Acer Chromebook Plus 516 evaluation: Not fairly, however fairly quick

Greatest Costs Right now: Acer Chromebook Plus 516

Chromebooks are sometimes cheap, however that doesn’t imply they will’t go massive… proper?

Acer’s Chromebook Plus 516 appears to suppose so. Although it’s comparatively reasonably priced at $399.99, it packs a 16-inch 1920×1200 show with a 16:10 facet ratio. Whereas some large-screen Chromebooks have launched through the years, they continue to be a slim minority, and the Chromebook Plus 516 is among the many largest.

So, does greater imply higher? On this case it does, although the laptop computer does nonetheless endure a couple of flaws.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Specs and options as-tested

16-inch IPS show apart, the Chromebook Plus 516’s extra necessary specification is undoubtedly the processor. On this case it’s the Intel Core i3-1315U, a six-core processor with two efficiency cores and 4 environment friendly cores. It’s flanked by 8GB of reminiscence and 128GB of flash storage.

• Mannequin quantity: CB516-1H-31UE
• CPU: Intel Core i3-1315U
• Reminiscence:  8GB LPDDR5-5200
• Graphics/GPU: Intel UHD
• NPU: None
• Show: 16-inch IPS 1920×1200 non-touch display
• Storage: 128GB flash storage
• Webcam and microphone: 1080p webcam with privateness shutter, twin array microphone
• Connectivity: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 1.4, 3.5mm combo audio
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: None
• Audio: Built-in audio system
• Battery capability: 53-watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.13 x 9.96 x 0.76 inches
• Weight: 3.75 kilos
• Working System: ChromeOS
• Worth: $399.99 MSRP

Acer asks $399.99 for the Chromebook Plus 516 at MSRP, however you most likely received’t must pay that a lot. The laptop computer is offered for $329.99 at Greatest Purchase and refurbished fashions can be found on Amazon for as little as $269.99.

With that mentioned, I observed some third-party sellers on Amazon are attempting to maneuver the laptop computer at costs that at occasions exceed the MSRP. This, I believe, is a aspect impact of the rise in laptop computer pricing customers are dealing with in 2026. You should definitely keep away from above-MSRP presents.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Design and construct high quality

Foundry / Matthew Smith

Unboxing the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 reveals a generic laptop computer design. The darkish silver exterior is constructed from plastic, and whereas it offers a little bit of faux-metallic luster, it in any other case lacks any adornment other than a small, chrome Acer brand. It’s a great factor it’s there, as a result of it could in any other case be not possible to discern which firm produced the laptop computer.

Whereas the design is unimpressive, the Chromebook Plus 516’s construct high quality is respectable. Plastic is the order of the day however the laptop computer feels fairly inflexible and the show lid doesn’t flex a lot when opened. Some flex may be discovered within the keyboard, however that’s typical at this value level.

The show hinge is tight and retains the show firmly closed whereas the laptop computer is saved, although this additionally makes the laptop computer not possible to open with one hand. On the plus aspect, the hinge permits as much as 180 levels of rotation. That’s nice to see, because it makes the laptop computer usable in additional conditions, and it’s unusual even amongst dearer laptops.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Keyboard, touchpad

Foundry / Matthew Smith

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 has loads of area for a keyboard, however the best way that area is used has each benefits and downsides.

Acer managed to cram in a numpad, which some customers will like. Most keys are massive and there’s ample area between keys, which makes contact typing straightforward. Nonetheless, the numpad keys are somewhat small and a few specific keys are oddly undersized. The left-side Tab, Caps, and Management keys all really feel undersized for a 16-inch laptop computer’s keyboard. 

Key really feel is sweet, although, with ample key journey and a agency bottoming motion. The principle draw back is keyboard flex, which might make for a bouncy really feel should you actually go ham on the keys. Nonetheless, the general typing expertise is strong for the value.

A keyboard backlight is unfortunately absent. It’s not included or obtainable as an possibility. That is widespread for a reasonable to mid-range Chromebook, however nonetheless necessary to notice.

The touchpad is roughly 5 inches broad and slightly greater than three inches deep. It’s not small and offers enough room for ChromeOS multi-touch gestures. Nonetheless, a touchpad of this dimension isn’t massive for a 16-inch laptop computer and plainly reveals the laptop computer’s price range value. It’s high quality, but it surely’s nothing particular. 

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Show and audio

Foundry / Matthew Smith

Each present Acer Chromebook Plus 516 has a 16-inch IPS widescreen show with 1,920 x 1,200 decision. The show’s dimension and facet ratio are notable for a Chromebook, as there are fewer 16-inch fashions obtainable than within the Home windows world. It offers a big, sharp canvas for multi-tasking between apps or browser home windows.

The show has limits, nonetheless. Shade efficiency is appropriate, however the show does look much less saturated and vivid than what you’ll discover from dearer laptops. The show isn’t brilliant, both, with a listed most brightness of 300 nits (which I examined at as much as 311 nits). And, like most IPS shows, distinction is clearly restricted attributable to elevated black ranges in darkish parts of the picture.

Audio high quality is a weak spot. The built-in audio system are clear however haven’t any low-end and endure an especially timid most quantity. I discovered I needed to flip the audio system as much as most to take pleasure in YouTube movies or take heed to music. Exterior audio system or headphones will likely be required for any severe listening.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 has a 1080p webcam able to recording as much as 60 frames per second. It features a bodily privateness shutter. Video high quality is fairly sharp however usually appears to be like grainy, even in reasonable lighting, and I wasn’t over the moon with the digital camera’s shade seize.

Microphone high quality is healthier, because the dual-array microphones seize sturdy, clear dialogue. They’re nonetheless clearly laptop computer microphones, as audio captured has a hole and distant sound. Given the laptop computer’s value, although, they’re acceptable.

Biometric login will not be obtainable, although that is typical for many Chromebooks.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Connectivity

Foundry / Matthew Smith

A powerful quantity of connectivity strains the Acer Chromebook Plus 516’s flanks. It consists of two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one HDMI 1.4, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack.

The USB-C ports additionally help DisplayPort and as much as 65 watts of Energy Supply. Both port can be utilized to cost the laptop computer.

Acer’s choice to incorporate a pair of USB-C ports and a pair of USB-A ports means you ought to be coated irrespective of the wired gadgets that you simply use. It’s additionally notable that the USB-C ports help as much as 10 Gbps of information. Whereas I think about this received’t be a giant deal for many customers, it’s nonetheless preferable to a slower 5 Gbps connection.

Wi-fi connectivity is a bit much less spectacular, although ok. The laptop computer helps Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Neither is the most recent model of every normal, however they’re current sufficient to be helpful for the laptop computer’s lifespan.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Efficiency

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 packs an Intel Core i3-1315U with six cores and a most Turbo Increase of as much as 4.5GHz (although the bottom clock is simply 1.2GHz). It’s flanked by 8GB of dual-channel LPDDR5 reminiscence and 128GB of flash storage. 

Whereas the specs are nothing to put in writing residence about, the small print matter. The Intel Core i3-1315U has the Raptor Lake CPU structure with two efficiency cores and 4 environment friendly cores. That units it other than one thing just like the Core i3-N305, which has the Alder Lake-N structure with eight environment friendly cores. 

This poses an fascinating query. Is it higher to have an octo-core chip that has solely environment friendly cores, or is it higher to pair a pair efficiency cores with 4 environment friendly cores?

• Speedometer 2.0: 206
• Speedometer 3.1: 21.5
• Basemark Net 3.0: 901
• Kraken: 434.1
• Jetstream 2: 298.66

The reply, for probably the most half, is that two efficiency cores with 4 environment friendly cores is the superior alternative.

The Chromebook Plus 516 is quicker than the Chromebook Plus 514, which I just lately reviewed with the Core i3-N305 inside. The Core i3-1315U additionally defeats the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 with Intel Core 3 N355.

You’re solely actually going to see higher efficiency from an Intel Core i5 or Core 5 chip, or from MediaTek’s Kompanio Extremely, which is comparatively uncommon however present in a couple of Chromebooks such because the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Battery life and portability

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 has a 53 watt-hour battery that guarantees as much as 15.5 hours of video playback or 12.5 hours of internet shopping. My expertise utilizing the laptop computer put me nearer to the latter, with an estimated battery lifetime of 11 hours in a mixture of internet shopping and doc enhancing.

That’s not an incredible consequence, but it surely’s usable, and it’s not less than on par with most Home windows laptops in the identical value vary, which usually use older and fewer environment friendly chip architectures. The laptop computer lasts lengthy sufficient to spend a piece day on battery should you’re cautious to not use it with the show at most brightness.

It’s additionally value point out that, as with all Chromebooks, the consistency of your expertise could also be higher than with Home windows. That’s as a result of there usually are not as many use instances for a Chromebook that place a major burden on the CPU or built-in GPU and, with fewer apps put in general, you’re much less more likely to have a background course of quietly sipping the battery.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 can be simply one other middling Chromebook, but it surely’s saved by two perks: the big show and the Intel Core i3 chip. The big display offers an important different to the usually cramped 14-inch shows most Chromebooks ship with, and the Intel Core i3 processor is a major improve over Chromebooks with lower-tier Intel {hardware}, in addition to these with entry-level MediaTek Kompanio chips.

There are downsides. The Chromebook Plus 516’s design is boring, it presents simply 128GB of flash storage, and its show could possibly be extra vivid. Nonetheless, many rivals share these downsides.

Pricing seals the deal, because the Chromebook Plus 516 isn’t any dearer than rivals with smaller shows and fewer succesful CPUs. It won’t be fairly, however the Chromebook Plus 516 is an effective alternative if you need a quick, useful Chromebook with plenty of show actual property.