Taiwanese-American computing giant Acer has a great reputation for its affordable laptops. In particular, Acer’s diverse Chromebook range offers models that span from compact budget laptops to high-end gaming laptops.
One of Acer’s biggest benefits is its wide range of Chrome OS devices, including Chromebook Plus models, which makes it easy to find a computer that meets your needs. And this round-up of the best Acer Chromebooks includes competitively priced laptops that will take you from your college dissertation to that all-important all-night gaming session.
Reliable Acer Chromebooks
Acer Chromebook Plus 515
Great for most people
Acer’s Chromebook Plus 515 brings modern Intel Core performance, speedy LPDDR5x RAM, and plenty of storage. It lacks a touch display and keyboard backlight, but that won’t matter to many who just want an affordable and reliable laptop for productivity, streaming, and homework.
- 12th Gen Intel Core performance
- 8GB LPDDR5x RAM and 128GB storage
- Top-firing speakers, lots of ports, 1080p webcam
- No keyboard backlight
- No touch display
Google’s Chromebook Plus technology delivers enhanced performance for ChromeOS devices with a welcome boost to processing power, speeds, screen resolution, and battery life. The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 allows you to get your hands on this enhanced tech without blowing your budget.
Despite the slightly underwhelming steel-gray exterior, the Chromebook Plus 515 is a competent model that keeps pace with professional demands like telecommuting. The display has a 16:9 aspect ratio, 1920×1080 resolution, and an IPS panel. As for ports, you get two USB-C 3.2, one USB-A 3.2, a 3.5mm audio jack, and HDMI 1.4. And thanks to the “Plus” designation, you also get access to extra features like Magic Eraser in Google Photos, and discounts and trials on editing software. We’re impressed by the 12th Generation Intel Core i3-1215U processor which nearly doubles the speed on conventional Chromebooks. Wi-Fi 6E is also a nice touch, making it a future-forward buy. Plus, you’ll be glad of the ample storage, though the 8GB of RAM may be taxed if you like to have 100 tabs open simultaneously.
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review: A sturdy device that excels at productivity
A speedy budget laptop that will meet the majority of needs
Since the 515 was one of the first Chromebook Plus models, great deals are available, so you can purchase this machine for under $400. At this price point, it’s an excellent deal. If you can overlook the somewhat dull design and pared-back specs (like the non-touch screen), you’ll walk away with a laptop that outranks most higher-end standard Chromebooks.
Acer Chromebook Vero 514
A stylish machine with excellent performance
The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 is a stylish, lightweight Chromebook with specs that easily compete with the Chromebook Plus. Its Intel Core i5 12th Gen i5-1235U Deca-core processor with Intel Iris XE integrated graphics is the best in Acer’s Chromebook range. The 256GB storage and 16GB RAM assure speed and responsiveness, and its 14-inch HD screen with Gorilla Glass is perfect for streaming.
- Impressive Intel deca-core processor and Iris XE graphics
- 14-inch HD screen with Gorilla Glass
- DTS Audio and smart amplifier
- Limited to Google Play apps
- Expensive
- Not gaming-friendly
The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 is one of Acer’s premium Chromebook models; it has comparable performance to a Chromebook Plus. The computer was designed for maximized productivity, with speed assured by its Intel Core i5 12th Gen i5-1235U deca-core processor, 256GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM. Competent Wi-Fi 6 connectivity means this laptop integrates easily into your home or work network, and ten hours of battery life (approximately 8.5 hours in real-world usage) allows you to roam.
The big question is why the Vero 514, rather than Acer’s Chromebook Plus? For an answer, look at the excellent 14-inch HD (1920 x 1080 pixel) resolution, which, thanks to Intel Iris Xe Graphics shared memory, is the perfect partner for digital art and design projects, or watching that great movie. Acer has not skimped on the little details either. The DTS Audio and built-in Smart Amplifier deliver great audio for a laptop, and we’re impressed by the stylish but sustainable chassis that uses 30% less plastic than other Acer models.
Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Unbeatable price for a 2-in-1
Acer’s Chromebook Spin 311 is the most affordable laptop in this roundup, and its compact size is perfect for children or casual users who want something they can carry around without much effort.
- Convertible responsive touchscreen
- Versatile and compact design
- Solid battery life
- Performance won’t match pricier options
- HD display might not be ideal
Acer’s Spin 311 laptop is one of the best cheap Chromebooks you can buy, usually coming in at no more than $250. For such an affordable model, you get a decent multifunctional model that is surprisingly lightweight, amounting to less than a pound and a half. We’re pleased that, despite its size, Acer has not skimped on ports and has included USB-C and USB-A ports along with a 3.5mm audio jack.
The Spin 311’s MediaTek MT8183C CPU with eight cores won’t set any speed records, but it will be enough to handle light work, browsing, and streaming. At this price point, the 4GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage is unsurprising, but you may be able to find 64GB models. The battery will also last for up to 15 hours on a charge.
The 11.6-inch touch display has an HD resolution that doesn’t look nearly as pixelated at this size compared to larger screens, and it makes for an easier hold for small hands. Finally, the convertible design lets you rotate the screen around 360 degrees for tent, stand, and tablet modes, providing extra versatility at the same low cost and making it a great 2-in-1 Chromebook.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE
For cloud or local gaming
Want a Chromebook designed from the start for local or cloud gaming? You need to check out the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, complete with a premium 16-inch display and 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs.
- 12th Gen Intel Core P-series CPUs
- 16-inch display with QHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
- Outstanding audio from quad speakers
- No Thunderbolt 4
- No touch display
Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE is a powerhouse machine that packs in just about everything you could possibly want in a high-end laptop. It has a few extra goodies that make it stand out in a sea of other ChromeOS-powered laptops, and they’re good enough to make this device our top pick for best gaming Chromebooks.
As one of the first devices built for cloud gaming, the Chromebook 516 GE supports all major cloud gaming platforms, including Microsoft Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, and NVIDIA GeForce Now. It comes with Intel’s 12th generation Core i5 CPU, working in tandem with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. You also get a 16-inch WQXGA display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate. And as you’d expect from any gaming laptop worth its salt, an RGB keyboard (complete with four-zone lighting and presets) is included in the mix.
In terms of wireless connectivity and ports, Acer Chromebook 516 GE sports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C, USB-A, and even Gigabit Ethernet. Combine these with essentials such as a flare-reducing webcam and a four-speaker audio system with DTS Audio support, and you have got a Chromebook that excels at cloud gaming and almost everything thrown at it. This laptop is also certified to work with the Steam for ChromeOS beta, giving you the ability to enjoy some local gaming as well.
Acer Chromebook 715
Enterprise-friendly Chromebook with fingerprint security
The Acer Chromebook ticks all the boxes for an efficient business machine. This 15.6-inch laptop has a formidable Intel Core i3-8130U processor and more than 128GB of storage for speedy loading that quickly gets tasks out of the way. The smart aluminum housing and Gorilla glass touchpad add longevity, while the fingerprint scanner enhances device security, making it ideal for secure applications.
- Fingerprint access
- Separate numerical keypad
- Speedy and sensitive Gorilla glass touchpad
- No touchscreen on standard model
The Acer 715 is a Chromebook that punches above its weight to operate as an efficient business machine. After all, if you’re working remotely or via a collaborative online platform, you’ll likely be using Google Workspace apps, which perform beautifully on this laptop. The 715 is stylishly outfitted in a 100% aluminum housing with a robust Gorilla glass touchpad that massively enhances its durability. You’ll appreciate details like the wide Field-of-View HDR webcam, fingerprint reader, and numeric keypad, the first of its kind on a Chromebook.
We’re torn by the combination of a very respectable 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8130U processor with the ChromeOS operating system. The hardware is powerful and more fitting of a Windows or Linux environment, which is more software-friendly. ChromeOS works well on the 715, but with all the effort put into this laptop, you may feel it’s restrained as a Chromebook.
Acer Chromebook 317
Huge display helps with multitasking
This huge Chromebook features a 17.3-inch FHD display, top-firing speakers, a full keyboard with a number pad, and a generous port selection. This is the one to buy if you want the biggest Chromebook possible from Acer.
- Huge 17-inch FHD display
- Intel Pentium N6000 CPU with 8GB of RAM
- Top-firing speakers
- Slow eMMC storage
- Relatively heavy
Laptops are generally meant to be portable, but that’s definitely not the case with Acer’s Chromebook 317. In fact, it won’t be an exaggeration to call this thing a desktop replacement.
Driven by Intel’s Pentium Silver N6000 processor, the Chromebook 317 has 8GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC flash storage. However, the laptop’s biggest highlight (quite literally) is its huge 17.3-inch touchscreen display. Packing a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, the anti-glare IPS LCD panel makes everything from binge-watching your favorite TV shows to split-screen multitasking a joy. The large touchpad and full-size backlit keyboard work well, but it’s still a good idea to get a good mouse or keyboard if you plan on using the Chromebook 317 as a desktop alternative.
Acer’s Chromebook 317 offers all standard wireless connectivity and I/O options, such as Bluetooth 5.1, two USB-C (complete with charging and DisplayPort capabilities) ports, a 3.5mm audio port, and a microSD card slot. It also weighs around 4.85 pounds.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Best for fans of Ryzen CPUs
Acer’s AMD-powered Chromebook Plus 514 is a compact and durable laptop with strong Ryzen performance. It has more features than you might expect at this price, including top-firing speakers, 1080p webcam with AI tuning, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
- Strong AMD Ryzen performance and battery life
- Top-firing speakers, lots of ports, 1080p webcam
- MIL-STD-810H durability certification
- Adaptive brightness is a bit wonky
- Touch display not available in all models
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is another laptop born from Google’s “Plus” program. Instead of offering 12th Gen Intel Core chips like the Chromebook Plus 515, it runs an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor with four cores and Radeon 610M integrated graphics. The CPU is joined by 8GB of speedy LPDDR5x RAM and a 128GB SSD, altogether delivering solid performance. And Acer says the battery life can go for up to 12 hours, which will come down in regular use.
It’s not just all performance; the laptop has MIL-STD-810H durability certification to match high-end business laptops, it has a spill-resistant keyboard, and the 1080p front-facing webcam comes with AI tuning that perfects lighting and noise cancelation. Wi-Fi 6E provides reliable and quick browsing and cloud transfers and top-firing speakers pump out unmuffled audio. Ports include two USB-C 3.2 (Gen 1), one USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1), HDMI 1.4, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
The 14-inch display has an FHD+ resolution to accommodate the taller 16:10 aspect ratio, and it has decent color and contrast. There is some wonk with the adaptive brightness feature, and those sensitive to automatic brightness changes might have some issues. It won’t be a problem for everyone, and we’re hoping Acer irons it out soon. Altogether, fans of AMD should love this Acer Chromebook.
Acer Chromebook 511
Shock absorbent detailing and strengthened hinges
Acer’s super affordable 511 Chromebook is the perfect travel partner due to its compact and durable design. The sturdy offering is ideal for classrooms and can withstand a 4-foot drop and a full glass of OJ poured over the keyboard. And a competent Intel N100 Quad-core processor with 32 GB SSD storage and 4 GB RAM is under the hood. It’s not outstanding, but enough to browse, stream, and stay productive.
- In-built protection to sustain fall from 48 inches of height
- Spill-resistant, replaceable, keyboard
- 12-hour battery life
- 4GB RAM is limited
- Small screen
Acer Chromebooks are often a first choice for a school laptop because they are so affordable. Durability isn’t always a given, but the Acer Chromebook 511 is an impact and moisture-resistant model, designed to withstand everything thrown at it. The 511 has been substantially ruggedized with a wraparound shock-absorbent bumper, military standard (MIL-STD-810H) hinges, and a spill-resistant keyboard. This is the type of machine that allows you to breathe easily when your kid brother gets his hands on it. Even if the keyboard is busted, the 511 keyboard with mechanically anchored keys can be removed and replaced via just two accessible screws.
The 511’s performance is a little more run-of-the-mill due to its basic Intel N100 Quad-core processor with 32GB of storage and just 4GB of RAM. This 11.5-inch Chromebook won’t handle a zillion open tabs well, but it can be toted in a backpack easily and connect anywhere due to its respectable Wi-Fi 6E and optional LTE connectivity.
Find an Acer Chromebook that delivers
Chromebooks have progressed from budget computing to performance machines, so they warrant consideration when purchasing a new laptop. They offer great value, especially when long-term support and the regular addition of features from Google (such as the ability to run Android apps) are considered. The Acer models in our round-up are easy to use and reliable enough to get you through a workday or evening’s streaming or gaming without speed or connectivity issues.
Acer has an expansive Chromebook portfolio, but three models impressed us the most. The Spin 311, with its 2-in-1 design, is outstanding value with a price point that competes with a tablet. At the other end of the scale, our premium pick, the Vero 514 has great processing power and will run more demanding applications. But overall, the Chromebook Plus 515 is a laptop worth a closer look. It has 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs, LPDDR5x RAM, and plenty of storage space for those who don’t always want to rely on the cloud. The 15.6-inch display has plenty of space for productivity work, and you can be assured that connectivity will be hassle-free with its decent port selection.
Acer Chromebook Plus 515
Best for most people
Acer’s Chromebook Plus 515 is relatively affordable for what you’re getting, especially when it’s on sale. It’s the right size for productivity work, it has strong 12th Gen Intel Core performance, and the 1080p webcam can easily handle video conferencing.
