Recently, I got an American version of Acer Spin 713 Notebook, a Chromebook portable deformation computer running Chrome OS operating system, supports four deformation modes.
What is the Chrome OS operating system? What is Chromebook?
ChromeOS, It is a lightweight operating system based on Linux kernel designed by Google, and uses Google Chrome browser as its main user interface. Applications and user data are basically located in the cloud, so Chrome OS mainly runs Web applications and Chrome App Store, and some high-end models can install Android applications (which can be downloaded through Google Play Store) and Linux applications. Google is a Chromebook Provides a system support cycle of up to 10 years 。
Chromebook runs the Chrome OS operating system, which is equipped with cloud storage space, built-in various Google essence applications, and can provide multiple security protection. Computer manufacturers such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. have launched more than 100 Chromebooks, and many low configuration models can also run Chrome OS in the process at a price of only a few hundred dollars. Currently, it is the most widely used notebook computer designated by American educational institutions.![Acer Chromebook Spin 713 configuration, CP713-2W-568T (Kled)](https://meledee.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/acer_chromebook_spin-713_cp713-2w.jpg)
How do I buy Chromebook?
Since Chromebook has not yet been officially sold in mainland China, the new machine can only be purchased through overseas shopping, human meat handling and other forms; However, second-hand Chromebooks can only be traded through free fish, forums and other forms. These machines are often imported into China in the name of foreign garbage after being eliminated in batches by overseas institutions
Before the Spring Festival, I accidentally saw an article by a netizen on "What is worth buying"《 Ten generation Core+2K high split screen, this small machine is cheap, starting at less than 1000 》, and another one recommended by the author HP Elite c1030 Chromebook In comparison, the screen resolution is higher (2K resolution, 2256 x 1504), the storage space is larger (up to 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD and replaceable), and the price is hundreds of pieces cheaper than the latter, Personally, I used to complain about the quality control of HP notebooks 。 In addition, A skilled person successfully installed Black Apple on HP Elite C1030/x360 13c Chromebook , free sharing EFI is not updated regularly, and said Acer CP713 similar notebooks can also be used.
According to the plan, find a Chromebook notebook seller on the omnipotent free fish, and pay 1270.50 yuan (plus the discount price of fans and free fish coins)+28 yuan for express delivery (SF payment upon arrival+insurance+packaging fee). Only a single machine, without other accessories, needs to own a 40W/65W USB-C interface charger, which is configured as follows:
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 Configuration:
Detailed model: CP713-2W-568T (Kled)
CPU: Intel® Core ™ I5-10210U (4-core 8-thread, basic frequency 1.60 GHz, maximum Rui frequency 4.20 GHz, cache 6 MB, TDP 15 W)
Memory: 16 GB (8GB x2) DDR4-2666 SDRAM (on-board, non replaceable)
Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics Integrated Graphics Card
Screen: 13.5 "2256 x 1504 100% sRGB IPS LED backlight (3:2 screen aspect ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass Kangning gorilla antibacterial glass, anti glare, 30ms response speed, support multi touch, 360 degree deformation flip mode)
Sound card: Intel SOF Audio
SSD: Western Digital SN530 256 GB NVMe M.2 2280 (replaceable)
Wi-Fi: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 802.11ax
Bluetooth :Bluetooth 5.0
Keyboard&Touch Pad: American keyboard layout with backlight; The touch pad supports multiple gestures
Power&Battery: USB-C 45W input, 48 Wh battery, maximum 10 hours battery life
Size&Weight :300.6 x 235 x 16.8 mm/1.37 kg
Operating system: Pre installed Google Chrome OS (operating system updated to June 2030)
other: USB 3.0 × 1/USB-C 3.1 × 2 (support DisplayPort Alt Mode function)/3.5mm hybrid ear hole/HDMI 1.4b × 1/volume control key/MicroSD card slot/dual channel stereo speaker/dual microphone
After receiving the goods, the quality of the machine is good. I thought the shell was a loose plastic shell, but I didn't think the real machine was made of aluminum and all metal. The seller called the screen high color gamut, and sure enough, the display effect is exquisite and colorful, which is much better than my previous 1080P resolution old laptop. Open it Diagnostic Mode of Chrome OS Operating System Test the battery (charging/discharging rate), CPU (pressure test, cache test, floating point accuracy test, peak search test), memory, Wi Fi connection, and keyboard in turn, and the test is basically normal. It was unexpectedly found that the battery health was 100%, and the number of cycles was only 33.
It is a little pity that there are a few scratches and a small dent formed by external force impact on the D side of the notebook. In addition, in the case of normal network access at home and abroad, multiple tests of Wi Fi connection status indicate that DNS and network connection errors occur. In the same location, other network devices can reach full speed, but Chromebook's Wi Fi signal shows weak or average connection.
Since the laptop has logged into the seller's Gmail account, although the other party has provided the password freely, I am afraid that it may be locked remotely or there may be an enterprise lock. I follow Official Tutorial of "Restoring Chrome Book Operating System (OS)" , used a USB flash drive to generate a recovery image, and reinstalled the Chrome OS operating system.
![How Chromebook uses the "Diagnosis" tool to troubleshoot problems and detect hardware problems](https://meledee.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Chromebook_Diagnostics.jpg)
Usage of Chromebook
![Chromebook system main interface](https://meledee.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Chromebook_Interface.jpg)
The first time you use Chromebook, you can get started quickly. The system is extremely smooth, and the experience is no less than that of MacOS. The screen supports multi touch, and the operation interface is the same as that of ordinary native Android phones. Chrome browser, Gmail, Google Calendar, File Manager, Google Play Market, YouTube, photo album, document/form/slide three piece set and other common native applications have been pre installed. It supports Google Play market to download native applications of Chromebook, mobile phones and tablet Android applications, which I have tested Awedio , OneDrive, ChatGPT, Tiktok and other Android applications can operate normally, and the mobile phone/tablet interface can be switched at will; If you need to install a third-party APK by yourself, you need to open the ChromeOS developer mode in advance. Non developer mode can only install applications from the Play store, and cannot use ADB. In addition, this Chromebook also supports opening the Linux development environment. Linux command line tools, code editors and IDE (integrated development environment) can be installed for you to write code, create applications and perform other operations.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 can be used in four modes: laptop mode, tent mode, display mode, and tablet mode. Different deformation modes can be used for daily office work, film watching and drama chasing, or travel leisure, which is one of the main reasons why I bought this computer.
However, due to well-known reasons, most of Google's services cannot be used normally in China. Therefore, Chrome OS, which relies heavily on the Internet, can only be said to be acclimatized in China, and it is not recommended for small white users to start using it. It is only suitable for the following users: experienced players who can access the "Internet" globally, often browse PC web pages, often use Google Family Bucket, tablet players who like to use the original Android system, and text workers who like to open and use.
Next, I will try to import the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 into Windows 10/11, Black Apple and Linux systems (such as Ubuntu).
![Acer Chromebook Spin 713 notebook has four modes: notebook mode, tent mode, display mode and tablet mode](https://meledee.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Chromebook_mode.jpg)