Acer Aspire 5 review
The Acer Acer Aspire 5 ranks as the #713 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 65. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #174-ranked features among 777 laptops. Consider the Samsung Notebook 9 Pro or MSI Pulse GL76, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Acer Aspire 5 is a mid-range laptop with improved exterior build quality, making it feel more premium and sturdy. It also boasts a respectable trackpad and keyboard, along with essential features like a fingerprint scanner and dual speaker stereo setup. However, battery life is somewhat disappointing, and thermals continue to be a problem in 2022. Despite this, the laptop performs well and is one of the first mid-range laptops rocking Intel's 12th gen hardware. Whether it's worth it ultimately depends on your priorities - if you value performance, there may be better options available.
Build
The Acer Aspire 5 boasts dramatically improved exterior build quality, with the laptop feeling more premium and sturdy overall. The build is solid, with no creaks or flexes. However, the display has some issues, with a standard resolution of full HD (1080p) and a limited color gamut. The IPS panel has good viewing angles, but the peak brightness is only 260 nits, which may cause glare in well-lit environments. Despite these drawbacks, the build quality of the Aspire 5 is a significant improvement over previous models. Take a look at Acer Aspire 3 - its improved build sets a new standard.
Display
The Acer Aspire 5's display is a letdown, with a standard resolution of Full HD (1080p) and a peak brightness of just 260 nits. This results in a bland color accuracy of 56 sRGB, making it difficult to use in well-lit rooms or outdoors. The IPS panel has decent viewing angles, but the lackluster display is a disappointment given its otherwise impressive specs. While day-to-day tasks like web browsing and video streaming are manageable, the poor display quality detracts from an otherwise solid laptop experience. For those requiring high color accuracy, this may not be the best choice. If you're after top-notch display, consider Acer Chromebook 314.
Performance
The Acer Aspire 5 delivers decent performance with its 12th gen i7 chip. It excels in everyday tasks like web browsing and office work, handling moderately intensive activities like coding with ease. However, it struggles with gaming, frequently experiencing frame drops and lag, even compared to other laptops with similar configurations. The poor gaming experience is largely due to thermals, with the laptop reaching uncomfortable temperatures of up to 47°C under peak load. Overall, while it's a great productivity machine, its performance falls short in demanding scenarios. It’s worth checking out Acer Swift Go 14, delivering remarkable performance.
Battery and Charging
The Acer Aspire 5's battery life is somewhat disappointing, lasting around 8 hours on a single charge at moderate brightness levels. The charging speed is not mentioned in the review. However, it's noted that the laptop's thermals are uncomfortably high, reaching up to 47°C under peak loads and causing fan noise issues. This may be contributing to the battery life struggles, as the system works harder to cool itself down. Overall, a mid-range laptop with decent build quality and performance, but not shining in terms of power efficiency.
Connectivity
The Acer Aspire 5 boasts a solid connectivity setup. It features dual speakers that produce decent sound, though fan noise can sometimes overpower them. Additionally, the laptop has a fingerprint scanner and a webcam with average quality. Ports-wise, it includes USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and an SD card reader, making it suitable for everyday use. Get your hands on MSI Creator M14 if you're looking for better connectivity.
Features
The Acer Aspire 5 boasts a premium and sturdy build quality, featuring a respectable trackpad and keyboard with essential features like fingerprint scanner and dual speaker stereo setup. It also comes equipped with Intel's 12th gen i7 chip, IPS panel display, and 720p webcam. Consider discovering the power of Acer Chromebook Spin 714, featuring the latest advancements in features.
Support and Maintenance
Acer Aspire 5's build quality has improved significantly with a more premium and sturdy design. However, its battery life is disappointing, lasting around 8 hours. Thermal issues persist, causing high temperatures under load and loud fan noise. While it performs well for general productivity tasks, its maintenance needs are a concern.
FAQ
Compare with other laptops
See how this item stacks up against any other model
Choose two different items to see a detailed comparison of their specifications, performance, and features