Feature Round-Up: Acer Chromebook Tab 10

While Android tablets are all but dead now, Google is still interested in using tablets for educators and students. To that end, the first tablet running Chrome OS, the Chromebook Tab 10, is slated to be the best classroom slate yet. We’ve got a quick roundup of some of the most notable features of the Acer Chromebook Tab 10. How will it make the class experience better for teachers and students? Let’s check it out! 

The Specs 

First off, it’s a huge tablet. It’s got a 9.7-inch screen and weighs a solid 1.2 lbs. This is great for the classroom, as it means it’s got enough mass to not get lost or misplaced! On the tech side, it’s got 4 GB of RAM, an OP1 CPU and a Mali T860 GPU. This all adds up to the tablet being more than powerful enough to handle any classroom duties. This will likely be many kids’ first experience with tablets, so it’s good that this one has all the power needed to handle basic tasks.  

Interestingly, it also sports a USB-C port. That port’s versatility is a great boon for classroom settings! Charging, of course, is the primary use, but sending video and transferring data are also uses the port allows for. 

Design 

This big tablet has a rubberized back and big bezels. It’ll likely prove quite durable and kid-friendly. It’s set to come in a number of bright colors, making it great for kids. That big size does bring up a problem, though: it’s hard to type on. While Chrome OS allows for Bluetooth keyboard connection, the Acer Chromebook Tab 10 doesn’t have one included. As such, typing on the big on-screen keyboard is a little awkward. For kids with small hands, it’ll likely be even harder. The fix, laying it on a table and pecking the keyboard with the index finger, works, but itsn’t ideal.  

Stylus 

It also sports a Wacom stylus, which can be whipped out to easily pen notes in the middle of class. It’s a little short and wouldn’t be great for a professional or artist, but for a kid taking notes or drawing it’s perfect. It doesn’t recognize tilt, and it sports a bit of latency, but these are deal-breakers for what the tablet’s meant to do.  

Acer Chromebook Tab 10: A Little Awkward, but Great for Students 

The tablet is a bit funky, and the Chrome OS has some kinks when used for a tablet. However, Acer’s tablet is a great proof-of-concept. The student-friendly Chrome OS is absolutely well-positioned for tablet use, it just needs a bit of fine-tuning. The tablet costs $329, making it relatively affordable for classroom use. Thusly equipped, kids will be learning in no time. If we keep using technology like this, maybe the future will be pretty bright after all.