Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 review

Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14

The Acer Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 ranks as the #433 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 72. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #140-ranked connectivity among 777 laptops. Consider the Acer Swift 14 AI or Acer Swift Go 14 AI, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.

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Key takeaways
The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14's performance is a mixed bag with strong productivity, but weak gaming capabilities.
The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14's sturdy build quality is its most impressive and standout feature overall.
The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14's display provides decent visuals, but limited brightness hampers usability.
The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 boasts a robust feature set including touchscreen and stylus capabilities.

Is it Worth it?

The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 offers a serviceable business notebook experience at an RRP of R19,999. Its folding design and touchscreen capabilities add versatility, but may not be worth the premium for everyone. Performance is solid, with a 13th gen Intel Core i7 CPU, but lacks discrete graphics, limiting its use for gaming or graphic-intensive tasks. Battery life is reliable, but not exceptional, lasting around 10 hours on average usage. While it's a good option for those who value its unique features, others may find similar functionality and performance in more affordable alternatives without the foldability.

Build

The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 boasts a sturdy build that feels premium. The steel gray colorway is visually appealing and keeps finger grease at bay. The device's size is generous without being too big to fit in a bag, making it perfect for everyday use. The keyboard is spacious and comfortable to type on. The 360-degree fold design allows the notebook to transform into a tablet, but this feature does come with some awkwardness. Overall, the build quality of the Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 is impressive, making it a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and versatile laptop. Acer Aspire Vero might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded build.

Display

The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14's 14in WXGA screen provides a decent service with a certain glossiness to it. Images are crisp and colors are vibrant, but don't expect any transcendent visuals from the device. The display is suitable for general use, including video streaming and onboard audio, but may not impress those seeking superior graphics quality. With a 60Hz offering, there were no noticeable issues with video playback or sound output. However, the screen's brightness limits its usability in very bright environments, and the keyboard doesn't stay lit when using the device in low-light settings. For an improved display, Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is worth considering.

Performance

The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14's performance is a mixed bag. The 13th gen Intel Core i7-1355 CPU delivers respectable scores in Geekbench and multi-threaded tasks, outperforming the Asus ExpertBook B7 Flip. However, the integrated Iris Xe Graphics struggle with demanding tasks like gaming (Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 15 FPS on low settings) and graphics-intensive software (Blender or 3ds Max). The machine excels in business applications, typing, web browsing, and spreadsheet editing, making it suitable for productivity tasks. However, its cooling system can be loud, and high-performance usage may lead to noticeable heat buildup. You might want to check out Acer TravelMate P6, featuring an upgraded performance for a superior experience.

Battery and Charging

The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14's battery life is decent but not exceptional, lasting around 10 hours from 100% before reaching critically low levels. While the estimated maximum runtime of 14 hours sounds promising, it was achieved under idling conditions. In real-world use, the notebook reached 50% in approximately 4 hours, requiring frequent top-ups to maintain performance. It's essential to keep the device charged when in use to prevent battery depletion.

Connectivity

The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 boasts an impressive array of ports, including an HDMI port, three USB ports, one Thunderbolt 4 output, and an audio jack for headphones. This generous connectivity setup is a major plus, allowing users to easily hook up external devices and enjoy seamless performance. However, the laptop's battery life suffers when using these peripherals, with prolonged use draining the battery quickly. If you're after top-notch connectivity, consider Acer Enduro N3.

Features

The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 offers a serviceable business notebook experience with its foldable design, touchscreen capabilities, and stylus support. The device features a 14in WXGA screen, up to 6Hz processor, 13th gen Intel Core i7, Iris XE Graphics, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. It also boasts an HDMI port, three USB ports, and Thunderbolt 4 output. The stylus tracks the mouse cursor with one-to-one precision, making it suitable for drawing and design tasks. It’s worth checking out Acer Aspire Vero, delivering remarkable features.

Support and Maintenance

The Acer Aspire 5 Spin 14 offers a serviceable business notebook experience, with solid performance from its Intel Core i7 processor and decent display. However, its lack of discrete graphics limits its uses, making it less suitable for creative tasks or gaming. Battery life is reliable, but the cooling system can be loud and annoying. Overall, it's a mixed bag that may not justify its R19,999 price tag.

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