The increasing demand for low-cost laptops for online learning has reignited interest in Google’s Chromebook notebooks. HP’s new Chromebook 11a is among the most recent Chrome books to become available in India. The new notebook, which costs Rs 21, 999, is only available on Flipkart.com, is intended for students in classes II through VII. It is small, light (weighs just 1.05kg), ruggedly constructed with a coarse matte finish, and available in eye-catching colors like indigo blue.
In terms of connectivity, the notebook includes all of the standard ports, including USB Type-A, USB type-C, an audio jack, and a micro SD card slot. The USB Type-C port also functions as a charging port. On top of the screen, there is a built-in webcam. The dual speakers are loud and reliable, which will be useful for younger students who may not be comfortable wearing headphones for long periods of time. The only drawback is that they are located along the perimeter of the keyboard base. The audio becomes muffled when put on an uneven surface.
The keyboard looks spacious with ample space between each key. The only drawback is the lack of backlighting, which makes typing in the dark difficult. Most low-cost laptops, however, do not have backlit keys. The touchpad is tiny and squeezing. However, one does not have to rely on it because the notebook’s 11.6-inch HD screen supports touch, making selecting apps and clicking on on-screen elements more intuitive, particularly for younger students, who are likely to be more comfortable with touchscreen, given their early exposure to touchscreen-based phones. Though, the screen supports touch, the laptop doesn’t have a convertible design and the screen can be pushed back only up to a point.
The 11.6-inch HD screen appears bright enough for simple tasks like reading, surfing the web, making video calls, and watching YouTube videos. The Chrome OS is straightforward and easy to use. Anyone who is familiar with Android OS will be able to pick it up quickly. It does not have as many features as Windows OS, but it is capable of handling web browsing, online video streaming, and online classroom applications. The Google Play Store is where you can get the most successful ed-tech platforms and creativity-related games.
Powered by MediaTek MT8183 Octa-core processor, the HP Chromebook 11a is adequately fast and smooth to use. The device boots up instantly and apps load quickly too. The internal storage capacity of 64GB appears to be a bit restricted. The MicroSD slot, on the other hand, allows for expansion. With remote classrooms, battery performance isn’t as important as it once was; however, having a laptop that lasts longer is still reassuring. The battery performance of the Chromebook 11a is quite impressive, as it was able to easily eke out 12-14 hours of backup on a single charge.
Overall, the HP Chromebook 11a is a dependable laptop at a very reasonable price. Its strong points include touchscreen support, an easy-to-use interface, and a consistent battery backup. If you are looking for a small screen touch notebook under $20,000 for your child’s educational needs, this is one of the best options available. However, if you are looking for a device that will be useful in later years of school, the HP Chromebook 14a is a good option. It runs on a more Intel Celeron N4020 processor has a bigger 14-inch touchscreen and. It is available on Amazon. at Rs24,485.
The other reliable choice among Windows notebooks in the same price range is the Asus VivoBook 14 (2020), which has a slightly more powerful Intel quad-core Pentium processor, 1TB HDD storage, and a larger 14-inch full HD screen but no touch support. It is available on Amazon. For Rs 24,990.
