Reddit reviews Acer Chromebook R 13 Convertible, 13.3-inch Full HD Touch, MediaTek MT8173C, 4GB LPDDR3, 32GB, Chrome, CB5-312T-K5X4

Sounds like you're describing the Acer R13

I have a 2-in-1 Chromebook that I absolutely adore taking on vacations and such when I know I need to be on a computer for personal use. Otherwise, I just carry around my iPad now. However, I'm thankful that for work, I now have a MUCH lighter touchscreen laptop. It makes it so much easier when I need to travel for work. Plus, having the work laptop, plus the Chromebook, in my carry on is much easier on my back.

I would suggest the [Acer R11 for $269USD](https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Convertible-11-6-Inch-CB5-132T-C1LK/dp/B01J42JPJG/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483770071&sr=1-2&keywords=acer+r+13 "Amazon Link to purchase") if you're really on a tight budget, but you're going down to 11.6", which may in the end be better for portability if you're still lugging back and forth from classes. It also has Android Apps in the stable channel which is a bonus. Just make sure if you get the R11 that you get the 4Gb Ram model or else Android won't run well on it anyway. My previous chromebook was the Acer C720P, which has the same screen size, and it was nice and light to carry around from work, home, and travelling, and was the laptop that I've used for most of my Master's degree and works well for typing long papers. The [Asus Chromebook Flip (1) at $259USD](https://www.amazon.com/C100PA-DB02-10-1-inch-Chromebook-1-8GHz-Operation/dp/B00ZS4HK0Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483771163&sr=1-1&keywords=asus+Chromebook+flip "Amazon Link to purchase") is nice, but in my opinion the keyboard is too cramped to be used as a computer to write anything longer than a facebook or reddit post, which I imagine why your original post requested info on 13"-ers, and 16Gb storage is too small for the future anyway.

I currently have the [Acer R13 at $399USD](https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Convertible-13-3-inch-CB5-312T-K5X4/dp/B01LXYG77O/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483771046&sr=1-1&keywords=acer+r+13 "Amazon Link to purchase") and it's great. I honestly can say it's overall the best computer I've ever owned and in my opinion the best value for a computer that money can buy. That being said, $400 is a lot of money for a student, but if you can afford it, it's definitley the one I'd recommend for you. The new ones that are coming out of CES, specifically the [Asus Chromebook C302 at $499USD](https://www.amazon.com/Chromebook-C302CA-DHM4-Traditional-Laptop-Silver/dp/B01N5G5PG2/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483771756&sr=1-1&keywords=Asus+Chromebook+C302 "Amazon Link to Pre-Order") and the [Samsung Chromebook Plus at $449USD](https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-XE513C24-K01US-Chromebook-Touch-Screen/dp/B01LZ6XKS6/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483771819&sr=1-2&keywords=samsung+chromebook+plus "Amazon Link to Pre-Order"), that will have touch and support android apps may run better but all cost more, will be harder or impossible to get now, and are arguably not a better value for the dollar. Back lit keyboards are nice but aren't a necessity for you I imagine!

Good luck on making a decision and let us know what you ultimately decide!

Pretty sure it's this one here
Almost every chromebook has very short boot times. Like 10 seconds or less. They are almost always typically lightweight. They do all the basics you would need for school. You won't get the Microsoft office suite, but you can use the Google alternatives. Also, it runs on chrome OS so it's optimized to run well even on low end specs.

I have the Toshiba Chromebook 2 - 2015 Edition. Obviously, it's several years old at this point, but still works really well for me. Has held up to frequent use. My girlfriend had the same model, and uses hers a lot more (it's her primary computer). Neither of us have had any issues. She upgraded to an Acer Chromebook R13 Convertible last summer and has loved it as well. Would recommend either model.

As a general rule, do not trust the 'percent off' that is listed on Amazon. Often times products are marked up just so that their price can be cut, creating the allusion of a sale.

That said, it's current $330 price tag is below the average price that it typically goes for on Amazon. It has dropped to $290 on Black Friday though.

If you're really interested in a 2 in 1 chromebook, it's a pretty solid option. Most 2 in 1's below this price point are going to be much cheaper, but if you spend a bit more for the Asus C302 or a Samsung Pro, it'll be significantly more powerful.

If we are talking about chromebooks, what do you think about Convertible Acer ChromeBook R 13?

• Chrome OS
  
• With the Google Play Store, you can access a rich library of apps, games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines, and more, all from your Chromebook.
  
• Chromebooks come with built-in storage for offline access to your most important files and an additional 100GB of Google Drive space to ensure that all of your files are backed up automatically.
  
• MediaTek Quad-Core CPU,
  
• 13.3” Full HD Touch Display,
  
• 4GB Memory,
  
• 32GB eMMC,
  
• Up to 12-hour Battery Life,
  
• Convertible Laptop
  
• Weight: 3.28 lbs
  
  More Details and Reviews

It's an aluminum chassis, so yes, it's heavier than plastic ones. Unless you're comparing it to the Macbook Air? You have to trade off some things obviously. There's plenty of other options out there for excellent chromebooks that are well below $600. If size is a concern, the Acer Chromebook R 13 may be of interest. Very similar in size and half a pound heavier (personally I don't think half a pound is all that big a concern).

Here's a decent comparison site that lets you sort them in a number of ways

I've honestly never needed more than 4GB of ram on my chromebook. Unless you have a shit-ton of tabs open at every moment, you're 100% fine with 4GB. I had an old chromebook with just 2GB and it was fine. I'd absolutely say that personally, I am getting "the same functionality compared to 8gb."

How about a Chromebook?

Off the top of my head, I can only think of the Acer Chromebook R13 (Amazon) coming close. Though it's over the budget.

Edit: added link

The Samsung Chromebook plus is nice, but it only has a microSD card slot and 2 USB-C ports so I don't think it would be a good fit for you. However, if you're interested in a well-made, convertible touchscreen Chromebook and can make do with microSD card slot, you can find manufacturer refurb Acer R13 Chromebooks for only $258 on Acer's website. All-aluminum design, 1080p touchscreen, USB 3.0, access to Android apps (in Beta Channel) and INSANE battery life.

You can also find even cheaper units that would offer a full SD slot and USB 3.0, but they wouldn't offer all the bells and whistles of the R13.

This laptop is $70 over $300, but the Acer Chromebook R13 is an amazing convertible 2-in-1 laptop that still performs fast on Chrome and YouTube while still giving you an additional 100 GB of FREE cloud storage on Google Drive.

The Acer Chromebook R13 has the following:

• MediaTek MT8173C processor
  
• Imagination PowerVR GX6250 graphics
  
• 4 GB DDR3 RAM
  
• 32 GB of internal storage (plus access to OneDrive and free 100 GB of Google Drive cloud storage)
  
• 12 hour battery life
  
• 13.3 inch 1080p IPS touch screen (IPS screens in general are way better than regular TN panels, and this screen in particular is stunning with saturated colors that meet the Adobe RGB spectrum)
  
• 3.3 pounds
  
  Here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Convertible-13-3-inch-CB5-312T-K5X4/dp/B01LXYG77O/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1487889579&sr=8-10&keywords=chromebook+flip

I bought the Acer Chromebook 13 a month back for the same purpose for 350 and I have loved it so far. It's 299 today and for that price its definitely worth it even to just try it out.

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Convertible-13-3-inch-CB5-312T-K5X4/dp/B01LXYG77O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499798793&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=acer+chromebook+13&psc=1

I'm pretty sure the R13 came out two years ago. Date First Available' under its Amazon listing is October 3 2016.

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Convertible-13-3-inch-CB5-312T-K5X4/dp/B01LXYG77O

I'm afraid that's the case. The cheapest FHD IPS 2-in-1 Chromebook is this but it has an even worse processor. (Mediatek MT8173C is similar with Intel Celeron N3160 or Rockchip RK3288. They are not even close to RK 3399)

Actually the same thing applies to Windows laptops. You can get FHD display at $349, but nothing cheaper than that. TBH at that price I would consider an ipad.

> cheapest option that can check all the boxes?

Acer Chromebook R13!