Potentially misplaced within the sauce with the onslaught of bulletins made within the final week was Google’s introduction of the “Chromebook Plus” moniker. Not solely is that this meant to make it simpler to determine what Chromebook to purchase, however the tagline additionally brings a slew of options that you just will not discover on simply any Chromebook on the market. Coming as little shock, Google made its Chromebook Plus announcement in partnership with the likes of Acer, ASUS, and others. Acer already makes a few of our favourite Chromebooks, so we have been delighted to spend a while with the all-new Acer Chromebook Plus 515. But issues are a bit totally different in comparison with a number of the different choices I’ve reviewed in recent times. Today’s greatest Acer Chromebook Plus 515: dealsDisclaimer: This overview was made potential by a overview unit supplied by Acer. The firm didn’t see the contents of the overview earlier than publishing.Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Price & availability(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)The Acer Chromebook 515 Plus was introduced on October 2, 2023, earlier than being launched on October 8. Acer is planning to launch extra configurations, however the first mannequin that’s out there is priced at $399. This features a 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of UFS storage. However, Acer has acknowledged that it plans to launch extra configurations sooner or later, together with choices powered by Intel’s 13th Gen Core i7 processor. Acer Chromebook Plus 515: What you will like(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)The model of the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 that I’ve been utilizing is the corporate’s “entry-level” mannequin. So, actually, I can not assist however assume that that is about as fundamental because it will get for a Chromebook Plus system. Recently, I’ve been utilizing Chromebooks and laptops with a 13-inch or 14-inch show, so the transfer to a 15.6-inch display screen has been sort of refreshing. Don’t anticipate something like ultra-fast refresh charges, nevertheless it does present loads of display screen actual property to comfortably work with a number of home windows open in split-view.There’s not a lot to write down house about within the design division, because it’s one other space the place Acer will get a number of issues proper. The Chromebook Plus 5 has a few USB-C ports, a USB-A port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and even a full-size HDMI 1.4 port. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)The keyboard is flanked by a set of twin upward-facing audio system, that get the job accomplished however will not blow you away. And due to the bigger keyboard deck, you additionally get a large trackpad that is good, however once more, not world-changing. As we have seen because the 12th Gen Intel chips began rolling out, there’s actually not a lot it’s essential to fear about in the way in which of efficiency. And with 8GB of RAM, I’ve but to get bottle-necked, even with a bunch of various internet apps and home windows open. Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryAcer Chromebook Plus 515Show15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, 250 nitsProcessorIntel Core i3-1215URAM8GBStorage128GB UFSConnectivityBluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6EMicroSD Card Slot❌Digital camera1080p HD w/ privateness shutter and Temporal Noise ReductionPorts2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5mm audio combo jackAdditional featuresDual audio system, backlit keyboard, 360-degree design, USI Stylus supportBattery3-cell, 53Wh, as much as 10 hours, 50% cost in 30 minutesDimensions14.2 x 9.39 x 0.79-inchesWeight3.7 kilosThat mentioned, as quickly because the specs have been revealed, we knew this was going to be the case, and that is the entire level of the Chromebook Plus 515. There are going to be just a few compromises, extra on that later, however by and huge, it is simply going to be a stable expertise.What shocked me greater than something was how this mannequin was in a position to deal with attempting to make use of the online model of Photoshop. Adobe has included lots of the hottest instruments and options in its internet app whereas additionally together with its Generative Fill AI function. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)It was additionally fascinating to see new branding while you boot the Chromebook Plus 515 for the primary time. And after getting teased by it earlier this 12 months, Magic Eraser within the newest model of Google Photos works simply in addition to in the event you have been to apply it to among the best Android telephones. Acer Chromebook Plus 515: What you will not(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)There was one “Chromebook Plus” function that I discovered myself unable to truly use with this Chromebook from Acer. It’s the all-new File Sync function, which mainly helps you to entry and edit recordsdata from Google Drive, however offline. It works barely in a different way in comparison with simply making recordsdata out there for offline use, because it appears to truly again up your whole Google Drive to your Chromebook. The eagle-eyed amongst you may be capable to see the issue right here, at the least those that have a number of information saved in Drive. The 128GB of UFS storage on the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is just not sufficient, so I wasn’t in a position to do that function out myself. While it is a nifty function, in principle, it isn’t one thing that I can make the most of, as I’ve nearly 250GB price of recordsdata in my Drive. I’m unsure if this can be a state of affairs of me being within the minority, however even nonetheless, it was relatively disappointing to study. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Something else that pissed off me, however I do not actually assume that Acer is guilty, is definitely utilizing the online model of Photoshop. Everything simply felt sluggish. Loading photographs is okay, however relying on the scale, switching between the totally different instruments can take an eternity. Then, as soon as you’ll be able to lastly undergo and make your edits, you will end up ready till every little thing is processed. Then, it can save you the picture to your Chromebook. The cause why I do not put all the blame on Acer right here is as a result of it is mainly the identical expertise on my M2 Max MacBook Pro with 32GB of RAM. I perceive that Photoshop for the online is new, nevertheless it’s been in beta for some time now. And I’m simply hoping that Adobe can velocity issues up a bit someway or perhaps simply give us a extra sturdy model than the one discovered on the Play Store. Acer Chromebook Plus 515: The competitors(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)It’s fairly clear that the Chromebook market is starting to shift much more. But what makes this new Chromebook Plus initiative so fascinating is that Google is bringing distinctive software program options to older {hardware}. So, in the event you picked up the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition, HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, and even Acer’s Chromebook Vero 514, you will get all the similar software program options because the Chromebook Plus fashions. Of course, these are dearer than the Chromebook Plus 515, nevertheless it’s not such as you’ll be lacking out regardless of spending extra money. That being mentioned, by way of direct competitors, Acer is trying to battle it out with the likes of ASUS with its Chromebook Plus CX34, which makes use of the identical chip and is priced at $399 however makes use of a smaller 14-inch FHD show. HP and Lenovo are additionally getting in on the enjoyable with the likes of the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch and the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. However, HP’s providing is powered by Intel’s Core i3-N305 and is $100 greater than the one from Acer. Lenovo may be much more intriguing with its 13th Gen Core i3-1315U and 14-inch touchscreen show. Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)You can purchase this if…You need among the best Chromebooks with a giant display screen.You’re on a financesYou’re excited for the way forward for what ChromeOS can supply with Google’s AI efforts.You should not purchase this if…You want extra storage and need to make the most of a number of the newest options. You want Thunderbolt or a quicker processor.You’re fearful about portability.While I’ve my gripes in regards to the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, it is actually not a nasty Chromebook in any respect. I do want it had a brighter show, and I additionally want that the bottom configuration was a 13th-generation chip with an NVMe as a substitute of utilizing final 12 months’s 12th-gen SoC with UFS storage. But at $399, that is at present the most affordable mannequin out of the most recent crop of Chromebooks, and it does precisely what you’d anticipate. So, so long as you set the precise expectations, you will not be disillusioned. It can be fascinating to see if Acer truly does find yourself releasing the higher-end configurations to the general public or if these can be locked behind enterprise doorways the place they will by no means see the sunshine of day.That being mentioned, the Chromebook Plus 515 has grown on me to the purpose that if somebody asks me what Chromebook to get, this can most likely be my first advice. Again, it is all about setting the expectations, and the Chromebook Plus 515 nails a number of the fundamentals. All the whereas coming in at lower than $400.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is not the flashiest laptop computer you will discover, nevertheless it acts as an awesome poster little one for this new “Chromebook Plus” initiative.