Why Is Big Data Essential To Start Up Businesses Being A Success?

Data is everything in this day and age where businesses are concerned, and big data has become one of the most useful tools to have in your arsenal, especially as a start-up. Big data is simply a huge collection of data that is collected, stored and then analysed in order to improve efficiency, lead to better decisions being made and costs driven down.

What every start up wants to do is be successful and for this to happen there has to be growth. Big data is extremely useful here as it enables business to spot opportunities that they can take advantage of, that may not be picked up on by actual people. It will also reveal potential problem areas which can be improved on, while indicating what has been successful too. Big data will provide the tools for success, helping the start up to run more efficiently.

There will also come a time where a start up will need to take a risk or two to move forward. In many ways risk is vital for growth and big data can come in handy here too. While it may not be able to eradicate the risk completely, it will give the business a chance to mitigate against them; due to the numbers and information that big data can provide. This could literally be the difference in the start-up continuing or failing.

Another key to success for a start-up is to know the market that they’re trying to operate in. It’s good having a great idea but as a start-up you must know whether it will work, and big data can give a great indication of this.

You may be selling products or offering services to the general public, with some doing better than others. By analysing big data, it will be a lot easier to identify what customer’s like and dislike. This then presents the opportunity to tweak what’s on offer to match the specific demands of customers, leading to more sales and increased profit.

Marketing is another area which start-ups need to get right from the outset if they’re to be successful. If nobody knows about the business or what it offers, how can you expect it to make money? We live in an era where social media is frequented by most people on a daily basis, making it one of the best marketing tools around.

It’s also a great idea to advertise your start-up and any products, services and offers on social media because through the use of big data you can find out how effective your marketing actually is. Therefore, start-ups will know which groups of consumers they are best targeting with marketing campaigns and they will also know which advertisements as well as promotions worked and which didn’t fare as good as it should. With marketing one area where start-ups often spend a lot of money, analysing big data will help to improve efficiency, reducing costs in the process.

Therefore, big data is definitely the way to go in all businesses and industries. This is actually the case, no matter what stage or state the entity is at. Big data has become essential for highly competitive industries like retail and especially the gaming world. So it is not uncommon for highly successful brands like retail giants Walmart, Amazon and online casino operator Unibet to have dedicated teams collecting as well as analysing huge amounts of data in order to gain a competitive advantage to them ahead of the pack. As a result, big data is here to stay and will gain even more significance as time goes on.

Best PC setup for your gaming room

Many gamers now look to setup a room entirely dedicated to gaming, enabling them to completely immerse themselves in whatever game they are playing and get the most out of their experience. Many opt to just set aside a specific area of an existing room though, rather than use a whole room just for gaming purposes; and it is still possible to achieve a great setup this way. The sound system, screen and overall setup of the room are the most important factors.

For a PC gaming room setup, the two most important parts are the monitor and desk. It is entirely feasible to use a setup currently used as a home office as a home PC gaming setup. If the room is solely dedicated to PC gaming though you could look to have several different systems and monitors setup.

Something important that must be considered when designing the set-up of your gaming environment is the distance of your seat away from the screen. It is important not to be seated too close to the screen, but you also don’t want to be too far away from it. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if you are playing on a screen that is 60” or more then you should look to be at least 10-11” away from it and every additional 5” the screen is in size you should look to move a further 6” inch away, ensuring the best view whatever the size.

For PC gamers it is important to consider several factors when making a decision on their gaming chair; as a chair is quite an important part of the gaming setup. A chair that is comfortable, easy to move around in, lean back in and adjust the height of is important. It needs to be an office chair with a 5-star wheel base.

The sound system is often overlooked when it comes to setting up a gaming room, which is a shame as a good surround sound system can really enhance the gaming experience and help the player to become immersed in the game. If you can afford it then look at 5.1, 7.1 and 9.1 surround sound options. However, if on a budget there are some quality headsets out there that can mimic surround sound.

Possibly the most important decision is which PC you buy for the gaming room. You want to ensure you have one that has enough capability to support the games you are looking to play and provides a great experience. A PC that is dedicated to gaming is recommended for those looking for the ultimate gaming experience. These dedicated PCs are specifically designed with gamers in mind and can handle the toughest of games and highest spec games with ease. They have super-fast processors and usually a top of the range graphics card and even 4K resolution capabilities. They also come equipped with the latest technology meaning that if you want to play online there will be no lag time or loss of connection with wi-fi.

How the GPS tracker has changed the way we hike

Once upon a time hiking was unfashionable. Now, it seems to be one of the principle ways in which people keep fit and take care of their body.

There are of course a whole host of reasons behind this. Some of these revolve around all of the fitness initiatives that governments from around the world have put together, while others are based upon less obvious reasons.

One of these less obvious reasons comes in the form of the GPS tracker. In short, this seems to have transformed the way in which some people approach hiking. It has helped them overcome obstacles that were preventing their hiking journey from going any further and through the course of today’s post we will take a look at some of the ways this has happened.

Long and adventurous hikes are now a thing

If you were lucky enough to reside in an area which had miles upon miles of treks, this one is for you. Sure, some people might take it upon themselves to just walk and walk until they get lost, but for others this was a scary prospect.

This is where the GPS device has come into play. This has allowed people to literally venture off the beaten track, and try hikes that they otherwise wouldn’t have had the confidence to attempt. If they do happen to get lost, they have their trusty GPS device to fall back on.

It means that those repetitive and dare we say it, boring, hikes are becoming more of a thing of the past.

The safety-factor has just been added to

There was also something of a safety concern to contend with amongst hikers. As we all know, particularly when you venture into the unknown, your environment becomes a little dangerous. In some parts of the world this might be due to wild life, while on other occasions it could be trip hazards or even people.

Suffice to say, the GPS tracker at least adds a bit of rest bite in this regard. Sure, it’s not enough to prevent the very worst from happening, but if you do run into difficulties you do at least have something to fall back on and this has again encouraged more people to take to trekking.

It’s all about calories

Finally, an article about hiking wouldn’t be anything without the dreaded C-word would it. This time, we’re talking about calories.

For anyone who is remotely interested in fitness, this is the word that rolls off the tip of the tongue in a breeze. Many people attempt to measure their hiking success not necessarily by the distance they have walked, but how many calories they have burned off.

This has all been made possible with GPS trackers. As well as tracking location, many have body measurement capabilities and calories happens to be one of these metrics. They of course provide a whole host of other information, with your route and distance walked being two of the most popular.

Key Factors of the Best Bitcoin IRA – Coin IRA

It is likely that you have heard of the fact that cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have become incredibly popular as of late. So much so, in fact, that many experts describe it as a lifetime opportunity. Indeed, it is now even possible to invest in cryptocurrencies and build a retirement fund. Doing so, however, does mean you need to understand what the best bitcoin IRA – coin IRA looks like.

What Is Bitcoin?

First of all, you have to understand what cryptocurrencies are. Bitcoin was the first functional currency of its kind. It is a decentralized, digital currency that is not controlled by a government or a Central Bank. What this also means is that its value is determined solely by what people are willing to pay for it. And, right now, people are willing to pay a lot for it. That being said, because of the decentralized nature of the currency, it is also very volatile and has experienced many ups and downs. Experts now agree that bitcoin should not be seen as a method to get rich quick but rather as a type of insurance against inflation and even hyperinflation.

The Best Bitcoin IRA – Coin IRA

All across the world, people have started to invest in cryptocurrencies. This country is one of the few that allows it as a retirement fund, for which an IRA is needed. Not every IRA custodian currently offers bitcoin management, so it is important that you do a little bit of research in terms of where you can go. So what should you look for in an IRA custodian? Some of the key factors to investigate include:

• That they have US government backing.
• That they employ leading global financial experts.
• That they provide educational tools for those wanting to get involved in this. This is particularly important because a bitcoin IRA is always self directed, which means you, as the investor, need to decide how much to buy and when to sell.
• That they employ the highest levels of security on their website and for their accounts.

The security element is of particular importance. Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies solely, which means that, if they are not stored properly, they can be stolen. All bitcoin transactions are non reversible, which means that you cannot get them back. Hence, they should always be stored in a proper bitcoin wallet and those wallets should have multilayer security systems in order to make sure they cannot be hacked.

Another thing that you might want to look into is whether or not the IRA allows you to invest in cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin. The latter was the first and is certainly still the most popular, but other cryptocurrencies are starting to become equally interesting. Coins such as Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Litecoin, and Ethereum may also be of interest as an investment. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find a custodian that works for you and you will be able to start making investments.

Microsoft’s two-screen Andromeda may arrive in 2019 with Productivity Mode

Ryna Smalley | Behance

A clue regarding Microsoft’s Andromeda device was recently discovered inside a Windows 10 driver, indicating that the device will have a productivity mode. This mode is used in a class — a set of attributes that Windows 10 uses to make a window — called MultiTaskMode. The driver in question handles the display settings (SettingsHandlers_Display.dll).

Given this driver provides no other clues, we can only guess what this productivity mode will provide. It likely defines a laptop-style mode that shoves a virtual keyboard onto one screen and the desktop environment onto the second screen. Other modes will be provided as well, but this is the first time we’ve seen a mode actually labeled.

Recent reports regarding the state of Andromeda indicated that Microsoft put the project on hold indefinitely. The components in Windows 10 needed to run the device were reportedly removed from the upcoming “Redstone 5” feature update slated to arrive later this year. The device supposedly didn’t have a target audience or an ecosystem to support its unique form factor, so executives halted the project.

But sources close to the project indicate that it isn’t dead in the water, but merely pulled back to the drawing board for a significant overhaul. In its current state, there was nothing compelling about Andromeda that would push the device off store shelves, it wouldn’t transform the mobile market or push the Surface brand into new, innovative, compelling territory.

That said, sources indicate Microsoft may release Andromeda toward the end of 2019. That is an interesting release window, as products based on Intel’s 10nm processors are expected to arrive during the 2019 holiday season as well. That may be part of the equation; Microsoft wants to use Intel’s 10nm chips, but mass production won’t happen until then.

Then again, Microsoft could go with an ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon chip as seen in always-connected PCs. But the company’s latest Surface-branded products solely rely on Intel-based processors, such as the new $400 Surface Go with the Pentium 4415Y. Keeping the Surface brand on Intel-based processors across the board just makes sense.

Andromeda will supposedly be a two-screen device you can cram into your pocket. It will provide five distinct modes: Laptop, tent, tablet, full, and closed, the latter of which closes the screen together to put Andromeda in sleep mode. Full mode would see the screens touching back-to-back in a smartphone-like form factor. Laptop mode will likely be renamed with the Productivity Mode label as discovered in the Windows 10 driver.

A recently uncovered patent possibly points to three-way calling on the Andromeda device. Illustrations show an individual holding a pocket-sized two-screen device, with each screen featuring an embedded camera. While the standing individual holds the device with the backs of the two screens touching (full mode), he’s chatting in a video call on one screen while a second, sitting individual chats via the second screen.

Given Microsoft has not officially acknowledged Andromeda, everything here is speculation and rumor. But signs indicate there is still life in Andromeda after all, but will it disrupt the mobile market?

Editors’ Recommendations

• Microsoft’s foldable ‘Andromeda’ pocket device may never surface
• Intel’s 10nm ‘Cannon Lake’ processors won’t arrive until the 2019 holiday season
• Microsoft’s foldable Andromeda PC could transform into five distinct modes
• Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 Insider Preview release all about fighting malware
• Dell is reportedly working on its dual-screen version of the Surface Phone

Microsoft’s two-screen Andromeda may arrive in 2019 with Productivity Mode

Ryna Smalley | Behance

A clue regarding Microsoft’s Andromeda device was recently discovered inside a Windows 10 driver, indicating that the device will have a productivity mode. This mode is used in a class — a set of attributes that Windows 10 uses to make a window — called MultiTaskMode. The driver in question handles the display settings (SettingsHandlers_Display.dll).

Given this driver provides no other clues, we can only guess what this productivity mode will provide. It likely defines a laptop-style mode that shoves a virtual keyboard onto one screen and the desktop environment onto the second screen. Other modes will be provided as well, but this is the first time we’ve seen a mode actually labeled.

Recent reports regarding the state of Andromeda indicated that Microsoft put the project on hold indefinitely. The components in Windows 10 needed to run the device were reportedly removed from the upcoming “Redstone 5” feature update slated to arrive later this year. The device supposedly didn’t have a target audience or an ecosystem to support its unique form factor, so executives halted the project.

But sources close to the project indicate that it isn’t dead in the water, but merely pulled back to the drawing board for a significant overhaul. In its current state, there was nothing compelling about Andromeda that would push the device off store shelves, it wouldn’t transform the mobile market or push the Surface brand into new, innovative, compelling territory.

That said, sources indicate Microsoft may release Andromeda toward the end of 2019. That is an interesting release window, as products based on Intel’s 10nm processors are expected to arrive during the 2019 holiday season as well. That may be part of the equation; Microsoft wants to use Intel’s 10nm chips, but mass production won’t happen until then.

Then again, Microsoft could go with an ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon chip as seen in always-connected PCs. But the company’s latest Surface-branded products solely rely on Intel-based processors, such as the new $400 Surface Go with the Pentium 4415Y. Keeping the Surface brand on Intel-based processors across the board just makes sense.

Andromeda will supposedly be a two-screen device you can cram into your pocket. It will provide five distinct modes: Laptop, tent, tablet, full, and closed, the latter of which closes the screen together to put Andromeda in sleep mode. Full mode would see the screens touching back-to-back in a smartphone-like form factor. Laptop mode will likely be renamed with the Productivity Mode label as discovered in the Windows 10 driver.

A recently uncovered patent possibly points to three-way calling on the Andromeda device. Illustrations show an individual holding a pocket-sized two-screen device, with each screen featuring an embedded camera. While the standing individual holds the device with the backs of the two screens touching (full mode), he’s chatting in a video call on one screen while a second, sitting individual chats via the second screen.

Given Microsoft has not officially acknowledged Andromeda, everything here is speculation and rumor. But signs indicate there is still life in Andromeda after all, but will it disrupt the mobile market?

Editors’ Recommendations

• Microsoft’s foldable ‘Andromeda’ pocket device may never surface
• Intel’s 10nm ‘Cannon Lake’ processors won’t arrive until the 2019 holiday season
• Microsoft’s foldable Andromeda PC could transform into five distinct modes
• Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 Insider Preview release all about fighting malware
• Dell is reportedly working on its dual-screen version of the Surface Phone

This high-tech cooler keeps food for over a week — and it makes margaritas, too

The last time an allegedly awesome cooler sought crowdfunding, the results left something to be desired. The so-called Coolest Cooler ultimately never materialized for many backers, despite shattering Kickstarter records and becoming one of the most-backed items in the platform’s history. But here to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself is a new cooler with a similar promise, but a different goal – that is to say, actually delivering product to customers. Meet the Infinite Cooler, a new portable refrigeration solution that comes complete with Bluetooth speakers, a blender, phone charger, touch screen, LED lighting, and more.

Now available on Indiegogo (where it raised more than $60,000 within a few hours), the Infinite Cooler hopes to be your next party’s one-stop shop for a good time. First and foremost, it offers some serious refrigeration capacity, with a 61-quart volume and the ability to cool stored items for up to 17 days (allegedly) thanks to its nano-powder insulation.

Aside from actual cooling capabilities, the Infinite Cooler boasts a literal blender attachment. Sure, it looks a little odd (it literally sits on top of the lid, but seeing as it works as both a blender and a coffee grinder, we’re not ones to pass judgment purely based on aesthetics. Once the blender is fully charged (it’ll take about two hours), you should have the horsepower to make 100 drinks. Moreover, the cooler boasts a built-in Bluetooth speaker, as well as a USB device charger so you can keep other smart devices going for as long as you need.

“We wanted to bring together all the 21st century amenities we’ve come to rely on day-to-day into one smart outdoors device,” said Infinite Cooler CEO Alvin Gao. “Infinite Cooler will also include some unexpected features, like a 360-degree rotatable LED lamp and an insect repellent lamp.”

The team calls the cooler the Swiss Army knife of the cooler world, and with its veritable cornucopia of purported features, it’s not hard to see why. If you’re looking to host a picnic or tailgate, the Infinite Cooler comes in handy with its six cup holder, a cutting board with utensils, and even a bottle opener and corkscrew. In short, just about everything you need (and more), in your outdoor appliance.

To keep tabs on the status of your cooler, the appliance comes with a digital screen, which shows the internal temperature of the cooler, and  also allows you to control the speakers, LED lights, and built-in camera (honestly, we’re not sure why you’d ever want a camera on your cooler, but welcome to the 21st century).

With all of the features in play, the cooler is able to last for four to five hours on a single battery charge, and requires about two hours to completely re-juice.

As it stands, the Infinite Cooler is available on Indiegogo, where the team is offering early bird pricing of $229. Of course, given the non-existent success of the most recent smart cooler offering, you’ll likely want to exercise caution before backing this project. The Infinite Cooler’s expected delivery date is slated for April 2019, so we’ll have a few months yet to determine whether or not our faith in smart coolers has been restored.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best coolers
• Chill your wine to the right temperature quickly with this smart wine cooler
• The best backpack coolers
• The best gaming keyboards
• Flip Grip lets you play Switch games like you’re back at the arcade

Everything You Could Want Is Packed In This Smart Wallet

Keep your phone charged with this futuristic wallet!

We’re living in an increasingly cashless society where even your debit, credit, and loyalty cards are starting to go digital, too. That might make that leather wallet in your back pocket feel pretty obsolete, but that doesn’t mean that all wallets are made equal in 2018.

The Volterman team has been working on a lineup of the most technologically advanced wallets you’ve ever seen. These slim and lightweight leather wallets include useful features including a built-in power bank, GPS tracking, a distance alarm so you never leave your wallet (or phone) behind, and even a tiny camera that becomes active when you set your wallet to “Lost Mode” in the Volterman app — available for Android — that will snap a picture if any would-be thieves.

Volterman wallets are made of premium leather or faux leather (you get to choose which you want) and feature a sleek and stylish design. There are three styles to choose from: a basic Cardholder wallet, a more traditional Bifold wallet, and a larger Travel wallet that’s big enough to stow away your passport. All the high-tech features are included in each model, so no matter which style you opt for you’ll get one all the cool features, including wireless charging functionality!

You can get the Volterman Cardholder perk with a $115 pledge, the Bifold wallet perk with a $169 pledge, or the Travel wallet with a pledge of $179. You’ll save up to 40% off the retail price for these wallets so it’s quite a deal for a futuristic wallet that you’ll cherish for years.

This is the first Indiegogo campaign by Volterman which has already raised nearly $2.5 million and have already started shipping to backers — but you’re still able to pledge to get your own. Volterman has been active on their page responding to backers and they seem to be set to support their products for the foreseeable future.

See Volterman on Kickstarter

Occasionally we find some really cool Kickstarter projects that are so cool we feel the need to share them with our valued readers.

How to watch the 2018 NFL season on your Android phone or tablet

Get ready to witness battle on the gridiron.

There has been no better time to be an NFL fan on the go than today. More and more, the NFL and their associated network partners are making mobile availability of football games a chief priority. Verizon and Sprint have been helping that cause for quite some time now, but even more cooks are getting into the kitchen and it only means good things.

For instance, did you know that the NFL has decided not to renew their exclusive mobile streaming contract with Verizon? That move effectively opens the floodgates for any and all — or, at least, those with a smartphone and a sizable pool of data to work with — to enjoy football on their smartphones.

With that, we’re here to show you all your options for following the 2018/2019 NFL season on your Android phone in the US. Note that there will be a mix of free and paid options, but we’ll go over them all the same. Let’s go!

FOX Sports

With a compatible TV provider, you’ll be able to watch live, local FOX games on your Android phone for free. The app also offers access to scores, news, and other live programming such as Undisputed with Skip and Shannon, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and more.

See at FOX Sports

CBS

CBS handles the rest of the network broadcasting load for the NFL, and they have broadened access in a big way. You can now watch live, local NFL games on your smartphones and other streaming devices through CBS All Access.

CBS All Access is a paid tier option that nets you unlimited streaming with limited ads for $5.99, or ad-free viewing for $9.99 per month. That package includes nearly all CBS shows and broadcasts.

And because CBS is hosting Super Bowl LIII, this is where you’ll go to watch the big game (though that’s sure to be available for free once the big day arrives).

See at CBS

ESPN Monday Night Football

If you’re an ESPN subscriber, you can watch Monday Night Football by signing into the WatchESPN app with your cable provider credentials. Then, wake up the next morning to see what the talking heads are saying about the action that unfolded on First Take.

That’s because ESPN also gives you access to their other live channels via the WatchESPN mobile app, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, SEC Network, SEC Network Plus, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, and Longhorn Network. Once you’re done with the NFL, you can catch up on all your other favorite sports, including College Football, the NBA, the MLB, and a whole lot more.

See at ESPN

NFL Network Thursday Night Football

You could watch Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network by logging in with your cable credentials, but there are also two other ways to watch those games on mobile. You can either go in with an Amazon Prime Subscription to watch through Amazon’s mobile app or check those same games out on Twitch for free.

See at NFL

NBC Sunday Night Football

If your TV provider offers access, you can enjoy Sunday Night Football for no extra charge through the NBC Sports app. Sign in with your credentials and tune in once that catchy intro song hits.

See at NBC

NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTV

While most low-cost or free streaming options are typically limited to locally-broadcast games, there is one route to take for those who want to watch live games that wouldn’t normally show up on their TV: NFL Sunday Ticket. Unfortunately, Sunday Ticket is still a DirecTV-exclusive option.

That exclusivity not only forces you to use their service and apps but also means you can expect to pay a hefty penny for this glorious privilege. Thankfully, the service is worth every penny for the die-hard football fan who wants to follow literally everything live. You can get the service as an add-on to your DirecTV package (it goes for close to $300 per year, though some packages will get you the first year free) or as a standalone streaming option in select markets starting at around $70 per month.

See at DirecTV

NFL GamePass

Don’t need to watch live but still want to see all the action at your own leisure? NFL’s GamePass is your ticket. You’ll be able to watch every single football game that airs this season shortly after broadcast.

GamePass is also interesting for its multiple camera angles, including an All-22 option that gives you the same top-down view that coaches use when they’re going over game film. They also have the option of viewing condensed versions of the games, meaning you’ll only need to watch about 30 minutes of raw action instead of the 3-hour broadcast littered with ad breaks and miscellaneous downtime.

The added bonus of live streaming of all pre-season games and the backlog of regular season and playoff games dating back to the 2009 season makes its $79 price tag quite attractive.

See at NFL

NFL RedZone

RedZone remains one of the most efficient ways to keep up with weekly Sunday goings-on. While you won’t be catching full games here, it lets you keep up on all the biggest highlights, including every single scoring play, right as they happen. RedZone is included with most premium sports packages alongside the NFL Network.

See at NFL

YouTube TV

Don’t have or want a cable subscription? YouTube TV is a viable option if you don’t mind getting linked up to another subscription. Available for $40 per month, a YouTube TV subscription gets you access to dozens of channels, and those channels include all the major networks that’ll be broadcasting NFL games this year.

ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and ESPN are all included if you’re willing to eek into that $50 to $60 price range. That gives you a full slate of weekly local games that can be accessed on the go by using the YouTube TV mobile app.

See at YouTube

Are you ready for some football?

The NFL Season officially kicks off Thursday, August 2nd with the Hall of Fame game on NBC. It’s there where the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens will do battle at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

The preseason will continue from August 9th and run for four weeks until we hit the regular season on Thursday, September 6th. The NFL playoffs will kick off in early January 2019, with all of it culminating with the Super Bowl — that big sporting event where the world champions of American football will be crowned — in early February 2019. Let us know how you’ll be watching in the comments ahead.

Best NFL apps for Android

Acer announces four new Chromebooks, two of which are 2-in-1s [Update]

The Chromebook 13 and Spin 13 are coming to the U.S. next month.

While we sit around dreaming of what we’ll see with the Pixelbook 2, Acer’s got a few new Chromebooks for us to check out in the form of the Chromebook 15, Chromebook Spin 15, Chromebook 13, and Chromebook Spin 13.

The 13-series Chromebooks are actually the more powerful of the bunch, so let’s start there. Both come with 13.5-inch 2256 x 1504 IPS displays with a 3:2 aspect ratio, but the Chromebook Spin 13 comes with a 2-in-1 design that allows you to flip the keyboard back and use it like a tablet. There’s also Wacom stylus support if you’re into that sort of thing.

Powering the Chromebook 13/Spin 13 is your choice between 8th-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processors (non-North American markets also have Pentium and Celeron configs for the 13). The 13 comes with 8GB RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage while the Spin 13 offers 8GB/16GB RAM and 64GB/128GB of eMMC storage.

As for ports, you’ll find two USB 3.1 Type-C ones, a full-sized USB 3.0 Type-A, and a microSD card slot.

Moving over to the Chromebook 15 and Spin 15, these actually have less impressive specs than the two 13-inch models. Go figure.

The screen for both models measures in at 15.6-inches with a 1920 x 1080 IPS panel. The processor selection includes two Intel Celeron options and one Pentium chip, you can get up to 8GB RAM, and you’ve got a choice between 32GB and 64GB of eMMC storage. The port selection is the same as the 13 series.

As for pricing and availability, Acer has confirmed that the Chromebook 13 will start at $649.99 while the Chromebook Spin 13 will be $749.99. Sales for both machines will begin in the U.S. starting in September.

The $349 Chromebook 15 has yet to make its way to the U.S., but the Chromebook Spin 15 is available now for $449.

Best Chromebook as of August 2018

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Chromebooks in education: Everything you need to know
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Chromebook Buyers Guide
• Google Pixelbook review
• Join our Chromebook forums

Updated August 2, 2018: Updated with new pricing and availability info.