HP offers students a budget-friendly Chromebook 11 G4 EE

The low-resource, low-cost Chromebooks were initially designed for use cases that didn't exactly require a lot of computing power but still needed the basics, including connecting to the Internet. In other words, while Chromebooks might not make much sense for power users, they shine bright inside classrooms. Adding to the growing roster of Chromebooks designed for schools, HP has unveiled the Education Edition or EE of its Chromebook 11 G4, with a price and ruggedness that any student of any age can handle.

Maybe it's by nature that those still within the world of the academia handle their equipment more roughly, which is why most of the tablets and notebooks marketed for students usually boast of some form of tough feature. The HP Chromebook 11 G4 EE definitely has oodles of those, with a MIL-STD certification, co-molded rubber edges, and spill resistant keyboard. All for a device that is only 20 mm thick and 2.7 lbs light.

In terms of performance, the Chromebook isn't really going to run any race. It's powered by an Intel Celeron, a 2.1 GHz N2840 to be exact, with configurations that reach up to 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal storage, and optional 3G/4G WWAN connectivity. The 11.6-inch screen reaches up to 1366x768 pixel resolution. In other words, a basic, no nonsense computer that lets you focus on your school work, which is the point of this device anyway. Right?

It's definitely capable enough to handle Chrome OS, which is a good match for the purpose of this notebook, especially in an age where almost everything is found or stored on the Internet. Chrome OS also allows for easy multi-user setup and IT or teacher administration, making it a better choice than some other mobile OS.

The HP Chromebook 11 G4 Education Edition goes on sale this month for $199 and in color choices of black or electric green.