Haier Chromebook 11

Starry Hope Rating
3.0

Updated on

Photo of Haier Chromebook 11

Note: This Chromebook has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase new. Its Auto Update Expiration date was June 2020, meaning it no longer receives Chrome OS updates or security patches. The information below is kept for historical reference.

The Haier Chromebook 11 marked a significant moment in Chromebook history when it launched in March 2015. Priced at just $149, it was one of the first Chromebooks to break the $200 barrier while still delivering usable performance. Haier, a Chinese appliance manufacturer better known for refrigerators and washing machines, partnered with Google and Rockchip to produce this budget-oriented device, which was sold exclusively through Walmart in the United States. The device shared its DNA with the simultaneously-launched Hisense Chromebook 11, as both companies used the same Rockchip RK3288 reference design.

ProsCons
Ultra-low $149 launch priceOnly 2GB RAM with no upgrade option
All-day 10-hour battery life16GB storage fills quickly
Completely silent fanless designTN display with poor viewing angles
802.11ac WiFi includedUSB 2.0 only (no USB 3.0)
Lightweight 2.4-pound bodyARM processor limited app compatibility
Quick Chrome OS boot timesMinimal professional review coverage

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Haier Chromebook 11 Comparison Chart

Haier Chromebook 11

Haier Chromebook 11

Price

List Price: $149.00

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Model numberChromebook 11
Perfomance Rating2.0
Chromebook PlusNo
ProcessorQuad-core 1.80 Ghz
Rockchip RK3288
RAM2 GB
Internal Storage16 GB eMMC
Screen Size11.6"
Screen Resolution1366x768
Screen TypeTN
Touch ScreenNo
Stylus / PenNo Stylus Support
Dimensions
width x length x thickness
8.07 x 11.4 x 0.77 inches
(204.98 x 289.56 x 19.56 mm)
Weight2.4 lbs (1.09 kg)
Backlit KeyboardNo
WebcamNo Webcam
WiFi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBluetooth 4.0
EthernetNo
Cellular ModemNo
HDMIFull-Size HDMI
USB Ports2 USB 2.0
Thunderbolt PortsNo
Card ReadermicroSD Card Reader
BatteryLithium-ion
Battery Life10.0 hours
FanlessYes
Auto Update
Expiration Date
June, 2020

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Hardware and Performance

The Haier Chromebook 11 runs on the Rockchip RK3288, a quad-core ARM Cortex-A17 processor clocked at 1.8GHz paired with an ARM Mali-T764 GPU. This was one of the few ARM-based processors certified for Chrome OS at the time, representing an alternative to the Intel Celeron chips that dominated the market. The ARM architecture delivered excellent power efficiency—enabling the fanless design and long battery life—but came with tradeoffs in raw performance and software compatibility.

For basic Chromebook tasks like web browsing, Google Docs, and email, the RK3288 proved adequate. Chrome OS’s lightweight architecture helped mask the processor’s limitations, and the fanless cooling meant completely silent operation. However, opening many browser tabs simultaneously or running complex web applications revealed the 2GB RAM limitation. The 16GB eMMC storage filled quickly, making cloud storage essential for any meaningful file management.

The Haier distinguished itself from some Intel-based budget competitors by including 802.11ac WiFi support, providing faster wireless connectivity than the 802.11n found on some contemporaries. Bluetooth 4.0 enabled wireless peripheral connections, while the full-size HDMI port allowed direct monitor connections without adapters.

Display and Design

The 11.6-inch display uses a TN (Twisted Nematic) panel with 1366x768 resolution, a common specification for budget Chromebooks of the era. TN technology suffers from limited viewing angles—colors wash out when viewed from the side—making this display best suited for single-user scenarios rather than group viewing. The non-touch screen kept costs down but limited interaction options compared to convertible models.

At 2.4 pounds and measuring 11.4 x 8.07 x 0.77 inches, the Haier Chromebook 11 was reasonably portable for its time. The plastic construction prioritized affordability over premium materials, though the design proved durable enough for its target market. The chiclet keyboard offered acceptable typing for light use, though it lacked backlighting for low-light environments.

Connectivity includes two USB 2.0 ports, full-size HDMI, a combination headphone/microphone jack, and a microSD card reader for storage expansion. The absence of USB 3.0 ports meant slower transfer speeds when using external drives, a limitation shared with many budget laptops of the era.

Historical Context

The Haier Chromebook 11 arrived during a pivotal period for Chrome OS. Google was aggressively expanding Chromebook options at lower price points to drive adoption in education and emerging markets. The partnership with Rockchip allowed manufacturers to produce devices below the $200 threshold that Intel’s platform couldn’t match at the time.

Released simultaneously with the Hisense Chromebook 11, the two devices shared the same underlying reference design from Rockchip. Both featured the RK3288 processor, 11.6-inch displays, and similar specifications, though minor variations existed in battery capacity and exact dimensions. This dual-launch strategy from previously unknown brands suggested Google’s orchestration in bringing budget Chrome OS devices to market.

The ARM processor choice had long-term implications. When Android apps came to Chrome OS starting in 2016, the RK3288’s ARM architecture initially seemed advantageous since Android was designed for ARM. However, many Chrome OS optimizations and enterprise management features were developed primarily for Intel platforms, and the RK3288’s eventual support proved limited compared to Intel-based models.

Reviewer Perspective

Professional review coverage for the Haier Chromebook 11 was notably sparse compared to more prominent Chromebook brands. Lon Seidman of Lon.TV provided one of the few detailed video reviews, walking through the device’s performance, build quality, and real-world usability. His hands-on testing demonstrated the fanless design’s completely silent operation and showed the device handling typical Chrome OS workflows without significant stuttering.

The limited review coverage reflects the device’s distribution strategy—sold exclusively through Walmart rather than through major electronics retailers—and Haier’s minimal brand recognition in the US computer market. Most tech publications focused their budget Chromebook coverage on the simultaneously-released Hisense model or on offerings from more established manufacturers like Acer and ASUS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I still use the Haier Chromebook 11 in 2026?

A: While the Haier Chromebook 11 can still physically function, it stopped receiving Chrome OS updates in June 2020. This means no security patches, no new features, and potentially incompatible websites as web standards evolve. Using it for any sensitive activities like online banking is not recommended due to security vulnerabilities.

Q: What processor does the Haier Chromebook 11 use?

A: The Haier Chromebook 11 uses the Rockchip RK3288, a quad-core ARM Cortex-A17 processor clocked at 1.8GHz with an ARM Mali-T764 GPU. This was one of the few ARM-based processors certified for Chrome OS at the time.

Q: What is the difference between the Haier Chromebook 11 and Hisense Chromebook 11?

A: The Haier and Hisense Chromebook 11 models were released simultaneously in March 2015 using the same Rockchip RK3288 reference design. Both featured the same processor, 11.6-inch displays, and similar specifications. Minor differences included exact battery capacity and slight dimensional variations, but performance was essentially identical.

Q: How long does the Haier Chromebook 11 battery last?

A: The Haier Chromebook 11 was rated for approximately 10 hours of battery life. The ARM-based Rockchip processor’s efficient design enabled all-day usage for typical web browsing and productivity tasks without needing a charge.

Q: Why was the Haier Chromebook 11 so inexpensive?

A: The $149 price point was achieved through several factors: the ARM-based Rockchip processor was less expensive than Intel alternatives, the minimal 2GB RAM and 16GB storage reduced component costs, the TN display was cheaper than IPS panels, and Haier’s manufacturing scale in China kept production costs low. The exclusive Walmart distribution also minimized retail markup.

Q: Could Android apps run on the Haier Chromebook 11?

A: The Haier Chromebook 11 had limited Android app support. While Chrome OS eventually added Android app capability, the RK3288 processor received inconsistent support for this feature. Many users reported compatibility issues, and the device was never officially listed among Chrome OS devices with full Android app support.