CTL Chromebook NL7T-360

Updated on January 26, 2026

The CTL Chromebook NL7T-360 reached its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) in November 2023 and is no longer receiving Chrome OS updates. This review is preserved for historical reference.

The CTL Chromebook NL7T-360 was designed specifically for the education market when it launched in March 2018. As part of CTL’s NL7 series built on Intel’s Apollo Lake platform, this 11.6-inch convertible targeted K-12 classrooms with its 360-degree hinge, rugged construction, and all-day battery life. While CTL focuses primarily on institutional sales rather than consumer retail, the NL7T-360 represented a capable option for schools seeking affordable, durable devices that could handle daily student use.

CTL Chromebook NL7T-360 Comparison Chart

	CTL Chromebook NL7T-360
Price	List Price: $249.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	CTLNL7T
Perfomance Rating	2.8
Chromebook Plus	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.40 Ghz) Intel Celeron N3350
RAM	4 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768
Screen Type	IPS
Touch Screen	Yes
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	12.13 x 8.27 x 0.78 inches (308.1 x 210.06 x 19.81 mm)
Weight	2.49 lbs (1.13 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No
Webcam	HD
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2x2)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0
Ethernet	No
Cellular Modem	No
HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C
Thunderbolt Ports	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	unknown
Battery Life	12.0 hours
Fanless	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	November, 2023

Detailed Insights into the CTL Chromebook NL7T-360

The CTL Chromebook NL7T-360 features an 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen with 1366x768 resolution, a common configuration for education Chromebooks that balances cost with usability. The IPS panel technology provides wider viewing angles than TN displays, allowing students to collaborate around a single screen without color shifting. The touch capability combined with the 360-degree hinge enables tablet mode for reading, drawing applications, and Android apps, making the device versatile for different classroom activities.

Build quality follows CTL’s education-focused design philosophy, emphasizing durability over aesthetics. The chassis is designed to withstand the rigors of student handling, with reinforced corners and a spill-resistant keyboard. At 2.49 pounds and measuring 12.13 x 8.27 x 0.78 inches, the NL7T-360 fits easily into student backpacks while remaining sturdy enough for daily transportation between classes. The fanless design means completely silent operation, eliminating classroom distractions and reducing potential maintenance issues from dust accumulation.

Connectivity is comprehensive for an education device of its era. Two USB Type-A 3.0 ports handle peripheral connections like mice and flash drives, while two USB Type-C ports provide both data transfer and charging flexibility. The inclusion of dual USB-C was forward-thinking for 2018 and allows charging from either side of the device. A microSD card slot enables storage expansion beyond the base 32GB eMMC, and the combo audio jack accommodates headphones with microphones for language learning and video conferencing applications. With no built-in Ethernet port, schools needing wired network access can connect a USB Ethernet adapter through one of the USB ports.

The Intel Celeron N3350 processor represents the entry-level Apollo Lake configuration, featuring two cores running at a base clock of 1.10 GHz with burst speeds up to 2.40 GHz. While modest by today’s standards, this processor was adequate for Chrome OS workloads including web browsing, Google Docs, educational web applications, and basic Android apps. The fanless thermal design keeps the system silent while managing the processor’s 6W TDP efficiently. Paired with 4GB of RAM, the configuration handles typical student workflows like research, writing assignments, and educational software without significant slowdown.

CTL’s Education Focus

CTL has built its reputation as a specialized vendor for educational institutions, and the NL7T-360 exemplifies this focus. Unlike consumer-oriented Chromebook manufacturers, CTL designs its devices with input from school IT administrators and teachers, prioritizing manageability, durability, and total cost of ownership over cutting-edge specifications. The company offers extended warranties, damage protection programs, and bulk deployment services tailored to school district needs.

The NL7T-360 was part of a broader NL7 family that included the standard NL7 (non-convertible), the NL7T-360 (convertible with touch), and the NL7TW-360 (convertible with touch and Wacom stylus support). This product line strategy allowed schools to select the appropriate configuration based on grade level and curriculum requirements while maintaining consistent management and support across their fleet.

Who Was the CTL Chromebook NL7T-360 For?

The CTL Chromebook NL7T-360 served elementary and middle school students well during its active support period. Its convertible design supported younger students who benefit from touch interaction and tablet-style use for reading and creative applications. Teachers deploying these devices may have encountered the Chromebook magnet trick, a prank where students use magnets to trigger the lid sensor and put classmates’ Chromebooks to sleep. The durability features addressed the practical reality of devices being handled by hundreds of students throughout their deployment lifecycle. Schools running Google Workspace for Education found the device reliable for daily assignments, standardized testing, and classroom management through the Google Admin console.

For individual consumers, the NL7T-360 was less accessible due to CTL’s education-focused distribution model. Those who did acquire one found a capable basic Chromebook with good battery life and a versatile form factor, though without the retail support and warranty options available from consumer-focused brands.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Conclusion

The CTL Chromebook NL7T-360 filled an important niche in the education Chromebook market during its years of active support. Its combination of convertible design, reliable construction, and sensible port selection made it a practical choice for K-12 deployments. While the Intel Celeron N3350 processor and 4GB of RAM provided only baseline performance, these specifications proved sufficient for Chrome OS educational workloads throughout the device’s support lifecycle.

Now that the NL7T-360 has reached its Auto Update Expiration, it should no longer be used for tasks requiring current security updates. Schools that deployed these devices have likely moved to newer models with longer support windows and improved processors. The NL7T-360 remains a representative example of CTL’s education-focused design philosophy and the Apollo Lake generation of Chromebooks that served classrooms in the late 2010s.