Acer Chromebook Vero 514 evaluation: An eco-friendly productiveness machine
Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE did job of bringing gaming to the Chromebook platform – albeit through subscription-based streaming providers reminiscent of GeForce Now. Its Chromebook Vero 514 is a extra typical choice that merely goals to supply a flexible 14-inch laptop computer at a aggressive value. It succeeds on that rating, with a sensible, light-weight design, twelfth gen Intel processor, and a lower cost than the bigger, 16-inch Chromebook 516 GE.
You will must take care when shopping for, although, as Acer additionally sells a mannequin that is merely known as the Chromebook 514, whereas the mannequin that we evaluation right here is the Chromebook Vero 514. Meaning it’s a part of Acer’s eco-friendly Vero vary, and has some inexperienced credentials to shout about.
Acer Chromebook Vero 514
The Chromebook Vero 514 is a well-built and light-weight Chrome-based laptop computer that gives a flexible workhorse pc with some welcome eco-friendly credentials as well.
- Slim, light-weight design
- Good efficiency for all however probably the most intensive of duties
- Enticing 14-inch show (1920×1080)
- Good connectivity
- Comparatively costly for a Chromebook
- Modest battery life
- Restricted improve choices
Design And Show
- 20.5mm thick, 1.4kg weight
- 14.0-inch show, 1920 x 1080 decision @ 60Hz
- Ports: 2x USB-C (3.2), 1x USB-A (3.2), 1x HDMI, 1x headphone
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
The Vero 514 is neatly designed, with a horny speckled ‘cobblestone’ end and – like different fashions within the Vero vary – Acer claims that the primary chassis consists of 30% recycled plastic, with 50% additionally within the keycaps and audio system. It is nonetheless solidly constructed – in actual fact, Acer states that it meets the US army normal MIL-STD-810H for shock-resistance, and resistance to mud, rain and different environmental mishaps.
The laptop computer is 20.5mm thick and weighs 1.4kg, so it is not fairly within the ‘ultra-portable’ class, but it surely’s nonetheless slim and lightweight sufficient you can shortly slip it right into a backpack or bag whenever you’re travelling, and durable sufficient to deal with a couple of bumps alongside the best way. The keyboard may, maybe, be a little bit firmer and the person keys really feel a little bit comfortable as you are typing – it is high quality for shortly tapping out emails, however sooner typists who do a whole lot of writing may favor one thing that feels a little bit firmer and extra responsive. That is private desire in fact, however one thing we get pleasure from when tapping out our opinions.
We haven’t any complaints concerning the 14-inch show, although. This offers a shiny, vibrant picture, with 1920 x 1080 decision, and the color stability and distinction are good for a laptop computer on this value vary. The Vero 514 can be choice for net searching and watching video, and Acer states that the display helps the sRGB color normal, so it’s going to be appropriate for some easy photo-editing and graphics work if required.
Connectivity is sweet too, together with the newest Wi-Fi 6E, together with Bluetooth 5.1. There’s an HDMI port for an exterior show, and two USB-C ports and one USB-A port for connecting further units. It even has a shiny, clear webcam with 1920 x 1080 decision. Our solely grievance is that the stereo audio system sound a little bit skinny, so it’s most likely price utilizing headphones or a set of exterior audio system when listening to music or watching video.
Efficiency And Battery
- 10-core i5 processor offers good efficiency
- Built-in Iris Xe graphics
- 6.5 hours’ battery life
The Vero’s i5-1235U processor offers good all-round efficiency. It contains 10 processor cores, with two ‘efficiency’ cores that run at speeds of as much as 4.4GHz and eight ‘effectivity’ cores that run at as much as 3.3GHz with a purpose to protect battery life. Operating the GeekBench 5 take a look at, the Vero scores 1480 for single-core efficiency and 5400 for multi-core efficiency.
That is a little bit beneath the efficiency of the Chromebook 516 GE, which scored 1400 and 8100 respectively, however the gaming-oriented 516 GE is dearer and boasts 4 efficiency cores with a purpose to pace up your gaming motion. The Vero 514 is not fairly that quick however can be completely high quality for routine duties reminiscent of net searching, phrase processing, or streaming music and video. Energy customers needing intense photograph or video modifying might not be completely serviced right here, however these customers most likely would know that already.
Acer has obtained a little bit carried away with its claims of 10 hours battery life. Even with the display brightness turned right down to a (completely seen) 50%, we have been solely capable of get six hours and 35 minutes of battery life from the Vero when streaming full-screen video. You possibly can most likely stretch that to eight hours and get a full working day trip of the Vero should you’re not utilizing wi-fi all day lengthy, however there’s nonetheless room for enchancment there.
Worth And Choices
- 14-inch touchscreen show, 1920 x 1080 decision @ 60Hz
- CPU: Intel i5-1235U; 2 efficiency cores (4.4GHz); 8 effectivity cores (3.3GHz)
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe (built-in, 1.2GHz)
- Reminiscence: 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe solid-state (512GB additionally obtainable)
Costs for the Vero 514 really begin at simply $499.99/£499.00 for a mannequin with an i3 processor though, as talked about, our evaluation unit had a sooner i5-1235U processor. That i5 mannequin prices $599.99 within the US, or $799.99 if you wish to add a touchscreen improve, whereas the mannequin on sale within the UK is simply obtainable with a touchscreen, with an RRP of £699. That is comparatively aggressive available in the market – and already we’re seeing some value drops on these, and with 512GB storage too – however there are some issues to contemplate.
We’ve got some reservations about that 8GB of reminiscence, which is ok for routine net searching and phrase processing, however slows issues down for extra demanding duties reminiscent of photograph or video modifying. Acer doesn’t provide a lot in the best way of further improve choices for the Vero both. The one technique to get extra reminiscence is to step as much as the top-of-the-range mannequin, which incorporates an i7 processor, 16GB of reminiscence and a touchscreen.
Nonetheless, that mannequin – which is presently solely obtainable within the US – weighs in at $949.99, so it’s now not providing an reasonably priced various to a standard Home windows laptop computer (which, in any case, is what Chromebooks are for). The Vero 514 balances value and efficiency greatest at its examined spec, however you will must ensure that it’s going to service your wants from the get go.
Verdict
The Chromebook Vero 514 is a well-built and light-weight Chrome-based laptop computer that gives a flexible workhorse pc at a aggressive value. It may possibly deal with quite a lot of routine duties with no bother at, and will definitely attraction to people who find themselves followers of ChromeOS, or just need to attempt a substitute for Home windows for a change.
Pricing is pretty aggressive – though it is getting near the purpose the place you may need to think about a standard Home windows laptop computer as effectively, significantly should you want extra reminiscence for extra intensive duties. We might take a bit extra battery life too.
Nonetheless, should you’re searching for a laptop computer with some eco credentials to again up efficiency for day-to-day duties, the Vero 514 is effectively price a glance.
