Acer Aspire Go 15 evaluate: A superb price range laptop computer

Finest Costs Right now: Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025)

The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a 15.6-inch price range laptop computer that delivers nice worth on your greenback. With cheap desktop efficiency, a pleasant 1080p show, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage, there’s loads to love right here.

However the Aspire Go 15 received’t move for a premium laptop computer any time quickly. Acer’s alternative of budget-tier N-series Intel CPU and a small battery are compromises that had been possible essential to hit this worth level. You’ll discover this compromise in day-to-day use.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Specs

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Aspire Go 15 pairs an Intel Core i3-N355 CPU with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512 GB SSD — that’s a very good quantity of RAM and storage for a $499 laptop computer.

It’s accessible from each Finest Purchase and Goal. Whereas I used to be wrapping up the evaluate, Goal had it on sale for $429, which is a stable worth.

In comparison with final 12 months’s $299 Acer Aspire Go 15, this 12 months’s mannequin delivers 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage (up from 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.) There’s been some inflation of laptop computer costs, however these spec bumps make the tablet simpler to swallow. This can be a good quantity of RAM and storage you’d need in a laptop computer. Something much less can turn into onerous to stay with. You possibly can most likely get by with 256 GB of storage, Acer is being beneficiant!

The massive factor holding this laptop computer again is its Intel CPU and graphics. Intel N-series chips are designed for price range machines. It’s quick sufficient for fundamental desktop and productiveness utility use, however it is a price range CPU expertise. Moreover, the Intel graphics {hardware} right here could be very gradual. This machine isn’t a very good match in the event you plan on taking part in PC video games or utilizing different 3D apps.

Acer chooses to ship this laptop computer in S Mode, which is an odd choice in 2025. You may’t set up software program from exterior the Retailer except you’re taking it out of S Mode, however that simply takes a couple of clicks and is free. Our evaluate mannequin got here preconfigured by Acer already out of S Mode.

• Mannequin quantity: Aspire Go 15 (AG15-32P-30YE)
• CPU: Intel Core i3-N355
• Reminiscence: 16GB DDR5 RAM
• Graphics/GPU: Intel graphics
• NPU: None
• Show: 15.6-inch 1920×1080 IPS show
• Storage: 512 GB PCIe Gen4 SSD
• Webcam: 720p webcam
• Connectivity: 2x USB Sort-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), 2x USB Sort-A (USB 3.2 Gen1), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x combo audio jack, 1x Kensington Lock slot
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
• Biometrics: None
• Battery capability: 53 Watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.29 x 9.44 x 0.92 inches
• Weight: 3.74 kilos
• MSRP: $499 as examined

Acer Aspire Go 15: Design and construct high quality

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a 15.6-inch laptop computer made from plastic. It’s a mixture of silver — a shade Acer calls “Pure Silver” — and black. It’s a basic design.

Whereas it is a plastic chassis, it feels stable, there’s no regarding creaking. With a weight of three.74 kilos, it’s attainable to choose the laptop computer up by one hand on one aspect and maintain it, if crucial. At 0.92 inches thick on the thickest level, it’s just a little chunky in comparison with the typical thin-and-light machine, but it surely’s a advantageous expertise. The keyboard deck has a little bit of flex to it, however I wasn’t fearful about it. It feels advantageous for the worth.

The Aspire Go 15’s hinge feels good and stable, with a pleasant motion. I did have to carry it with two palms whereas I opened it. However, as soon as opened, the display stayed firmly in place and didn’t shake round as I typed. You may hold pushing the display again and the keyboard will tilt in direction of you. I used to be capable of open it to a 145-degree angle or so.

The Acer Aspire Go 15 can also be a basic expertise by way of bloatware, with icons like “Reserving.com” and “Dropbox promotion” pinned proper to the taskbar out of the field. That’s to be anticipated at this worth vary, and you’ll take away it.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Keyboard and trackpad

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Aspire Go 15 has a full-size keyboard full with a quantity pad on the proper. Sadly, there’s no keyboard backlighting. That’s a disgrace, because it’s the sort of nice-to-have characteristic that will make this laptop computer simpler to make use of.

This machine’s keyboard is kind of good to make use of. It feels prefer it has a very good quantity of key journey, maybe 1.5mm or so. Thinner laptops usually skimp on the important thing journey to get even smaller, which makes the typing expertise much less satisfying.

The trackpad additionally feels nice – it’s a very good measurement, the floor is clean sufficient, and it clicks down with a satisfying clunk fairly than a loud click on. It’s good for the worth vary.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Show and audio system

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Aspire Go 15 has a 15.6-inch IPS show with a 1920×1080 decision and as much as 300 nits of brightness. It’s not a touchscreen. It’s matte and never shiny, so will probably be higher open air and in difficult lighting situations than a shiny, reflective panel.

The show appears stable. It’s a very good measurement. Funds laptops are typically 13 inches or smaller. A 15.6-inch 1080p show on a price range laptop computer is a superb discover. It has good viewing angles, which isn’t assured on a price range laptop computer show. Costlier usually ship greater decision shows, OLED panels, touchscreens, extra brightness, and higher shade accuracy, however it is a good show for the worth.

The show’s brightness is an issue: I wished to crank it as much as 100% to make it readable in regular situations. And that impacts the battery life, as we’ll see.

This machine’s audio system are okay. They’re on the quiet aspect, however there’s sufficient quantity to listen to them clearly in a quiet room. I check every laptop computer’s audio system I evaluate by taking part in Steely Dan’s Aja and Daft Punk’s Get Fortunate. Whereas the devices in Aja weren’t notably crisp, the excessive notes didn’t run collectively. Get Fortunate sounded advantageous however there was much less bass than even the typical laptop computer audio system — not a shock for the worth right here.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

 The Acer Aspire Go 15 has a 720p webcam. It’s advantageous, but it surely’s nothing particular, a 1080p webcam will look higher. It’s greater than ok for mild video conferences, which is what issues. Nevertheless, there’s no bodily webcam shutter change.

Acer says this machine has “twin digital microphones” that “guarantee voices are captured with precision.” This laptop computer’s microphones sound fairly good, really. With a pair of headphones, this machine is properly geared up for on-line conferences and video chats.

This machine doesn’t have any biometric {hardware} — no fingerprint reader or facial recognition for simple Home windows Good day sign-ins. It will’ve been good to no less than see a fingerprint reader. With out one, you’ll possible be typing a PIN to register every time you employ your laptop computer.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Connectivity

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Aspire Go 15 has a wide variety of ports. On the left aspect, it’s acquired two USB Sort-C ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a USB Sort-A port. On the precise aspect, you’ll discover a second USB Sort-A port, a combo audio jack, and a Kensington lock slot.

This machine costs by way of USB Sort-C, which is handy, however the USB Sort-C ports are solely on the left aspect. It will be good to have a USB-C port on all sides for flexibility. Moreover, the USB-C ports are USB 3.2 Gen 2, whereas the USB Sort-A ports are USB 3.2 Gen 1. You received’t discover Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 right here, both. That’s not a shock given the worth and {hardware} class, and individuals who could be taking a look at this machine most likely received’t want Thunderbolt 4 speeds anyway.

This machine doesn’t have a microSD card reader or Ethernet jack, so that you’ll want a dongle or one other laptop computer if these are priorities.

Underneath the hood, you’re getting Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 wi-fi {hardware}. That’s just a little dated, however remains to be cheap. Wi-Fi 6E isn’t vital, and Wi-Fi 7 remains to be simply getting began.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Efficiency

The Acer Aspire Go 15 isn’t a velocity demon on paper. Any Intel CPU with an “N” in its identify is suspect, as it is a slower price range line. However, with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD, this machine punches above its price range laptop computer weight. And, in mild utilization — apps like internet browsers, Microsoft Workplace, and Spotify — the laptop computer delivered cheap day-to-day efficiency.

Intel’s N-series CPUs have turn into higher than I remembered them being for mild desktop utilization, however the CPU and GPU present their gradual speeds once we put the machine by way of our normal benchmarks to see the way it performs.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

First, we run PCMark 10 to get an thought of general system efficiency. With an general rating of three,851, the Acer Aspire Go 15 and its Core i3-N355 CPU had been nicely behind different machines with out Intel N-series CPUs.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

Subsequent, we run Cinebench R20. This can be a closely multithreaded benchmark that focuses on general CPU efficiency. It’s a fast benchmark, so cooling beneath prolonged workloads isn’t an element. However, because it’s closely multithreaded, CPUs with extra cores have an enormous benefit.

With a multithreaded rating of 1,760, this machine’s eight-core CPU proved it isn’t ultimate for CPU-heavy workloads.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

We additionally run an encode with Handbrake. That is one other closely multithreaded benchmark, but it surely runs over an prolonged interval. This calls for the laptop computer’s cooling kick in, and plenty of laptops will throttle and decelerate beneath load.

The Acer Aspire Go 15 took 2,663 seconds to finish the encode course of — that’s over 44 minutes. It’s an unusually gradual rating.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

Subsequent, we run a graphical benchmark. This isn’t a gaming laptop computer, but it surely’s nonetheless good to verify how the GPU performs. We run 3DMark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU efficiency.

With an general 3DMark Time Spy rating of 731, the Intel graphics on this machine had been unusually gradual. If you wish to do any PC gaming or use any skilled apps that want GPU acceleration, this isn’t the precise laptop computer for you.

General, the benchmarks demonstrated that this laptop computer’s {hardware} isn’t notably quick. It delivers cheap day-to-day desktop efficiency with light-weight apps, but it surely isn’t ultimate for extra demanding workflows and also you’ll discover the velocity distinction on this machine in comparison with one with a higher-end CPU, even when utilizing fundamental desktop apps and internet browsers.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Battery life

The Acer Aspire Go 15 has a 53 Watt-hour battery, which is on the small aspect. In day-to-day use the battery life appeared beneath what Acer’s reviewer information promised and what I used to be led to anticipate in different critiques. The issue? I used to be cranking this 15.6-inch show as much as 100% brightness, and that was hurting battery life

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Metal on repeat on Home windows 11 with airplane mode enabled till the laptop computer suspends itself. We set the display to round 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks. That is often a best-case state of affairs for any laptop computer since native video playback is so environment friendly, and actual battery life in day-to-day use is at all times going to be lower than this.

The Acer Aspire Go 15 lasted a median of 401 minutes earlier than suspending itself. That’s over six and a half hours, however not fairly seven hours. Acer says to anticipate about ten and a half hours on this check, and I don’t doubt I’d have seen these numbers if I lowered the brightness.

In real-world use, chances are you’ll get much less battery life than you’d like from this machine except you’re ready to show the brightness down greater than chances are you’ll like. Fortunately, this being a 15.6-inch laptop computer, chances are you’ll be planning to make use of it as a desk and plug it in regularly sufficient.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Conclusion

The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a superb decide in the event you’re searching for a price range Home windows laptop computer beneath $500, particularly in the event you can catch it on sale. The display is stable, the construct high quality is affordable, and the desktop efficiency is sweet sufficient for day-to-day utility utilization. Even the webcam and mic are respectable, you’d look and sound advantageous utilizing these in on-line conferences.

However the compromises are actual. This isn’t a premium expertise, the battery life is beneath what I’d prefer to see, and this machine isn’t prepared so that you can put severe calls for on its CPU or GPU.

However let’s be trustworthy: This machine might be greater than sufficient for many individuals’s wants. And I’m thrilled to see 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage in a price range laptop computer like this one.