The Chrome OS broke new ground on Monday with the launch of the first tablet to run Google’s lightweight operating system.
The Acer Chromebook Tab 10 arrives the day before Apple is reportedly planning to refresh its iPad line-up at an education-themed event.
The Chrome OS slate, which also targets the education market, will go on sale for $329 (around £239). That’s the same price as Apple’s most modestly-priced iPad model as of today.
Interestingly, Acer’s tablet apes the 9.7-inch, 2048 x 1536 display matches the specs deployed in that iPad.
However, the Chromebook Tab 10 will arrive with a built-in stylus, as with the Galaxy Note smartphone series, and a microSD card slot for additional storage.
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There’ll be nine hours of battery life, 32GB of built-in storage and USB-C charging.
Acer is including an OP1 processor — which was also featured within the Samsung Chromebook Plus released last year — coupled with 4GB RAM.
Given the recent additions to the Chrome OS, the tablet will also be able to run Android apps and access the Google Play Store. That’s a massive leg-up for the touchscreen-focused gadget.
Students and consumers will also be able to pair it with a bluetooth keyboard and other accessories should they desire.
A new iPad rival?
Apple is likely to undercut that price tomorrow with a $259 iPad primarily intended for the classroom.
However, it’s unlikely to feature a built-in stylus. If there is support for some version of the Apple Pencil, the accessory will probably be sold separately.
You’ll be able to buy the Chromebook Tab 10 in North America sometime in April, but it won’t be on sale in the UK until May. We’re waiting on news of the official UK price.
Would you prefer a tablet running Chrome OS as opposed to Android? Will this slate compete with the iPad? Share your thoughts with us @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
