Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 evaluation: ChromeOS will get luxurious

At a look

Knowledgeable’s Ranking

Execs

• Nice keyboard
• Stable battery life and efficiency
• Stunning show

Cons

• Tinny audio system
• Pen offered individually
• No fingerprint reader
• Dearer than the typical Chromebook

Our Verdict

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is a 2-in-1 Chromebook that delivers a superb all-around ChromeOS expertise. In fact, it’s costlier than the typical Chromebook — and it’s not excellent.

Value When Reviewed

$699

Finest Costs At present: Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714

$699

$869.99

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is a 2-in-1 Chromebook with a contact display screen that may rotate 360 levels to perform as a pill. It is a “Chromebook Plus” mannequin, so that you’ll be getting ChromeOS with some additional options, together with entry to Gemini Superior for a yr (which usually prices $20 monthly).

Chromebook Plus options apart, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is a succesful Chromebook that’s a bit extra premium than the typical Chromebook — whereas additionally being a bit costlier. Efficiency and battery life greater than match what’s wanted for a very good Chromebook expertise. It’s an honest package deal, though some issues — just like the audio system — disappoint.

Additional studying: Finest Chromebooks 2024: Finest total, greatest battery life, and extra

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Specs

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 contains an Intel Core Extremely 5 115U CPU together with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. That is considered one of Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs, and whereas it’s on the slower finish in comparison with different Meteor Lake chips, it delivers higher efficiency than some even slower CPUs in additional budget-level Chromebooks. Day-to-day efficiency in ChromeOS and various internet apps was wonderful.

• CPU: Intel Core Extremely 5 115U
• Reminiscence: 8 GB LPDDR5X
• Graphics/GPU: Intel graphics
• Show: 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS show with contact display screen
• Storage: 256 GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
• Webcam: 1440p webcam with privateness shutter
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB Sort-C, 1x USB Sort-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x combo audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
• Biometrics: None
• Battery capability: 53 Watt-hours
• Dimensions: 12.36 x 8.86 x 0.74 inches
• Weight: 3.21 kilos
• MSRP: $699 as examined

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is a 2-in-1 machine with a 360-degree hinge. You may rotate it round and use it in pill type, for those who like. Since ChromeOS has built-in assist for Android apps, you’ll get entry to a bigger number of tablet-optimized experiences than you’d on a Home windows 2-in-1.

This 14-inch machine is an inexpensive dimension and weight. At 3.21 kilos and 0.74 inches thick, it’s not the lightest or thinnest laptop computer, however it’s not unusually massive both. Like several 2-in-1, it’s actually a lot thicker than the typical pill whenever you rotate it 360 levels.

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has a pleasant design that includes darkish grays on the chassis, black across the display screen, and a few fascinating gold highlights on the lid and hinges. The trackpad can be framed in silver. It’s a very good look, and I all the time recognize laptops that go for a extra hardly ever seen colour scheme. The contact display screen makes use of Gorilla Glass.

The hinge is strong, which is essential for the 360-degree motion on a 2-in-1 system. Whenever you open the laptop computer and push the display screen again far sufficient, it lifts the again of the keyboard to allow you to sort at an angle. It’s effectively thought out.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

I’m not a fan of the phrases on the top-left nook of the laptop computer. Stickers are one factor, however this machine has the phrases “Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass” above the show, on the upper-left nook of the laptop computer. They’re not a sticker, so you possibly can’t take away them. And so they’re silver so they have an inclination to shine within the daylight. Since that’s proper within the upper-left nook above the top-left tab in your Chrome browser home windows, it may be distracting in sure lighting circumstances. I did get used to it, however I want I didn’t must. Ideally, this brand might be a sticker customers may take away, just like the HDMI brand on the bottom-right nook of the show.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has a keyboard that actually impressed me. It’s fairly snappy and feels as if it has loads of journey. Unhealthy keyboards have keys that may backside out rapidly or really feel mushy, and this keyboard doesn’t really feel like that in any respect. It additionally has a white backlight you possibly can activate and off. It’s an superior keyboard I used to be completely happy to sort on, particularly for the worth level.

The trackpad can be wonderful. It’s an inexpensive dimension for a machine this dimension, though I’ve seen bigger. It’s not as premium feeling because the haptic touchpads on some newer laptops, however it’s very responsive and the clicking feels first rate.

Acer says the trackpad is manufactured from “OceanGlass,” which isn’t glass in any respect however is recycled ocean plastic. The floor doesn’t really feel fairly as clean because the glass trackpads I’ve used on some higher-end machines, however it feels fairly good. It doesn’t really feel plastic-y or rubber-y, because the worst touchpads can, and the clicking motion doesn’t really feel mushy.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Show and audio system

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has a 14-inch IPS show with a 1920×1200 decision, 16:10 side ratio, and 340 nits of brightness. It seems to be good with its shiny display screen and it’s a pleasant decision. At greater than 1080p, it’s nice for media streaming.

Nonetheless, 340 nits of brightness is on the dimmer aspect. Mix that with a shiny glass floor and this show has lots of reflections in direct daylight. Whereas I used to be in a position to make use of it exterior on a sunny day, you’re most likely higher off going for a laptop computer with a matte show and better most brightness if that’s essential to you.

This 2-in-1 machine has a multi-touch touchscreen that works effectively. Word that, whereas it does assist stylus enter, this machine does not include a stylus or pen. You’ll have to purchase one individually.

Sadly, this Chromebook’s audio system aren’t nice, even by laptop computer speaker requirements. They’re unusually tinny, and that’s unlucky contemplating how polished the remainder of this Chromebook’s {hardware} is. You’ll desire a pair of headphones or earbuds for a greater audio expertise.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 features a 1440p webcam. That’s unusually good on paper, as many laptops — even higher-end ones — have a tendency to incorporate 1080p webcams. It seems to be good in quite a lot of lighting circumstances. Additionally, this being a Chromebook Plus, you get entry to AI-powered webcam tips like background blur and lighting enhancements, which might be helpful.

Acer included a bodily privateness shutter above the webcam, which you’ll be able to slide to dam it. That’s all the time a pleasant contact.

This laptop computer additionally has an honest microphone that did a very good job of selecting up my speech with out a lot background noise. Between the webcam and the microphone, it is a nice laptop computer for video conferences. The audio system are the principle weak spot there, so that you’ll have a greater expertise for those who use a pair of headphones. However they’re actually usable for a web based assembly.

Sadly, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 doesn’t provide a fingerprint reader. With out biometrics, you’ll must signal into your PC with a PIN or use your Android cellphone to unlock it. Whereas cheaper machines usually skip the biometrics, it might be good to see a fingerprint reader at a extra premium worth level.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Connectivity

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has an honest collection of ports, however many laptops have extra.

On the left aspect, you’ve obtained two USB Sort-C ports and a USB Sort-A port. The USB Sort-C ports are Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 whereas the Sort-A port is USB 3.2 Gen 1.

On the appropriate aspect, you’ve obtained HDMI 2.0 out and a combo audio jack. (There’s additionally a quantity swap on the appropriate aspect of the laptop computer, which can be good for utilizing it in pill mode).

Keep in mind that you just’ll be charging this machine with USB-C — it features a USB-C charger. In an ideal universe, I’d like to see USB-C on either side of the laptop computer for extra flexibility when charging.

That’s an okay collection of ports, however some individuals might desire a microSD card reader or some additional USB ports. (The cheaper Acer Chromebook Plus 514 gives extra ports, for instance). There’s all the time the choice of connecting a dongle.

On the wi-fi radio entrance, you’ve obtained Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1. Wi-Fi 7 could be good to see and it’ll change into customary with Intel’s subsequent era of CPUs, named Lunar Lake. For now, machines like this one get Wi-Fi 6E. That’s not a giant downside as you nearly actually don’t have a Wi-Fi 7 router but.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Efficiency

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 contains an Intel Core Extremely 5 115U CPU. It is a newer Meteor Lake-powered CPU, however one of many lower-end fashions. Nonetheless, it’s a very good CPU for the worth level and the true low-end Chromebooks usually have a lot lower-end CPUs — maybe an ARM chip from MediaTek. A CPU like this one is greater than able to offering an incredible Chromebook expertise, as ChromeOS and web-based software program aren’t probably the most demanding.

We ran our regular suite of browser-based Chromebook benchmarks and listed below are the scores:

• CrXPRT 2: 167
• Speedometer 2.0: 294
• Speedometer 3.0: 16.5
• Basemark Internet 3.0: 1494.4
• Kraken: 527.5
• Jetstream 2: 235.082

These are good scores, and the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 delivered nice efficiency in each day use, even whereas juggling a number of tabs. The ChromeOS expertise and the Chrome browser itself all the time felt snappy and quick. I don’t know if I might have even seen a a lot sooner CPU whereas performing the same old web-based duties.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Battery life

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has a 53 Watt-hour battery. That’s on the small aspect for a 14-inch laptop computer, however ChromeOS is pretty light-weight.

We ran the CrXPT battery life benchmark, and the Chromebook lasted for a powerful 15.1 hours on common. That’s above the “as much as 10 hours” of battery life Acer advertises for this technique. Acer’s estimate is nearer to what I skilled in day-to-day use. As regular with laptop computer battery life, your mileage might differ, however this Chromebook delivers good battery life.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714: Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is nicer than the typical Chromebook, however it’s additionally costlier than the typical Chromebook. Nonetheless, at $699, it’s nonetheless cheaper than many competing Home windows laptops.

That’s an incredible package deal at a compelling worth. However many individuals will probably be on the lookout for less-expensive Chromebooks. And, for individuals who are on the lookout for a extra premium Chromebook expertise, some facets of this laptop computer will give them pause — just like the audio system.

Nonetheless, it is a nice Chromebook that many individuals could be proud of. As I wrap up typing this evaluation on the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714’s wonderful keyboard, that sale worth of $599 looks like good worth for a principally nice Chromebook expertise.