Acer Chromebook 13

Updated on February 5, 2026

Note: The Acer Chromebook 13 CB5-311 has been discontinued and reached its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date in September 2019. Chrome OS no longer receives security updates on this device. This page is maintained for historical reference.

The Acer Chromebook 13 CB5-311 arrived in late 2014 as a significant departure from the Chromebook norm. It was the first 13-inch Chromebook from Acer and the first to use NVIDIA’s Tegra K1 ARM processor instead of Intel’s ubiquitous Celeron chips. At a time when most Chromebooks clustered around the 11-inch form factor, this model offered a larger workspace while promising impressive battery life of up to 13 hours. Pricing started at $249, making it competitive with smaller Intel-based alternatives. The Tegra K1’s 192-core Kepler GPU also promised better graphics performance than typical Chromebook integrated graphics, though real-world results proved more nuanced.

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Acer Chromebook 13 Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebook 13	Acer Chromebook 13	Acer Chromebook 13	Acer Chromebook 13
Price	List Price: $299.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $249.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $349.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $379.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	CB5-311-T9B0 / NX.MPRAA.012	CB5-311-T7NN / NX.MPRAA.001	CB5-311P-T9AB/ NX.MRDAA.003	CB5-311-T1UU / NX.MPRAA.007
Performance Rating	2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No	No
Processor	Quad-core 2.10 Ghz NVIDIA Tegra K1 CD570M-A1	Quad-core 2.10 Ghz NVIDIA Tegra K1 CD570M-A1	Quad-core 2.10 Ghz NVIDIA Tegra K1 CD570M-A1	Quad-core 2.10 Ghz NVIDIA Tegra K1 CD570M-A1
RAM	2 GB	2 GB	4 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	16 GB	16 GB	16 GB	32 GB
Screen Size	13.3"	13.3"	13.3"	13.3"
Screen Resolution	1920x1080	1366x768	1366x768	1920x1080
Screen Type	Active Matrix TFT Color LCD	Active Matrix TFT Color LCD	Active Matrix TFT Color LCD	Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Touch Screen	No	No	Yes	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	12.9 x 9 x 0.71 inches (327.66 x 228.6 x 18.03 mm)	12.9 x 9 x 0.71 inches (327.66 x 228.6 x 18.03 mm)	12.9 x 9 x 0.71 inches (327.66 x 228.6 x 18.03 mm)	12.9 x 9 x 0.71 inches (327.66 x 228.6 x 18.03 mm)
Weight	3.31 lbs (1.5 kg)	3.31 lbs (1.5 kg)	3.31 lbs (1.5 kg)	3.31 lbs (1.5 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No	No	No
Webcam	No Webcam	No Webcam	No Webcam	No Webcam
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	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	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	2 USB 3	2 USB 3	2 USB 3	2 USB 3
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No	No
Card Reader	SD	SD	SD	SD
Battery	4 cell, 3220 mAh, Lithium-ion	4 cell, 3220 mAh, Lithium-ion	4 cell, 3220 mAh, Lithium-ion	4 cell, 3220 mAh, Lithium-ion
Battery Life	11.0 hours	13 hours	11.0 hours	11.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	September, 2019	September, 2019	September, 2019	September, 2019

Acer Chromebook 13 Design and Build Quality

Acer adopted an understated aesthetic for the Chromebook 13, featuring a white plastic chassis with clean lines that avoided the chunky appearance of many contemporary budget laptops. The 0.71-inch thickness created a surprisingly slim profile for a 13-inch device, while the 3.31-pound weight remained portable enough for daily carry despite being heavier than 11-inch competitors like the Samsung Chromebook 2. The Verge’s Dan Seifert noted that “The Chromebook 13 has the best design this side of the Pixel,” praising the clean aesthetic that avoided the budget feel of many competitors.

The keyboard offered full-size keys with comfortable spacing for extended typing sessions. The travel was adequate for document work, though Engadget’s Dana Wollman observed that the shallow key travel occasionally caused missed keystrokes during fast typing. The trackpad received consistent praise across reviews for accurate tracking and responsive gesture support, matching the quality found on more expensive laptops.

Port selection included two USB 3.0 ports, a full-size HDMI output, SD card reader, and combo audio jack. The absence of USB 2.0 ports wasn’t a limitation given the faster USB 3.0 standard, and the full-size HDMI port proved more convenient than the micro-HDMI found on many ultraportables. The fanless design enabled completely silent operation—a notable advantage for use in libraries, classrooms, or quiet offices.

NVIDIA Tegra K1 Performance

The NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor represented a departure from the Intel Celeron chips dominating the Chromebook market in 2014. This quad-core ARM Cortex-A15 chip ran at 2.1 GHz and featured a 192-core Kepler GPU—the same graphics architecture found in NVIDIA’s desktop GPUs. On paper, this suggested meaningful graphics advantages over Intel’s integrated HD Graphics, and WebGL benchmarks did show improvements: Engadget tested animated WebGL demos running at 50-60 fps versus 24 fps on comparable Intel systems.

However, the real-world story proved more complicated. The Verge found that “streaming music shouldn’t stutter every time you open a new tab or launch a Chrome app, but it does on the Chromebook 13.” Basic JavaScript benchmarks showed the Tegra K1 performing similarly to Intel Bay Trail Celerons rather than surpassing them. Dan Seifert summarized: “Switching back to the [Acer C720] was like cutting the parachute off of a drag racing car.”

NotebookCheck’s testing provided extensive benchmark data, showing the Chromebook 13 scoring 6,843 on Octane v2 and 1,255 on Peacekeeper—adequate for basic tasks but not the leap forward NVIDIA’s marketing suggested. The Tegra K1 handled simple multitasking acceptably, but users who frequently kept more than eight tabs open or ran demanding web applications would notice limitations.

The 2GB RAM configuration proved particularly constrained. While Chrome OS manages memory efficiently, the combination of limited RAM and the Tegra K1’s characteristics meant the 4GB models offered noticeably better day-to-day performance for users who did more than basic browsing.

Display Options and Quality

Acer offered the Chromebook 13 in two display configurations: a standard 1366x768 panel and a 1920x1080 full-HD option for a $20 premium. Both used TN (twisted nematic) LCD technology, which offered fast response times but compromised viewing angles and color accuracy compared to IPS panels that would become standard in later premium Chromebooks.

The matte finish on both display options reduced glare effectively, making the screen usable in bright environments or under overhead lighting. NotebookCheck measured brightness at 242 cd/m², adequate for indoor use though struggling in direct sunlight. Color reproduction was limited, typical of TN panels, making the Chromebook 13 unsuitable for color-sensitive work like photo editing.

The 1080p option improved text sharpness and provided more screen real estate for web content, but The Verge noted that Chrome OS’s lack of UI scaling at the time meant interface elements appeared quite small, potentially straining eyes during extended use. Users choosing between configurations needed to weigh pixel density against interface usability—a trade-off that later Chrome OS updates with scaling support would resolve, though after this device’s support period ended.

Battery Life and Thermal Performance

Battery life stood out as one of the Chromebook 13’s genuine strengths. Acer rated the device for up to 13 hours with the 768p display or 11 hours with the 1080p panel. Real-world testing largely validated these claims: Engadget recorded 10 hours 7 minutes with the 1080p display under their standard workload, while The Verge achieved an impressive 11 hours 50 minutes in their testing. NotebookCheck’s WiFi surfing test yielded 10 hours 4 minutes—genuinely all-day battery life that few laptops of any type could match in 2014.

The fanless design meant completely silent operation under all conditions, which reviews universally praised. NotebookCheck’s thermal testing showed the device barely warming up even under load, with maximum surface temperatures of 35°C—cool enough to use comfortably on a lap. Power consumption stayed under 10 watts in typical use, contributing to the impressive battery life and enabling the passive cooling approach.

Reviewer Perspectives

Three major technology publications reviewed the Acer Chromebook 13 at launch, reaching generally similar conclusions about its strengths and limitations.

NotebookCheck awarded the Chromebook 13 a 78% score, calling it “a compelling option for users seeking a silent, cool-running laptop with strong battery performance.” Their extensive testing confirmed the Tegra K1 performed comparably to Intel Bay Trail processors for typical tasks, while noting the Kepler GPU handled WebGL content and casual games smoothly. They found the keyboard “responsive for extended typing sessions” but criticized the “flimsy plastic construction” that allowed noticeable chassis flex.

Engadget concluded the Chromebook 13 was “a worthwhile product despite not fully delivering on manufacturer promises.” Dana Wollman appreciated the value proposition, noting “at a fraction of the cost of that metal beast [the Chromebook Pixel], the all-plastic Acer Chromebook 13 presents a powerful value option.” However, she tempered expectations about performance, finding that JavaScript benchmarks didn’t show the advantages NVIDIA had promised.

The Verge was more critical, scoring the device 7/10 and concluding it “falls short on the most important promise of all: providing the best web browsing experience you can get on a Chromebook.” Dan Seifert praised the design and battery life but found the inconsistent performance frustrating, particularly when simple multitasking like browsing while streaming music caused stuttering. His most pointed observation: the Chromebook 13 felt “a beat or two behind” Intel-powered alternatives despite similar benchmark scores.

Acer Chromebook 13 Legacy

The Acer Chromebook 13 CB5-311 holds a notable place in Chromebook history as one of the few devices to use NVIDIA’s mobile processors, part of a brief period when Google explored ARM alternatives to Intel’s dominance in the category. The Tegra K1’s mixed results—strong GPU performance offset by inconsistent CPU behavior—demonstrated that benchmark advantages didn’t always translate to user experience improvements.

Chrome OS support ended in September 2019, following Google’s Auto Update Expiration policy that provided approximately five years of updates for devices of this era. After this date, the device no longer receives security updates, bug fixes, or new features. While the Chromebook 13 will continue to function, using an unsupported device carries security risks, particularly for activities involving sensitive information like banking or personal data.

For users seeking a modern 13-inch Chromebook, current options offer dramatically improved performance with Intel Core or MediaTek Kompanio processors, USB-C charging, higher-quality IPS displays, and support extending into the 2030s. The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 offers a spiritual successor with ARM-based performance and convertible functionality, while various options from ASUS, HP, and Lenovo provide alternatives in the 13-14 inch category.

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