Hisense Chromebook 11
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Note: This product has been discontinued. It is no longer available for purchase new. The information below is kept for historical reference.
The Hisense Chromebook 11 represented one of the most aggressive value propositions in Chromebook history when it launched in 2015 at just $149. Sold exclusively through Walmart, this budget machine featured a Rockchip RK3288 ARM processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB or 32GB of eMMC storage. As PCWorld noted, someone earning minimum wage would only need to work about 15 hours to afford this Chromebook—compared to 20+ hours for competitors at the time. The fanless design kept operation silent, though Hisense made clear compromises in build quality, display, and input devices to hit that price point.
Pros and Cons of Hisense Chromebook 11
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely affordable at $149 | Poor display viewing angles (TN panel) |
| Fanless silent operation | Cheap-feeling keyboard with flex |
| Adequate performance for basic Chrome OS tasks | Trackpad has clicking and dragging issues |
| Good battery life (6-9 hours tested) | Only USB 2.0 ports, no USB-C |
| 802.11ac Wi-Fi at this price point | 2GB RAM limits multitasking |
| Lightweight at 2.4 pounds | Screen maxes out at 200 nits brightness |
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Hisense Chromebook 11 Comparison Chart
Hisense Chromebook 11 | Hisense Chromebook 11 | |
| Price | List Price: $149.00 Amazon Prices: Loading prices... | List Price: $179.00 Amazon Prices: |
| Model number | C11 | C12 |
| Perfomance Rating | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Chromebook Plus | No | No |
| Processor | Quad-core 1.80 Ghz Rockchip RK3288 | Quad-core 1.80 Ghz Rockchip RK3288 |
| RAM | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB eMMC | 32 GB eMMC |
| Screen Size | 11.6" | 11.6" |
| Screen Resolution | 1366x768 | 1366x768 |
| Screen Type | TN | TN |
| Touch Screen | No | No |
| Stylus / Pen | No Stylus Support | No Stylus Support |
| Dimensions width x length x thickness | 8.03 x 11.42 x 0.76 inches (203.96 x 290.07 x 19.3 mm) | 8.03 x 11.42 x 0.76 inches (203.96 x 290.07 x 19.3 mm) |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.09 kg) | 2.4 lbs (1.09 kg) |
| Backlit Keyboard | No | No |
| Webcam | No Webcam | No Webcam |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ethernet | No | No |
| Cellular Modem | No | No |
| HDMI | Full-Size HDMI | Full-Size HDMI |
| USB Ports | 2 USB 2.0 | 2 USB 2.0 |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No | No |
| Card Reader | microSD Card Reader | microSD Card Reader |
| Battery | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Life | 8.5 hours | 8.5 hours |
| Fanless | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Update Expiration Date | April, 2020 | April, 2020 |
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The Hisense Chromebook 11 delivered exactly what its price suggested: basic computing functionality without frills. The 11.6-inch TN display offers a 1366×768 resolution with 200 nits of brightness according to PCWorld’s testing. Viewing angles suffer considerably, a typical TN panel limitation, though this matters less for direct viewing during typical use. The Rockchip RK3288 quad-core Cortex A17 processor paired with Mali 760 graphics proved somewhat competitive with Intel’s budget Celeron chips of the era, handling full-screen video playback with only occasional hiccups.
Connectivity includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI output, two USB 2.0 ports, a headphone jack, and microSD card expansion. The absence of USB-C and USB 3.0 reflects the device’s 2015 vintage. A USB Ethernet adapter could be used through the USB 2.0 ports for wired network access, though at reduced speeds compared to USB 3.0 connections. The 3.3-pound form factor, while not the lightest, remained portable enough for students and casual users who were the clear target audience.
Reviewer Insights
PCWorld
Gordon Mah Ung and Melissa Riofrio’s hands-on review emphasized the economic reality of the Hisense Chromebook 11. The utilitarian textured matte-plastic chassis featured a sturdy lid, though the brushed-metal wrist area felt “uncomfortably cold” during extended use.
The keyboard drew significant criticism: “The keyboard is the cheapest-feeling part—hard-plastic keys that feel second-rate” with limited key travel and noticeable flex during typing. Despite these input limitations, PCWorld found the device surprisingly capable for video playback: “We could play an action movie at full-screen with only very occasional hiccups.”
Battery testing yielded 6.22 hours versus Hisense’s claimed 8.5 hours—a substantial gap, though still adequate for a school day.
Popzara Press
Herman Exum’s review for Popzara described the device as “plainly good enough, delivering the basic experience one should expect from an entry-level Chromebook.”
The SunSpider benchmark score of 601.6 milliseconds demonstrated adequate but not impressive JavaScript performance. The trackpad emerged as a particular pain point, with clicking and dragging described as troublesome. Popzara’s battery testing proved more optimistic than PCWorld’s, achieving approximately 9 hours of use.
Heavy tab usage caused noticeable sluggishness due to the 2GB RAM limitation, but for standard web browsing and video conferencing, performance remained acceptable given the price.
Who is the Hisense Chromebook 11 For?
The Hisense Chromebook 11 was designed for extremely budget-conscious buyers who needed basic computing at the lowest possible price. Students, light web browsers, and those seeking a secondary device found the value proposition compelling. The device was never intended to replace a primary laptop or handle demanding workloads.
With Chrome OS updates ending in April 2020 and the product long discontinued, this Chromebook now serves purely as a historical reference for how aggressively manufacturers pushed prices during the early Chromebook expansion era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much did the Hisense Chromebook 11 cost?
A: The Hisense Chromebook 11 launched at $149 for the 16GB model (C11) and $179 for the 32GB model (C12), making it one of the most affordable Chromebooks ever released.
Q: What processor did the Hisense Chromebook 11 use?
A: The Hisense Chromebook 11 used a Rockchip RK3288 quad-core ARM Cortex A17 processor running at 1.8GHz with Mali 760 quad-core graphics.
Q: Is the Hisense Chromebook 11 still receiving updates?
A: No, Chrome OS updates for the Hisense Chromebook 11 ended in April 2020. The device has reached its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date and no longer receives security or feature updates.
Q: What was the battery life of the Hisense Chromebook 11?
A: Hisense claimed 8.5 hours of battery life, but independent reviewers measured between 6.22 hours (PCWorld) and 9 hours (Popzara) depending on usage patterns.
Q: Where was the Hisense Chromebook 11 sold?
A: The Hisense Chromebook 11 was sold exclusively through Walmart in the United States when it launched in 2015.