Acer Chromebook 516 GE review: A cloud gaming powerhouse

Price When Reviewed

$649.99

Best Prices Today: Acer Chromebook 516 GE

$649

Gaming Chromebooks really feel like an idea that ought to have died with Google Stadia, however they’ve persevered. That makes extra sense than it appears. Stadia is gone however its rivals, like Nvidia GeForce Now, PlayStation Now, and Xbox Game Cloud, are thriving, and so they all work nicely on Chrome OS. They make the 516 GE a viable gaming machine and, regardless of a couple of imperfections, it’s additionally a pleasing laptop computer for informal use and workplace productiveness.

Looking for extra choices? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best Chromebooks.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Specs and options

The star of the present is the Core i5-1240P processor. Although it’s now a few generations outdated, it has 12 processor cores and a most clock velocity of as much as 4.4 GHz. It’s paired with an inexpensive 8GB of RAM and a 256 GB solid-state drive. 

• CPU: Intel Core i5-1240P
• Memory: 8GB LPDDR4x 
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Xe Integrated
• Display: 16-inch 2560×1600 120Hz LED
• Storage: 256GB 
• Webcam: 1080p
• Connectivity: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
• Biometrics: None
• Battery capability: 65 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.0 x 9.8 x .84 inches
• Weight: 3.75 kilos
• MSRP: $649.99

The 516 GE, with an MSRP of $650, is in direction of the excessive finish of Chromebook pricing however stays inexpensive. This is the one configuration Acer at the moment gives. 

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

My first thought once I unboxed the Acer Chromebook 516 GE was, “Wow, this feels old-school.” Chromebooks are usually related to moveable, light-weight, and cheap techniques, however the 516 GE is a beefy laptop computer with a 16-inch show. It’s additionally removed from the slimmest laptop computer at 0.84 inches thick, and it measures 14 inches extensive. Weight deviates from the script, although: at simply 3.75 kilos, the 516 GE is gentle for its dimension.

It all makes for a laptop computer that feels a bit outdated, however there are advantages to this design. The most evident is the construct high quality. Though it retails for $650 and might at occasions be discovered for fairly a bit lower than that, the 516 GE is stable. The chassis is inflexible and even the show lid permits little flex when the laptop computer is opened and closed.

I additionally assume it’s a good-looking laptop computer regardless of its old-school vibe. I just like the shade of grey chosen for the laptop computer, and the supplies used have a pleasant metallic luster. I additionally benefit from the refined matte stripe that adorns the show lid, giving the laptop computer a slight flourish with out trying garish. 

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE has a spacious keyboard with out a numpad. Ditching the numpad means Acer can hold the keyboard aligned with the middle of the laptop computer and supplies loads of area round and beneath the keyboard to make it comfy. I often choose this design, and it feels particularly good on a Chromebook, because the working system’s focus on the net browser makes the numpad much less crucial.

Key really feel, nevertheless, is merely OK. Each key supplies an inexpensive quantity of journey and prompts with a thunk, however key motion is gentle and lacks a pleasing, tactile snap. It’s additionally quiet, which some individuals could like, however I choose extra audible suggestions from a keyboard. It’s a serviceable and cozy keyboard however common on the entire.

The similar is true of the touchpad, which measures about 5 inches extensive and 3 inches deep. That’s sufficient room to navigate Chrome OS and to activate multitouch gestures, nevertheless it’s not a big touchpad for a contemporary 16-inch laptop computer. I do admire the well-defined border across the touchpad, which made it clear when my fingers had reached the sting of its restricted floor.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

Acer ships each Chromebook 516 GE with a 16-inch show boasting a decision of 2560×1600 and a refresh charge of as much as 120Hz. The show makes use of In-Plane Switching (IPS) know-how and has a traditional LED backlight. 

The show’s distinction and colour replica are sufficient to make video games look moderately vibrant and nice. However, with OLED displays now coming to laptops sold for well under $1,000, there’s undoubtedly superior picture high quality obtainable from laptops simply barely above the 516 GE’s value bracket. Compared to an OLED show, the 516 GE’s IPS LED show lacks a way of immersion and dimensionality, and has specific hassle with darkish scenes.

On the plus aspect, the show is vibrant and has a matte coat as an alternative of the shiny end of most OLED panels. It’s additionally a pointy show with a pixel density of roughly 189 pixels per inch (PPI), which is larger than a 27-inch 4K show. All of the above makes the show simple to make use of day-to-day. Glare isn’t a difficulty and small textual content is rendered as legibly as attainable.

Let’s not overlook the worth. It is true that an OLED show may be present in a laptop computer that’s a pair hundred {dollars} extra, however a pair hundred {dollars} can really feel like loads when you’re buying on this value vary. Most laptops offered at this value have a 1080p show, which is okay, however undoubtedly not as sharp as 1600p.

What about movement readability? It’s not dangerous. Upgrading from 60Hz to 120Hz is a major enchancment that helps video games look crisp once they obtain excessive body charges. That is definitely attainable with cloud gaming by means of Nvidia GeForce Now, which helps 1440p at 120Hz (at some paid tiers). 

A pair of upward-firing audio system line both sides of the 516 GE keyboard and trace at good audio efficiency, however they don’t reside as much as expectations. Audio is obvious and direct at low to reasonable quantity however turns into muddy and harsh at excessive quantity. The audio system work nicely sufficient for listening to music within the background, however avid gamers are going to wish to placed on some headphones or connect exterior audio system.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE’s 1080p webcam seems good on paper, nevertheless it’s mediocre in apply. Despite the rise in decision, video nonetheless seems gentle and grainy, and it’s nowhere close to the picture high quality I’ve seen in lots of current laptops with a 1080p webcam. It’s high-quality for Zoom, however that’s it.

I used to be dissatisfied by the microphone array, which isn’t as much as present requirements. The microphones enable loads of background noise to creep in. It works nicely sufficient when you’re in a quiet room, but when there’s any form of background noise in your area, the individuals on the opposite finish of the video name are prone to hear it.

Biometric login will not be obtainable on the 516 GE, which is predicted given its value. Few laptops offered round $600 have a fingerprint reader or assist facial recognition.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE doesn’t skimp on connectivity. It options two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, each of which assist USB Power Delivery for charging and DisplayPort for connecting an exterior monitor. These ports are conveniently positioned, one on both sides of the laptop computer, which is useful when you’ve a charger with a brief cable.

The USB-C ports are complemented by one USB-A port, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. That means it’s attainable to make use of a wired keyboard, mouse, monitor, headset, and Ethernet concurrently with out counting on an adapter. 

Wireless connectivity is stable, too, with Wi-Fi 6E alongside Bluetooth 5.2. It’s technically behind the state-of-the-art, since Wi-Fi 7 is now licensed, nevertheless it’s not anticipated at this value level. Wi-Fi 6E is greater than satisfactory for cloud gaming when it’s paired with a robust router. 

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Performance

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE I obtained had an Intel Core i5-1240P processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB stable state drive. These are technically outdated specs for a laptop computer offered in 2024, however that’s much less related to a Chromebook, as video games are performed within the crowd. And it seems the 516 GE’s efficiency is definitely reasonably good for the worth.

• CrXPRT 2: 203
• Speedometer 2.0: 304
• Speedometer 3.0: 16.2
• Basemark Web 3.0: 1477.56
• Kraken: 455.8
• Jetstream 2: 261.094

Our typical slate of browser-based ChromeOS benchmark returns glorious outcomes on the Chromebook 516 GE. It outruns different gaming Chromebooks we’ve just lately reviewed, just like the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook, in addition to premium alternate options just like the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook. 

What about sport efficiency?

First, I wish to be crystal clear: the 516 GE will not be designed to play video games regionally. Instead, it’s meant for use with a cloud gaming service (like Nvidia GeForce Now, PlayStation Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna) or with a service that streams gameplay from one other PC in your native community (like Parsec and Steam Remote Play). 

A couple of video games are playable on ChromeOS, however they’re principally titles made obtainable by means of Android emulation, and so they don’t supply a fantastic expertise. In reality, the 516 GE is a foul alternative for Android emulation as a result of it lacks a touchscreen, which many Android video games require.

Because of this, the 516 GE’s glorious efficiency doesn’t actually matter. All it must do is show a video stream at as much as 1600p decision and 120 frames per second, and that’s little problem for an Intel Core i5-1240P with Iris Xe graphics. Gameplay felt completely easy in my testing, and Nvidia’s GeForce Now diagnostics panel flagged no issues.

Ultimately, your expertise taking part in video games on the 516 GE relies upon extra on the power of your Internet connection and the capabilities of the cloud gaming service you utilize than on the {hardware} contained in the 516 GE. 

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Battery life

A 65 watt-hour battery powers the Acer Chromebook 516 GE away from a socket. It’s not particularly massive, however ChromeOS sips energy, which helps the battery stretch its life to a wholesome 14 hours and 21 minutes.

That’s a bit lower than the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Gaming Chromebook, which got here simply 4 minutes shy of 16 hours, nevertheless it stays a decent consequence. The 516 GE ought to deal with a full eight-hour work day in practically all conditions, and can usually have some juice left within the tank.

The 516 GE’s real-world battery life additionally advantages from the dearth of native duties which may tremendously tax the {hardware}, which tends to enhance real-world battery life. 

Gaming on a neighborhood GPU usually spells doom for battery life: in some instances a Windows gaming laptop computer with an RTX 4080 or 4090 GPU can suck down a full cost in about one hour. That’s not an issue for the 516 GE, nevertheless, as a result of gaming occurs within the cloud. It’s no extra demanding than watching YouTube or streaming Netflix.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a stable alternative for followers of cloud gaming companies and a very good all-around Chromebook for anybody searching for a big show or efficiency that punches above the common Chrome OS machine. It suffers a couple of shortcomings, akin to a mediocre keyboard, surprisingly dangerous audio system, and a show that, whereas extraordinarily sharp, lacks distinction and immersion. Still, with an MSRP of $650 and sale pricing that always dips a bit beneath that, the 516 GE is an effective worth. It’s a match not just for followers of cloud gaming but in addition ChromeOS die-hards in search of a bigger, extra highly effective, but moderately priced Chromebook.