Acer c740 11" Chromebook Review - 2015 Version with Broadwell C740-C3P1 C740-C4PE

Buy it on Amazon - lon.tv/ifvtq (affiliate link) - Acer is back with another high performance Chromebook that bests every ChromeOS device I've tested so far this year.
This new version replaces the c720 which was Acer's prior high performing Chromebook that enjoyed about two years in the marketplace. This new one is faster and gets better battery life thanks to its 5th generation Intel Celeron Broadwell processor.
My only complaint is the quality of the screen which is about where every other 11 inch Chromebook is at this price point. So while it's in line with the competition, it would have been nice to see a better looking display.
All that said this is the fastest Chromebook under $300, hands down. I highly recommend it.
Subscribe to my email list to get a weekly digest of upcoming videos! - lon.tv/email
Visit the Lon.TV store to purchase some of my previously reviewed items! lon.tv/store
Want to chat with other fans of the channel? Visit our forums! lon.tv/forums
Want to help the channel? Start a Patreon subscription!
lon.tv/patreon
Follow me on Facebook!
/ lonreviewstech
Follow me on Twitter!
/ lonseidman
Catch my longer interviews in audio form on my podcast!
lon.tv/itunes
lon.tv/stitcher
or the feed at lon.tv/podcast/feed.xml
Follow me on Google+
lonseidman.com

[@PsychoticSashimiS]

Chromebooks are finally getting Broad well chips, whoop whoop! Another great review Lon!

[@blackpearl2133]

I wish the Toshiba Chromebook 2 had the Intel Celeron 3205U ‘Broadwell’ processor. That might be the perfect Chromebook. Keep up the great work!

[@Firespheres]

That made my day when I saw that my ASUS C200 Chromebook outperformed a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 on Octane 2.0! A $800+ PC/Tablet. This goes to prove that you do not need to drain your pockets for decent performance when it comes to browsing the web.

[@sanket7199]

Interesting chromebook nice work lon how about a new redesigned logo for ur channel?

[@sanket7199]

Yup but the one at start that shows up 'Lon reviews Tech' in blue background redesign it if u can.

[@ImadogGarcia]

Nice review. I wish there would be more nicer screens on chromebooks

[@ImadogGarcia]

yeah, that´s a nice screen indeed

[@QuietToad]

@@ImadogGarcia you commented on your own comment lol (no hate btw yes i wish there were nicer ones on them)

[@ImadogGarcia]

@@QuietToad idk, it’s 6 years ago and some comments just disappear 😄

[@timwilliams2627]

Nice job Lon...I am hoping to purchase the 4 gig. can you hook up a printer with this? Thanks

[@8yr0n_q]

Overall which better btw this and the Acer 11? Looking at getting one but not sure which better.

[@pshapiro]

I'd love to see a review of this laptop running the new Gallium OS beta software -- which turns more modern Chromebooks (such as this one) into a full-fledged Linux latptop. Wondering -- would LibreOffice 5 feel snappy on this? Would the boot time be equally impressive as with ChromeOS? I have a hunch Gallium OS on this Chromebook would give you 80 percent of a MacBook Air at 1/3 the price. (Roughly speaking, that is.)

[@saadmanrafat6981]

Toshiba Chromebook 2 vs Acer c740 11" which one's better performance wise?

[@Pattayaman999]

Did you benchmark using Octane 1 or Octane 2? The scores on Octane 2 is about 1300 points higher on the same computer test.

[@motivationst6896]

Does it have play store

[@pnp072000]

Can you change the SSD? I have a spare Samsung Evo 512gb SSD with nothing to put it in.

[@joshrank5802]

OK so I need help I've had a lot I mean a lot of noisy laptops in the past I need to know is this noisy ever like under a heavy load will the fans get fast and loud? Thanks

[@tomprokes5881]

Good question. Is it eMMC or M2 SATA up-gradable? Come on now. You want to pull out the screwdriver.

[@natskar]

How does this device fair against the Asus Chromebox? (1.4 GHz model)

[@webcomment8895]

Some manufacturer needs to build a Chromebook line slotted between this and the Chromebook Pixel. Fast processor like the one in the C740 or else a Core M plus an IPS screen, backlit keyboard and a bit more premium build quality, but for far less than the $999 Pixel. Maybe $499. There are a lot of people looking for something between the common, cheap plastic Chromebooks and the ultra expensive Pixel.

[@garethbroughton4530]

Hi how how do i download apps from the Google store it keeps sending them to my phone not on the cromebook?

[@AnimeBeefRandoms]

Compare this with the Macbook with the Core M (if you have one), would be hilarious how bad the Mac will look in terms of value.

[@chromebook1141]

the design of this chromebook looks like 10 years ago

[@kallethefox1968]

i mean looks not too bad but wish the touchpad was able to be turned on/off

[@bigjune4899]

***** can storage be expanded?

[@ShadowGamer12478]

On one website it was only 42 dollars i bought it and its the same not a scam

[@museick706]

This or the Asus C202SA-YS02???

[@paladinash83]

Is that upgradeable ram and ssd?

[@Nexus7171]

I can get this Chromebook for 150$,do you think it's worth it?Or should I make an effort and buy a 200-250$ laptop?I want a portable machine that opens fast,have a nice screen,good keyboard and play movies with subtitles smooth.I think the Acer can do all of that and for that price is hard to resist.

[@MrBrymstond]

I always said thicker, more battery, upgradable and better quality.... Even the new phones and tablets...

[@sbellaharris]

No USB C?

[@nomthazothandie8078]

Need one

[@Housestationlive]

no rj45 port ??? seriously ?? that's what i was worried about !

[@Housestationlive]

hard to found a chromebook with rj45 and touchscreen !

[@yipdoggy]

Wired ethernet can be handled by a USB adapter which just works without any tweaking. I use the "TRENDnet USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet LAN Wired Network Adapter". Just plug it in and wait a few seconds for it to get an IP address.

[@MrKeys57]

I have had the c740 about a month soon, and its getting a bit sluggish, if i powerwash it, will the apps frome chrome store reinstall by themselves, as on adroid, or do i have to do it manually? thanks, Levi in Sweden

[@LonSeidman]

It should, yes . Anything stored locally on the machine will be lost, however.

[@MrKeys57]

hm..as i understand, a small portion of the apps will install on the SSD?? it always says like "54kb" in size, when you install, but maybe i get this wrong? - regards, Levi

[@hock4540]

Where is the elusive 13.3" IPS 4GB Brodwell? Any manufacturers out there??

[@PerfectBlade20]

I'm trying to decide if I should go from android to windows or chrome OS. Either would do for me. With windows I get a full PC that can do anything, download anything and connect anything and it will be a 2 in 1. With chrome OS it is very fast, fits my needs and can support full Linux if I want a full OS, I also feel better using open source operating systems

[@PerfectBlade20]

***** Alright, be careful though The main method that let's you put Linux on a chromebook runs both chrome OS and Linux side by side and you can switch on the fly. Since this is your favorite chromebook I wouldn't want anything going wrong like losing chrome OS. Windows would have to be done the "ol' fashioned way"

[@kachingcallorina]

Can i install windows os in asus c300 chromebook? Thanks.

[@mrfknamazing]

Jan Robert Callorina dude no wtf that's defeating the purpose of getting a chromebook

[@kachingcallorina]

well couz its cheaper. hehehe.

[@TechTimeWithEric]

This thing looks pretty cool. Would you be able to do a test of playing a high definition .avi file, or even just say if it will? This looks like a better choice for lugging to the laundromat than my old 15.6 inch Acer laptop. I have 720P Doctor Who episodes that I usually watch on my other laptop, but if this will perform, I might pick one of these up.

[@TechTimeWithEric]

To be honest, I am not sure, they are just downloaded. Show a data rate of 903kbps; total bitrate of 1095kbps; at 25 frames/second.

[@TechTimeWithEric]

Also, thanks for the lightning quick response at about 0130 lol

[@TechTimeWithEric]

Looks like vlc player works on chrome os. Which they will play, just curious more on performance

[@MattDeVillier]

***** all I did was port over the working legacy BIOS payload from the Pixel2, can't take too much credit for that

[@EditedByAdam]

Could u possibly test out minecraft on this? I would like to see the fps it runs at

[@batnegro4075]

It's a CHROMEBOOK you cannot run desktop applications on it at all. So no minecraft!

[@EditedByAdam]

Oh ok that sucks

[@EditedByAdam]

Oh ok

[@kallethefox1968]

its crome os it does not understand any .exe files but it shuld have play store

[@busterobe]

Anyone’s school have these chromebooks?

[@dbepic6996]

Again... I feel so outdated with haswell ;(

[@loganalexander8806]

my acer c720 sucks, it take 15 minutes to load a youtube search. it has a cracked screen and because its a chromebook its not compatable with ANYTHING!!!!!

[@sethpratz52]

Lol first one to comment

[@sethpratz52]

Also nice review

[@luc2527]

Last to comment 😎

[@chriswheeler2912]

is this the best chromebook for special needs kids with autism.

[@chriswheeler2912]

+Lon Seidman thank you for answering my question. god bless