We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
If you’re looking for a budget laptop, we’re willing to bet you’ve seen a handful of Chromebooks during your research. Built on Chrome OS (Linux-based), Chromebooks are designed to offer a lightweight, intuitive interface ideal for web browsing, word processing, and many Google services. Computer makers like Lenovo and Asus make some of the highest-rated Chromebooks on the market, but based on what we’ve learned from Consumer Reports (CR), we think most people should actually consider the $550 Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514.
This is a 2-in-1 machine that can be used as a laptop or a tablet. Running an Intel Core 3 100U processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, it’s certainly not a powerful PC, but it’s perfect for checking email, watching HD videos, or making a video call. With its 1920 x 1200 WUXGA touchscreen, you can expect crisp, colorful picture quality, and its 16:10 display adds a little more verticality to your visuals, which is ideal for reading documents and multi-window workflows. Additionally, the screen is protected by antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass, which should prevent bacteria from taking up residence on your 2-in-1.
Other notable features include support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, MIL-STD-810H certification (so no worries about drops and bumps), and up to 10 hours of battery life. However, your mileage will vary on the latter, as variables like screen brightness, volume, and CPU-GPU workload ultimately determine how much power your Plus Spin 514 will consume.
What do reviewers think of the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514?
CR performs several benchmark processes when reviewing Chromebooks at all price points. The Plus Spin 514 performed so well in lab tests that it earned the “CR Recommended” label. That said, consumers who personally own the Spin 514 were a bit mixed on the brand’s reliability and owner satisfaction. Likewise, our friends at PCWorld gave the laptop a pretty good review, but felt that $550 didn’t justify the basic specs that the Plus Spin 514 brings to the table.
Luckily, the Plus Spin 514 is currently over two years old, so there’s a good chance you can score a good sale. At the time of writing, the lowest price recorded was $400 in September 2024, and the laptop is currently selling for $500 new on Amazon. We think it’s worth mentioning that this version of the Plus Spin 514 (CP514-4HN-30UC, to be exact) only has eight Amazon user reviews. We’d expect more attention to be paid to a 2-in-1 Chromebook that’s been around for over two years.
Yet minimal feedback does not automatically translate into overall performance and reliability. Acer has been making Chromebooks for years and getting official approval from CR is no easy feat. Ultimately, the best path forward might just be to buy Acer’s $550 Chromebook Plus Spin 514 and see how well it supports your workflows and lifestyle.
