Review: Acer Chromebook 11

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

As far as low-cost connected computers go, it’s hard to beat a Chromebook in terms of value for money as well as basic functionality. Acer’s Chromebook 11 takes a lot of the simplicity of Chrome OS but also gives us many of the features we expect from a dominant PC maker like Acer.

Chromebooks, which are cloud-connected devices that require constant Internet access, are notorious for low-end specs. This includes paltry processors and tiny storage space plus very little expansion capabilities.

The Acer Chromebook 11 makes things more interesting with an actual Intel Celeron processor (dual-core 2.16 GHz, with 2 GB of RAM as well as Intel HD graphics).

There’s also some surprising I/O. The Acer Chromebook 11 has Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and HDMI ports. The SD card reader enables a way to access and transfer files. All-in-all, a good set of features for a device that’s considered entry-level for CAD $249.00.

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The Apple Beat: The iPad grows up

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

To say Apple is eyeing the enterprise is a huge understatement. They’ve struck deals with the likes of IBM and Cisco to create some serious, secure, and enterprise grade iOS-first solutions that should satisfy CIOs of Fortune 500 companies as well as any SMB outfit looking for a standardized set of tools.

Apple’s iPad Pro is a daring creation. It is a powerful yet portable tablet that may seem oversized to many of us used to 7, 8 and 9-inch tablets but there’s merit to the new size as well as the new functionality.

IPad Pro isn’t the first pro-focused tablet. There’s three (possibly four, by October) generations of Microsoft Surface Pros that have a similar keyboard and stylus combination. The big difference is that the Surface runs PC applications as well as some mobile ones as well.

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ICYMI: The new trailer for Danny Boyle's 'Steve Jobs' movie is out

The latest trailer for the Aaron Sorkin penned and Danny Boyle directed 'Steve Jobs' movie starring Michael Fassbender as the iconic and mercurial Apple founder is out. Slickly edited with a series of fast cuts of Jobs' personal and work life as well as some intense Apple keynote scenes light up this trailer. The movie will be hitting theatres in October and there's already some Oscar buzz for Kate Winslet's performance as well as Fassbender's take on Jobs. Will you go out and see this movie?

Microsoft expands global YouthSpark initiative to focus on computer science

Microsoft commited US $70 million in community investments over the next three years to increase access to computer science education for all youth, and especially for those from under-represented backgrounds. Through the company’s global YouthSpark initiative, scores of nonprofit organizations around the world will receive cash donations and other resources to provide computer science education to diverse populations of young people in their communities and prepare them with the computational-thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for success in an increasingly digital world.

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