By The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is an excellent computer for daily use. The display creates sharp images, the keyboard is easy to text on, has a pleasant clicking sound, and effortlessly navigates through everyday web applications and lesser workloads.
However, is it sufficient to support the $449 full retail price, which is more than most Chromebooks cost? To learn more, continue reading.
Specifications
With an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of flash storage, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 seems to offer only one option. It is interesting that the term “Plus” was removed from the Spin’s moniker because the specs are identical to those of the Chromebook Plus variants. I have contacted Acer to find out if this was deliberate.
Number of models: CP312-1HN
CPU: Core i3-N305 from Intel
8GB of memory
Intel UHD Graphics for graphics
12.2-inch, 1920×1200, touch-enabled, 60Hz display
128GB of eMMC storage
Webcam: 1080p, privacy shutter in real life
Connectivity options include 3.5 mm headphones and speakers, HDMI 1.4, USB Type-C, and USB Type-A.
50 watt-hour battery capacity; 11.41 x 8.07 x 0.78 dimensions
2.84 lbs in weight
MSRP: $449
Keyboard
I consider myself a clumsy typist, so I was surprised to find that I quickly adjusted to the keyboard. As soon as my fingertips contacted the keys, I started typing at my normal pace with few typos. This is probably due to the keyboard’s smaller size and the fact that the keys are not too far apart. It simply works better with smaller hands, which I seem to have. The keys also make a pleasant clicking sound.
I had no trouble using the touchpad; I could click and swipe as much as I wanted. It is not a haptic touchpad, which creates the sensation of a click by using tiny vibrations, but that is okay too. The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 has a touchpad that is just where I like it to be—parallel to the screen, or center aligned. Given that the laptop is smaller (the display is just 12.2 inches), the smaller touchpad makes sense. The touchpad may feel a little small if your hands are larger.
Display, Webcam, and Speakers
I was surprised by how sharp the 1920×1200 display is (thank goodness for additional vertical pixels!). The experience of watching a streamer play the new Civilization VII game felt cozy, and details like temples and city spires appeared clear. My only complaint is that the display is not very bright, which is to be expected considering how reasonably priced this computer is. Although the unit level is not officially stated, it appears to be around 250 nits to the unaided eye. It is not a poor display, but; I just thought it would be a little better for $449.
I should also point out that, despite not having a stylus, it has a touchscreen. It easily recorded my taps and swipes, I discovered. Even while 2-in-1 laptops like the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 have this capability very frequently these days, there is something pleasant (and perhaps opulent) about being able to use just one finger to navigate the content on your screen. It is a nice touch.
This display’s taller 16:10 aspect ratio is what I enjoy best about it. Scrolling through documents, navigating spreadsheets, and other tasks are made easier by the bigger screen. I constantly have the Gamexta site open, and I find that scrolling through the recently released stories is much simpler on a bigger screen. I find it annoying that the thick bezels occupy a large portion of the screen. I am aware that it is a low-cost Chromebook rather than a powerful laptop for creating content with 4K quality, but given its little 12.2-inch screen, I was hoping for a little more.
Both side-firing and downward-firing speakers are available on the Acer Chromebook Spin 312. Since downward-firing ones yell into whatever surface they are on, the audio would likely sound more muffled if it were not for the side-firing ones. I tend to turn up the volume when watching films on laptops, especially if my spouse and I are watching anything in the kitchen. The speakers were loud enough to fill a medium-sized kitchen/dining room space, keeping that in mind.
Performance
Lighter jobs are easily handled with the Acer Chromebook Spin 312. Bootup times were fairly quick, and I could switch between tabs without experiencing any lag. In terms of performance, it lies in the middle between the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus ($699.99) and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet ($359). It performed worse than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, which has a more potent Intel Core 3 100U processor, but better than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which has a MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 312’s Intel Core i3-N305 processor performs well on light activities but will probably have trouble on harder ones. It can turbo to 3.8 GHz and has eight efficiency cores. It may have a longer battery life than the more costly Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus because it was developed with energy-efficient performance in mind.
 Battery life
During our routine battery test, which loops films and performs other tasks until the laptop runs out of juice, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 operated for nearly 14 hours. That is a commendable outcome. It outperformed the more costly Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus ($699.99), which had a 12-hour battery life. You do not need to look for an outlet when you have the Chromebook Spin 312.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is a reliable notebook. Despite being made entirely of plastic, the keyboard is comfortable to type on, the design is sturdy, and it performs admirably when used for daily chores. Nevertheless, the large bezels take up a significant amount of space, and the display could be brighter. Apart from the lone charging port, the design is also unimpressive.
Thus, the question still stands. Is it worthwhile to purchase? Sure, if it is on sale. At its full $449 MSRP, the display’s thick bezels, one charging connection, and plain design are enough to make me think twice. Luckily, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is presently available on Amazon for $379 as of this writing. For a reliable Chromebook like this, that is a more affordable price.
