Acer Chromebook R 11

Updated on January 11, 2026

The Acer Chromebook R 11 reached its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) in June 2022 and is no longer receiving Chrome OS updates. This review is preserved for historical reference.

The Acer Chromebook R 11 was one of the pioneering convertible Chromebooks when it launched in late 2015. Featuring a 360-degree hinge that allows it to transform between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes, this 11.6-inch device helped establish the convertible form factor that would become standard across the Chromebook market. While it has now reached the end of its software support lifecycle, the R 11 represents an important milestone in Chrome OS history and was a solid option for budget-conscious users during its time.

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Acer Chromebook R 11 Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebook R 11	Acer Chromebook R 11	Acer Chromebook R 11
Price	List Price: $279.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $299.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $299.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Model number	CB5-132T-C32M / NX.G54AA.001	C738T-C7KD / NX.G55AA.010	CB5-132T-C1LK / NX.G54AA.002
Perfomance Rating	2.3	2.7	2.7
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No
Processor	Quad-core 1.60 Ghz Intel Celeron Processor N3150	Quad-core 1.60 Ghz Intel Celeron Processor N3150	Quad-core 1.60 Ghz Intel Celeron Processor N3150
RAM	2 GB	4 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768	1366x768	1366x768
Screen Type	IPS	IPS	IPS
Touch Screen	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	11.6 x 8 x 0.8 inches (294.64 x 203.2 x 20.32 mm)	11.6 x 8 x 0.8 inches (294.64 x 203.2 x 20.32 mm)	11.6 x 8 x 0.8 inches (294.64 x 203.2 x 20.32 mm)
Weight	2.76 lbs (1.25 kg)	2.76 lbs (1.25 kg)	2.76 lbs (1.25 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No	No
Webcam	1280x720	1280x720	1280x720
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0
Ethernet	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No
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
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No
Card Reader	SD	SD	SD
Battery	3 cell, 3220 mAh, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 3220 mAh, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 3220 mAh, Lithium-ion
Battery Life	9.5 hours	9.5 hours	9.5 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2022	June, 2022	June, 2022

Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebook R 11

The build quality of the Acer Chromebook R 11 impressed reviewers despite its budget-oriented plastic construction. The textured finish provides excellent grip and resists fingerprints, though the white color option tends to show smudges more readily. The standout feature is undoubtedly the 360-degree hinge mechanism, which multiple reviewers praised as one of the sturdiest they had encountered. KLGadgetTV noted that “the hinges that connect the two parts together is by far one of the most solid hinges I’ve ever experienced,” allowing confident use in tablet mode without wobble or instability.

The Intel Celeron N3150 (or N3160 in some variants) provides adequate performance for Chrome OS workloads. NotebookCheck’s testing found “the system feels very responsive” with fast startup times and quick application launches. The quad-core Braswell processor handles multiple browser tabs and light multitasking without significant slowdown, though it was already showing its age compared to newer Pentium alternatives by 2018. The fanless design means completely silent operation, with KLGadgetTV measuring idle temperatures around 29°C and load temperatures reaching a modest 42°C.

The 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen offers excellent viewing angles, making it suitable for the various orientations enabled by its convertible design. However, the 1366x768 resolution was considered low even at launch, and NotebookCheck measured brightness at just 228.7 cd/m², which proved inadequate for outdoor use. The 10-point capacitive touch support responds accurately, and the display was one of the first Chromebooks to gain Google Play Store access for Android app compatibility.

Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebook R 11

KLGadgetTV’s Perspective

KLGadgetTV provided one of the most comprehensive technical reviews of the Chromebook R 11, recommending it highly for users invested in the Google ecosystem. The reviewer praised the rugged design and exceptional hinge mechanism while noting “on first look, the R 11 is a very rugged-looking device and it’s not aesthetically good-looking, but it does look like it would get the job done whenever you need it to.” Battery life testing showed 8 to 8.5 hours of real-world use, slightly below the rated 10 hours but still impressive. The keyboard earned praise for its large, comfortable keycaps, though the trackpad drew significant criticism for poor tracking and cursor drift issues.

Steve “Chippy” Paine’s Perspective

Tech journalist Steve “Chippy” Paine from Chromebookworld.com provided early hands-on coverage from IFA 2015, where the device was first unveiled. His preview highlighted the balanced weight distribution of the single-unit convertible design, noting “one of the advantages of these single-unit convertibles… it keeps the weight out of the back and gives it a little bit more stability.” He found the large trackpad smooth and responsive, contrasting with later reviews that identified tracking issues. The full-size HDMI and SD card slots were noted as practical inclusions for an entry-level device.

TechRadar’s Review

TechRadar awarded the Chromebook R 11 a solid 4 out of 5 stars, praising the convertible design and noting “the price certainly hits a sweet spot, and the laptop is a great machine for getting a bit of work done, kicking back for some tunes, and occasionally breaking it out as a tablet replacement.” The review highlighted the excellent speaker output as a standout feature, describing audio as “crisp and clear” with impressive volume. However, they echoed concerns about the trackpad, calling it “terrible” with “mushy feel” and inconsistent pressure response.

NotebookCheck’s Technical Analysis

NotebookCheck provided the most detailed technical assessment, awarding an 81% score. Their testing confirmed the fanless design operates completely silently with a 6W TDP processor, while the IPS display showed no PWM flickering. The review noted that while performance was adequate for web browsing and office tasks, the keyboard “lacks backlighting and feels mushy.” They identified the Google Play Store support as a key differentiator from earlier Chromebook models.

Laptop Mag’s Assessment

Laptop Mag’s review at launch gave the R 11 a 3.5 out of 5 rating, praising the “comfortable keyboard” with 1.7mm key travel and “colorful display.” Their testing found all-day battery life, though they expressed concerns about build quality, noting the lid flexes under pressure. The review pointed out that Chrome OS at the time was not optimized for touch interfaces, making icon targets difficult to hit accurately in tablet mode.

Customer Reviews of the Acer Chromebook R 11

Amazon customers have overwhelmingly positive experiences with the Chromebook R 11, reflected in its 4.4 out of 5 star rating from over 2,000 reviews. One particularly helpful reviewer described their experience transitioning from Windows: “I was skeptical about ChromeOS but this device changed my mind. The boot times are incredible - about 12 seconds from cold start - and I can have 18 tabs open while streaming HD Netflix without any buffering.”

Battery life consistently receives praise in customer reviews, with multiple users confirming 8-9 hours of regular use. Students appreciate the lightweight design and touchscreen functionality for note-taking. However, several reviews mention the trackpad issues identified by professional reviewers, with some customers recommending a USB mouse for extended use. The convertible design receives particular appreciation from customers who use the device for reading or watching content in tent mode.

Long-term reliability appears solid based on customer feedback, with many reviews written 1-2 years after purchase reporting continued satisfaction. The main complaints center on the limited 32GB storage, which became more constraining as Android apps entered the ecosystem, and the HD resolution display that some found lacking compared to higher-end devices.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook R 11 earned its place in Chromebook history as a capable budget convertible that helped prove the viability of the 2-in-1 form factor for Chrome OS devices. Its exceptional hinge mechanism, solid battery life, and fanless design represented genuine innovation at the $279-$299 price point. While the trackpad inconsistencies and low-resolution display were notable weaknesses, the overall package delivered competent performance for web browsing, media consumption, and light productivity tasks. Though it reached its Auto Update Expiration in June 2022, the R 11 demonstrated that Chromebooks could successfully compete in the convertible laptop category and influenced the designs that followed.