Something of a curiosity when they launched, Chromebooks have eventually settled in as the leading computer for schools, recently outpacing Apple and Microsoft’s efforts to keep the market under wraps. HP is tapping into that trend with its latest laptop running Google’s Chrome OS, which is designed to deal with the rough-and-tumble conditions of the classroom.
Dubbed the Chromebook 11 G4 Education Edition, the notebook is most notable for its fully rugged construction, meeting the MIL-STD testing standards for durability. For instance, it can withstand drops of 70 centimeters (or roughly 28 inches), according to the company, thanks to co-molded rubber edges. It also features a spill-resistant keyboard to deal with clumsy children with drinks nearby.
Underneath the “bubble wrap” protecting it from schoolkids’ not-so-gentle handling, the G4 Education Edition shares the basic spec philosophy of other Chromebooks: not much for not much money. According to SlashGear, you get an Intel Celeron N2840 processor, and it can be outfitted with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage. The 11.6-inch display has a resolution of 1,366×768 and includes a 180-degree hinge that allows the screen to lay flat for easier collaboration between students.
HP says the G4 Education Edition will be available starting this month at a typical school-budget-friendly Chromebook starting price of $199, but it doesn’t yet appear on the company’s website.