The Chromebook Tab 311 makes a good case for giving a student a tablet instead of a second laptop. A worksheet can stay in portrait orientation for annotation, then turn sideways for a browser-based lesson. ChromeOS is the reason to pick this Acer. It fits a classroom already built around Google accounts and web apps.
In depth
Acer Chromebook Tab 311 review
Published
Best forstudents who spend most of the school day in a browser and also want to write on the screen.
At a glance
- Screen size
- 10.95 inches
- Panel technology
- IPS LCD
- Processor
- MediaTek Kompanio 520 (MT8186)
- Storage
- 64GB
- Operating system
- ChromeOS
Pros
- Desktop browser for school websites
- Portfolio keyboard and active pen in the K3NR package
Cons
- Small screen for side-by-side assignments
- 64 GB leaves limited room for large offline libraries
Display
- 10.95 inches (11-inch class)
- 1920 × 1200
- 60 Hz
The 10.95-inch, 1920 × 1200 screen leaves a little more room above a video than a 16:9 panel. Take it off the keyboard to mark a drawing or read a long passage. For an essay that requires moving repeatedly between a source and a document, a larger Chromebook gives both windows more space.
Performance & Storage
- MediaTek Kompanio 520 (MT8186)
- 8 GB
- 64 GB
The D723N-K3NR pairs 8 GB of memory with 64 GB of storage. Those numbers matter in different ways. Memory serves the tabs and apps open now. Keep a local copy of the assignment you need on the bus, and let the rest of the course material stay online. Web-based coursework is a better reason to choose the Tab 311 than video production.
Keyboard & Pen
- Active stylus included
The D723N-K3NR package includes a portfolio keyboard and an active stylus. A student can type up class notes, then detach the keyboard and draw directly on a diagram. Typing an entire assignment makes the keyboard, a firm surface, and space behind the stand more important.
Battery life
- Up to 10 hours (Acer rating)
MyNextTablet got 6.1 hours from a European Tab 311 while streaming HD YouTube video at maximum brightness. A student who spends the day watching lessons at that setting has a good reason to pack the charger. 1
Alternatives
The ASUS Chromebook CM32 offers a larger 12.1-inch workspace for browser use. An iPad makes more sense if the school specifies an iPad-only learning or drawing app. Check the school's app list before choosing either platform.
Verdict
Choose the Tab 311 for mixed reading, marking up, and browser work in a ChromeOS classroom. A conventional Chromebook is easier to justify for a student who types most of the day.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- MyNextTabletAcer Chromebook Tab 311 review (opens in a new tab)https://mynexttablet.com/acer-chromebook-tab-311-review/
HD YouTube playback at maximum brightness on a European Chromebook Tab 311 with a Kompanio 520.