[netbook] Google unveils two new education-focused Chromebooks at BETT 2017

[Arthur]

Acer's Chromebook Spin 11 (R751T) will be on display at stand B109 at BETT.

 

Source: Google & Acer (via Android Police, Engadget)

 

Google is doubling down on Chromebooks by pushing one use case where they are undeniably dominant: education. At the BETT 2017 education technology conference, Google is partnering with Asus and Acer to announce two new Chromebooks that have been optimized for the classroom. It's also hinting at what's coming next for Chromebooks.

 

The two new devices are the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 and the Asus Chromebook C213. The Spin 11 is essentially a ruggedized version of the Acer Chromebook 11. It's a convertible device with an 11.6-inch display and an Intel Celeron CPU. There are a few tiers of RAM/storage, topping out at 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It also has cameras on both the front and back. The new Asus Flip is designed to be rugged as well, and it's got a similar convertible design with an 11-inch display. Google hints that its partners will be pushing more convertible designs in the future, as well as Chrome OS tablets.

 

Both these Chromebooks will include features Google intends to focus on going forward. For one, they'll support input from Wacom styluses and new touchscreen capabilities. Charging for these Chromebook is accomplished over USB Type-C, which Googles says is more efficient in a classroom environment (I'd say that's true pretty much everywhere, though). On the app front, Google is again pointing to its move to get Android apps on all future Chromebooks at launch, and there are some new "creative apps" for students like WeVideo and SoundTrap.

 

Schools love Chromebooks, so Google for Education has launched two new models they can choose from: the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 and the Asus Chromebook C213. Both devices have touchscreen displays and come with a low-cost stylus that resembles #2 pencils kids can use to take notes. The stylus has an eraser just like a real pencil does, though its version obviously deals with digital mistakes. Plus, kids can easily share and replace it, since it doesn't need to be charged or paired. The feature sounds especially useful for science and math subjects that require students to write out formulas and equations. As Roger Nixon (@rogerdnixon on Edugeek), Director of ICT at Wheatley Park School, Oxford said: "Stylus on Chromebooks will be a massive help for mathematics."

 

In addition to stylus compatibility, both Chromebook Spin 11 and Chromebook C213 have a rear camera. It's apparently one of the most requested features from schools, since it'll give students a way to film videos and take photos from all angles. Finally, the Chromebooks will have USB-C ports for faster charging and compatibility with USB-C devices that will surely crop up in the future.

 

 

 

 

[FN-GM]

Looks quite chunky!

[Arthur]

Looks quite chunky!

Yeah. At 1.4kg, the Spin 11 is quite heavy compared to something like Asus' 0.89kg Chromebook Flip, but I suppose that is to be expected...

 

The Acer Chromebook Spin 11’s design is specialized to handle the rough-and-tumble of the classroom. Adhering to the stringent U.S. MIL-STD 810G military standard, the Chromebook Spin 11 is tough and can withstand daily knocks and drops, whether a drop from a table or being jostled around in students’ school bags. Thanks to a reinforced chassis structure and rubber bumper surrounding the keyboard, the Chromebook Spin 11 can withstand drops from heights up to 48 inches (122cm). The design also incorporates a unique drainage system which can endure up to 330ml of spilled water and channels liquid away from important components. As a further barrier to damage, the keyboard has recessed keys that prevent students from removing, swapping or otherwise interfering with the keys.

 

The Chromebook Spin 11 (R751T) weighs in at 1.4kg and measures 296 (W) x 206 (D) x 20.5 (H) mm and has up to 10 hours of battery life.

[Arthur]

With a lot of new Chromebooks coming with styluses I wonder if it will be possible to buy some plenty of spares? Also, are teachers actually going to ensure that each Chromebook still has its stylus at the end of the lesson?

[FN-GM]

are teachers actually going to ensure that each Chromebook still has its stylus at the end of the lesson?

 

Was that a rhetorical question?

[rogerdnixon]

We are using R11 touch flip devices now 1:1 with managed Android Apps (what the original quotes were about - you can see us: https://blog.google/topics/education/new-generation-chromebooks-designed-millions-students-and-educators/)

This is a toughened up version of the R11. However, out of 350 deployed 1:1 devices we have only had 3 insurance claims. We don't have the styluses - Android apps like Keep and Sketch for Keep work well with a finger. However, I can see the stylus been quite nice for more detailed work. I would agree that losing styluses could be a problem - but we would only use in a 1:1 setting were the students generally look after their own kit pretty well.

 

Will be at BETT on Friday 11am and 3.30pm presenting on the Google Stand about our 1:1 approach and managed Android Apps on ChromeOS.