One of the very best issues in regards to the Chromebook market is that there’s all the time one thing to sit up for. We’re always seeing new choices made obtainable, even when they don’t notably match our wants. And whereas the HP Elite Dragonfly opened the door for extra premium Chromebooks, there’s now a brand new phase of the market because of gaming Chromebooks. This has been additional enhanced by the growth of Steam for ChromeOS, providing you with the power to play your backlog of Steam video games on Chromebooks. Google has even expanded the record of appropriate Chromebooks even additional, as they now embrace most of the finest Chromebooks powered by Intel’s 12th-Gen processors. While enjoying Steam video games on built-in graphics is kind of spectacular, there are nonetheless points and pitfalls with doing so. However, because of the continued rise in reputation of cloud gaming providers comparable to NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass, and Amazon Luna, we’re lastly getting gaming-focused Chromebooks. Acer Chromebook 516 GE at Best Buy for $649 (opens in new tab)Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Price and availability(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)The Acer Chromebook 516 GE was introduced in October 2022 alongside Google’s renewed dedication to bettering the cloud gaming expertise on Chromebooks. Although it was introduced that there could be completely different configurations, the one present possibility obtainable retails for $649 and consists of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of NVMe storage. The Chromebook 516 GE is at present obtainable from a number of retailers together with Amazon and Best Buy.Today’s finest Acer Chromebook 516 GE offersAcer Chromebook 516 GE: What you’ll like(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Before you open the case lid on the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, it’s unlikely that you just’ll actually know that is being catered towards players. The general design isn’t all that thrilling, however it’s completely different from what we proceed to see with the likes of the Chromebook Spin 714 and Chromebook Spin 514. The very first thing that you just’ll like proper off the bat is the large 16-inch show. Acer packed a powerful 2560 x 1600 (16:10) panel into the Chromebook 516 GE, full with assist for as much as a 120Hz refresh fee. This falls a bit wanting what ASUS is doing with the Chromebook Vibe CX34 and its 144Hz refresh fee, however we doubt you’ll actually discover a distinction in apply. Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0 Acer Chromebook 516 GEDisplay16-inches (2560 x 1600), 16:10, 350 nits, 120Hz refresh rateProcessorIntel Core i5-1240PRAM8GBStorage256GB NVMe SSDBatteryUp to 10 hoursPorts2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm audio combo jack, HDMI 2.1, 2.5G Ethernet, Kensington lockCamera1080p FHDDimensions14.04 x 9.8 x 0.84-inchesWeight3.75 poundsExtra featuresQuad force-canceling audio system, RGB anti-ghosting keyboard, 360-degree design, Intel Iris Xe graphicsAUE DateJune 2030One of the the explanation why I’m an enormous fan of Acer Chromebooks is the keyboard, and it doesn’t disappoint with regards to the typing expertise. It’s snug, and due to the sheer dimension of this beast, there’s loads of house to unfold out with out worrying about hitting one of many mistaken keys.(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)But that is additionally the place you’ll discover the primary inspiration for the “GE” title, as Acer has applied an addressable RGB keyboard. Thankfully, you too can go as far as to customise it a bit, as ChromeOS has been up to date with a “Keyboard backlight” part within the Set wallpaper & model part. There are seven completely different stable colour choices, together with a “Rainbow” possibility, and yet another that tries to match the backlighting to the colours present in your wallpaper.Before diving into the efficiency, it’s necessary to level out that Acer spared little expense when it comes to the port choice. The Chromebook 516 GE is filled with twin USB-C ports, a 2.5G Ethernet jack, a full-size HDMI 2.1 port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and a Kensington Lock. Including each HDMI 2.1 and a more-performant Ethernet port are positively nice, particularly if you happen to plan on pairing the 516 GE with a gaming monitor. But even if you happen to don’t (or can’t) plug instantly into your router, the Chromebook 516 GE additionally consists of assist for Wi-Fi 6E, so that you’ll nonetheless be capable of stream your favourite video games with out a lot of a hiccup. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Pivoting over to efficiency, there’s just one configuration that’s at present obtainable, and that’s powered by the 12th-Gen Intel Core i5-1240P, paired with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD. This is identical chip powering the Framework Laptop Chromebook and gives loads of “oomph” for nearly something. Here’s how the 516 GE stacks up when it comes to benchmarks:Swipe to scroll horizontallyBenchmarkScoreWirple HTML5 3D Benchmark8657Octane 2.083697Speedometer 2.1185Jetstream237.639MotionMark279.72The actuality is that it doesn’t matter what you end up making an attempt to do, whether or not it’s working with a bunch of various desks and tabs open, or sitting again and enjoying some Steam video games, the Chromebook 516 GE is ideal for the job. This is additional compounded by the 16-inch show and its 120Hz refresh fee, as all the things simply seems to be and feels easy and snappy. While the Chromebook market is already fierce, Acer’s gaming answer gives an unimaginable price-to-performance steadiness. The configuration that’s obtainable at your native Best Buy (and the one utilized in my evaluate) retails for simply $649 however has already been discovered on sale for as little as $449, which is simply bonkers.Acer Chromebook 516 GE: A word about gaming(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Much of the main focus with regards to these gaming Chromebooks is that you just’ll discover issues comparable to sooner refresh charges and RGB backlighting. But the truth is that you just don’t really want a “gaming” Chromebook to get an identical expertise. It’s an entire completely different can of worms for individuals who wish to fiddle with Steam for ChromeOS, however a minimum of for taking part in video games by means of Game Pass or GeForce Now, you don’t want a devoted gadget. That being stated, I spent not sufficient an excessive amount of time enjoying too few too many video games throughout my evaluate of the Chromebook 516 GE. It began with simply messing round in Jedi Fallen Order on GeForce Now however pivoted to Hi-Fi Rush by means of Xbox Game Pass. And I’ve gotta say that even simply on Wi-Fi the outcomes had been fairly rattling spectacular. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Of course, you’ll must have sufficient web speeds and a dependable connection, particularly if you happen to’re making an attempt to play a rhythm-based sport like Hi-Fi Rush. But I used to be stunned to seek out that even when the picture high quality of Hi-Fi Rush was downgraded, I used to be nonetheless capable of time all of my hits as near good as attainable. And yet another factor. It’s nonetheless wild to me that now we have entry to a traditional sport like Goldeneye and an extremely resource-intensive one comparable to Cyberpunk 2077 by means of the cloud.Acer Chromebook 516 GE: What you received’t like(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Not all the things is ideal with the Chromebook 516 GE, even when it does get quite a lot of issues proper. For one, I want the RGB backlighting was a bit stronger, because it seems to be fairly washed out quite a lot of the time, particularly if there’s any type of mild supply on it. In some instances, I assumed I turned off the backlighting altogether, and it wasn’t till I checked out it from a distinct angle to really see that it was on. I’m additionally an enormous fan of Acer utilizing a display screen with a 120Hz refresh fee, however I do want we had some choices to show it all the way down to 60Hz. When I’m simply writing in a Google Doc, I don’t want sooner refresh charges, and it finally eats into the battery a bit. This is an possibility when related to exterior shows with variable refresh charges, however for one cause or one other, isn’t obtainable when simply utilizing the Chromebook as a standalone gadget.Speaking of battery life, Acer claims that the Chromebook 516 GE can attain as much as 10 hours on a single cost, however I by no means even got here near that. On my finest day, I used to be capable of get round 6 hours, which is basically superb, as there’s wiggle room by turning off the RGB backlighting and holding the brightness decrease. But the place’s the enjoyable in together with an RGB keyboard if I’ve to show it off to get higher battery life?Lastly, whereas the port number of the Chromebook 516 GE is kind of wonderful, I used to be a bit upset to see Acer go for conventional USB-C versus Thunderbolt. I’m certain this has extra to do with hitting the sub-$700 value level, as a 16-inch 120Hz show with an HDMI 2.1 port and RGB backlighting eats into the price a bit. But Thunderbolt 4 would’ve nonetheless been a significantly better selection, particularly for file transfers and connectivity with numerous docking stations.Acer Chromebook 516 GE: The competitors(Image credit score: ASUS)I alluded to it earlier within the evaluate, however the stiffest competitors for the Chromebook 516 GE is definitely the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip. Ignoring the odd naming conference, this additionally sports activities an Intel Core i5 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It additionally makes use of a show with a 16:10 side ratio, consists of an RGB backlit keyboard, and Wi-Fi 6E assist. But ASUS’ possibility is a convertible, full with a touchscreen, all for simply $20 greater than what the 516 GE retails at.From there, the one different gaming Chromebook that sports activities a 16-inch show is the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook. But to not be confused with the IdeaPad 5i Chromebook, which additionally has a 16-inch display screen. Nevertheless, you need to count on comparable efficiency to the Chromebook 516 GE, proper all the way down to the 120Hz refresh charges and RGB backlit keyboard. The solely actual main distinction is that Lenovo slapped a full-size keyboard into its gaming Chromebook, full with a quantity pad.Outside of the world of gaming, our choose for the very best Chromebook thus far of the 12 months continues to be the Acer Chromebook Spin 714. It’s not solely fairly performant however can also be appropriate with Steam for ChromeOS, together with your entire favourite cloud sport streaming providers. Sure, you received’t have a 120Hz refresh fee, however the Spin 714 is a convertible that features a built-in USI stylus. Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)You should purchase this if… You desire a Chromebook good for gaming and productiveness. You need an RGB keyboard built-in.You desire a Chromebook with an enormous display screen and quick refresh fee.You’re acutely aware about price-to-performance.You shouldn’t purchase this if… You desire a Chromebook with a convertible design and/or a touchscreen.You need the very best battery life.If you’re trying solely for a gaming Chromebook, it’s powerful to argue with what Acer has delivered to the market with this one. The Chromebook 516 GE packs a strong punch and has all the ports that you can need (save for Thunderbolt), and also you’ll most likely have a tricky time going again to a 60Hz refresh fee after spending any time with the 120Hz panel right here.There’s nonetheless a bit bit of labor to be executed, however I’d go as far as to say that it’s an excellent factor. Room for enchancment is nary a nasty factor, and it’s not like there are any large or obvious issues with the Chromebook 516 GE. The firm simply loaded this up with a number of the finest specs for a Chromebook, added an RGB backlit keyboard, gave us an even bigger show, and launched it onto the market.It’s not going to be a battery life champ, however that’s type of to be anticipated with any 16-inch show utilizing something higher than an FHD decision. You additionally would possibly get just a few odd seems to be if you happen to convey this to a espresso store and somebody notices that it’s a Chromebook with an RGB keyboard. But hey, it’s nonetheless an absolute beast, even if you happen to by no means plan on enjoying any video games aside from what you’ll discover on the Play Store.
Not only for players
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is likely to be positioned in the direction of ChromeOS gaming, however this gives much more than simply an RGB keyboard and an enormous show.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Price Comparison