Acer's New Chromebook Plus Spin 514 Is This the ARM-Powered Chromebook to Beat?

My Brief Hands-On with Acer’s New Convertible Chromebook Has Me Cautiously Optimistic

The tech world buzzed with anticipation at IFA 2025 in Berlin, Germany, and Acer certainly delivered a compelling offering. I got my hands on the new Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514, and I'm already seeing some potential. This is Acer’s first laptop to feature the Arm-based MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 processor.

This processor isn't entirely new to the Chromebook scene. We saw it earlier this summer in the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, where it proved to be a powerhouse, offering excellent performance and remarkable battery life in a fanless design. I even went so far as to call the Lenovo "the new king of Chromebooks." So, how does the Acer stack up? This $699.99 contender, slated for release this month, is positioning itself as a strong alternative, particularly for those who crave a touchscreen convertible experience and don't mind the occasional whir of a fan.

Acer was kind enough to send me the Chromebook Plus Spin 514 for some early testing, and my initial impressions are quite positive. Here's a quick rundown:

• Battery Life: It seems the Kompanio Ultra is again proving its mettle. Early signs point to impressive battery endurance.
• Display: While the IPS display options (1920 x 1200 or 2880 x 1800 resolution) might not have the vibrant punch of the Lenovo's OLED panel, the Acer compensates with a compelling feature.
• Touchscreen: The Acer boasts a Gorilla Glass-covered 14-inch touchscreen with support for USI 2.0 styluses (sold separately). This opens up a world of possibilities, from tablet-like usage to drawing and handwritten note-taking.

In terms of build quality, the Chromebook Plus Spin 514 feels consistent with other Acer laptops and Chromebooks in its price bracket. It's not groundbreaking, but it's certainly adequate and feels durable enough. The touchscreen also has an anti-fingerprint coating which works okay, needing occasional wipes.

Port selection is also a highlight:

• Right Side: USB-A
• Left Side: USB-C and audio jack

And let's dive into the nitty-gritty details of what makes this Chromebook tick:

• Ports: Two 10Gbps USB-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
• Battery: A substantial 70Wh battery (compared to Lenovo's 60Wh).
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
• Memory & Storage: Up to 16GB of RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage.
• Webcam: Options for either 1080p or 5-megapixel cameras.

However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. There are a couple of design choices that raise eyebrows:

• Power Button Placement: The absence of a side-mounted power button on a 2-in-1 device is a bit perplexing. Waking the device from sleep in tablet mode requires reaching around to the keyboard deck.
• Speaker Placement: The up-firing speakers are located on the keyboard deck. This means that in tent or tablet mode, the sound is directed away from the user, which isn't ideal.

Tent mode.

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Final Thoughts:

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is shaping up to be a strong contender in the Chromebook market. Its powerful processor, ample ports, and versatile touchscreen offer a compelling package. While the power button and speaker placement are a bit questionable, the overall experience is promising. Keep an eye out for a full review once I've had more time with it!

Source: https://www.theverge.com/hands-on/769834/acer-chromebook-plus-spin-514-2in1-mediatek-kompanio-ifa-2025-price-specs