Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review

Chromebooks are getting higher and higher every single day. With the arrival of the brand new Chromebook Plus line of laptops comes up to date {hardware}, 1080p webcams, and AI capabilities. That’s the brand new commonplace nowadays and I’m so right here for it. Chromebooks have undoubtedly come a great distance for the reason that 2011 debut. If you happen to’re out there for a handy guide a rough on a regular basis machine, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is unquestionably value your treasured time and a focus.

From the dependable efficiency to the stunning typing expertise, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 has rather a lot to supply the on a regular basis particular person. I used to be in a position to simply bounce from tab to tab with no noticeable lag. The audio is crisp as nicely because of the upward-firing audio system.

Whereas the design is considerably missing and the show’s bezels are thicker than I like, I’d say the professionals outweigh the cons right here, particularly for the $399.99/£399.99 price ticket. Not unhealthy for a sub-$500/£500 machine, huh?

You should purchase it from Amazon and Currys. Take a look at our checklist of the perfect Chromebooks for extra choices.

Design & Construct

I’ve to confess, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 gained’t be profitable any magnificence pageants. It simply blends in amongst a sea of darkish grey rectangles, which pervade the laptop computer market. That mentioned, the refined sample on the lid, a lighter grey triangle assembly a darker grey one, is attention-grabbing to have a look at. It’s not essentially the most thrilling design, however that will not hassle some of us. In any case, a refined or extra utilitarian design may be extra welcome, particularly for those who plan on utilizing this laptop computer in an workplace setting.

Whereas the design is nothing to jot down dwelling about, the construct high quality is spectacular, particularly for a sub-$500 laptop computer. You’ll really feel a little bit flex for those who twist the corners of the display screen, however the keyboard deck is agency and didn’t cave once I pushed my fingers down on it. The laptop computer weighs about 3.7 kilos, which is comparatively light-weight. It’s not the lightest machine we’ve ever examined, but it surely doesn’t must be. On the finish of the day, it shouldn’t provide you with a shoulder ache when touring with it.

AI & Different Options

The brand new suite of AI instruments are enjoyable, however not obligatory. The wallpapers that change all through the day are beautiful, providing a pleasant background to have a look at in between work and different duties. You too can enhance the lighting in webcam footage and movies. There’s additionally a generative AI software that may produce wallpapers and assembly backgrounds.

It’s not accessible simply but, however I’m a little bit cautious utilizing of such issues. It delves too deep within the moral murkiness of AI artwork theft, which I don’t actually wish to tango with.

Show, Keyboard & Trackpad

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515’s 15.6-inch 1080p show is sweet, however not nice. It solely manages about 250 nits of brightness, so I needed to preserve adjusting the brightness, particularly when watching YouTube or Netflix. As for image high quality, effective particulars are sharp sufficient for productiveness duties in addition to day-to-day use.

After I watched an episode of The Home of Usher, which is a really darkish present (each visually and plot-wise), I discovered the display screen’s distinction to be satisfying. I want the bezels have been a little bit smaller, although, particularly those on the high and backside of the display screen, to permit for extra image.

The keyboard is sweet and spacious. The truth is, the typing expertise is remarkably much like the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34. The keys really feel springy beneath my fingertips and I grew accustomed to utilizing them over a brief time period. The person keys additionally look like wider than different ones I’ve seen, which is right for these with bigger fingers. As for the trackpad, it’s positioned in the course of the keyboard, which I really like.

I’ve mentioned this in earlier evaluations, however nothing irritates me greater than an off-center trackpad, as my palms steadily contact it and trigger misfires. In use, the Plus 515’s rapidly registered my faucets and glides and emitted a pleasant snapping sound every time I pressed down on it.

Connectivity, Webcam & Audio

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The connectivity choices on the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 are effective, however possibly a little bit meager for some. It has two USB-C, one USB-A, one HDMI, and a headset jack. I might’ve most well-liked a couple of USB-A, however that’s nothing a hub can’t repair. In addition to, as somebody who works remotely and has entry to each a laptop computer and a desktop PC, I don’t want as many connectivity choices as an workplace employee may.

I really like the inclusion of a 1080p webcam, which is now the usual throughout all Chromebook Plus units. On video, I didn’t look washed out or grainy, which is ideal for somebody like me (who works from dwelling and participates in video calls). I’m undecided I’d say it’s essentially the most color-accurate webcam I’ve ever seen, although. The clementine-colored sweater I used to be sporting appeared extra muted than it really seems in actual life. There’s additionally a bodily privateness shutter on this webcam, which is a plus in my e-book.

The audio is surprisingly good because of the upward-firing audio system, which flank the keyboard. After I listened to the Hounds of Love album, Kate Bush’s witch-like vocals (that’s a praise, I swear) have been each clear and otherworldly. I didn’t discover any bizarre tinniness, however bass sounds are laborious to return by. That’s simply the character of laptop computer audio, although. You simply can’t get the identical audio high quality as with a soundbar or exterior audio system.

Specs & Efficiency

Our evaluation unit comes with an Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, Intel UHD graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. That’s loads of energy for on a regular basis duties like looking social media, checking e mail, and so forth. It’s not a souped-up gaming machine, however that’s not what this Chromebook is designed for. It’s good at what it does, particularly for $399.99.

Nonetheless, storage is on the lighter facet, which can trigger some raised eyebrows. Within the UK, although, you get a extra affordable 256GB for £399.99.

It didn’t affect me a lot although, as I retailer most of my recordsdata within the cloud. You’ll be able to’t reconfigure this mannequin, both. Nonetheless, you’ll have the ability to choose totally different configurations sooner or later.

At first look, the specs on this machine might not appear all that spectacular. In any case, the Intel Core i3 processor is usually designed for browser-based duties and never a lot else. Nonetheless, for a casual-use machine, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 performs like an actual professional. Bootup and shutdown occurs lighting quick, and I didn’t discover any lag when leaping from tab to tab. The Plus 515 had an amazing Basemark Internet 3.0 rating of 1313.43, beating out the comparable Asus Chromebook Plus CX34.

This benchmark measures how nicely your machine handles internet primarily based purposes. That mentioned, it had a decrease CrXPRT 2 rating of 169. Though it falls behind the Plus CX34’s 181 rating, I didn’t discover any distinction between the 2 machines. The 2 carry out equally, particularly in real-world use.

Right here’s how the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 fared within the 5 browser-based benchmarks. 

• CrXPRT 2: 169
• Speedometer: 116
• Basemark Internet 3.0: 1313.43
• Kraken: 504.7ms
• Jetstream 2: 248.98

Battery life

Battery life is respectable, however we’ve undoubtedly seen higher outcomes for Chromebooks. The Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip, for instance, lasted a whopping 19 hours on a single cost. The Chromebook Plus 515, nonetheless, petered out on the 13 hour mark. That’s nonetheless a great end result, so don’t get it twisted.

It also needs to be famous that I ran the battery benchmark with the brightness set to 50 %, so you might even see a shorter end result for those who’re utilizing the laptop computer with the brightness cranked up.

Do you have to purchase the Acer Chromebook Plus 515?

Yeah! You need to. The one actual draw back is the aesthetics, that are an actual snooze-fest. The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, with its ivory-colored chassis and backlit keyboard, is extra stunning by comparability (not less than to my eyes).

That mentioned, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a dependable performer, which is what actually issues on the finish of the day. Magnificence’s solely pores and skin deep, of us. The 13-hour battery life is about common for a Chromebook, however that’s loads of juice for those who’re ever away from an outlet for some time.

If you happen to’ve been on the hunt for a strong on a regular basis laptop computer that gives robust efficiency, good audio, and a 1080p webcam, then the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a effective alternative.

This evaluation initially appeared on PCWorld.

Specs

• CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U
• Graphics: Intel UHD graphics
• Reminiscence: 8GB RAM
• Show: 15.6-inch 1080p, 16:9 facet ratio
• Storage: 128/256GB SSD
• Webcam: 1080p at 60fps
• Connectivity: One USB-A, two USB-C, one HDMI, one headset jack
• Battery capability: 13 hours
• Weight: 3.7 lbs