Acer Chromebook Plus 514 overview: A $400 Chromebook that packs a punch

Greatest Costs At present: Acer Chromebook Plus S14

Shopping for a Chromebook in 2026 can really feel like a little bit of of venture. Many fashions can be found, however pricing appears to differ wildly, and plenty of retail websites checklist new and historical fashions side-by-side. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 enters this complicated market as a good choice with respectable specs and a mid-range worth of $399.99. It’s undoubtedly not essentially the most engaging ChromeOS laptop computer, but it surely delivers good worth in your cash.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Specs and options as-tested

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is at the moment accessible in only one configuration. It contains an Intel Core i3-N305 processor with eight CPU cores and 8GB of DDR5 reminiscence. These are respectable specs, however the true shock is the 512GB strong state drive, which feels beneficiant.

• CPU: Intel Core i3-N305
• Reminiscence: 8GB DDR5
• Graphics/GPU: Intel UHD
• NPU: None
• Show: 14-inch 1920×1080 IPS 60Hz touchscreen
• Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe strong state drive
• Webcam and microphone: 1080p webcam with privateness shutter, dual-array microphone
• Connectivity: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB-C 3.2, Gen 1 microSD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
• Biometrics: None
• Battery capability: 53 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 12.9 x 8.9 x 0.81 inches
• Weight: 3.15 kilos
• Working System: ChromeOS
• Worth: $399.99 MSRP

Acer lists an MSRP of $399.99. It’s not among the many least costly choices, which nonetheless dip beneath $200. However it’s additionally removed from the costliest, as top-flight ChromeOS machines exceed $600.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Design and construct high quality

Foundry / Matthew Smith

Unboxing the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 reveals a machine that doesn’t really feel significantly “Plus.” That’s to not say it’s dangerous or beneath common; it’s merely typical for a mid-range Chromebook. The chassis is plastic and, apart from a faux brushed aluminum accent on the highest of the show lid, doesn’t provide any notable design prospers that will make it stand out.

The laptop computer measures about eight-tenths of an inch thick and weighs in at 3.15 kilos. It’s moveable and straightforward to deal with, but it surely doesn’t really feel slim when dealt with. The plastic chassis is sweet sufficient for the value however some panel flex might be felt when opening the show and when choosing up the laptop computer from a nook.

Although it undoubtedly doesn’t really feel premium, the Chromebook Plus 514’s plastic development might have upsides. Fingerprints are much less prone to present up than many metallic laptops in a equally darkish colorway.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Keyboard, trackpad, mouse

Foundry / Matthew Smith

Acer offers a reasonably spacious keyboard within the 14-inch Chromebook Plus 514. Most keys are fairly giant, some unusually so for a 14-inch machine; the Shift keys are an instance of this. Backspace is the one key that appears a bit smaller than the norm. Like all Chromebooks, the Chromebook Plus 514 has a novel operate row that gives entry to system options. The row contains fewer keys than on a Home windows or Mac laptop computer, and the keys are wider because of this.

The typing expertise is mostly good. Key journey is prolonged and keys backside out with a crisp tactile really feel. The plastic chassis permits a good bit of keyboard flex once I actually go ham on the keyboard, however in regular use it’s not that noticeable. There’s loads of palm relaxation area beneath the keyboard, too, which improves consolation.

A backlit keyboard will not be accessible, nevertheless, which is one thing to bear in mind in the event you usually use your laptop computer in a darkish room. The keys will show tough to see in dim settings.

I discovered the touchpad much less spectacular than the keyboard. It measures roughly 4 inches vast and three inches deep, which isn’t significantly giant for a touchpad on a contemporary laptop computer. Whereas some cutbacks have to be accepted for the value, a bigger touchpad would’ve finished quite a bit to assist the Chromebook Plus 514 really feel worthy of the “Plus” in its title. Nonetheless, the touchpad is responsive and dependable.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Show, audio

Foundry / Matthew Smith

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514’s show is amongst its weakest traits. It comes outfitted with a 14-inch IPS touchscreen that gives 1920×1080 decision and a 60Hz refresh charge.

Whereas I recognize the show’s touchscreen performance, which might be fairly helpful in ChromeOS resulting from its capacity to run some Android apps, that’s all I can say in its favor. The show isn’t significantly vibrant, colourful, or contrast-rich.

It’s adequate for writing in Google Docs or looking web sites. A decision of 1920×1080 on a 14-inch widescreen show works out to a pixel density of about 157 pixels per inch, which is almost as sharp as a 27-inch 4K monitor. Nonetheless, YouTube movies and photographs look reasonably light and lifeless when in comparison with a greater IPS show. And whereas the show’s semi-gloss end retains glare and reflections to a minimal, the show’s brightness isn’t ample for comfy viewing open air, and even in a room with a number of giant, sunlit home windows.

The audio system fare higher than the show. Although they’re not loud, usually requiring most quantity to have actual impression, they provide a balanced and clear audio presentation that not often turns into muddy or distorted. The audio system undoubtedly can’t present an audiophile-grade expertise, however they’re good for the value.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

Acer offers a typical webcam and microphone setup within the Chromebook Plus 514. Which means a 1080p webcam, a dual-array microphone, and a bodily privateness shutter. The digicam is pretty sharp and the microphones decide up clear audio.

Whereas the specs aren’t stunning, they really put the Chromebook Plus 514 in an honest spot. I’ve reviewed laptops that price a number of occasions greater than the Chromebook Plus 514, but provide no considerable enchancment within the webcam or microphone.

It’s additionally price point out that ChromeOS features a suite of webcam and microphone changes much like Home windows’ Studio Results. This contains background blur, a studio-style microphone mode, and stay captioning. 

Nonetheless, most Home windows laptops which might be price-competitive with the Chromebook Plus 514 don’t provide the total suite of Home windows Studio Results options, as they usually depend on an NPU solely current on costlier laptops. That provides ChromeOS machines, together with the Chromebook Plus 514, an edge.

Biometric login will not be supported on the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, however that is to be anticipated for a ChromeOS laptop computer at this worth.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Connectivity

Foundry / Matthew Smith

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is all-in on USB. Which means it offers two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, each with Gen 1 specs of 5Gbps. The laptop computer lacks HDMI and Ethernet, although it retains a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and it additionally offers a microSD card slot.

Whether or not this works for you’ll rely on the gear you already personal. Lots of older and cheaper displays lack USB-C, so that you would possibly want an adapter to hook up with them. Then again, moveable displays have a tendency to make use of USB-C (many trendy moveable displays don’t even have HDMI).

Additionally, the presence of 4 USB ports means customers are much less prone to want to purchase a USB hub or dock for expanded connectivity.

Wi-fi connectivity spans Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. Neither is the newest model of every customary, which can also be a bit disappointing, but it surely’s extra forgivable at a sub-$500 worth level. Wi-Fi 6E continues to be reasonably quick, and odds are most individuals trying to purchase a price range laptop computer don’t have a Wi-Fi 7 router, anyway.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Efficiency

At this level you is likely to be scratching your head concerning the “Plus” within the Acer Chromebook Plus 514’s title. However there’s one factor that’s further about it; the {hardware} inside. 

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 has an Intel Core i3-N305 CPU. Launched in 2023, the i3-N305 is an eight-core processor that depends totally on Intel’s slower and extra miserly E-Cores (environment friendly cores). The cores have a most turbo frequency of three.8GHz and the chip’s most design energy is a mere 15 watts.

None of that sounds nice for efficiency, however the requirements are totally different amongst low-cost Chromebooks. On this realm the Core i3-N305 is definitely higher than most, offering loads of cores and respectable most clock speeds. Many best-selling Chromebooks listed on Amazon have older Intel chips with as few as two cores or MediaTek Kompanio chips with related core counts however slower per-core efficiency.

And there’s extra. The Chromebook Plus 514 I examined additionally had 8GB of DDR5 reminiscence, which is loads for many ChromeOS customers. And the cherry on high is a big 512GB PCIe NVMe strong state drive. Lots of Chromebooks get by with 64GB or 128GB of slower UFS storage, so Acer’s inclusion of a 512GB PCIe SSD is an enormous benefit, and reasonably stunning to see given latest will increase in SSD pricing.

These figures blow cheaper Chromebooks with older Intel CPUs, such because the Celeron N4500, out of the water. The Core i3-N305 is between 50 p.c and 200 p.c faster, relying on the check. This may appear lower than anticipated given the rise in core depend, however ChromeOS duties do are usually much less multi-threaded, so it’s actually the improved per-core efficiency that’s doing work right here.

Whereas the Chromebook Plus 514 performs reasonably properly, it’s undoubtedly not the height of recent Chromebook efficiency. The latest MediaTek Kompanio Extremely chips, resembling that discovered within the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, are a bit faster. And, in fact, Intel-powered Chromebooks with higher Core i5 chips may even defeat the Chromebook Plus 514 with Core i3-N305.

To be truthful, although, these alternate options are in a distinct worth class. You’ll typically pay $500 or extra for a ChromeOS laptop computer with a MediaTek Kompanio Extremely or Intel Core i5 chip inside.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Battery life and portability

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 has a 53 watt-hour battery. That’s not giant for a 14-inch laptop computer, however not unusually small, and it results in modest however usable battery life. 

I recorded about 12 hours of battery life in a rundown check that streamed a 1080p video from YouTube. That’s not going to set anybody’s hair on hearth, as many trendy Home windows and Mac laptops can now exceed 20 hours of battery life in a video run-down check. Nonetheless, it’s loads of battery life for a typical day of use.

It’s additionally price point out that the battery life check is much more consultant of real-world outcomes than with another laptops. The miserly Intel Core i3-N305 attracts little or no energy even at full load, and ChromeOS apps typically aren’t geared for high-performance native compute workloads that completely wreck battery life. Because of this, it’s fairly simple to squeeze a full workday of battery life out of the Chromebook Plus 514.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Conclusion

Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is a good, workmanlike entry into the ChromeOS ecosystem. It doesn’t look or really feel premium, and it suffers from a disappointing LCD touchscreen, but it surely advantages from an pleasurable keyboard and good efficiency.

The Chromebook Plus 514’s $399.99 MSRP would possibly really feel a little bit dear for a Chromebook, however latest worth changes resulting from RAM and storage worth will increase have shifted the market such that the Chromebook Plus 514 is kind of aggressive.

It’s not a slam dunk, but it surely’s price a glance in order for you a well-rounded ChromeOS laptop computer that’s quick sufficient to deal with most duties however nonetheless cheap sufficient to really feel reasonably priced.