By Choosing a low-cost Chromebook might be rather confusing. While many Chromebooks are affordable, not all of them are worth purchasing, particularly those with less than 128GB of storage and only 4GB of RAM. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a good substitute, offering far more RAM and storage than many competitors at comparable prices, but it still has several issues that are typical of notebooks costing less than $500.
Specs and features
The Intel Core i3-N305 processor, which powers the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, offers eight low-performance cores. In addition, it has an astounding 512GB solid-state drive and 8GB of RAM, which is a ton of storage for a Chromebook.
- Intel Core i3-N305 CPU
- Memory: Intel Integrated Graphics/Graphics Card: 8GB LPDDR5
- 14-inch 1920×1080 60Hz IPS-LED display
- 512GB PCIe Gen 4 solid state drive for storage
- 1080p webcam
- Connectivity: 1 3.5mm combo audio, 2 USB-C 3.2, 2 USB-A 3.2, 1 microSD card reader
- Networking: Bluetooth 5.21, Wi-Fi 6EBiometrics: Not used
- 50 watt-hour battery capacity; dimensions: 12.87 x 8.86 x.81 inches
- 3.15 pounds in weight
- MSRP: $349.99; during sales, usually $249.99
There is competition in pricing. The laptop was originally priced at $349.99, but as of the time I am writing this review, it was just $249.99.
Design and build quality
Though it only partially succeeds, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 makes an effort to create a design that seems more premium than its price tag. When closed, the two-tone design that combines faux aluminum with a strip of matte silver plastic gives it a respectable appearance. But as soon as you open the laptop, you can see that plastic is the preferred material. Although the interior attempts to improve its appearance with a shiny sheen, the lackluster finish makes the game obvious.
In contrast, the build quality surpasses the cost. Please understand that it is not very sturdy and that there is noticeable flex in the display when it is opened. However, the lower half feels sturdy in the palm and I did not hear any unwelcome creaks or groans from the chassis while I was using it. With a laptop this cheap, that is not a given.
The portability of the Chromebook Plus 514 is divided in its design. Because of its comparatively broad display bezels, the laptop is slightly wider than more costly 14-inch computers, and its 0.81-inch profile makes it somewhat thicker. However, at just 3.15 pounds, it will not seem heavy to carry around in a messenger bag or backpack.
The Chromebook Plus 514’s 180-degree rotating hinge, which allows it to fold entirely flat on a desk, is another feature I enjoy. This facilitates the process of locating a convenient viewing angle in confined spaces. Although it is a minor benefit, low-cost laptops may skimp on things like this.
Performance
I was sent an Acer Chromebook Plus 514 for review, and it has an Intel Core i3-N305 processor. Unlike Intel’s more expensive processors, this eight-core processor only uses Intel’s less powerful Efficient Cores.
- CrXPRT 2: 151
- Speedometer 2.0: 183.1
- Speedometer 3.0: 10.4
- Basemark Web 3.0: 811.4
- Kraken: 728.4
- Jetstream 2: 198.103
That performance is tedious. The Chromebook Plus 514 is by no means the slowest Chromebook on the market right now; some models that retail for $200 or less on Amazon include a single- or dual-core Celeron processor. All of the Chromebooks we have recently examined, including the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus and the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, are behind the Chromebook Plus 514, though.
However, that might not be significant. Since demanding software is typically not run locally on Chromebooks, any modern processor with a respectable number of cores and clock speed may handle the job. The Chromebook Plus 514 has the same snappy feel as its more potent counterparts. While some ardent admirers of Chromebooks may want increased processing power, most users should not have any problems.
Battery life
The battery life of the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is 50 watt-hours. Although that may not seem like much for a 14-inch laptop in 2024, the laptop’s entry-level technology, ChromeOS’s relatively low power consumption, and the web programs it uses allowed the battery to last a respectable 10 hours and 34 minutes in the CrXPRT 2 battery test.
Test results and real-world battery life were in agreement. The Chromebook Plus 514 can run standard online software, such as Google Docs, for eight hours during the workday in addition to streaming music and the odd YouTube movie.
Of fact, some more costly Windows laptops and Apple’s MacBook Air lineup provide significantly longer battery lives. However, the majority of buyers of the Chromebook Plus 514 will contrast it with other Chromebooks or budget Windows computers. The Chromebook Plus 514 outlasts Windows competitors in this price bracket with a battery life that is comparable to other Chromebooks, typically achieving seven or eight hours.
Conclusion
The Chromebook Plus 514 from Acer is a good entry-level Chromebook that avoids most, but not all, of the issues that are usually associated with laptops costing less than $500. It boasts more than enough storage, a nice keyboard, lots of RAM, and both USB-C and USB-A connectivity. The touchpad is very small, the display is dark, and the processing performance is mediocre. Nevertheless, consumers on a tight budget might do far worse, and the Chromebook Plus 514 provides excellent value.
