Acer Chromebook R 13 Review

The main attraction of Chromebooks is that they are cheap and fast at the expense of software options. Chromebooks have been designed and built to use all software online through the Chrome browser. As you cannot download and install apps, your options can be somewhat limited. On the plus side, Android apps are becoming more and more compatible with Chromebooks. As Android apps grow and become better, the functionality of your Chromebook will also grow.

The Acer Chromebook R 13 is one Chromebook where the compatibility with Android Apps sets it apart from other Chromebooks and laptops.

So, does the Acer Chromebook R 13 have enough functionality to rival other laptops? And what else does the Acer Chromebook have to offer? let’s dig on it

Design

The Acer Chromebook looks great. There is no denying it; this is one of the stylish Chromebook. The aluminum casing looks sleek and professional. The aluminum is also long-lasting. The hinges are high-quality, and you know that they are going to last; they need to be able to last as you will be opening and closing this Chromebook a lot.

If you turn the Chromebook on its side, the screen will rotate with it. This means that you can have it in the classic laptop position, fold it like a tent with the screen facing you in a landscape, or place that tent on its side to view the screen in portrait.

The Acer Chromebook R 13 comes in at a little over 3 pounds. It is also just over a half an inch thick. This gives it a sleek look and feels while also having the weight you would expect. It is not too heavy nor too light. The Goldilocks-zone weight gives it a quality feel without being clunky.

Screen

The Acer Chromebook R 13 features a 13.3-inch screen. While the image is crisp, the color and brightness are lacking when compared to other similar devices. The screen colors are good, but they are nothing to write home about.

Components

The keyboard on this Chromebook is one of the nicest we have used. The keys feel good under our fingers, and they require enough pressure to get the satisfaction of having to press the key, without the chance of making a mistake. The sound is wonderful too. They make the exact sound you would expect from the look, which only adds to the satisfaction of pressing them.

The trackpad and the touchscreen are also good. When using either, we were able to navigate through web pages and apps without any lag, and with great precision. When compared to other touchscreen devices we have used, the Acer Chromebook made fewer mistakes and was more accurate overall. The trackpad has enough texture to feel intuitive and responsive.

Specs

The Acer Chromebook R 13 uses a MediaTek MT8173C processor. It also has 4GB of Ram. This is where the device lets itself down a little. The processing power and RAM are not quite enough to get the performance you need. If you are browsing with one tab open, then you will find this machine smooth, responsive, and fast.

If you are multitasking, then you will begin to notice a slight lag and decrease in speed. The Chromebook is still fast, but not quite as fast as other devices. Overall, you will not notice this much, but if you are used to seamless transitions between tasks and you switch between tasks a lot, you might be annoyed by the slight delays.

Battery

If you want a device that lasts the test of time (battery-wise), then the Acer Chromebook R 13 is the device for you. Going about your regular usage of the Acer Chromebook throughout your day, you will expect the battery to last you at least 11 hours. If you need a Chromebook for a flight, then this is definitely the one for you.

Software

A Chromebook is a Chromebook, so all of the apps on this device will be run online through the Chrome browser. This means that you will need a Wi-Fi connection if you want to use most apps, though you can still watch downloaded movies offline and edit documents offline. The minimalist approach means that you will use a lot of the Google-based apps, though Android apps are becoming more and more compatible.

The Acer Chromebook R 13 is great for running Android apps, and this may be what sets it apart from all other Chromebooks. Though many Chromebooks can run Android apps, the Acer Chromebooks seem built to run them.

Android apps are becoming more and more popular, which means they are becoming better. There is an Android app out there that will replace your favorite app, and you can find an app for anything which you need. The compatibility with the Android app really enhances this Chromebook and is something that really makes it a worthwhile device.

Conclusion- Should You Buy Acer Chromebook R 13?

The Acer Chromebook R 13 will set you back around $400. This is a little above the lower and mid-range Chromebooks, but comparable to many regular laptops. The question is, do the benefits of the Acer Chromebook justify the price?

Two things stand out when you look at this Chromebook. The battery life is better than almost anything you can get for the same price and better than a lot of devices which cost more. If you are in need of something which will last on battery alone, then this will certainly do the job. The compatibility with Android apps also sets this apart from other Chromebooks, though the more modern Chromebooks are becoming more and more compatible.

The performance is also better on this Chromebook than any regular laptop which you will be able to get at the same price-point. Of course, the speed comes at the cost of functionality and features, though the Android compatibility is definitely in this Chromebooks favor.

If you are looking for something fast and sleek, and do not mind that you have to use Android and Google Apps, then this is the Chromebook for you. The benefits of this model are well worth the $400.

Acer Chromebook R 13 Review

8.7

Price

9.9/10

Speed

9.9/10

Security

8.0/10

Cloud Storage

8.0/10

App

7.5/10

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