Review HP Chromebook 11 G8: A Budget-Friendly and Durable Laptop for Students
If you are looking for a laptop that is affordable, easy to use, and reliable for your online learning needs, you might want to consider the HP Chromebook 11 G8. This laptop is one of the official Chromebooks that are sold in Indonesia, and it is designed specifically for students who want to access the Google ecosystem and its educational apps.
In this article, I will review HP Chromebook 11 G8 in terms of its design, performance, battery life, features, and price. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of whether this laptop is suitable for you or not.
What is a Chromebook and How is it Different from a Windows Laptop?
Before I review the HP Chromebook 11 G8, let me explain what a Chromebook is and how it is different from a Windows laptop. A Chromebook is a laptop that runs on Chrome OS, which is an operating system developed by Google. Chrome OS is based on the Chrome web browser, which means that most of the apps and features are accessed through the internet.
Unlike Windows laptops, Chromebooks do not have a traditional desktop or file system. Instead, they have a simple interface that shows your apps, bookmarks, and settings. You can also access your Google Drive, where you can store your files online and sync them across your devices.
Chromebooks are designed to be fast, secure, and easy to use. They boot up quickly, update automatically, and protect you from viruses and malware. They also have a long battery life, which makes them ideal for students who need to work on their assignments without worrying about running out of power.
However, Chromebooks also have some limitations that you need to be aware of. For example, they cannot run Windows programs or games that are not compatible with Chrome OS. They also require an internet connection to access most of the apps and features. If you are offline, you can only use some basic apps such as Google Docs, Gmail, or YouTube.
Therefore, before you buy a Chromebook, you need to consider your needs and preferences. If you mainly use your laptop for web-based tasks such as browsing, streaming, or using Google apps, then a Chromebook might be a good choice for you. But if you need to use Windows programs or games that are not available on Chrome OS, then you might want to stick with a Windows laptop.
Design: Compact, Stylish, and Rugged
The HP Chromebook 11 G8 has a compact and stylish design that makes it easy to carry around. It has a clamshell form factor with a polycarbonate body that is durable and lightweight. It also has metal reinforcements on the corners to protect it from drops and bumps.
The laptop has a chalkboard gray color that gives it a professional look. It also has a textured surface on the back of the screen and the bottom of the laptop that prevents it from slipping and reduces fingerprints. The HP logo is engraved on the center of the lid, while the Chrome logo is on the top left corner.
The laptop measures 29.5 cm in length, 20.5 cm in width, and 1.88 cm in thickness. It weighs 1.27 kg without the charger and 1.44 kg with the charger. The charger is a 45W USB-C adapter that can charge the laptop quickly and conveniently.
The laptop has an 11.6-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The display has an anti-glare coating that reduces reflections and eye strain. The display also has narrow bezels on the sides and top, but a thick bezel on the bottom that houses the HP logo and the webcam.
The laptop has a full-size island-style keyboard that is comfortable and responsive. The keyboard has a chiclet layout with well-spaced keys that are easy to type on. The keyboard also has some special keys for Chrome OS, such as the search key, the back and forward keys, the refresh key, the full-screen key, and the brightness and volume keys.
The laptop has a large touchpad that supports multi-touch gestures. The touchpad is smooth and accurate, and it has a clickable surface that acts as the left and right buttons. The touchpad also has a palm rejection feature that prevents accidental clicks or movements.
The laptop has a 720p HD webcam that is located on the top center of the screen. The webcam has a decent quality for video calls or selfies, but it is not very sharp or bright. The webcam also has an integrated microphone that can pick up your voice clearly.
The laptop has two stereo speakers that are located on the bottom of the laptop. The speakers have a good sound quality for a laptop of this size and price, but they are not very loud or bassy. The speakers are suitable for casual listening or watching videos, but they are not ideal for music or gaming.
The laptop has a decent selection of ports and slots for connectivity. On the left side, it has a USB-C port, a USB-A port, a headphone/microphone combo jack, and a microSD card reader. On the right side, it has another USB-C port, another USB-A port, and a security lock slot. The USB-C ports can be used for charging, data transfer, or connecting to an external display.
Performance: Fast, Smooth, and Reliable
The HP Chromebook 11 G8 has a fast, smooth, and reliable performance that can handle most of your online learning needs. It is powered by an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, which is a dual-core chip with a base frequency of 1.1 GHz and a boost frequency of 2.8 GHz. The processor has a 4 MB cache and a 6 W TDP.
The laptop also has 4 GB of LPDDR4-3733 MHz onboard memory and 32 GB of eMMC storage. The memory is sufficient for multitasking and running multiple tabs or apps at once. The storage is limited for storing large files or programs, but it is enough for storing your documents or photos online.
The laptop also has an Intel UHD Graphics 600 integrated graphics card that can handle basic graphics tasks such as web browsing, streaming, or photo editing. The graphics card is not suitable for gaming or video editing, but it can run some casual games or apps that are available on Chrome OS.
The laptop runs on Chrome OS, which is an operating system that is based on the Chrome web browser. Chrome OS is fast, secure, and easy to use. It boots up quickly, updates automatically, and protects you from viruses and malware. It also has a long battery life, which makes it ideal for students who need to work on their assignments without worrying about running out of power.
Chrome OS also gives you access to the Google ecosystem and its educational apps. You can use Google Drive to store your files online and sync them across your devices. You can also use Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Classroom, Meet, and other apps to create, edit, share, and collaborate on your projects. You can also download more apps from the Google Play Store or the Chrome Web Store.
However, Chrome OS also has some limitations that you need to be aware of. For example, it cannot run Windows programs or games that are not compatible with Chrome OS. It also requires an internet connection to access most of the apps and features. If you are offline, you can only use some basic apps such as Google Docs, Gmail, or YouTube.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting and Convenient
The HP Chromebook 11 G8 has a long-lasting and convenient battery life that can last for up to 13 hours on a single charge. This means that you can use this laptop for a whole day of online learning without needing to plug it in. The battery life may vary depending on your usage and settings, but it is still impressive for a laptop of this price range.
The laptop also comes with a 45W USB-C charger that can charge the laptop quickly and conveniently. You can use either of the USB-C ports to charge the laptop, which gives you more flexibility and convenience. You can also use other USB-C chargers or power banks that are compatible with this laptop.
Features: Simple but Useful
The HP Chromebook 11 G8 has some simple but useful features that can enhance your online learning experience. Some of these features are:
- A spill-resistant keyboard that can withstand minor spills or splashes
- A fanless design that makes the laptop silent and dust-free
- A 180-degree hinge that allows you to open the laptop flat and share your screen with others
- A Google Assistant button that lets you access the voice-activated assistant and ask questions, set reminders, or control your smart devices
- A built-in virus protection that keeps your laptop safe from malware and phishing
- A parental control feature that lets you manage your child’s account and limit their screen time, app access, or web content
Price: Affordable and Worth It
The HP Chromebook 11 G8 has an affordable and worth it price that makes it a great choice for students who want a budget-friendly and durable laptop for online learning. The laptop has a suggested retail price of Rp 1.979.000, which is much cheaper than most Windows laptops with similar specifications.
However, the price may vary depending on the seller, the stock, or the promotion. You can check the latest price of this laptop on Tokopedia, Blibli, or other online platforms. You can also compare the price and features of this laptop with other Chromebooks or Windows laptops that are available in the market.
Conclusion: A Good Choice for Online Learning
The HP Chromebook 11 G8 is a good choice for online learning because it has a compact, stylish, and rugged design, a fast, smooth, and reliable performance, a long-lasting and convenient battery life, a simple but useful features, and an affordable and worth it price. This laptop is suitable for students who mainly use their laptop for web-based tasks such as browsing, streaming, or using Google apps.
However, this laptop also has some limitations that you need to be aware of. For example, it cannot run Windows programs or games that are not compatible with Chrome OS. It also requires an internet connection to access most of the apps and features. If you need to use Windows programs or games that are not available on Chrome OS, then you might want to stick with a Windows laptop.
I hope that this review has helped you to understand more about the HP Chromebook 11 G8 and whether it is suitable for you or not. If you have any questions or feedback about this laptop or this review, please feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Thank you for reading my review and have a nice day!
Interested in gadgets, technology, and coffee. Currently learning to write blogs and explore WordPress.
