What’s one to do when an organization releases an iterative, dare I say, iPhone-like, “improve” to its greatest Chromebook? That’s precisely what we’ve seen with the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023), as the corporate gives a “tick-tock” improve schedule. However earlier than I get too into the weeds, let’s take a deeper have a look at what the Spin 714 (2023) has to supply and whether or not it truly is the perfect general Chromebook.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Value and availability
Acer introduced the Chromebook Spin 714 in April 2023 through the firm’s Subsequent@Acer occasion. It was launched the next month and is obtainable from Finest Purchase with the Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. This configuration retails for $699.99; nevertheless, it’s been repeatedly on sale for nearly $150 off.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): What you may like
Save for a number of exceptions, if there’s one factor which you could count on from Acer, it’s that the corporate gained’t do an excessive amount of in the way in which of fixing the design of its Chromebooks. That sentiment rings true throughout a lot of Acer’s Chromebooks, together with the Chromebook Spin 714 (2023). The one main design change that Acer made in comparison with final 12 months’s mannequin is that you simply now not have the stowable USI stylus, however extra on that later.
To be sincere, I used to be shocked that Acer even launched an up to date model of the Spin 714, on condition that final 12 months’s iteration was already so nice. You doubtless gained’t discover a lot of a efficiency distinction evaluating the twelfth Gen Core i5-1235U to the thirteenth Gen Core i5-1335U. Nevertheless, the place the choice to incorporate the up to date processor makes extra sense is in battery life, as Intel improved the effectivity this time round.
Apart from that, virtually every part else in regards to the Spin 714 (2023) is identical, right down to the convertible design, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and wonderful typing expertise. Talking of the keyboard, I can’t assist however rave about how good it feels to sort on this keyboard. I do know it’s one thing I level out yearly, however that’s simply because it’s so darn good. The one two units that I’d put above the Spin 714 are the MacBook Professional and HP’s Dragonfly Professional Chromebook.
Even when paired with a 49-inch QHD ultrawide show and having a bunch of browser tabs open, the one factor that slows this down is making an attempt to play Steam video games. That’s one thing I’ve largely given up on, save for some lighter titles, at the least till we get a Chromebook with a devoted graphics card.
When the Chromebook Plus announcement was made, I used to be a bit involved that units launched beforehand can be omitted. Fortunately, that’s not the case, as I’ve been in a position to make use of the entire new options on the Spin 714, despite the fact that it doesn’t say “Chromebook Plus” on the lid.
I additionally should admit that I used to be shocked to see how nicely utilizing the online model of Photoshop has labored. Granted, lots of that is being dealt with by the cloud and Adobe’s servers, however I’ve been eager for Photoshop to return to ChromeOS in some capability. Whereas I nonetheless want it provided function parity with its desktop counterparts, the online model principally will get the job carried out.
I’m actually not making an attempt to sound like a damaged report right here, but it surely’s laborious to not when the Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) successfully presents the identical general expertise as its predecessor. Once more, the one main distinction right here is that battery life is barely higher, but it surely’s solely by a slim margin and doubtless not one thing that you simply’ll truly discover.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): What you will not like
Whereas I applaud Acer for not making an attempt to do an excessive amount of to buck the pattern of releasing extremely well-rounded Chromebooks, that’s to not say that I don’t have my complaints. First, I’m disenchanted to see that the stowable USI stylus was eliminated. Not as a result of I don’t have already got loads of my very own, however as a result of it simply made sense to incorporate one.
It removes the necessity to fear about remembering to throw one in your bag or rise up from the sofa to seize it from one other room. And it’s not like Acer did something drastic to the case that will warrant doing so, however I suppose the choice simply got here right down to cost-cutting.
My second largest annoyance is the dearth of a fingerprint scanner. I’m conscious that this isn’t one thing that’s included with competing units, however to me, it’s a necessity — particularly contemplating that the Spin 714 is already one of many greatest Chromebooks based mostly on value and efficiency alone.
I additionally perceive that issues like Cellphone Hub exist and the truth that you possibly can’t truly use the scanner to do something apart from unlock your Chromebook. Nevertheless, I’m anticipating that to vary sooner or later, and for the reason that Spin 714 will likely be supported for the following ten years, it virtually appears like Acer is ignoring it simply because.
The final subject that I’ve with the Spin 714 isn’t restricted to Acer; as a substitute, it impacts just about each Chromebook on the market. One of many new Chromebook Plus options is the power to work offline, saving your work and recordsdata on to your Chromebook. This is a superb and lengthy overdue function to return to ChromeOS, however there’s a obvious drawback.
What you probably have extra storage in Drive than what’s accessible in your Chromebook? Not everyone seems to be like me and pays for 2TB of Google One, however what about those that have 200GB (or extra) of Drive storage? You’ll successfully be making it so you possibly can’t obtain anything to your Chromebook, and there’s an opportunity that features having the ability to set up new apps.
My level is that we’ve moved previous the purpose when just one configuration was acceptable. Though it’s potential to improve the storage to a bigger NVMe drive, the whole course of isn’t as seamless as you would possibly hope. Not to mention the truth that it’s simply not one thing that somebody goes to contemplate until they’ve the instruments (and endurance) to make the swap.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): The competitors
Because the Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) was launched, we’ve seen fairly a number of new Chromebooks hit the scene. Nevertheless, when it comes to a direct competitor, I’d nonetheless advocate testing HP’s Dragonfly Professional Chromebook. These are very related but very totally different Chromebooks, with the Acer providing a convertible design at a lower cost level. In the meantime, the Dragonfly Professional is arguably the closest that we’ll get to seeing one other Pixelbook.
From there, we’re dropping down in value a bit, as Acer’s personal Chromebook 516 GE is an absolute beast of a machine. Regardless of being powered by a twelfth Gen Intel Core i5, the 516 GE packs a imply punch with its 16-inch QHD show, full with a 120Hz refresh price. Whereas it retails for simply $50 lower than the Spin 714, it’s repeatedly on sale for at the least $200 off, bringing it near the $400 mark.
Arguably the obvious competitor to the Spin 714 (2023) is Lenovo’s newest Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. It’s powered by the Intel Core i3-1315U and is restricted to 128GB of storage, but it surely sports activities a 14-inch, 2K show, and a convertible design. Plus, the trackpad is definitely fairly a bit bigger than you would possibly count on, one thing else that we hope Acer considers altering sooner or later.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You need the perfect Chromebook below $900.
- You’re on the lookout for a wonderful Chromebook Plus expertise.
- You want a Chromebook that’s versatile however doesn’t compromise on sturdiness.
- You desire a Chromebook that lasts for greater than a full work day.
You should not purchase this if:
- You want a stowable stylus.
- You desire a Chromebook with a 16:10 facet ratio.
- You want a Chromebook with a bigger trackpad.
I do know there are higher Chromebooks on the market, and I do know that the Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) lacks a sure “pleasure,” however that’s type of the purpose. That is Acer’s bread and butter, and the Spin 714 checks virtually the entire packing containers. It’s performant, convertible, has a contact display, consists of Thunderbolt 4, and will get the entire Chromebook Plus options.
There are gripes and issues to want for, however Acer as soon as once more hit the nail on the pinnacle. I can’t even make any arguments in regards to the value as a result of we’ve seen it go on sale way more steadily. Truthfully, I’m greedy at straws right here however arising empty. What extra might you actually ask for from a sub-$600 Chromebook that gives this degree of efficiency?
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)
In order for you the perfect Chromebook with out spending greater than $700, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) must be your first alternative. It is virtually the entire bundle, and presents the identical degree of expertise that we have come to count on.
