The first tablet running Chrome OS has arrived.
The education-focused Acer Chromebook Tab 10, unveiled Monday, was designed to be used in K-12 classrooms. The cobalt blue tablet features a 9.7-inch, 2,048-by-1,536-resolution touch display (like the 2017 iPad) and comes with a Wacom EMR stylus that doesn't require pairing or charging, so students can easily sketch and take notes. Acer said it will be available to education and commercial customers in North America next month for $329.
In terms of features, Chromebook Tab 10 supports Google Play, letting teachers and students access administrator-approved educational Android apps. It has a 2MP front webcam, dual speakers, and a microphone for video chats and a 5MP main camera for taking photos and videos. It will also offer Google Expeditions augmented reality support in the future.
"Because Chrome OS lets students securely share devices, Chromebook tablets are perfect for computer carts," Google For Education Group Product Manager Cyrus Mistry wrote in a blog post. "Just like Chromebook laptops, students can quickly and securely log on to any device for a personalized learning experience and just as easily log out from all apps when class is over."
As for its other specs, the Chromebook Tab 10 has an OP1 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. It weighs just 1.21 pounds and promises to last up to 9 hours on a charge. With a Chrome Education license, IT admins can make updates, configure apps, and manage extensions and policies.
"IT administrators can manage the new Chromebook Tab 10 as easily as any of the other Chrome OS-based devices on their campus," Acer wrote in a news release.
Meanwhile, Apple is gearing up for a launch event tomorrow in Chicago, where it's expected to unveil a low-cost iPad aimed at the education market, replacing the current $329 base model.