Acer Chromebook Spin 513 review: Long-lasting and spacious

Price When Reviewed

$599.99

Best Prices Today: Acer Chromebook Spin 513

$599.99

$599.99

Chromebooks have a fame for low pricing, however a number of buck the pattern. Acer’s new Chromebook Spin 513-2H-Ok627 is one such exception. It delivers a number of key upgrades over inexpensive options together with a tack-sharp display screen and nice battery life, however are these upgrades price a premium worth? Let’s dive in and discover out.

Acer Chromebook Spin 512 specs and options

The Acer Chromebook Spin 513-2H-Ok627 has a MediaTek Kompanio 1380 SoC with Mali-G57 MC5 graphics. This is a latest MediaTek chip introduced in January of 2022 that particularly targets Chromebooks. It’s paired with 8GB LPDDR4X reminiscence and 128GB of eMMC storage.

• CPU: MediaTek Kompanio 1380
• Memory: 8GB LPDDR4X
• Graphics/GPU: Mali-G57 MC5
• Display: 2256 x 1504 IPS touchscreen
• Storage: 128GB eMMC
• Webcam: 720p
• Connectivity: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 with Power Delivery, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, MicroSD card, 3.5mm audio
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
• Biometrics: None
• Battery capability: 45 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 11.81 x 9.25 x .64 inches
• Weight: 2.82
• MSRP: $599.99

Priced at $599.99, the Chromebook Spin 513 stays reasonably priced. However, its {hardware} specs don’t appear to justify the value. Numerous Windows and ChromeOS units pack superior AMD, Intel, and even Qualcomm processors, and infrequently for much less. 

Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 513 depends on the easy, practical aesthetic discovered on many latest Acer Chromebook units. It has a primary, although not unattractive, gunmetal exterior with a metallic lid and decrease chassis. 

The inside differs barely in colour, with extra of a silver-charcoal look. I don’t assume the colour distinction is meant however merely the results of Acer’s various use of supplies. The 2-in-1’s seams do a great job of hiding this and I doubt most house owners will discover.

This is a 2-in-1 gadget with a touchscreen and 360-degree hinge. The show can rotate again till it touches the “bottom” of the laptop computer, successfully making it a pill. Tablet mode is beneficial for brief bursts however not a critical iPad or Android pill alternative. The Chromebook Spin 513 weighs in at 2.82 kilos and is .64 inches thick. Both specs make it a bit unwieldy to deal with.

Alternatively, the show could be rotated partially again, which turns the keyboard right into a stand for the show. This “tent mode,” because it’s typically referred to as, is nice for common use in a decent area (like a packed espresso store or airplane) and ideal for watching Netflix.

A 360-degree design places a variety of stress on each the hinges, and I’m undecided Acer’s construct high quality is as much as the duty. The metallic show lid feels good when touched however does enable some flex, and the hinges appear clad in plastic (although I’d wager the internals are metallic). The keyboard additionally permits minor flex when typing. 

I’ve dealt with far much less spectacular Chromebooks, to make certain, however the Chromebook Spin 513 is a comparatively costly mannequin. A metallic inside panel or some added show reinforcement can be appreciated at this worth.

Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

Touch typists will just like the Chromebook Spin 513’s keyboard. It has a spacious format and enormous keys, every of which prompts with prolonged key journey and a few tactile suggestions. I do discover the bottoming motion a bit obscure, however it is a nitpick: the keyboard is instantly comfy and acquainted beneath my fingertips.

The touchpad is much less spectacular. It presents an affordable quantity of area, measuring about 3.5 inches large and 3 inches deep. The floor is easy and it responds properly to enter. Yet the touchpad proves finicky when utilizing multitouch gestures. Scrolling is overly delicate and by no means fairly stops the place desired. 

Of course, the touchpad could be bypassed by utilizing the touchscreen, and the 2-in-1 design makes this handy. The touchscreen is massive, responsive, and easy, although no extra so than every other Windows or ChromeOS 2-in-1. 

Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

Display high quality is arguably the Acer Chromebook Spin 513’s defining trait. It comes with a 13.5-inch, 2,256 x 1,504 IPS touchscreen with a pixel density of about 200 pixels per inch. That’s not as excessive as a 4K show, to make sure, however in fact it’s shut sufficient that the distinction will likely be onerous to note. Content is crystal-clear and small fonts seem crisp with no trace of aliasing round edges. 

The show additionally presents a 3:2 facet ratio, which is nearer to sq. than the extra frequent 16:9 or 16:10 facet ratio. As a end result, the 13.5-inch display screen feels a lot taller than anticipated. The wealth of vertical show actual property makes it particularly superior to be used with internet sites, paperwork, and spreadsheets. It’s not nearly as good for streaming, as you’ll typically see massive black bars above and under content material.

Brightness is first rate at a most of 359 nits. That’s sufficient for common use indoors however it may be an issue close to a window on a sunny day. The shiny show doesn’t assist, in fact, because it permits vital glare and reflections and simply reveals fingerprints. 

Image high quality is in any other case nice for the value. The Chromebook Spin 513 presents respectable colour efficiency and good element. Contrast is the place it falls quick: films and video games lack depth and darkish scenes look hazy. Still, the show is sharper and extra colourful than most comparable units. A typical Windows different, like an Acer Spin 5 or Lenovo Yoga 6, may have a decrease show decision. Many even have a much less spacious 16:9 show facet ratio.

The built-in audio system are a disappointment. Blame their quantity. The downward-facing audio system are quiet even at most. Audio high quality is ok however, on the quantity out there right here, I’d anticipate that—there’s not sufficient oomph to trigger distortion or harshness. Most individuals might want to connect exterior audio system or headphones.

Webcam, microphone, biometrics

A easy 720p webcam with a microphone is packed within the Chromebook Spin 513’s skinny higher bezel. It produces a usable picture and handles combined lighting pretty properly, however picture high quality is gentle and grainy. The microphone is analogous: it’s loud sufficient for a video name or assembly, however its presentation is distant and hole. 

The 2-in-1 doesn’t provide biometrics.

Connectivity

A pair of USB-C ports present many of the Chromebook Spin 513’s connectivity. Both provide energy supply, and the port on the precise facet helps DisplayPort Alternate mode. The USB-C ports are joined by a single USB-A port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader. 

This is a suitable, although not excellent, vary of connectivity for a Chromebook. The solely port I miss is HDMI. The Chromebook Spin 513 requires an adapter to connect with a monitor or TV over HDMI, which is annoying.

Wireless connectivity is typical with assist for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1. The Chromebook Spin 513 lacks assist for the most recent Wi-Fi 6E commonplace, however that’s acceptable on an affordable laptop computer. I had no points with wi-fi connectivity in my time with the gadget. 

Performance

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 513 opts for an ARM-based MediaTek Kompanio 1380 SoC with eight cores and Mali-G57 graphics. This is a bit uncommon, as most Chromebooks that depend on ARM purpose for a lower cost level. The SoC is supported by 8GB of reminiscence and 128GB of eMMC storage. 

Here’s how the Chromebook Spin 513 carried out in ChromeOS benchmarks.

• CrXPRT 2 efficiency rating: 86
• Speedometer 2.0: 45
• Basemark Web 3.0: 632.32
• Kraken Javascript 1.1: 1440.7
• Jetstream: 170.53

How these scores look will depend on the angle. When in contrast in opposition to different ARM-based Chromebooks like HP’s Chromebook x2 11, the Chromebook Spin 513 does properly. However, it nonetheless lands far behind the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5, which performs a lot better throughout all 5 benchmarks (and does so at a lower cost).

Putting scores to the facet, the Chromebook Spin 513 feels speedy in day-to-day use. It can deal with a dozen open browser tabs with ease and strikes shortly between home windows. Video streaming is freed from hesitation, even when linked to a 4K monitor.

The Chromebook Spin 513 handles Android video games properly. Call of Duty Mobile, Pokemon Unite, and Asphalt 8 performed properly at default settings with no signal of dropped frames or hesitation. The video games loaded shortly, too, making it simple to leap in for a match. The similar can’t be mentioned of AMD and Intel-based Chromebooks. 

Battery life

Battery life is commonly a perk of ChromeOS units, and the Chromebook Spin 513 isn’t any exception. It managed to ship virtually 12 hours and 34 minutes of battery life within the CrXPRT 2 battery life benchmark. The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5, powered by an Intel Pentium processor, lasted eight hours and 22 minutes in the identical benchmark. 

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X13s, a Windows laptop computer with an ARM-based Qualcomm processor, lasted barely longer at 12 hours and 53 minutes (however was examined with video loop, not CrXPRT 2). The ThinkPad X13s is costlier, nevertheless, with a base MSRP round $1,000. Most price-competitive Windows laptops and 2-in-1s will ship round six to eight hours of battery life. 

In quick, the Chromebook Spin 513 has nice battery life and can outperform most units out there at the same worth. It can final a full eight-hour work day in most conditions and can deal with a flight throughout the United States.

Conclusion

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 513 is outlined by its show. The 13.5-inch show’s unusual 3:2 facet ratio and sharp decision add as much as a shocking quantity of usable display screen area. It’s good for searching the net or enhancing paperwork—that are the duties Chromebooks are greatest suited to. 

The glorious show is supported by nice battery life and an pleasing keyboard, however it’s not all excellent news. Audio high quality is disappointing, the touchpad is simply common, and efficiency doesn’t stand out (although sport efficiency is first rate). 

These issues maintain the Chromebook Spin 513 wanting greatness, however it nonetheless stays a great choice for ChromeOS followers who need a large, engaging touchscreen with tons of usable area.