Early Chromebook manufacturer

ACER

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue **\"Early Chromebook manufacturer\"** with the answer **\"ACER\"**:\n\n*\"This Taiwanese tech company is known for its laptops and was among the first to produce Chromebooks.\"*\n\nThis hint provides context about the company's origin and its role in the Chromebook market without directly stating the name. It nudges the solver toward the answer by emphasizing the brand's association with laptops and early Chromebook production."]

The clue **"Early Chromebook manufacturer"** leads to the answer **"ACER"** through the following reasoning: 1. **Direct Meaning**: Acer is a well-known computer hardware and electronics company that was indeed one of the early manufacturers of Chromebooks, which are laptops running Google's Chrome OS. 2. **Wordplay (if any)**: While this clue is primarily a straightforward definition, it could also subtly hint at the word "acer" meaning "sharp" or "keen" in Latin, though this is less relevant here. The main connection is the company's role in producing early Chromebook models. 3. **Cultural Reference**: Acer is a recognizable brand in the tech industry, making it a plausible answer for a crossword clue about computer manufacturers. Thus, the answer **"ACER"** fits as a direct reference to the company's involvement in Chromebook production.