battery life, but tests show it can last over 9 hours, with real-world usage often exceeding 7 hours on a single charge. The shift from a traditional hard drive to a 16GB SSD in the C720 enhances its speed and responsiveness, making multitasking and video playback smooth experiences.
Priced under Dhs. 92.14, the Acer Chromebook C720 stands out as an affordable yet robust laptop. It's particularly appealing for those integrated into Google's ecosystem and reliant on web-based applications, offering them a dependable and efficient tool.
Design and Build Quality
The cheap and capable Acer Chromebook C720 has seen enhancements in its manufacturing process, leading to a more refined and sturdier laptop. The display hinge is robust and steady, preventing any annoying wobble, and the laptop maintains its structure without bending or flexing when you pick it up. The typing experience is comfortable thanks to a well-designed keyboard, and the trackpad is responsive, supporting smooth scrolling and various multi-finger gestures.
The C720's design is straightforward and practical, sporting a color that helps in minimizing visible fingerprints, contributing to a clean and professional appearance. The 11.6-inch screen comes with a matte finish which effectively reduces glare and reflections, making the laptop versatile for different lighting conditions.
In terms of features, the C720 might not have some of the flashier elements seen in other models, like built-in speakers or decorative lighting, but it compensates with a comprehensive array of ports. It includes a USB 3.0 port for fast data transfer, a full HDMI out port for external displays, a USB 2.0 port, a full-size SD card reader for extra storage, and a Kensington lock port for security.
Despite its utilitarian design, the Acer Chromebook C720 doesn't skimp on functionality and user experience. The improvements in design and build quality have resulted in a laptop that's not only robust and reliable but also offers a user-friendly interface with its comfortable keyboard and efficient trackpad. Its array of ports and matte display add to its practicality, making it a commendable choice for those seeking a functional and straightforward laptop.
Display and Multimedia
The Acer Chromebook C720 maintains the 11.6-inch display with a matte finish found in its predecessor, the C7, effectively reducing glare and reflections for versatile use in different lighting conditions. Although its display doesn't match the deep blacks and wide viewing angles of the Chromebook 11, it remains adequate for its category.
In comparison, the C720's screen isn't as bright or vibrant as the Chromebook 11's, yet it still delivers a decent visual experience. A notable shortfall is the absence of high-end design elements. For instance, its speakers are positioned at the bottom rather than integrated into the keyboard area, resulting in less impressive audio quality. Additionally, the C720 lacks features like microUSB charging and decorative light-up strips found on some models.
However, the C720 does excel in offering a variety of connectivity options. It's equipped with a USB 3.0 port, an HDMI out port, a USB 2.0 port, a full-size SD card reader, and a Kensington lock port, enhancing its versatility and ease of use with different devices and peripherals.
In summary, the Acer Chromebook C720, while missing some premium touches, balances its offerings with a functional display and a broad range of connectivity features. It provides an adequate multimedia experience and meets user needs for everyday connectivity.
Ports and Connectivity
The Acer Chromebook C720 is designed to be a practical and efficient laptop for work and daily activities. It boasts a variety of ports and connectivity features that enhance its versatility. These include:
1. USB 3.0 and HDMI out ports:
Facilitate rapid data transfer and allow easy connections to monitors or projectors.
2. Full-size SD card reader:
Offers convenient transfer of photos and files from cameras or other devices with SD cards.
3. Kensington lock port:
Enhances security, enabling users to physically secure their device to an immovable object.
Though the C720's design might be more straightforward and functional compared to the more stylish Chromebook 11, it focuses on practicality and robust performance. It may not have certain aesthetic elements like built-in speakers or a decorative light-up strip on the lid found in other models. However, it compensates with its comprehensive range of ports and connectivity options.
Whether you're looking to connect to an external display, transfer files quickly, or secure your device while on the go, the Acer Chromebook C720 caters to these needs. Its commitment to practicality and performance makes it a solid, budget-friendly option for those seeking a dependable laptop.
Performance and Battery Life
The Acer Chromebook C720 stands out in the market with its Intel Haswell processor, enhancing both performance and usability. Users will notice a significant difference in speed, especially when multitasking or streaming videos. It's not as quick as premium models like the MacBook Air, but for regular tasks, it's more than sufficient.
Battery life is another area where the C720 shines. Google suggests it can last 8.5 hours, but tests and user experiences have frequently exceeded this, often reaching beyond 9 hours. This improvement is substantial, particularly when compared to earlier Chromebook models known for their limited battery life.
This extended battery life makes the C720 an excellent choice for people who are always on the move. Whether you're a student, professional, or casual user, you can depend on it to last the whole day without needing to stay near an outlet.
The C720 is also favorably compared to its predecessors. Thanks to the new processor and SSD, it operates faster and more efficiently. Users have noted its quickness and ease of use. Considering its performance and the long battery life, combined with an affordable price tag, the Acer Chromebook C720 is a competitive option in its category.
Storage and Speed
The Acer Chromebook C720 has notably enhanced its storage and speed capabilities. It has transitioned from the traditional spinning disk hard drive to a more modern solid-state drive (SSD). This change means that although the storage capacity is now 16 gigabytes, the trade-off is a much quicker and more efficient performance.
The SSD makes the C720 boot up rapidly and allows it to manage several tasks simultaneously without any noticeable slowdown. This leads to a much smoother experience, particularly when streaming videos or navigating between numerous browser tabs. It's an ideal choice for those who need to keep multiple projects open at the same time.
Some might be concerned about the reduced storage space. However, it's worth remembering that Chrome OS is built around cloud usage. The C720 encourages users to store their files and applications online. Given its reasonable price point and easy access to various Google services, adapting to a cloud-based system is quite straightforward with this device.
In summary, the Acer Chromebook C720's move to an SSD significantly boosts its performance and speed. It's a solid choice for anyone needing an efficient, multitasking-friendly device, especially with its enhanced ability to quickly boot up and run smoothly under load.
Conclusion
The Acer Chromebook C720 distinguishes itself as an exceptionally cost-effective, performance-driven option for individuals seeking a wallet-friendly laptop. With its sub-Dhs. 92.14 price tag, it's among the most economical laptops available. The device doesn't skimp on quality, boasting a robust design that includes a sturdy display hinge, a comfortable keyboard, and a responsive trackpad, ensuring a satisfactory user experience.
The 11.6-inch screen of the C720 is covered with a matte finish to cut down on glare and reflection, making it versatile for various lighting conditions. While it might not feature the high-end design elements of pricier models, it more than makes up for this with its array of ports and connectivity options. These include a USB 3.0 port, HDMI output, USB 2.0 port, a full-size SD card reader, and a Kensington lock slot, enhancing its flexibility and ease of connecting to other devices and peripherals.
Under the hood, the C720 is powered by Intel's Haswell processor and is fitted with an SSD, enhancing its performance and speed significantly. It adeptly manages multitasking, provides smooth video playback, and is generally more responsive than many in its class. This, coupled with its remarkable battery life of over 7 hours, makes the C720 an excellent choice for those who need a reliable laptop on the move.
When placed alongside its competitors in the Chromebook and broader laptop market, the C720 emerges as a highly competent device. Though Chrome OS might not cater to all users, for those who are integrated into the Google ecosystem and rely on web-based applications, the C720 proves to be a dependable and efficient selection.
FAQs on Acer Chromebook C720
1. Is the Acer Chromebook C720 the most affordable laptop currently on the market?
Absolutely, with a price tag of only Dhs. 92.14, the Acer Chromebook C720 is likely the most budget-friendly new Chromebook that Google has launched this year.
2. What distinguishes the C720 from its predecessor released last year?
The Acer Chromebook C720 boasts several enhancements over the C7. It's designed to be thinner, quicker, lighter, and has a longer battery life. Additionally, the overall quality has been upgraded, making it a considerably more attractive laptop.
3. In terms of design and display, how does the C720 compare with the Chromebook 11?
Although the C720's design might seem more functional than fancy compared to the Chromebook 11, it's highly practical. Its 11.6-inch screen has a matte finish which effectively reduces glare and reflections, ensuring a clear view.
4. What are the primary features and ports available on the C720?
The Acer Chromebook C720 is equipped with a variety of ports and connectivity features. These include a USB 3.0 port, an HDMI out port, a USB 2.0 port, a full-size SD card reader, and a Kensington lock slot.
5. How do the C720's performance and battery life compare with other Chromebooks?
Thanks to the Intel's latest Haswell processor, the C720 delivers enhanced performance and an impressive battery life. Google claims it lasts for 8.5 hours, but tests have shown it can extend beyond 9 hours and 40 minutes. Users consistently report achieving over 7 hours of battery life on a single charge.
