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    Next@Acer event scheduled for April 11; new Chromebooks expected

    Kevin TofelBy Updated:13 Comments2 Mins Read

    Acer is holding its 2019 Next@Acer event in New York City on April 11 and I’m hoping to use my press invite to make the trip. I have to believe that we’ll see new Chrome OS devices simply because I got an invite and I don’t cover anything other than Chromebooks and Chrome OS tablets.

    I also have a slight inkling on what new devices we might see announced but I’m still researching and checking with some sources, so it’s premature to share anything just yet. Stay tuned though.

    Last year, Acer announced the first Chrome OS tablet, the Acer Chromebook 10, prior to its 2018 Next@Acer event. However, the company did have the tablet on hand for demos. So it’s possible that Acer announces something new prior to April 11.

    Also at the 2018 event we first saw and heard about four new Chromebooks: The Acer Chromebook 13 and Chromebook Spin 13, as well as the Acer Chromebook 15 and Chromebook 15. Bear in mind that these four Chromebooks weren’t available for months after their announcement, so anything that Acer may show off in April isn’t likely to be something you can go out and purchase for some time.

    The Chromebook Spin 13 was well worth the wait in my opinion because it offers Pixelbook performance for a lower price; simply put, there isn’t much I didn’t like about the device when I reviewed it.

    I can’t speak to the larger 15-inch models since I haven’t used them, but they’re even more affordable due to the less-powerful processors inside compared to the 13 and Spin 13.

    What are you hoping to see out of Acer come April?

    I think the company is in a pretty good place now when it comes to Chromebooks with a range of options for every segment of the market. The only thing I’d really like to see is a refresh of the Acer Chromebook Tab 10 with an updated processor: The OP1 powering the current Chrome OS tablet is old and a bit anemic compared to more current CPU options.

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    After spending 15 years in IT at Fortune 100 companies, Kevin turned a hobby into a career and began covering mobile technology in 2003. He writes daily on the industry and has co-hosted the weekly MobileTechRoundup podcast since 2006. His writing has appeared in print (The New York Times, PC Magazine and PC World) and he has been featured on NBC News in Philadelphia.

    13 Comments

    1. Mike M on

      I am just learning about Chromebooks. I enjoy the articles and insight. I am trying to find a good office suite alternative that I can use. I don’t object to paying for it, but don’t want a monthly or annual subscription.

      I also would like your recommendation on a PDF editor.

      So far I am still learning how to use the programs when compared to PC versions.

      Thanks for the articles.

      • Scott on

        Have you considered just using Google Docs?

        I “really” tried it for the first time recently, writing a 20K+ word essay. I found myself to be extremely productive. Many addons are available for it that allowed me to do things like manage my citations with ease.

        There’s an offline mode for when you don’t have access to the net.

        Of course… if you get a chromebook that supports Linux (most of the newer ones) you could simply install something like LibreOffice.

          • Kevin C. Tofel on

            Welcome to the world of Chromebooks! Scott’s response was spot on. The only thing I’d add is that if you still want to use Microsoft Office, you can do that on a Chromebook although you’d have to pay a monthly subscription fee to edit docs – viewing is free. There are two options: Use Office365 on your Chromebook browser or install the Microsoft version of Office for Android – either would work. But I’d definitely give Google Docs a try first since it’s free and works offline on Chromebooks. If that doesn’t work for you, you still have several options. Cheers!

    2. Mike On Bike on

      A consumer version of the Tab 10, with a keyboard/cover/case would be nice. Basically, a smaller/cheaper Pixel Slate, or a Chrome version of the Surface Go. Something under 2 pounds including keyboard.

      Is there an “OP2” in the pipeline, or are all future ARM Chrome devices going to run Snapdragon?

      • Kevin C. Tofel on

        It wouldn’t surprise me if Google works with a chip maker for another optimized ARM processor to be used in Chromebooks, but I don’t have any concrete information suggesting that at this time. I think Google will wait and see how the Snapdragon 845 works with the “Cheza” board, which is still in the works. If they like the experience it provides, I could see some hardware vendors use it or even a lower version of the Snapdragon — maybe the 600 series — in more entry-level devices for the future.

    3. Cuberdon75 on

      Whatever they do, *don’t stop supporting Wacom EMR styluses*!

      I wish the Chromebook Tab 10, in addition to its EMR stylus, had an Intel processor, so as to better support Linux apps.

      • Kevin C. Tofel on

        Well that was a silly mistake – then again, they’re basically the same thing. ? Good eye! Just switched the image out – thanks!

    5. Todd Barnard on

      Hi Kevin, any date for the Asus 403c?
      I have two Asus Chromebooks C202SA-YS02 and love the ruggedized design.

      IS there anything similar out there with 8gb of Ram?

      Thanks

      • Michael M on

        Just an FYI and don’t mean to intrude, but I picked up a refurbished Asus 302c on ebay and it had 8gb of RAM. Surprised me.

        • Todd Barnard on

          That is a nice looking device. I bought my wife the ASUS Flip C213SA-YS02-S and she loves it.

          It and the two C202SA-YS02’s have really nice displays. I bought the first one after I dumped a glass of water into my Lenovo Windows machine and fried it.
          A week later I knocked another glass of water (arthritis) into the C202SA-YS02 and it didn’t even flinch.

          I bought a cheap Lenovo 15″ Chromebook and like the size of the display, but it doesn’t hold a candle the Asus and I’m pretty sure a bath would kill it too.

          The ruggedized seem to be setup for the EDU lane, so I don’t know how likely the 8gb RAM will ever be in those.

          • Mike M on

            I was skeptical about the RAM because everything I read about new ones said 4gbs. I asked the person listing and he confirmed. When I received it I checked and it said 8gbs.

            So far I have enjoyed the machine very much.