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 supplies a “tick-tock” improve schedule. However earlier than I get too into the weeds, let’s take a deeper take a look at what the Spin 714 (2023) has to supply and whether or not it truly is one of the best total Chromebook.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Worth and availability
Acer introduced the Chromebook Spin 714 in April 2023 throughout the firm’s Subsequent@Acer occasion. It was launched the next month and is offered from Finest Purchase with the Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. This configuration retails for $699.99; nonetheless, it’s been commonly on sale for nearly $150 off.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): What you may like
Save for just a few exceptions, if there’s one factor that you could anticipate from Acer, it’s that the corporate received’t do an excessive amount of in the best way of fixing the design of its Chromebooks. That sentiment rings true throughout lots 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 not have the stowable USI stylus, however extra on that later.
To be trustworthy, I used to be shocked that Acer even launched an up to date model of the Spin 714, provided that final 12 months’s iteration was already so nice. You doubtless received’t discover a lot of a efficiency distinction evaluating the twelfth Gen Core i5-1235U to the thirteenth Gen Core i5-1335U. Nonetheless, 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.
Moreover that, virtually every thing else in regards to the Spin 714 (2023) is similar, all the way 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 might 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 attempting to play Steam video games. That’s one thing I’ve largely given up on, save for some lighter titles, at the very 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 could be omitted. Fortunately, that’s not the case, as I’ve been ready 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 must admit that I used to be shocked to see how effectively utilizing the net 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 supplied characteristic parity with its desktop counterparts, the net model principally will get the job achieved.
I’m actually not attempting to sound like a damaged report right here, however it’s arduous to not when the Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) successfully provides the identical total expertise as its predecessor. Once more, the one main distinction right here is that battery life is barely higher, however it’s solely by a slim margin and possibly 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 attempting to do an excessive amount of to buck the development of releasing extremely well-rounded Chromebooks, that’s to not say that I don’t have my complaints. First, I’m dissatisfied 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 stand 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 all the way 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’ll be able to’t truly use the scanner to do something apart from unlock your Chromebook. Nonetheless, I’m anticipating that to vary sooner or later, and for the reason that Spin 714 will probably be supported for the following ten years, it nearly seems like Acer is ignoring it simply because.
The final challenge 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 flexibility to work offline, saving your work and recordsdata on to your Chromebook. This is a wonderful and lengthy overdue characteristic to return to ChromeOS, however there’s a obvious downside.
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’ll be able to’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. Although it’s attainable to improve the storage to a bigger NVMe drive, your complete 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 persistence) to make the swap.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): The competitors
For the reason that Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) was launched, we’ve seen fairly just a few new Chromebooks hit the scene. Nonetheless, by way of a direct competitor, I might nonetheless advocate trying out HP’s Dragonfly Professional Chromebook. These are very comparable but very totally different Chromebooks, with the Acer providing a convertible design at a cheaper price 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 charge. Whereas it retails for simply $50 lower than the Spin 714, it’s commonly on sale for at the very 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 proscribed to 128GB of storage, however it sports activities a 14-inch, 2K show, and a convertible design. Plus, the trackpad is definitely fairly a bit bigger than you would possibly anticipate, one thing else that we hope Acer considers altering sooner or later.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Must you purchase it?
You can purchase this if:
- You need one of the best Chromebook below $900.
- You’re in search of a superb 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 side 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 form of the purpose. That is Acer’s bread and butter, and the Spin 714 checks nearly the entire bins. It’s performant, convertible, has a contact display screen, 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 top. I can’t even make any arguments in regards to the value as a result of we’ve seen it go on sale rather more steadily. Truthfully, I’m greedy at straws right here however developing empty. What extra may you actually ask for from a sub-$600 Chromebook that gives this stage of efficiency?
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)
If you need one of the best Chromebook with out spending greater than $700, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) needs to be your first alternative. It is nearly the whole bundle, and provides the identical stage of expertise that we have come to anticipate.
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