Acer Aspire Vero review: An eco-friendly Windows 11 laptop

There are two headliners that make the Acer Aspire Vero greater than a mean, midrange laptop computer. For starters, it’s made with PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic that makes the manufacturing course of extra environmentally pleasant but in addition ends in a pocket book with a cool, textured design that lets the Aspire Vero stand out from the 15.6-inch laptop computer crowd. The different headliner is contained in the machine—it’s the primary laptop computer we’ve reviewed that’s preinstalled with Windows 11. 

Powering Microsoft’s newest working system is a Core i7 chip from Intel’s newest sequence, built-in Intel Xe graphics, and an ample 16GB of RAM. The laptop computer feels snappy, however its battery life disappoints. I even have a couple of quibbles with the show and keyboard, however they’re comparatively minor. With an extended runtime, the Aspire Vero would earn a stronger suggestion for college students or anybody searching for an eco-friendly, big-screen laptop computer.

This evaluation is a part of our ongoing roundup of the best laptops. Go there for data on competing merchandise and the way we examined them.

Specifications

We reviewed the Acer Aspire Vero (mannequin AV15-51-75QQ) that prices $899.99 on Amazon and direct from Acer.

• CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i7-1195G7
• Memory: 16GB
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch, 1920×1280 IPS
• Webcam: 720p
• Connectivity: Right aspect: 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, combo audio jack. Left aspect: 1 x USB SuperSpeed 10Gbps Type-C, 2 x USB SuperSpeed 5Gbps Type-A (one with power-off charging), HDMI 2.0, ethernet.
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
• Biometrics: fingerprint reader
• Battery capability: 48 Watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.3 x 9.4 x 0.7 inches
• Measured weight: 4.0 kilos (laptop computer), 0.6 kilos (AC adapter)

Acer may have two variations of the Aspire Vero. The mannequin we examined is out there beginning Oct. 5, and a lower-cost mannequin can be out there later within the month for $699.99 with a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Both fashions characteristic a 15.6-inch, non-touch show with a full HD decision rated for 250 nits of brightness.

The eco-friendly laptop computer

Many firms have pledged to cut back their environmental influence by some future date, and Acer has a said objective of utilizing 100-percent renewable vitality by 2035. As a client, you possibly can help firms you imagine are doing their half to fight local weather change, however the lengthy lead time towards making significant change could make it troublesome within the right here and now to really feel like something is getting executed. 

Consumers could make a extra quick influence with their buy choices. And with the Aspire Vero, you’re shopping for a laptop computer that reduces the quantity of plastic that leads to landfills or the ocean. Acer additionally states that using recycled plastic within the Aspire Vero additionally ends in a discount of CO2 emissions as a result of recycling plastic makes use of fewer fossil fuels than manufacturing new plastic.

Here are the stats on the recycled supplies within the Aspire Vero: 30 % PCR plastic within the chassis and 50 % PCR plastic within the keycaps. Acer pairs the eco-friendly laptop computer with eco-friendly packaging made out of 85 % recycled paper. And in an effort to maintain the lifespan of the laptop computer and lengthen the time earlier than it leads to a landfill, Acer makes it straightforward to get contained in the Aspire Vero to make repairs or upgrades by utilizing normal screws on the underside panel. (As somebody who has looked for the right-sized Torx screwdriver to restore varied MacBooks through the years, I can let you know that this seemingly small gesture is enormously appreciated.)

A sustainably designed laptop computer wouldn’t do a lot good if that design have been ugly or boring for the easy motive that folks would proceed to purchase common laptops. And the Aspire Vero’s design isn’t boring. It won’t be for everybody, however I actually like the feel and appear of the laptop computer. Where most laptops zig with clean, brushed surfaces, the Aspire Vero zags with a textured enclosure. The texture looks like a really superb canvas. There’s no ending coat of paint used or any paint used for the laptop computer’s identify badges or logos. Each is stamped into the floor of the chassis, including to the laptop computer’s distinctive look.

Matt Elliott/IDG

The laptop computer is primarily grey with tiny yellow and gray-blue flecks. The yellow highlights proceed on the underside panel with yellow ft and on the 2 keys of the keyboard, which I’ll get to shortly. The chassis options squared edges and is pretty skinny for a 15.6-inch laptop computer, measuring solely 0.7 inches thick. At 4 kilos, it carries a mean weight for its measurement. Given its trim profile, nonetheless, it feels a bit heavier than I anticipated.

Matt Elliott/IDG

The plastic chassis feels largely stable. The lid is inflexible to supply good safety for the show, and the keyboard deck feels agency besides on the high above the keyboard, the place there’s a worrisome quantity of flex. The backside panel options 4 yellow, rubber ft to maintain the laptop computer firmly rooted in place and to assist airflow by way of the vents. There are additionally two tiny yellow ft on the show hinge, they usually swing down while you open the show to prop up the again fringe of the laptop computer to additional help airflow and create a slight angle to enhance your typing expertise.

Matt Elliott/IDG

The keyboard is snug with quiet keys that also really feel springy and responsive. The keyboard options one-level backlighting. Multi-level keyboard backlighting could be extra helpful for matching the energy of the ambient gentle, and it will be extra eco-friendly since you may hold it a dimmer setting to minimize the laptop computer’s vitality consumption.

Matt Elliott/IDG

Acer squeezed in a quantity pad to its proper, however the keys are slender, which limits its utility. The 4 arrow keys are lower than full measurement to accommodate the addition of the numpad, which is an enormous sacrifice. I’d fortunately jettison the slender numpad for a full-size set of arrow keys. 

I’m afraid I’ve buried the lede with the keyboard. The most hanging element are the R and E keys. The letters are yellow and reversed. I’m just about a contact typist so don’t look on the keys with any nice frequency, however I nonetheless discover it distracting. Acer added this contact, it says, as a reminder to Review, Rethink, Recycle, and Reduce. (I at all times thought there have been three R’s for the setting they usually stood for scale back, reuse, recycle.) After already making the dedication to buy the Aspire Vero, do its homeowners want that reminder? I’m okay with the yellow lettering, however I’d quite not have the 2 backwards letters messing with my mind.

Matt Elliott/IDG

In addition, I feel Acer has the show brightness icons backwards on the F3 and F4 keys and for no obvious motive. Shouldn’t the filled-in solar be the one which makes the show brighter? As it’s, that key dims the show and the F4 key with the hole, darkish solar raises the brightness.

The touchpad is generously portioned on the huge palm relaxation and feels correct. It gives a agency click on response, which is preferable to a flimsy, clacky click on. The touchpad incorporates a fingerprint reader within the top-left nook for simple, safe biometric logins.

Average audiovisuals

The 15.6-inch, non-touch show incorporates a full HD 1920×1280 decision. The decision is enough to supply a crisp picture. Text and pictures look clear and free from blurring and pixelation. The greatest downside to the show is its brightness—or lack thereof. It’s rated for under 250 nits, which is frequent to price range laptops. When the value begins to climb nearer to $1,000 as with the Aspire Vero, you enter the midrange laptop computer class the place you possibly can and may anticipate shows with 300- to 400-nit scores. 

Matt Elliott/IDG

Our checks confirmed that the Aspire Vero’s show peaks proper round 250 nits. It suffices for a typical indoor setting, however you’ll wrestle to see the show not provided that you’re taking the laptop computer exterior but in addition in a room stuffed with pure daylight. I had the show brightness set to its max for my total time with the Aspire Vero.

The 720p webcam above the show is merely common. It produces a reasonably sharp picture when video conferencing below excellent lighting circumstances however struggles if you find yourself in a setting that’s too brilliant or too darkish. The image rapidly will get blown out if there’s an excessive amount of gentle and seems very grainy on the first trace of your room being a bit darkish.

Likewise, the Aspire Vero’s stereo audio system produce common laptop computer audio. They sound superb for YouTube movies and Zoom calls however lack the separation and bass response wanted for pleasing music playback.

Matt Elliott/IDG

Matt Elliott/IDG

You received’t want to hold a dongle in your laptop computer bag with the Aspire Vero; it options each USB Type-A and Type-C ports. There’s additionally an HDMI port and Ethernet jack however no media card slot.

Acer Aspire Vero efficiency

Based on the quad-core Intel Core i7-1195G7 CPU, the Aspire Vero did effectively on our benchmarks, proving that an eco-friendly laptop computer isn’t essentially underpowered. It felt peppy throughout normal Windows use and dealt with multitasking with ease. The greatest disappointment was its lackluster battery life.

We haven’t reviewed many 15.6-inch laptops not too long ago, so I added a trio of 14-inch midrange laptops to a pair of 15 inchers for efficiency comparisons. At the low finish is a price range Gateway laptop computer based mostly on a Core i3-1115G4 CPU. The different 15.6-inch mannequin right here is the AMD-based HP Envy x360 15. The 14-inch fashions are the Core i7-based Acer Swift 5, Core i5-based Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2, and the Core i7-based MSI Prestige 14. Each system options built-in graphics and 16GB of RAM, besides the price range Gateway, which has 8GB.

Matt Elliott/IDG

Our first benchmark is PCMark 10, which measures efficiency on on a regular basis computing work together with workplace productiveness duties, net searching, and video chats. The Aspire Vero completed first among the many Intel techniques however trailed the AMD-based HP Envy x360. PCMark 10 taxes all out there processing cores and threads. The HP’s eight-core Ryzen 7 5700U has a transparent edge over the quad-core Intel chips.

Matt Elliott/IDG

Next up is Cinebench, a type of CPU dash that stresses the CPU quite than the GPU and makes use of all processing cores. The HP Envy x360 once more took high honors, and the Aspire Vero once more was tops among the many Intel techniques.

Matt Elliott/IDG

On a per-core foundation, the Aspire Vero is quickest on Cinebench, however with solely half the cores because the AMD-based HP Envy x360, it loses floor when all cores are accounted for.

Matt Elliott/IDG

We use the HandBrake utility to transform a 30GB film to Android desk format, an intensive activity that stresses the CPU and all of its cores. If you’ve been following alongside, then it should come as no shock once I let you know that the HP Envy x360 accomplished our HandBrake check within the shortest period of time with the Aspire Vero ending second.

Matt Elliott/IDG

On our 3D graphics benchmark, the Aspire Vero once more completed second however this time behind the MSI Prestige. Whether with built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics or built-in AMD Radeon graphics, not one of the laptops distinguished themselves on 3DMark. There is nothing for players to see right here.

Matt Elliott/IDG

Our final outcome—battery life—is probably the check that issues most to most laptop computer customers. And it’s not nice for the Aspire Vero. We loop a 4K video in airplane mode utilizing Windows 10’s built-in Movies & TV app with earbuds in place till the battery dies. The Aspire Vero’s small, three-cell battery did not final 6.5 hours, which is best than the price range Gateway however far lower than the opposite midrange laptops that ran for greater than 10 hours on the check.

Short battery life spoils the deal

If not for the meager battery life, the Acer Aspire Vero would have earned a stronger suggestion amongst midrange laptops, notably for environmentally acutely aware folks with budgets of lower than $1,000 to spend on a laptop computer. It incorporates a roomy if considerably dim show and a snug if considerably quirky keyboard wrapped up in a youthful, eco-friendly design. It offers enough efficiency for scholar life exterior of gaming, and also you received’t discover a laptop computer with respectable 3D graphics muscle at this value. 

We may stay with the show being on the boring aspect and the few oddities concerning the keyboard, given the value, however the restricted battery life is a much bigger impediment to recommending the Aspire Vero for individuals who want a laptop computer that they’ll carry throughout campus or the workplace all day, then use for extra work at night time with out worrying about making recharging stops. Compact laptops typically characteristic small, three-cell batteries, however a big, 15.6-inch laptop computer like Aspire Vero should have room to accommodate a much bigger battery for an extended runtime.