Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review
The Acer Acer Chromebook Plus 514 ranks as the #673 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 66. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #248-ranked connectivity among 777 laptops. Consider the Toshiba Portege X30 or Samsung Galaxy Book, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a surprisingly capable device that's hard to ignore at its price point of $249. Despite cutting some corners, this budget-friendly Chromebook delivers the core things you need for a solid experience. The touchscreen display is impressive, the keyboard is serviceable, and the Intel Core i3 processor provides decent battery life. With 8GB of RAM and a generous 512GB SSD, this Chromebook offers great value for its price. Overall, it's an excellent choice for those on a tight budget, making it well worth considering.
Build
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514's build is surprisingly sturdy despite being all plastic. It doesn't bend or creak under its own weight, meeting expectations for an Acer Chromebook. The design is aesthetically average but gets the job done without fuss. The build quality is decent, making it a reliable option for daily use. While not impressive, the construction holds up well to regular use, contributing to the overall value of this affordable Chromebook. You might want to check out Acer Chromebook Spin 13, featuring an upgraded build for a superior experience.
Display
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514's display is a standout feature in an affordable package. The 16:9 screen hits 300 nits with anti-glare coating and provides decent touch input. Colors are good, with minimal ghosting, making it a great value at this price point. For $249, the screen is surprisingly crisp and vibrant, considering its budget-friendly nature. However, the 1080p camera above the screen is merely adequate, lacking punchy colors. Despite this, the display's overall quality makes up for any minor shortcomings, making it a compelling choice in the Chromebook market. Take a look at Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 - its improved display sets a new standard.
Performance
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 delivers impressive performance despite its affordable price point. The Intel Core i3 processor provides seamless browsing and multitasking experiences, with decent battery life that lasts up to 8-10 hours. The 512GB SSD storage is a pleasant surprise, offering ample space for users' needs. The device's capabilities make it an excellent choice for daily use, handling tasks with ease without breaking the bank. Overall, Acer has successfully crafted a Chromebook that checks all the essential boxes at an unbeatable price point of $249. If you're after top-notch performance, consider Acer Spin 3.
Battery and Charging
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 boasts decent battery life, lasting around 8-10 hours with moderate use. Paired with an Intel Core i3 processor, this efficient performance allows for extended periods of use without needing a recharge. The inclusion of 512GB SSD storage is also impressive, making it ideal for heavy users who need ample space to store their files and applications. Overall, the battery life and charging capabilities are solid, making it suitable for daily use.
Connectivity
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 offers a solid selection of I/O options, including two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, microphone jack, Kensington lock, and micro SD card slot. However, it's surprising that an HDMI port is missing, especially considering the device's emphasis on multimedia capabilities. Give Acer TravelMate P4 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled connectivity.
Features
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 boasts a solid keyboard, touchscreen display with anti-glare coating and 300 nits brightness, decent upward-firing speakers, and a sturdy all-plastic build. The 1080p camera above the screen features AI-powered background effects, blur, and noise cancellation. The device runs on an Intel Core i3 processor, has 8GB of RAM, and a generous 512GB SSD storage - all at an affordable price of $249. Get your hands on Acer Spin 5 if you're looking for better features.
Support and Maintenance
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 delivers a solid experience despite its affordable price tag. It's sturdy build, nice screen, and decent keyboard are notable highlights. The inclusion of 512GB SSD storage is a welcome surprise. A few compromises are made, but overall, it's a great value for the money spent.
Pros
1. The new Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a device that makes a very deep impression on what can be delivered on a shoestring budget.
2. It has a solid experience with all the stuff that makes for it: clam shell, touchscreen, keyboard, and trackpad.
3. The build is surprisingly sturdy and doesn't feel like it's bending or creaking under its own weight.
4. The screen is great for this price range: 16x9 aspect ratio, 300 nits of brightness, anti-glare coating, and touch input.
5. The keyboard is surprisingly good with no backlight but still usable for daily routines.
6. It has a decent selection of I/O ports, including USB Type-A and Type-C, headphone jack, microphone jack, Kensington lock, and micro SD card slot.
7. It comes with 8GB of RAM and a whopping 512GB of SSD storage, which is impressive for the price.
Cons
1. The build quality feels a bit cheap, although it's sturdy and doesn't bend or creak.
2. The click mechanism on the trackpad can be a bit finicky, especially above halfway point.
3. The camera above the screen has colors that aren't great, but you get all the new camera tricks like background blur and noise cancellation.
4. There's no HDMI port, which might be a drawback for some users.
5. The speakers are decent but not exceptional for video calls or YouTube watching.
6. The trackpad can feel cheapened by the click mechanism, especially above halfway point.
7. Although the keyboard is good, it's not the best keyframe I've typed on.
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