Acer Chromebook 11 (C720)

Updated on January 26, 2026

The Acer Chromebook 11 (C720) holds a special place in Chromebook history as one of the most influential and best-selling models ever released. Launched in October 2013 at just $199-249, it was among the first Chromebooks to feature Intel’s Haswell-based Celeron processor, which delivered a remarkable combination of responsive performance and all-day battery life that competitors simply couldn’t match. The C720 became legendary in the Linux community thanks to its user-upgradeable M.2 SSD and excellent compatibility with distributions like GalliumOS and Ubuntu via Crouton. While Chrome OS support ended in June 2019, the C720 remains a fascinating piece of computing history that helped prove Chromebooks could be viable alternatives to traditional laptops for millions of users.

Related Videos

Acer Chromebook 11 (C720) Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebook 11 (C720)	Acer Chromebook 11 (C720)	Acer Chromebook 11 (C720)	Acer Chromebook 11 (C720)
Price	List Price: $199.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $229.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $349.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: $379.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Model number	C720-2848	C720-2420	C720-3871	C720-3404
Perfomance Rating	2.1	2.6	2.1	2.6
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.40 Ghz Intel Celeron 2955U	Dual-core 1.40 Ghz Intel Celeron 2955U	Dual-core 1.40 Ghz Intel Celeron 2955U	Dual-core 1.40 Ghz Intel Celeron 2955U
RAM	2 GB	4 GB	2 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	16 GB SSD (upgradable)	32 GB SSD (upgradable)	32 GB SSD (upgradable)	32 GB SSD (upgradable)
Screen Size	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768	1366x768	1366x768	1366x768
Screen Type	LED	LED	LED	LED
Touch Screen	No	No	No	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	11.34 x 8.03 x 0.78 inches (288.04 x 203.96 x 19.81 mm)	11.34 x 8.03 x 0.78 inches (288.04 x 203.96 x 19.81 mm)	11.34 x 8.03 x 0.78 inches (288.04 x 203.96 x 19.81 mm)	11.34 x 8.03 x 0.78 inches (288.04 x 203.96 x 19.81 mm)
Weight	2.98 lbs (1.35 kg)	2.98 lbs (1.35 kg)	2.98 lbs (1.35 kg)	2.98 lbs (1.35 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No	No	No
Webcam	720p HD	720p HD	720p HD	720p HD
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0
Ethernet	No	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No	No
Card Reader	SD	SD	SD	SD
Battery	3 cell, Lithium-ion	3 cell, Lithium-ion	3 cell, Lithium-ion	3 cell, Lithium-ion
Battery Life	8.5 hours	8.5 hours	8.5 hours	8.5 hours
Fanless	No	No	No	No
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2019	June, 2019	June, 2019	June, 2019

Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebook 11 (C720)

The C720’s design philosophy prioritized function over form, resulting in a no-nonsense plastic chassis that reviewers consistently praised for its sturdiness despite the budget price point. Michael Larabel of Phoronix noted the “overall build quality…quite nice, especially considering its low price,” and the rugged construction made it popular in educational settings where durability matters more than aesthetics. The 11.6-inch form factor kept weight to under 3 pounds, making it genuinely portable for students and travelers. While the all-plastic construction included some flex in the palm rest during typing, this was considered an acceptable trade-off at the $199-249 price point.

Performance represented the C720’s greatest strength and the primary reason for its commercial success. The Intel Celeron 2955U (Haswell) processor delivered dramatically faster performance than the ARM-based competitors of the era while maintaining impressive 7.5-8.5 hours of battery life on a single charge. Lisa Gade of MobileTechReview called it “basically the power user’s Chromebook,” noting that the combination of 4GB RAM (double the typical 2GB standard) and Haswell efficiency meant the C720 could handle multiple tabs and web applications without the sluggishness that plagued earlier Chromebooks. TechRadar awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising the “fast processor, light weight, very fast boot-up, good battery life.”

The C720’s connectivity options were adequate for 2013 but show their age by modern standards. Users got one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, full-size HDMI for external displays, an SD card reader, and a combination headphone/microphone jack. WiFi support was limited to 802.11 a/b/g/n dual-band with Bluetooth 4.0. The 720p webcam served its purpose for video calls, though it was nothing exceptional. Perhaps the most notable hardware feature was the user-upgradeable M.2 2242 SATA SSD, a rarity among Chromebooks that enabled owners to expand storage from the standard 16GB to 32GB, 64GB, or even 128GB using affordable third-party drives.

Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebook 11 (C720)

Lisa Gade’s Perspective (MobileTechReview)

Lisa Gade’s comprehensive MobileTechReview coverage examined the C720 as a serious productivity tool rather than just an inexpensive curiosity. Her assessment that “for $249, the C720 seems too good to be true” captured the value proposition that drove millions of sales. Gade praised the sturdy build quality, good keyboard, reliable trackpad, and exceptional battery life, while noting the display’s mediocre TN panel as the primary compromise. Her observation that “you’re going to stare at the screen all day long, and I’d love to see manufacturers go with better displays” highlighted a valid criticism, though at this price point, many users considered it an acceptable trade-off.

Ken Feinstein’s Analysis (TechRadar)

TechRadar’s review by Ken Feinstein awarded the C720 an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars, concluding that “Acer’s Chromebook balances power and price.” Feinstein highlighted the Haswell processor’s ability to deliver both speed and efficiency, making the C720 significantly more capable than competing budget laptops while maintaining impressive portability. He did note some weaknesses including a “mushy keyboard and trackpad” and “tinny underside speakers,” but these were considered minor issues given the exceptional value proposition.

Michael Larabel’s Linux Testing (Phoronix)

Perhaps no review better demonstrated the C720’s lasting appeal than Michael Larabel’s Phoronix Linux review, which tested the $199 model running Ubuntu 13.10. Larabel found that “installing Ubuntu 13.10 x86_64 to the Acer C720 was a breeze” and the “device ran without any other major problems.” The Intel Haswell processor and Qualcomm Atheros AR9462 WiFi card required no proprietary binary drivers, being fully supported by upstream Linux. This review helped establish the C720 as the go-to affordable Linux laptop, spawning a vibrant community around GalliumOS, Crouton, and various other Linux distributions tailored for Chromebook hardware.

Dana Wollman’s Core i3 Review (Engadget)

Dana Wollman’s Engadget review covered the upgraded Core i3 variant released in August 2014, making Acer the first manufacturer to release a Chromebook with an Intel Core i3 processor. Wollman noted that “everything just feels slightly faster” with the Core i3, and browser games like “Plants vs. Zombies feel a tad more responsive.” At $350-380 depending on RAM configuration, the Core i3 model offered competitive value as a performance leader, though the unchanged plastic design remained a point of criticism.

Customer Reviews of the Acer Chromebook 11 (C720)

Amazon customer reviews painted a picture of genuine satisfaction tempered by realistic expectations. The 4GB/32GB variant accumulated over 200 reviews with a 4.0/5 star average, while the Core i3 versions earned similar ratings from users who appreciated the performance boost. Common praise centered on the value proposition, boot speed (under 10 seconds), and reliable battery life that actually met the advertised 8+ hour claims. Students and educators particularly valued the lightweight portability and durability for classroom use.

Critical reviews tended to focus on the display quality and Chrome OS limitations rather than hardware failures. Some users found the TN panel’s limited viewing angles frustrating, especially when sharing the screen with others. Others wished for more local storage, though the SSD upgrade option provided a solution for technically inclined owners. The keyboard received mixed feedback, with some users adapting quickly while others found the shallow key travel and occasional missed keystrokes annoying. Overall, customer sentiment reflected satisfaction with a device that delivered exactly what it promised at an unprecedented price point.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook 11 (C720) earned its place in computing history by proving that Chromebooks could be genuinely useful productivity tools rather than mere novelties. Its combination of Haswell performance, all-day battery life, upgradeable storage, and excellent Linux compatibility at sub-$250 pricing helped Chrome OS achieve mainstream acceptance. While the C720 reached end of support in June 2019 and is no longer available for purchase, its influence continues to shape Chromebook design philosophy: practical construction, responsive performance, long battery life, and aggressive value pricing. For those who experienced the early Chromebook era, the C720 represents a pivotal moment when Google’s cloud-centric vision became a viable reality for millions of users.

Frequently Asked Questions