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Before beginning, make sure your computer is completely turned off and disconnected from any external power sources. If you can live without Windows or macOS, and you want to save a bit of money in the process, it just might be the ideal device. Acer's product portfolio also includes tablets that offer portable computing and multimedia capabilities. It has 32GB flash memory (not expandable), an HDR webcam, and runs – as do all Chromebooks – on Google’s Chrome OS operating system. On this occasion, I opened up WebGL’s Aquarium benchmark to test the Chromebook 14’s graphics capabilities.
If you’re looking for a device that can, at least semi-competently, perform the most basic of tasks, Acer’s Chromebook 14 should do the job.
It may have a better resolution display than its predecessor, and a newer processor, but overall battery life has taken a hit, and the screen suffers from colour accuracy issues. Once that was done, I wiped out Chrome OS and installed Gallium OS, which is a Linux distribution that is highly optimized to run on chromebooks. Based on what you described how you would use a chromebook, it sounds like photo work will be the deal-breaker. I ran the install (the instructions said that I'd need a USB keyboard for the initial install, and I used one, but I found that the built-in keyboard worked fine). SSD Compatibility List Top Laptop PWM Ranking LaptopMedia Profiles Supported Laptops List Top Laptops by Battery Life Top M.
I then proceeded to install the Brave web browser, eSword (and all of its library/resources), and MS Office 2007 Professional. Although I also have Logos (which has an online version) it doesn't have the full features that their native Windows or Mac versions have.Google’s own Pixelbook laptop, for instance, could download apps originally designed for smartphones and tablets. One downside of the higher resolution display is a shorter battery life, but I’d argue that it’s an acceptable trade-off. After that, I cleaned up Windows, removed the bloatware, disabled some system services that I wouldn't be needing, and locked it down.
Since their inception, these devices have developed a reputation as being cheaply made laptops aimed at consumers balancing on a tightrope budget. There are a few areas where Chrome OS falls short (regardless of device) which prevents it from being a true daily-driver. I think it'll handle your photo workflow better than a chromebook, and obviously work better with Apple Music, but an iPad (Pro or non) will be a step back in nearly every other aspect (again depending upon the particular things you need to do). The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. What are the dealbreakers that prevents a Chromebook replacing a Mac or Windows laptop for many people?
The chassis is constructed from an aluminium alloy, which feels nice and sturdy, but it weighs exactly the same as its predecessor, tipping the scales at 1. It ran flawlessly after installing without the usual need to tweak WINE settings to get things looking correctly. I needed to install an audio driver, trackpad driver, and a keyboard remap, and all components works.
While it’s not quite as nice as the one on the 2015 MacBook Pro I use for work, it’s still a perfectly smooth experience; it points the mouse where I tell it to, and shortcut commands are easy to execute. To use its official designation, the Acer Chromebook 14 CB3-431 is the most up-to-date model of a laptop we previously reviewed back in 2016.Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.
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