Acer C7 Chromebook update adds more RAM, battery life

Acer C7 Chromebook specs update
Enough battery life to get you through that never-ending lecture

The Acer C7 Chromebook hardware specs have been updated to improve the laptop's battery life and memory, the company announced today.

Acer doubled the new C7 Chromebook model's RAM, going from just 2GB to 4GB, while adding to its battery life by extending it to six hours on a single charge.

Previously, the battery life of the Acer C7 Chromebook lasted between three and four hours, and it ran hot, as TechRadar noted in its review of the laptop.

With the extended battery life and respectable RAM boost, Acer is marketing the newly updated C7 Chromebook as an all-day solution for classrooms and e-learning throughout the U.S.

New Acer C7 Chromebook price

The Acer C7 Chromebook price does rise with the laptop's much-needed specs bump, unsurprisingly.

Also unsurprising is the fact that this was not something that the Acer representative mentioned when TechRadar asked about the specs update.

The Chrome OS-based laptop now costs $279.99, an $80 hike over the original $199 price tag.

That also brings the price to only $50 under the TechRadar-recommended Samsung Series 3 Chromebook, which costs $329.99.

Not too cool for school

Acer still insists this new price isn't too cool for school.

"Chromebooks are an ideal option for schools and districts that want to quickly implement a technology program that will significantly enhance student learning," said Acer Vice President of U.S. Commercial Sales Gregg Pendergast in a press release.

"The Acer C7 Chromebook is incredibly affordable as a stand-alone product, and even more affordable when schools consider the reduced total cost of ownership thanks to its manageability and security features."

As long as those students can live without programs like Microsoft Office and survive the day on the browser-based Chrome OS, the Acer C7 Chromebook is a better choice than it was a few months ago.

Matt Swider