If your main uses of a PC are for emails, browsing the web and word processing or spreadsheets then a Chromebook can be cheaper and even a more secure form of connection to the outside world as Chromebooks are both automatically updated in the background and have Anti-Virus protection built in so you can remain in a safer environment.
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click image to enlargeThis one from Acer measures 36x23.5.1.5cm and weighs 1677g and can show a full HD screen.
Going around the outside on the left is a USB ‘C’ port a USB port and 3.5mm socket for headphones. The front is clear. The right side has micro SD card port, Ethernet connection, USB ‘C’ port and finally a Kensington Lock port. The rear is also clear as the screen goes back beyond 180 degrees.
The viewable screen is 34x19.5cm which gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of 15.6inches. While the default resolution is 1920x1080 called ‘small’ in the settings if you need larger text there is a scroll bar that goes through the resolutions to 960x540 called ‘large’ this is great if you have limited sight.
It has a 95 key keyboard that is backlit for close to 30 seconds after a key is pressed. There is 1cm clear on each side and 3cm clear behind the keyboard. There is 10.5cm clear in front of the keyboard and the 12x8cm trackpad is mounted 8cm from the left and 15cm from the right side.
I found the trackpad easy to use but I know some people don’t like them and in the link at the end Curry’s offer a free mouse with the purchase.
It comes with an Intel Pentium Gold processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD drive.
The battery life is stated as ‘up to 10 hours’ this will depend on how it is used, if you are streaming videos all the time it will be less.
While it has perfectly acceptable Wi-Fi the presence of an Ethernet port allows that bit more security for those using it for banking and other tasks that others might like to know.
So what if anything can this not handle, not much. If however you have Windows programs it is not for you as they do require Windows to run.
In the area in front of the keyboard towards the right side is a fingerprint reader that’s useful if there are others in the house as it means only you can operate it.
The Acer Chromebook 515 is available from the Currys for £279. If you do not live near a Curry’s branch they offer you free next day delivery on this product.
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