Poin2 Chromebook 11

Starry Hope Rating
2.5

Updated on

Photo of Poin2 Chromebook 11

Note: This product has been discontinued. It is no longer available for purchase new. The information below is kept for historical reference.

The Poin2 Chromebook 11 launched in August 2015 as one of the most affordable Chromebooks ever released, with a $149 MSRP that undercut nearly every competitor on the market. Built around the quad-core Rockchip RK3288 ARM processor, this 11.6-inch notebook targeted budget-conscious students and families who needed a basic web browsing device without breaking the bank. Poin2 Lab, a lesser-known manufacturer, positioned the device alongside the similarly-priced Hisense Chromebook that shared identical internal specifications. At just 2.53 pounds with fanless passive cooling and up to 8.5 hours of battery life, the Chromebook 11 delivered genuine portability, though the minimal 2GB RAM and 16GB storage imposed significant limitations that became increasingly apparent as web applications grew more demanding.

Poin2 Chromebook 11 Comparison Chart

Poin2 Chromebook 11

Poin2 Chromebook 11

Price

List Price: $149.00

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Model numberLT0101-01US
Performance 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 x 11.5 x 0.75 inches
(203.2 x 292.1 x 19.05 mm)
Weight2.53 lbs (1.15 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 Life8.5 hours
FanlessYes
Auto Update
Expiration Date
Unknown

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Detailed Insights into the Poin2 Chromebook 11

The Poin2 Chromebook 11’s value proposition centered entirely on price. At $149, it cost less than most tablets and represented the absolute floor for functional laptop computing in 2015. The black and purple color options gave it a distinctive appearance compared to the silver-and-black aesthetic dominating the Chromebook market. Build quality matched the budget price point with plastic construction throughout, but the 2.53-pound weight and 0.75-inch thickness made it genuinely portable for students carrying it between classes. The compact 11.4 x 8.0-inch footprint fit easily into backpacks and smaller bags.

The 11.6-inch TN display delivered 1366x768 resolution, which was standard for budget Chromebooks of this era. TN panel technology meant limited viewing angles compared to IPS alternatives, with colors washing out when viewed from the side. However, the 220-nit brightness was adequate for indoor use in classrooms and home environments. The non-touch screen kept costs down while providing the essential functionality for Chrome OS’s mouse-and-keyboard workflow.

The Rockchip RK3288 processor represented ARM’s presence in the early Chromebook market, offering four Cortex-A17 cores running at 1.8GHz with Mali-T764 graphics. This ARM architecture delivered smooth performance for basic web browsing, Google Docs, and streaming video while sipping power efficiently enough to achieve the claimed 8.5-hour battery life. However, the ARM processor couldn’t match Intel’s Celeron and Core M chips in raw JavaScript performance or application responsiveness, and some Android apps and extensions optimized for x86 architecture ran poorly or not at all.

Performance and Battery Life

The Rockchip RK3288’s quad-core ARM design proved capable for Chrome OS’s intended use cases in 2015, handling Gmail, Google Docs, YouTube streaming, and light multitasking without significant lag. The 2GB of DDR3L RAM limited how many browser tabs could remain active simultaneously; users who regularly kept ten or more tabs open experienced slowdowns as Chrome OS swapped tabs in and out of memory. Heavy web applications like Google Sheets with large spreadsheets or Google Photos editing tools pushed the hardware toward its limits.

Battery life stood as a genuine strength for the Poin2 Chromebook 11. The combination of ARM processor efficiency and Chrome OS’s lightweight resource demands delivered up to 8.5 hours of mixed usage, enough for a full school day without needing to find an outlet. The lithium-ion battery supported the fanless design that allowed completely silent operation, making the Chromebook 11 suitable for library study sessions, classrooms, and quiet home environments where fan noise would be disruptive.

The 16GB eMMC storage represented the minimum viable capacity for a functional Chromebook. After Chrome OS’s system partition, approximately 8-10GB remained available for Android apps, downloads, and offline files. Users needed to embrace Chrome OS’s cloud-centric philosophy, relying heavily on Google Drive for document storage rather than local file management. The microSD card slot provided expansion capability for those who needed additional offline storage for media files.

Connectivity and Ports

Port selection on the Poin2 Chromebook 11 covered basic connectivity needs without extras. Two USB 2.0 ports handled peripheral connections for mice, flash drives, and external keyboards, though the USB 2.0 speed limitation meant slower file transfers compared to USB 3.0 equipped competitors. The full-size HDMI port enabled external display connections for presentations and larger screen viewing without requiring adapters, a practical inclusion for classroom and office use.

Wireless connectivity included 802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, which was reasonably modern for a 2015 budget device. The ac Wi-Fi support delivered faster wireless speeds than the older n-only implementations found on some competitors, beneficial for streaming video and downloading large files. Users needing a wired connection could use a USB Ethernet adapter with one of the USB 2.0 ports, though transfer speeds would be limited. Bluetooth 4.0 enabled wireless headphones, speakers, and mice, reducing cable clutter.

The integrated webcam and microphone supported video calls through Google Hangouts and other web-based communication tools. Audio output came through dual 1.5W stereo speakers, adequate for personal use though lacking the volume and clarity for group listening. The combination headphone/microphone jack provided private audio options.

Limitations and Considerations

Note: Independent reviews for this specific model are limited. Information above is based on manufacturer specifications and general characteristics of Rockchip RK3288 Chromebooks from this era.

The Poin2 Chromebook 11’s most significant limitation was its minimal RAM and storage configuration. With 2GB of RAM, the device struggled with modern web applications that expect 4GB or more. The 16GB storage filled quickly if users installed Android apps or saved files locally. Neither component was upgradeable, making these limitations permanent.

The Rockchip RK3288’s ARM architecture created compatibility gaps. Linux applications through Crostini were never supported on this processor, and some Android apps designed for Intel processors ran with reduced performance or compatibility issues. Users seeking Linux development capabilities needed to look elsewhere.

As a discontinued product from a lesser-known brand, finding replacement parts, official support, or community resources proved challenging. Poin2 Lab’s limited market presence meant sparse documentation and troubleshooting resources compared to major manufacturers like Acer, HP, or ASUS. Chrome OS automatic updates ended years ago (exact date unavailable as Poin2 is not listed in Google’s official AUE database, though similar 2015 ARM Chromebooks lost support around 2020-2021), leaving the device without security patches.

For collectors interested in early budget Chromebook history, the Poin2 Chromebook 11 represents the extreme low end of what functional Chrome OS hardware could deliver. Its $149 price point demonstrated that web-based computing could be accessible to nearly any budget, even if the trade-offs in performance and longevity were substantial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Poin2 Chromebook 11 still supported by Google?

No, Chrome OS support for the Poin2 Chromebook 11 has ended. Poin2 is not listed in Google’s official Auto Update Expiration database, but similar 2015 ARM-based Chromebooks lost support around 2020-2021. The device no longer receives security updates, making it unsuitable for sensitive tasks like banking or accessing personal accounts. Learn more about Chromebook Auto Update Expiration.

Can the Poin2 Chromebook 11 run Linux applications?

No, the Poin2 Chromebook 11’s ARM-based Rockchip RK3288 processor is not compatible with Chrome OS’s Crostini Linux container system. The combination of ARM architecture, limited RAM, and end-of-life software status makes Linux application support unavailable on this device.

How much usable storage does the Poin2 Chromebook 11 have?

The Poin2 Chromebook 11 includes 16GB eMMC storage, with approximately 8-10GB available for user files after Chrome OS’s system partition. The microSD card slot provides expansion capability, and users should plan to rely heavily on Google Drive and other cloud storage services for document and media storage.

Can the RAM or storage be upgraded on the Poin2 Chromebook 11?

No, both the 2GB RAM and 16GB eMMC storage are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. The only storage expansion option is the microSD card slot, which can add capacity for media files and downloads.

What is Poin2 Lab and are they still in business?

Poin2 Lab was a lesser-known electronics manufacturer that produced budget Chromebooks in the mid-2010s. The company had minimal market presence compared to major brands like Acer, HP, and ASUS. Finding current information about the company is difficult, and official support or replacement parts for Poin2 devices are no longer available.

How does the Poin2 Chromebook 11 compare to other budget Chromebooks?

The Poin2 Chromebook 11 shared nearly identical specifications with the Hisense Chromebook, both using the Rockchip RK3288 processor, 2GB RAM, and 16GB storage at a $149 price point. Compared to Intel-based alternatives like the Acer Chromebook C720, the ARM processor offered better battery life but lower performance in demanding web applications.