The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is an appealing addition to Acer’s lineup, offering a solid combination of performance, design, and portability. This Chromebook is designed for users who require more than the basic capabilities of entry-level models while still benefiting from the simplicity and security of ChromeOS. Let's dive into the key features and specifications that set this device apart.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Design

    The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 comes with a sleek and professional design that feels premium. The brushed metal finish gives it a high-end appearance, and at 2.87 pounds (1.3 kg) and 0.65 inches (16.5 mm) thick, it's highly portable. The 14-inch display with slim bezels enhances the viewing experience, making it ideal for work, media consumption, and casual browsing.

    The Chromebook’s 1080p webcam delivers impressive clarity, featuring a Blue Glass lens designed to minimize color shifting by filtering out unwanted infrared light while enhancing image quality in dim settings. While I can’t delve deeply into the technical specifics, I did observe fewer color distortions compared to what’s typical with budget laptop cameras. Additionally, the laptop is equipped with a physical shutter for added privacy when the webcam is not in use.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Display Quality

    One of the standout features of this Chromebook is its 14-inch Full HD IPS display. The 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080) provides crisp visuals, and the anti-glare coating makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The display’s brightness levels and wide viewing angles ensure that colors remain vibrant, even when viewed from the sides. Touchscreen functionality is also available on some configurations, adding more flexibility to your usage.

    The color quality and brightness are impressive, with the matte-finish screen effectively minimizing glare. The touchscreen is particularly smooth and responsive, making it a pleasure to use, especially when interacting with Android apps designed with smartphone users in mind.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Performance and Hardware

    The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is powered by an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, which is an upgrade from the typical processors found in budget Chromebooks. With 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage, this device handles multitasking smoothly, whether you’re running multiple Chrome tabs, Android apps, or Linux applications. The performance is notably faster than most standard Chromebooks, making it a great choice for professionals, students, and power users alike.

    The Chromebook Plus 514 stands out with its impressive memory and storage setup: the model I reviewed came with 8GB of RAM and an impressive 512GB solid-state drive. This is a significant upgrade compared to similarly priced Chromebooks, which often offer just 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or even less. It’s worth noting, however, that the spacious 512GB SSD is exclusive to this specific model, the CB-514-4HT-359X. Other versions of the Plus 514 share the same processor and RAM but come with a more modest 128GB SSD.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Battery Life

    Battery life is a crucial aspect of any Chromebook, and the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 delivers up to 10 hours on a single charge. This battery life is sufficient for a full day of work or school, making it an excellent option for users who are frequently on the go.

One area where the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 truly excelled is battery life. In our standard video playback test, it lasted over 14 hours, nearly matching the performance of the Editors' Choice-winning Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and significantly outlasting its rivals.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Keyboard and Trackpad

    The backlit keyboard is comfortable for extended typing sessions, with good key travel and spacing. The trackpad is responsive and accurate, featuring multi-touch gestures for easier navigation. Acer has done a good job of ensuring that the input devices feel solid and reliable, which enhances the overall productivity experience.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Ports and Connectivity

    In terms of connectivity, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is well-equipped with two USB-C ports (both support charging and data transfer), a USB-A port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 are also included, ensuring fast wireless connections and improved stability.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: ChromeOS Experience

    Running on ChromeOS, the Chromebook Plus 514 takes advantage of Google’s latest updates, including enhanced security features, better integration with Android devices, and access to a wide array of apps through the Google Play Store and Linux support. ChromeOS’s simplicity, speed, and automatic updates make it a secure and hassle-free platform for most users.

Who Should Buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 514?

    The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 strikes a great balance between performance, design, and price. It stands out in the crowded Chromebook market by offering a premium feel, enhanced processing power, and a smooth user experience. Whether you need a device for work, study, or entertainment, the Chromebook Plus 514 is a compelling choice that won’t disappoint.

    The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is ideal for those who need a portable and reliable device without compromising on performance. It’s perfect for students, professionals, and digital nomads who want a device that can handle multitasking, media consumption, and light creative work. Given its competitive pricing, it provides excellent value for the performance and features it offers.