14 DAY TRIAL // Chromebooks usually raise eyebrows because of the distinct lack of on-board storage space, but Acer has one that doesn't follow the blueprint quite to that fullest extent: The C7.
Of course, saying Chromebooks have no storage capacity isn't exactly correct. All half-intelligent PCs and consumer electronics have some.
The reason we say Chromebooks basically have no storage space is because most, or all, of it is taken up by the operating system and accompanying software.
The actual work done by owners on the Chromebooks is not, technically, done on the Chromebook, but in the cloud.
Thus, these laptops running Google's Chrome OS are mostly gateways, or access points, so to speak.
Not so for the Acer C7. While the notebook does fit the bill software-wise, it actually has its own hard disk drive of 320 GB (5,400 RPM).
At least this was the case until recently. Now, one with an SSD of 16 GB has appeared. This device has shown up for sale on Best Buy, for the price of $199 / €199.
Despite the lower capacity, we have to admit that there are some disadvantages to the HDD too, or rather one disadvantage: 5,400 RPM is a bit slow compared to flash storage. Some lag may be experienced because of that, which is why Acer is doing what Samsung did here.
Equally unfortunate is that there is no telling when Acer and online or brick stores will begin shipping the newcomer.
Chances are the price could even go up by the time Best Buy changes the notice from “Coming Soon” to “In Stock.” After all, the one with 320 GB has the same tag as the one we have written above.
Then again, the tradeoff in capacity for performance should be enough of a reason to leave the tag alone.