Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P)

Updated on January 11, 2026

Note: The Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P) reached its Auto Update Expiration date in June 2019 and is no longer receiving Chrome OS updates. This page is preserved for historical reference.

The Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P) was one of the most influential early Chromebooks, released in late 2013 as the touchscreen variant of the wildly popular C720. Priced at just $299 for the 2GB model and $329 for the 4GB version, it brought affordable touch computing to the Chrome OS ecosystem at a time when most touch-enabled laptops cost significantly more. The C720P featured an Intel Celeron 2955U Haswell processor, which delivered surprisingly snappy performance for its era and helped establish Chromebooks as viable alternatives to budget Windows laptops.

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Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P) Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P)	Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P)
Price	List Price: $299.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $329.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	C720P-2600	C720P-2457
Perfomance Rating	2.1	2.6
Chromebook Plus	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.40 Ghz Intel Celeron 2955U	Dual-core 1.40 Ghz Intel Celeron 2955U
RAM	2 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB SSD (upgradable)	32 GB SSD (upgradable)
Screen Size	11.6"	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768	1366x768
Screen Type	LED-backlit	LED-backlit
Touch Screen	Yes	Yes
Stylus / Pen	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)
Weight	2.98 lbs (1.35 kg)	2.98 lbs (1.35 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No
Webcam	720p HD	720p HD
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0
Ethernet	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No
Card Reader	SD	SD
Battery	3 cell, 3950 mAh, Li-Polymer	3 cell, 3950 mAh, Li-Polymer
Battery Life	7.5 hours	7.5 hours
Fanless	No	No
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2019	June, 2019

Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P)

The C720P’s 11.6-inch touchscreen display offered 1366x768 resolution with 10-point multitouch capability, making it one of the first truly affordable touch Chromebooks. The glossy LED-backlit panel, while responsive to touch input, was widely criticized for its limited 200-nit brightness and washed-out colors. TechRadar’s review noted that the display struggled in ambient lighting conditions, though indoor use was generally acceptable. The reflective screen surface proved to be a fingerprint magnet, particularly noticeable on the white chassis variant.

Build quality was a mixed bag that reviewers found acceptable for the price point. Acer used a polycarbonate shell that felt sturdy despite its plastic construction, and the chassis exhibited minimal flex during normal use. At 2.98 pounds and measuring 11.34 x 8.03 x 0.78 inches, the C720P was lightweight and portable, though slightly heavier than competitors like the HP Chromebook 11 at 2.2 pounds. The keyboard offered adequate travel for typing, though some reviewers at Laptop Mag noted the shallow key travel as a drawback. The trackpad received mixed reviews, with some users finding it smooth and responsive while others reported occasional jumpiness.

Where the C720P truly excelled was in performance and battery life. The Intel Celeron 2955U processor, based on Intel’s Haswell architecture, provided enough power to handle heavy web browsing with 20+ tabs open without significant slowdown. BetaNews called the performance and battery life “wow-worthy,” noting that the device exceeded its rated 7.5-hour battery life even under heavy use. The 32GB SSD was user-upgradeable via an M.2 slot, a feature that endeared the C720P to enthusiasts who wanted more local storage. Port selection was generous for its class, including full-size HDMI, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, SD card reader, and a combo headphone/microphone jack.

Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P)

Chrome Unboxed’s Perspective

Chrome Unboxed provided extensive coverage of the C720P, praising its solid performance from the Haswell-based Celeron processor. Their review highlighted the device’s ability to handle web-based gaming at 60 FPS and smooth multitasking across numerous browser tabs. They confirmed that while the 4GB RAM was soldered and non-upgradeable, the SSD could be swapped out by users willing to open the device. The cramped keyboard and trackpad due to the 11.6-inch form factor were noted as compromises, and the dim, washed-out screen was identified as the C720P’s biggest weakness.

Laptop Mag’s Perspective

Laptop Mag’s Lisa Eadicicco rated the C720P 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “one of the least-expensive touch-enabled notebooks available.” The review praised the attractive white chassis and generous port selection, noting that “those who primarily use their computer for surfing the Web and light productivity will have no issues replacing their everyday laptop with this budget-friendly machine.” Battery testing yielded 6 hours and 18 minutes of real-world use. Criticisms focused on the display washing out in various lighting conditions and the fact that few Chrome apps at the time were optimized for touch input.

TechRadar’s Perspective

TechRadar’s David Eitelbach awarded the C720P 4 out of 5 stars, emphasizing the device’s excellent value proposition. The review noted that “the Intel Celeron processor proved more than capable of handling heavy browsing, with almost no stuttering or hang ups even with almost two dozen tabs open across multiple windows.” Battery life testing showed 7 hours and 3 minutes at 50% brightness. The main criticism was questioning whether the $100 premium over the non-touch C720 was justified, given Chrome OS’s limited touch optimization at the time.

BetaNews’ Perspective

BetaNews’ Joe Wilcox provided one of the most memorable reviews, calling the C720P “the lover you keep in the dark, for the benefits, but which you wouldn’t be seen with.” This colorful description captured the device’s strengths in performance and battery life versus its aesthetic shortcomings. After two months of extensive testing, Wilcox declared “I can’t deny that I love my C720P…Price vs. performance it’s a sure bet.” The 200-nit screen brightness was identified as inadequate for use in ambient light, and the blue color cast and excessive reflectivity were persistent complaints.

Across all reviews, a clear consensus emerged: the C720P offered exceptional performance and battery life for its price point, but the dim, washed-out display was a significant compromise. For users who primarily worked indoors and valued speed over screen quality, the C720P represented outstanding value.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook 11 (C720P) represented an important milestone in Chromebook history, demonstrating that Chrome OS devices could deliver solid performance, impressive battery life, and touchscreen capability at under $350. While the display quality was consistently criticized across reviews, the device’s strengths in everyday performance made it a popular choice for students and casual users. Its user-upgradeable SSD also made it a favorite among Linux enthusiasts who wanted to install alternative operating systems. Though it reached its Auto Update Expiration in June 2019, the C720P earned its place as one of the defining Chromebooks of the early Chrome OS era.