HP has unveiled the latest edition to its line of Chromebooks today with the Chromebook 11, an 11.6-inch ultra-portable laptop that is the first Chromebook to charge via a USB cable.
The screen is an IPS display that offers a 176-degree viewing angle, and weighs in at just 2.3 pounds. The battery is billed as lasting up to six hours. Various designs of the laptop are available – either a white design accented with blue, red, yellow, or green details, or a black design. The plastic casing is bolstered by a magnesium chassis and a light bar across the lid shows when the laptop is charging.
Other features of the new Chromebook include:
- ARM processor
- 2GB of DDR3 RAM
- 16 GB of SSD storage
- Under-the-keyboard speakers
- Full-size keyboard and trackpad
- Webcam
- 2 USB ports
- Optional LTE connectivity
- 100 GB of Google Drive cloud storage
- 60-day free trial of Google Play Music All Access
- 12 free sessions of GoGo Inflight Internet
In a hands-on test posted to HP’s Web site, written by Darren Gladstone, it’s pointed out the laptop is dependent on an Internet connection to be useful. Since Chrome OS runs in the cloud and all its apps are delivered through the cloud, there is not much you can do with the laptop when you’re in scenarios without connectivity. A 802.11n antennae and optional LTE connectivity help this laptop keep the connection needed for productivity. While Verizon is signed on in the US as a carrier partner, it’s not clear what carriers will be supporting the Chromebook 11 in Canada.
Canadian pricing and availability also isn’t known at this point, but the U.S. model is hitting retailers Oct. 16 at $279.99 for the Wi-Fi model. A slightly larger Chromebook 14 model will cost $299.999 and be available Nov. 10.