Acer Chromebook Tab 10
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Note: The Acer Chromebook Tab 10 reached its Auto Update Expiration in August 2023 and no longer receives Chrome OS updates. This page is maintained for historical reference.
The Acer Chromebook Tab 10 holds a special place in Chrome OS history as the first tablet designed exclusively for Google’s operating system. Released in early 2018 and aimed primarily at the education market, this pioneering device attempted to carve out space between traditional Chromebooks and Android tablets. With its included Wacom EMR stylus, high-resolution display, and classroom-friendly design, the Tab 10 represented Google’s early vision for Chrome OS in pure tablet form. While it never gained the mainstream traction of competing iPads, the device served as an important stepping stone toward later Chrome OS tablets and detachables.
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Acer Chromebook Tab 10 Comparison Chart
![]() Acer Chromebook Tab 10 | |
| Price | List Price: $329.99 Amazon Prices: |
| Model number | D651N-K9WT / NX.H0BAA.001 |
| Perfomance Rating | 2.5 |
| Chromebook Plus | No |
| Processor | Hexa-core 1.60 Ghz (max 2.00 Ghz) OP1 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Internal Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Screen Size | 9.7" |
| Screen Resolution | 2048x1536 |
| Screen Type | IPS |
| Touch Screen | Yes |
| Stylus / Pen | Supported |
| Dimensions width x length x thickness | 6.78 x 9.38 x 0.39 inches (172.21 x 238.25 x 9.91 mm) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (0.55 kg) |
| Backlit Keyboard | No |
| Webcam | Front webcam: 1600x1200. Rear webcam: 2560x1920. 720p video recording. |
| WiFi | 2x2 MIMO 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Ethernet | No |
| Cellular Modem | No |
| HDMI | No HDMI |
| USB Ports | 1 USB-C |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No |
| Card Reader | microSD Card Reader |
| Battery | 2 cell, 34.02 Wh 8860 mAh, Li-polymer |
| Battery Life | 9.0 hours |
| Fanless | Yes |
| Auto Update Expiration Date | August, 2023 |
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Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebook Tab 10
The Chromebook Tab 10’s industrial design prioritized durability over aesthetics, featuring a ridged blue plastic shell that provided excellent grip but felt noticeably less premium than metal-bodied competitors. Reviewers consistently noted that the device had a somewhat toy-like appearance, with large bezels surrounding the display and an all-plastic construction that telegraphed its education-market origins. The textured back made one-handed operation comfortable, and at 1.2 pounds the tablet remained portable enough for extended handheld use. However, the bulky included power adapter detracted from the overall travel-friendly package.
Performance from the Rockchip OP1 processor proved adequate for single-task workflows but struggled when users attempted to multitask or run demanding applications. Web browsing, streaming video, and basic productivity apps worked smoothly, but opening multiple Chrome tabs or switching between apps frequently exposed the limitations of the mid-range silicon. Benchmark testing by reviewers showed the device lagging behind contemporary iPads in raw processing power. The 4GB of RAM provided sufficient headroom for light Android app usage, though heavy multitasking caused noticeable slowdowns and occasional stuttering.
The 9.7-inch IPS display emerged as the standout feature, earning praise from virtually every reviewer. With its 2048x1536 resolution matching Apple’s Retina displays pixel-for-pixel and a 4:3 aspect ratio well-suited for documents and web content, text appeared exceptionally sharp and images rendered with vibrant colors. Wide viewing angles from the IPS technology made screen sharing easy, while the laminated construction reduced glare and improved stylus accuracy. The included Wacom EMR stylus supported 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity without requiring batteries or charging, making it particularly valuable for note-taking and basic drawing tasks in educational settings.
Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebook Tab 10
Lon Seidman’s Perspective
Lon Seidman from Lon.TV provided one of the most thorough technical examinations of the Tab 10, running benchmark tests and exploring its Linux app capabilities. He praised the display quality, noting that “things look really nice and sharp on here, both the text and the photos, similar to what you might find on an iPad with their Retina display.” His testing revealed significant software quirks when switching between tablet and desktop modes, particularly when connecting external peripherals. Despite these issues, Lon saw promise in the device, describing it as “a real window into what the future of portable computing might be from Google.”
Andre’s Perspective
Andre from MyNextTablet offered pointed criticism of the build quality while acknowledging the device’s unique software advantages. He bluntly noted that “it kind of looks like a children’s toy” and “does not feel high-end at all” compared to the 2018 iPad or Huawei MediaPad M5. However, he highlighted the value proposition of the included stylus and the benefit of getting “the best of both worlds: a great desktop-class browser including extensions and Android apps.” His battery testing showed approximately 10 hours of HD video playback at 50% brightness.
Written Review Consensus
Professional written reviews painted a consistent picture of a device better suited for classrooms than living rooms. Chrome Unboxed called it “a promising start for Chrome OS tablets” while noting the OP1 processor “keeps up much better” when used for single tasks. 9to5Google’s Stephen Hall gave it “a passing grade” for education use but cautioned against consumer purchase. Laptop Mag and Android Central both awarded 3 out of 5 stars, with particular criticism directed at the poor speaker quality (making it unsuitable for music production) and the absence of Chrome OS’s signature windowed interface in tablet mode. TechRadar described the display as “just gorgeous” but questioned whether the $329 price point was competitive enough against Apple’s classroom offerings.
Conclusion
The Acer Chromebook Tab 10 represented an ambitious first attempt at bringing Chrome OS to the pure tablet form factor. Its excellent display, included stylus, and education-focused feature set made it a serviceable tool for classrooms seeking alternatives to iPad deployments. However, the plastic build quality, modest processor performance, and rough-around-the-edges software experience limited its appeal outside specialized educational use cases. As a historical artifact, the Tab 10 demonstrated both the potential and the growing pains of Chrome OS’s expansion beyond traditional laptop form factors. The lessons learned from this device informed later, more refined Chrome OS tablets like the Pixel Slate and Lenovo Duet series.
