I admit I used to be not initially bought on the premium Chromebook idea. I did not see the necessity to shell out more money when, functionally, I may have a close to sufficient expertise for half the value. Then, I began to make use of a number of high-end Chromebooks and noticed the worth in most of the creature comforts and efficiency boosts they supplied. If Home windows laptop computer customers can take pleasure in top-of-the-line options, why should not Chromebook aficionados? Though it is not excellent, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 presents first-rate construct high quality with efficiency to match the elevated price ticket — particularly if you happen to work within the cloud.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 for 2023 presents a quick Thirteenth-gen Intel Core i5 processor with the premium construct high quality anticipated from Acer. It options a wonderful 14-inch IPS panel with a 1920×1200 decision that’s color-accurate and vibrant sufficient for even out of doors use. The Spin 714 additionally retains the full-sized HDMI port, helpful for shows.
- Working System
- ChromeOS
- CPU
- i3-1315U / i5-1335U / i7-1355U
- Storage
- 128/256/512GB/1TB
- Battery
- 56Wh
- Audio system
- Upward-firing stereo audio system
- Dimensions
- 312.6 (W) x 224 (D) x 18.05 (H) mm
- Weight
- 1.37kg / 3.02lbs
- Worth
- from $700
- Incredible show
- Stable construct high quality
- Full-sized HDMI port
- Spotty palm rejection software program
- Feels cumbersome in pill mode
Worth and availability
The place are you able to get one?
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is offered by way of Acer and Greatest Purchase for $699. It is available in one configuration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of inside storage. Acer maintains an alphabet soup of product numbers, so I like to recommend double-checking to make sure you purchase the mannequin being reviewed.
Design and {hardware}
Smooth design, nice keyboard
I can hardly ever fault Acer for its Chromebook designs, and the Spin 714 is not any exception. Its aluminum prime and backside plate present added safety and a premium really feel. In case you’re a contact clumsy, Acer has you coated, because the Spin 714 is MIL-STD 810H rated, so whereas I by no means suggest bashing round your Chromebook, it could take a ding or two with out bursting aside.
Aesthetically, I am happy with the match and end of the Spin 714. My overview mannequin is metal grey with gold accents for the hinges — a satisfying contact. Functionally, it has all of the ports you have come to count on from Acer: two USB-C Thunderbolt 4, a USB-A 3.2, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a full-sized HDMI port. I like that Acer has saved the full-sized HDMI on its Chromebooks, and it retains consistent with the corporate’s declare that the Spin 714 is good for shows, whether or not or not it’s for enterprise or lecturers within the classroom.
As a ’90s baby used to the wonderful keyboards on laptops of yesteryear, I can fortunately report that the Spin 714’s keyboard is a pleasure. Key journey is substantial, and my fingers glide throughout the deck. Talking of the keyboard deck, it is plastic however sturdy — I seen little to no flex whereas typing. Acer’s keyboard backlighting is not the brightest, however it does the job in low-lighting situations.
Speaker placement is one design component I am glad to see modified from earlier 700-series Chromebooks. As an alternative of muffled downward-firing audio system, Acer opted for stereo upward-firing audio system positioned above the keyboard. Efficiency nonetheless is not one of the best, as some dialogue appears to be swallowed at instances, however the DTS Audio audio system get lots loud with out distortion.
For video calls, Acer included a 2K webcam alongside the highest bezel. The standard and readability are wonderful, with audio aided by the 2 inside microphones. I am happy to see Acer preserve my favourite digicam function from the Spin 514 — the bodily shutter to stop unauthorized viewing with out your information.
Because the identify Spin suggests, the gadget’s hinge rotates 360 levels, turning the Chromebook right into a 14-inch pill. I like the concept in idea, however I’ve the identical points I did after I reviewed the Spin 514 — at a contact over 3 kilos, the Spin 714 turns into unwieldy in pill mode. I desire retaining the hinges partially open and utilizing the gadget in tent mode. It permits for simpler shows that may be manipulated with no need the touchpad or keyboard. Acer protects the show with Corning Gorilla Glass. It creates a little bit of glare, however protecting glass is required so you possibly can really feel assured utilizing it as a pill. As well as, the trackpad can be coated in Gorilla Glass. Just like the Spin 514, the trackpad can get a bit squirrely and requires fairly a little bit of drive to depress — I discovered myself sliding off track attempting to double-click icons.
Show
A greater show is well worth the money
Earlier, I discussed how I got here to understand spending a bit extra for premium Chromebooks, and higher shows are one of many important advantages of that additional money. The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 options a wonderful 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS panel with 340nit brightness that does not go unnoticed. I nonetheless struggled in daylight due to the glare, however my eyes weren’t begging for additional lumens indoors. For artists and professionals, the show can be color-accurate, with 100% of the sRGB vary.
I used to be stunned at how contrasty the Spin 714’s show is for an LCD. The colours are vibrant and well-balanced, and video playback appears to be like superb. Moody tones look nice on the Acer show, with deep blacks not washing out shadows or backgrounds throughout motion pictures. It is a 16:10 facet ratio, which is able to hassle some folks, however I’ve gotten used to it on laptops and revel in extra vertical house in paperwork and spreadsheets. It is also useful in tent mode, making shows simpler to view.
Software program and efficiency
Blazing efficiency
ChromeOS is ChromeOS. I do know that sounds a bit daft, however it’s true, and it is a constructive. With ChromeOS 117, long-time customers will discover some modifications as Google streamlines its person expertise throughout a number of gadget lessons. ChromeOS now resembles the Materials You aesthetic on the newest Google Pixel telephones. It is a refreshing change, as ChromeOS was feeling a bit stale earlier than its newest spherical of refreshes.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 can be supported till June 2032 — a mind-boggling life cycle. It is a part of a latest push by Google to help ChromeOS units for as much as 10 years. It is a testomony to how nicely Google can optimize the software program, but additionally to how little it takes ChromeOS to run. I am pretty sure a Ti-83 can hearth it up at this level.
Efficiency is blazing due to the Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i5-1335U powering the Spin 714. It might be thought-about overkill, however I would relatively have the facility and never want it than name up a extra sturdy program and notice I am operating a bit gentle. It will additionally assist years from now when the Spin 714 continues to be supported and I am beginning to use extra of that headroom. It chews by way of extra advanced spreadsheets with out problem, and I had no drawback with an absurd quantity of Chrome tabs open without delay. I may load up all my Chrome extensions with out a hitch, and I by no means seen any important glitches or slowdowns pulling up media.
Intel Iris X graphics will mean you can play gentle video games, however do not count on to be slaying raids in Escape from Tarkov — preserve it to Stardew Valley, and you will be simply tremendous. Most Chromebook-friendly Android video games ought to run nicely, with the occasional stutter because of a compatibility problem.
In pill mode, palm rejection nearly appeared non-existent, with even gentle intrusions from my wrist utterly locking out no matter else I used to be attempting to enter. If you must use the Spin 714 as a pill, I like to recommend dealing with it like a tabletop show as an alternative of holding it — you may save your self a whole lot of frustration.
Battery life
Your mileage could range
Acer claims you may see as much as 10 hours of battery life from the 56Wh cell on the Spin 714, which holds up in testing. I discovered 10 hours is achievable with mixed-use, even with the display brightness turned many of the manner up. Your mileage could range, and count on that quantity to drop considerably if you happen to begin taxing the Intel Core i5 with extra than simply YouTube movies and Google Docs. You will discover a 65W USB-C charger included within the field when it is time to prime off.
Competitors
Two ends of the value spectrum
In case you’re in search of a Chromebook with a gaming focus, Acer’s personal 516 GE is a worthy various to the Spin 714. It is a contact inexpensive at $649, and you may compromise on the Thunderbolt 4 ports (the 516 GE would not have any). It additionally lacks a contact show, however it’s not all unhealthy information. The 516 GE options an ethernet jack for higher cloud streaming, and it sports activities a bigger 16-inch show with a quad-speaker setup.
The HP Dragonfly Professional is a extra business-like various than the Acer 516 GE. It options beautiful audio from the Bang and Olufsen audio system and a brighter, higher-resolution show. It additionally has double the RAM of the Spin 714, however these upgrades come at a value — the Dragonfly Professional prices $999.
Do you have to purchase it?
A steadiness of energy and worth
The Chromebook Spin 714 is an efficient steadiness of energy and worth. I just like the premium construct high quality, and I take pleasure in how snappy ChromeOS runs on sooner {hardware}, however the show sells me on the Spin 714. I do not suppose I am going to ever be totally snug spending $699 on a Chromebook, however the Spin 714 eases the ache by giving me little to complain about for the cash.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 for 2023 presents a quick Thirteenth-gen Intel Core i5 processor with the premium construct high quality anticipated from Acer. It options a wonderful 14-inch IPS panel with a 1920×1200 decision that’s color-accurate and vibrant sufficient for even out of doors use. The Spin 714 additionally retains the full-sized HDMI port, helpful for shows.
- Working System
- ChromeOS
- CPU
- i3-1315U / i5-1335U / i7-1355U
- Storage
- 128/256/512GB/1TB
- Battery
- 56Wh
- Audio system
- Upward-firing stereo audio system
- Dimensions
- 312.6 (W) x 224 (D) x 18.05 (H) mm
- Weight
- 1.37kg / 3.02lbs
- Worth
- from $700
