There are many reasons why millions of users around the world have chosen to rely on one of the latest Chromebook Plus laptops instead of a Windows laptop or Apple MacBook. One of the most compelling reasons is the lower price of these devices. You also get integrated Google AI with Gemini functionality that’s fully integrated into the ChromeOS operating system, plus access to all Google apps and services right out of the box.
Out of the dozens of Chromebook Plus laptops currently on the market, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 stands out for its 2-in-1 design. It can be used as a laptop or tablet.
The folks at Acer recently provided me with a review unit of the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 – equipped with a Intel Core 3 100U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Out of the multiple hardware configurations this device offers, this one is on the lower-end. Yet, I found it performed surprisingly well when handling everyday computing tasks, streaming video, and even playing some cloud-based games.
If you’ve been thinking about switching to a Chromebook Plus laptop to save money, keep reading to discover exactly what the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 offers (and what I found to be lacking).
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 Laptop
Specifications
Price: $399 and up.
Operating System: ChromeOS.
CPU: Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.0GHz); Other processor options available.
Display Size: 14-inches.
Display Type: WUXGA IPS (LCD) touchscreen.
Display Resolution: 1,920 x 1,200 pixels.
Refresh Rate: 60Hz.
Max. Display Brightness: 340 nits.
RAM: 8GB or 16GB.
Internal Storage: 128GB or 256GB.
Ports: 2x USB Type-C, 1x USB Type-A, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours.
Speakers: Stereo.
Stylus: Acer Active Stylus (Sold separately.
Webcam Resolution: 1440p .
Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2.
Dimensions: 12.87 inches wide by 8.86 inches long by 0.81 inches thick.
Weight: 3.15 pounds.
Pros
- Boots up in less than 10 seconds.
- 2-in-1 laptop/tablet design.
- Google AI with Gemini integrated into the OS.
- Google apps and services come preinstalled.
- Includes a 12-month subscription to Google One AI.
Cons
- Stylus not included.
- A but too thick and heavy, especially when using it as a tablet.
- Often requires a continuous internet connection.
Discover the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514
Chromebook Plus devices are available from a handful of brands, including Acer, Asus, HP, and Samsung. Some of these units are ultra-thin, with a minimalistic design. Others have a traditional laptop form factor.
What sets the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 apart is its 2-in-1 functionality. This means that thanks to the touchscreen and flippable display, it can be used as a traditional laptop, a tablet, or you can position it on a flat surface in an upside down “V’ shape, based on how you want to use it.
I found the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 offers an impressively sharp and vivid display. The keyboard and touchpad worked fine, but were a bit clunky for my taste, but I appreciate the laptop’s collection of built-in ports. And like all Chromebook Plus laptops, this one runs ChromeOS, has Google AI with Gemini built in, and it is never susceptible to viruses. It also boots up in 10 seconds or less.
Especially when I used the computer in brightly lit areas, I noticed the display (with its 340 nits maximum brightness) could have been a bit brighter, but overall its performance was satisfactory.
One reason I’m a fan of Chromebook Plus devices, like the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514, is that it comes with a generous collection of preinstalled apps, including all popular Google apps and services (such as Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, Chrome, Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, Google Meet, Google Chat, Google TV, and YouTube). You also get easy access to the cloud versions of Microsoft 365 apps, and other popular apps used for handling a wide range of tasks. And the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 can run many (but not all) Android apps available from the Google Play Store.
This means you can use the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 for work, school, productivity, communications, or entertainment-related tasks, for example. Using its wireless connectivity, playing cloud-based games, video calling, or streaming video is a pleasurable and easy experience. And with the help of AI, editing photos and generating eye-catching results in just minutes has never been easier.
Perhaps the most confusing thing about buying an Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is selecting which of the many hardware configurations is suited to your needs. The key differences between each configuration are the processor, internal storage, and amount of RAM available within each unit. If you want to be able to work offline and store apps and content locally (as opposed to in the cloud), I suggest choosing a hardware configuration with at least 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internet storage.
Setting up the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 takes just a few minutes — less if you already have a free Google account set up. All of your data, documents, files, and photos from your Google Drive, Google Photos, Android mobile device(s), and Google services will sync automatically during the setup process.
What’s a Chromebook Plus?
A Chromebook Plus is a scaled-up version of a Chromebook that runs ChromeOS (an operating system developed by Google). All Chromebook Plus devices have the same core capabilities and have Google AI with Gemini functionality integrated into the operating system and many popular apps.
The key differences between the different Chromebook Plus laptops is their physical form factor, display size and type, what processor each uses, how much RAM each contains, and the amount of internal storage space offered (in the form of an internal SSD).
Chromebook Plus laptops have the computing power for multitasking and to run all cloud-based applications, as well as many Android apps. All come with a built-in, 1080p (or higher) resolution webcam, and offer a battery life of around 10 hours. It’s essential to understand, however, that all Chromebook Plus devices rely heavily on a continuous internet connection.
Since these devices are equipped with at least 128GB of internal storage, you can locally store some apps, data, documents, files, and photos, so the laptop can be used offline to handle some common tasks.
A Chromebook Plus can also be set up to automatically backup and sync everything with Google Drive and your Android-based mobile devices (including your smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch). The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 offers all of this functionality, combined with a 2-in-1 form factor.
What’s Google AI with Gemini?
Google AI with Gemini is much more than a basic digital assistant. It’s a powerful set of artificial intelligence tools that can be used to help you compose, edit, translate, or transcribe text. It can also summarize long text-based documents or audio recordings. When it comes to photo or video editing, you get extremely powerful tools that can help you achieve pro-level results quickly and with ease.
The Google AI with Gemini toolset is designed to streamline tasks, help you stay organized, make content fast and easy to find, and even make some decisions on your behalf. Data can seamlessly be shared between apps, so if someone emails or messages you about setting up a meeting, the appointment will automatically be added to your calendar, for example. And when you receive a long incoming email in Gmail, Google AI with Gemini summarizes it in your inbox to save you time.
Google continues to invest tremendous resources into Google AI with Gemini, so what’s possible is continuously evolving and expanding. And when you use a Chromebook Plus, like the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514, you get 12 months of unlimited access to all of the latest AI tools and capabilities, plus plenty of cloud-based storage, which are part of the Google One AI bundle. After the initial one year trial, a monthly fee for full access applies.
At the moment, Google AI with Gemini includes the most comprehensive AI tool set available to everyday computer users, when compared to Chat-GPT, Microsoft Copilot+ PC, or Apple Intelligence. It’s these capabilities, and a user’s ability to interact with the AI by speaking or typing, that makes using a Chromebook Plus laptop a pleasure.
Who Will Get the Most Out of the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514?
Chromebook Plus laptops typically appeal to middle and high school students and casual computer users of any age who are able to rely heavily on cloud-based applications. A Chromebook Plus can also run all Google apps and services, as well as cloud-based Microsoft 365 applications, and more. These laptops are compatible with many Android apps, so Chromebook Plus laptops appeal to Android mobile device users, too.
That said, anyone who needs to run specialized, locally installed Windows or MacOS apps, relies on applications that require a lot of processing power, or those who do not have a reliable and continuous internet connection will not find any of the Chromebook Plus laptops too useful.
Between the two sides of the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514, you get two USB Type-C, one USB Type-A, and one HDMI port, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack. The included power adapter plugs into one of the USB Type-C ports.
Unlike a Windows laptop or MacBook, the power of the processor and amount of internal storage is much less important, because a Chromebook Plus relies heavily on running cloud-based applications and for storing data, documents, files, and photos in the cloud. So, with a few compromises, you get much of the power, portability, and versatility of a traditional laptop, but at a fraction of the price.
Is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 Worth It?
I discovered that pricing for the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is all over the map, from under $400 to almost $700. This is because there are so many different hardware configuration options to choose from, which makes things a bit confusing.
On the plus side, Google requires all Chromebook Plus laptops to have a minimum hardware configuration, so regardless of which model you choose, it can multitask and run all popular cloud-based applications, all Google apps, and most Android apps.
Based on my hands-on testing, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is a decent, general purpose laptop that runs ChromeOS. Thus, all of the models cost less than a typical Windows laptop or MacBook. For a casual computer user, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is worth the investment. If you’re a “power user,” this laptop may not offer the processing power, locally stored software selection, and overall capabilities you need.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 Laptop
Final Thoughts
When shut, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514’s form factor is a bit thicker and heavier than other laptops currently on the market. So, while this device can serve as a tablet, its weight and thickness hamper its comfort when you’re holding it in your hands. Compared to a typical tablet, you get a larger, 14-inch touchscreen display, but the Acer Active Stylus for handwriting or drawing directly on the screen costs around $50 extra.
Of course, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 can also take on the form factor of a traditional laptop, or be folded into an upside down “V” shape when placed on a desk or flat surface. This gives users some added flexibility in terms of how the device can be used. Keep in mind, there are thinner and lighter Chromebook Plus devices available, but they’re not 2-in-1 devices.
In my opinion, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 gives users more flexibility than other Chromebook Plus devices, in terms of how this device can be used. As a result, I’d recommend it to someone who could benefit from using a Chromebook Plus and wants 2-in-1 functionality. From a price standpoint, it offers a good overall value.
