Google is working on a new generation of Chromebooks designed specifically to fit the needs of the education sector, and HP has been announced as the newest partner in this venture with the new HP Chromebook x360 11 G1 Education Edition. This new Chromebook blends HP’s design chops with new features of Chrome OS focused on education. Some of these new features include giving administrators the ability to pick a crop of approved Android apps for their users, as well as discounts on creative apps that can help in an education environment. The HP Chromebook x360 11 G1 Education Edition will be available some time in April.
The Chromebook itself is a specialized number, featuring camera and stylus capabilities that clearly show its education-focused roots, as well as USB Type-C charging. The device is supposed to be rugged enough to stand up to all the rigors of being used in a classroom (as well as elsewhere), but neither Google nor HP has provided any more information than that at the moment, leaving consumers in the dark about things like the processor found inside, the screen resolution, and the price of the device. It’s quite likely that we’re looking at a device that’s similar to HP’s existing education options, such as the HP ProBook x360 11 G1 Education Edition, which may even be a Windows version of this same device, judging by the name. With how few actual details are out there, of course, any speculation should be taken as just speculation for now.
Since the HP ProBook x360 11 G1 Education Edition is all there really is to go on, it is worth taking a look at what is on offer with it. The HP ProBook x360 11 G1 Education Edition comes in two variants. One sports an Intel Celeron N3350 processor alongside an Intel HD Graphics 500 GPU, and the other opts for a slightly more powerful Pentium N4200 with Intel’s HD Graphics 505 GPU in tow. Storage comes in 128 and 64 gigabyte varieties, while RAM maxes out at 8 gigabytes. The screen on both models is a 1,366 x 768 LED panel. There are two USB 3.1 ports on board, as well as a data-only USB Type-C port. Dual speakers and microphones are on both variants, both have dual webcams, and some models have a world-facing 1080p camera array, which will reportedly make its way to the Chrome OS variant, if that is indeed what we’re looking at here.