Acer Chromebook Spin 311

Updated on June 3, 2026

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 (CP311-3H) holds an important place in Chromebook history as one of the most successful ARM-based convertibles in the budget market. Released on June 23, 2020, this 11.6-inch device demonstrated that MediaTek’s MT8183 (also known as Kompanio 500) could deliver a smooth Chrome OS experience with genuinely all-day battery life, something that Intel-based competitors of the era struggled to match. Publications like TechRadar and Android Central (4.5/5) praised it for being exactly what users expected from a budget Chromebook: small, inexpensive, and capable enough for everyday tasks. With Chrome OS updates guaranteed through June 2030, units still in service have years of useful life ahead.

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Acer Chromebook Spin 311 Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebook Spin 311	Acer Chromebook Spin 311	Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Price	List Price: $299.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $249.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: $399.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Model number	CP311-3H-K6XD / NX.HUVAA.004	CP311-3H-K4S1	CP311-3H-K5WQ
Performance Rating	3.8	3.8	3.8
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No
Processor	Octa-core 2.00 Ghz (max 2.00 Ghz) MediaTek MT8183	Octa-core 2.00 Ghz (max 2.00 Ghz) MediaTek MT8183	Octa-core 2.00 Ghz (max 2.00 Ghz) MediaTek MT8183
RAM	4 GB	4 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	64 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC	64 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	11.42 x 8.11 x 0.74 inches (290.07 x 205.99 x 18.8 mm)	11.42 x 8.11 x 0.74 inches (290.07 x 205.99 x 18.8 mm)	11.42 x 8.11 x 0.74 inches (290.07 x 205.99 x 18.8 mm)
Weight	2.64 lbs (1.2 kg)	2.64 lbs (1.2 kg)	2.64 lbs (1.2 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No	No
Webcam	HD	HD	HD
WiFi	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No
HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB-C (with DisplayPort and charging)	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB-C (with DisplayPort and charging)	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB-C (with DisplayPort and charging)
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No
Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader
Battery	2 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium Ion	2 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium Ion	2 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium Ion
Battery Life	16.0 hours	16.0 hours	16.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2030	June, 2030	June, 2030

A Milestone in ARM-Based Chromebooks

The Spin 311 represented a maturation point for ARM Chromebooks. Earlier MediaTek and Rockchip devices had often felt underpowered, but the MT8183’s eight-core design (four Cortex-A73 performance cores paired with four Cortex-A53 efficiency cores) proved capable enough for web browsing with numerous tabs, Google Workspace applications, video streaming, and running Android apps from the Play Store. The 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM was adequate for Chrome OS at the time, though this single configuration meant no upgrade path for users who found it limiting.

The fanless design was a key differentiator. While Intel Chromebooks of the era often included fans that could spin up during moderate workloads, the Spin 311 remained completely silent under all conditions. This made it particularly well-suited for libraries, classrooms, and late-night work sessions. The trade-off was that sustained heavy processing would lead to thermal throttling, but for the lightweight tasks this Chromebook targeted, that rarely mattered in practice. Android and Linux app launches did suffer some lag, but once running, most everyday workloads felt smooth.

It is worth noting that the CP311-3H is the ARM successor to the Intel-powered CP311-2H. LaptopMedia’s launch review pointed out that the MediaTek silicon represented a meaningful performance regression versus the older Intel Celeron N4000 model in CPU and GPU benchmarks. The trade-off was a dramatic improvement in battery life and the elimination of fan noise, which most users found a worthwhile exchange for the lighter workloads a budget Chromebook is asked to handle.

Display and Design Philosophy

The 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen with 1366x768 resolution represented a deliberate set of compromises. The lower resolution preserved battery life and matched the modest GPU capabilities of the ARM processor, while the IPS panel ensured acceptable viewing angles across the 360-degree hinge rotation. NotebookCheck’s testing measured brightness at just 214.4 cd/m², well below the 300 cd/m² typically needed for comfortable indoor use in bright conditions. LaptopMedia’s measurements were more generous at 296 nits in the screen center, but their tested sRGB coverage of only 54% confirmed that this is not a panel intended for color-critical work.

The antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass covering was a forward-thinking addition that became particularly relevant during the pandemic era when this Chromebook saw widespread adoption in schools. The thick bezels that reviewers consistently criticized were a product of the budget constraints and screen technology of the time, though they did provide a natural grip area in tablet mode. The plastic chassis measures roughly 20mm thick at its thickest point, a fraction heftier than ideal for an 11-inch class device, but it kept costs down and proved durable across years of student use.

Battery Life That Set Expectations

Perhaps the Spin 311’s most lasting contribution to the Chromebook landscape was demonstrating what ARM-based battery life could achieve. Acer claimed up to 16 hours of runtime from the 4670 mAh two-cell pack (NotebookCheck measured the same cell as a 36.5 Wh unit), and independent testing came remarkably close to that figure. LaptopMedia measured 20 hours of continuous web browsing and 19 hours and 20 minutes of video playback in their testing. Android Police’s Kent Duke, after a month of daily use, reported comfortably hitting the advertised 15-hour mark in mixed work. TechRadar’s video-playback testing showed about 8 hours; the lower figure is consistent with continuous high-brightness video draining the battery faster than the typical reading or document workload that produced LaptopMedia’s 20-hour result.

This set a new benchmark that subsequent budget Chromebooks had to meet. The combination of efficient ARM silicon, modest display resolution, and a relatively small 36.5Wh battery proved to be a winning formula that influenced later MediaTek-based Chromebooks. USB-C charging brought the battery from empty to full in about 2 hours, and the system supported quick top-ups during short breaks. The only practical downside of the single USB-C port handling charging is that you lose a port whenever the laptop is plugged in.

Reviewer Insights

Beyond the day-one reviews from major outlets, two long-form reviews captured the Spin 311 with the kind of detail that defines a budget Chromebook’s true character.

Android Police: Kent Duke, December 2020

Android Police’s Kent Duke spent a full month with the CP311-3H before writing his review. His verdict was a 7.5 out of 10, scored as a cautious “Maybe” rather than a recommendation, and the reasoning matters: this Chromebook nails the things that matter most for a budget device, but is held back by one frustrating component.

The battery and silent operation drew unreserved praise. Duke wrote: “The battery is phenomenal. It comfortably reached the advertised fifteen-hour mark.” On the fanless design, he noted: “The Chromebook can passively cool without fans, making it dead silent while in use.” Build quality earned a similar nod: “It uses a plastic body that feels durable and solid.” Keyboard feel was a pleasant surprise at the price: “The typing experience on the Spin 311 isn’t ‘Pixelbook good,’ but it’s still great.”

The touchpad, however, was a serious problem. Duke called it “the Achilles’ heel of this Chromebook” and wrote that “the touchpad experience is abysmal.” He added that “at best, it is barely functional, which can be a big deal-breaker for many.” The 1366x768 display drew a similar complaint after long-term use: “The pixelation on images and grainy text are very noticeable and distracting.” Both issues are inherent to the price point but worth knowing about before buying.

LaptopMedia: Alex Iliev and Kroum Nikolov, June 2020

LaptopMedia’s launch-day review brought the most detailed lab measurements available for this model. Their tested brightness reached 296 nits at the center of the screen with a 274 nits average across the panel surface, slightly better than NotebookCheck’s later measurement, and their battery testing produced the extraordinary 20-hour web-browsing and 19-hour-20-minute video-playback figures cited above.

The reviewers were notably critical of how the MediaTek silicon compared to the Intel chip in the predecessor. In their verdict they wrote that compared to the older CP311-2H, the new ARM machine gave “a lot lower performance” in both CPU and GPU work, and they singled out the integrated graphics: “Its integrated ARM Mali-G72 MP3 is nowhere near the performance shown by the Intel UHD Graphics 600, seen on the predecessor.”

The keyboard drew a measured complaint about consistency: “Although the key travel is long, and the sizing of the keycaps is actually good, the inconsistency of the clicks, themselves, makes the keyboard uncomfortable for long typing sessions.” On build, they noted that the laptop felt thicker than ideal for an 11-inch class device at roughly 20mm, “and the build is entirely made out of plastic.” Their bottom line was understated: “At the end of the day, we are a little disappointed with this notebook.”

Taken together, the two reviews paint a consistent picture: outstanding battery, silent operation, and a likable keyboard wrapped around an ARM chip that handles light Chrome OS tasks well but cannot match its Intel predecessor on raw performance. The touchpad and display are the visible compromises that make the price possible.

Legacy and Historical Context

The Spin 311’s success came at an inflection point for Chromebooks. Released just as the pandemic drove unprecedented demand for affordable education devices, it became a staple in remote learning setups. Its combination of durability (thanks to that Gorilla Glass), convertible flexibility, and all-day battery life made it ideal for children who needed a device that could survive being carried in a backpack and used throughout a school day.

With Chrome OS updates guaranteed through June 2030, units still in service continue to receive security patches and new features. The 4GB RAM limitation increasingly shows its age as Chrome OS and web applications have grown more demanding, particularly for users who like to keep many tabs open or run Android apps alongside browsing. Users seeking similar functionality today will find modern successors with more capable processors and 8GB RAM configurations that better accommodate contemporary workloads.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 (CP311-3H) deserves recognition as a device that proved budget ARM Chromebooks could be genuinely useful rather than merely cheap. It set expectations for battery life and silent operation that continue to influence the market today.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 (CP311-3H) stop getting Chrome OS updates?

The official Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date is June 2030, per Google’s Chrome Enterprise device list. After that date the device will no longer receive new Chrome OS feature or security updates, but will continue to function. The CP311-3H is distinct from the older Intel-based CP311-2H, which has a different AUE.

Can I upgrade the RAM or storage on the Spin 311?

No. The CP311-3H ships with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 32GB or 64GB of eMMC storage, both of which are soldered to the mainboard and not user-replaceable. If you need more than 4GB of memory or more than 64GB of storage, you will need a different Chromebook; this is a fundamental constraint of the design.

Is the Spin 311 good enough for school or college work in 2026 and beyond?

For light schoolwork (web browsing, Google Docs, video conferencing, streaming, and most Android apps from the Play Store), the Spin 311 still holds up. For workloads that involve many simultaneous tabs, video editing, or heavy Linux app use, the 4GB of RAM and the MT8183’s modest performance will struggle. It is best suited to single-task, browser-centric use.

Which variant should I look for: 32GB or 64GB?

The 32GB CP311-3H-K4S1 and the 64GB CP311-3H-K6XD or K5WQ all share the same processor, RAM, and chassis. The only meaningful difference is storage. If you save most of your files in Google Drive or other cloud services, 32GB is workable. If you plan to install many Android apps or store offline media, the 64GB version is the safer pick. The CP311-3H-K5WQ is the most commonly available new-condition listing today.

Does the Spin 311 work with a stylus?

No. While the screen is touch-capable and supports the 360-degree convertible tablet mode, the CP311-3H does not include or support an active pen. The touchscreen is intended for finger input only.

How does the MediaTek MT8183 compare to the Intel chip in the CP311-2H?

The CP311-3H trades raw CPU and GPU performance for dramatically better battery life and fanless silent operation. LaptopMedia’s launch review documented a meaningful performance drop compared to the Intel Celeron N4000 in the predecessor, particularly in graphics, where the Mali-G72 MP3 lags behind Intel’s UHD Graphics 600. For typical Chromebook workloads, the difference is rarely noticeable; for performance-sensitive tasks, the older Intel model was the faster machine.

Is there a backlit keyboard option?

No. None of the CP311-3H configurations include a backlit keyboard. If keyboard backlighting is important to you, look at higher-tier Chromebooks like the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 or similar mid-range models.

What is the difference between the Spin 311 (CP311-3H) and newer Acer Chromebook Spin models?

The CP311-3H is the 2020 ARM-based 11.6-inch convertible covered on this page. Acer has since released several newer Spin models with larger displays, newer Intel or MediaTek processors, and 8GB+ RAM options. If you are shopping today and want a new Chromebook, those successor models offer meaningful upgrades in performance, RAM, and display quality. The CP311-3H remains a sensible buy primarily for owners replacing an existing unit, classrooms standardizing on the same hardware, or buyers who specifically want the all-day battery and silent fanless operation at a budget price.