Acer Chromebook Spin 713 review: A long-lasting everyday workhorse

Price When Reviewed

Chromebook Spin 713 CP713-3W-5102 : $699

Best Prices Today – Chromebook Spin 713 CP713-3W-5102

If you’re in search of a convertible laptop computer that you are able to do some severe work on, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a improbable possibility. First of all, the pixel-packed 2256x1504p contact show is phenomenal. Colors are each vibrant and wealthy, which makes it nice for watching films or tv reveals on. The construct high quality can also be rock stable and there are many ports, together with all day battery life (after which some). That mentioned, the $699 Spin 713 has a quite utilitarian design and there’s no privateness shutter on the webcam.

If you’ll be able to stay with these nitpicks, don’t want the full-fledged utility assist of Windows (this is a web-centric Chromebook), and also you worth operate above all else, learn on to be taught extra.

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 specs and options

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 comes with both an Intel i3 or Intel i5. Our evaluate unit has an Intel Core i5-1135G7 and Intel Iris X graphics. It’s additionally packing 8GB of RAM and 256GB of PCIe SSD storage. The touch-enabled 13.5-inch show has a decision of 2256-by-1504. For additional info like the load and ports, take a look at the specs beneath.

• Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
• Graphics: Intel Iris X
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB PCIe SSD
• Display: 13.5-inch IPS 1504p show, touch-enabled
• Ports: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI, microSD card, headphone jack
• Battery: 56 Wh
• Weight: 3.02 lbs
• Price: $699

Design and construct high quality

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The design is sweet and clear, however just a little on the boring facet. The darkish gray chassis is quite utilitarian, so it received’t be turning heads. The silver keyboard offers off quite minimalist vibes, which I like. That mentioned, I don’t thoughts the delicate design. What actually issues to me is the construct high quality. If a laptop computer is shoddily constructed, then what does a swanky design even matter? Fortunately, the Spin 713 is certainly fairly rugged and well-made.

When I flipped the Spin’s show round to make use of it like a pill, the 2 hinges felt safe and tight. In laptop computer and tent mode, there was subsequent to zero wobbling. As for the keyboard, I didn’t discover a lot flex. Overall, this can be a sturdy-feeling laptop computer due to the aluminum chassis. I’m assured it could actually deal with the occasional bump or two, particularly when being carried round in a backpack. At the tip of the day, a very good Chromebook is one which’ll final you some time. The Spin is supposed to be practical, not swanky.

My solely problem with this Chromebook is that it’s on the heavier facet at 3.02 lbs. The weight isn’t backbreaking, by any means. It’s a far cry from a cumbersome gaming laptop computer, which regularly ideas the scales at 5 or 6 kilos. Besides, the 2 to a few kilos vary is taken into account light-weight and moveable for laptops. That mentioned, I want it had been only a pound or perhaps a half pound lighter. I discovered that my shoulder received just a little sore after spending a while toting it from room to room. Maybe I have to elevate extra weights and work on my arm power.

Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The keyboard is an absolute pleasure to make use of. Although I’ve a private desire for Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards, I actually didn’t thoughts the Spin’s. I received accustomed to the structure sooner than I had anticipated. The backlighting is vivid sufficient for me to see every particular person letter, quantity, or particular character, and the keys have a handy guide a rough really feel to them. As for the touchpad, it’s a large square-shape that permits me to glide my fingers easily. Clicking solely requires only a slight little bit of strain. I’d say it’s one of many nicer keyboards and trackpads I’ve used on a Chromebook.

Display, webcam, audio

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The actual star of the present is the 2256-by-1504 panel. It’s most likely one of the best show I’ve ever seen on a Chromebook and that’s not hyperbole. Colors are vibrant and textual content and different smaller particulars are tremendous crisp. When I watched the trailer for the brand new Obi Wan tv present, the beige hues of the sand dunes had been vivid and the main points on the Jedi’s futuristic binoculars had been fairly sharp. The viewing angle is sweet, too. According to Acer, the viewing angle is 170-degrees. This makes the show simpler to see from the perimeters. The touchscreen is a pleasant added bonus as effectively.

Speaking of the touchscreen, it’s responsive and works completely effectively sufficient with a finger or two. I used to be capable of swipe and faucet to my coronary heart’s content material. The solely factor that bums me out is that there’s no stylus. I discover it sort of unusual, particularly for a 2-in-1 laptop computer. It’s not an enormous deal, but it surely’s all the time good to have the choice, particularly when you’re seeking to doodle or mark up a doc. Buying a separate stylus simply provides to the general price, too. If you completely want a stylus, you’ll be able to choose up one which’s suitable for about $50 a pop.

My solely problem with the show is how reflective it’s. It’s nice to make use of indoors, however you most likely don’t wish to use this laptop computer exterior in direct daylight. That mentioned, the reflection is as a result of shiny end. That’s not tremendous unusual. Let’s dive into among the different elements just like the webcam and audio.

The 720p webcam is less-than-impressive, however that’s not terribly stunning given the specs. Images are grainy and chock-full of static, and movies are a lot the identical. I do business from home and infrequently nearly meet up with my coworkers over Zoom or Teams, so having a transparent image is majorly vital to me. There’s additionally no privateness shutter, which is an enormous knock for me personally, as I choose a bit extra safety. Call me paranoid however I’d quite my colleagues not by chance catch me mendacity on the ground with my greyhound speaking to her in a child voice.

The audio is surprisingly punchy. When I listened to a full-fledged orchestra play Sailor Moon music on YouTube (it’s so beautiful), I used to be shocked by each the crystal clear highs and lows. It’s loads loud, particularly when you’re near the laptop computer, however I wouldn’t count on the Spin to fill a big room with sound. Typically, if I hearken to something, I have a tendency to make use of my private pair of headphones.

Connectivity

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

I’m fairly happy with the port choice, because it’s actually various. On the left facet of the laptop computer, you’ll discover two USB Type-C ports, an HDMI video output, and the audio jack. The proper facet contains a USB 3.2 Type-A port, a micro SD card slot, the facility button, and the quantity rocker. The Spin additionally helps Thunderbolt 4, which is nice for quick knowledge transfers and energy supply. If I don’t should tote an adapter round, then I’m pleased.

Performance

The Chromebook Spin 713 is downright zippy, with its highly effective Core i5 CPU providing considerably larger efficiency than the legions of low-cost Chromebooks with modest Arm processors inside. When I booted up Final Fantasy V, the sport loaded up shortly and ran nice with zero stutter. It’s an older recreation, nonetheless, so it doesn’t require a lot energy from the laptop computer. As for on a regular basis duties like browsing the net and watching Netflix, the laptop computer flew proper by way of these with no downside. The Spin simply dealt with 20 open tabs as effectively. My solely nitpick is that the followers get a bit loud below heavier masses. It’s just a little annoying, particularly if I’m attempting to observe a video, but it surely’s not an enormous deal. For benchmark scores, take a look at the bulleted checklist beneath.

• CrXPRT 2 efficiency rating: 164, 161
• Speedometer 2.0: 187, 188
• Basemark Web 3.0: 1226.58, 994.25
• Kraken Javascript 1.1: 648.5ms, 648.6ms
• Jetstream: 168.718, 180.578

Battery life

The battery life is fairly darn good, if I do say so myself. When I ran CrXPRT 2’s battery benchmark, which cycles by way of movies and varied duties till the laptop computer dies, the Spin lasted nearly 14 hours. I had set the brightness nearer to 200 nits for this explicit take a look at. This Chromebook will get you thru a full workday after which some. Outlet looking? You can kiss these days goodbye. As for actual world use with the brightness turned up a bit, the laptop computer breathed its final breath across the 10 hour mark. That’s nonetheless a very good consequence.

Conclusion

If you’re in search of a reasonably highly effective machine to do work on, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is an efficient match, assuming you don’t want the total utility assist Windows 11 gives. It has one of many nicest screens I’ve seen on a Chromebook, and the construct is powerful and strong and feels prefer it’ll final some time. Plus, the keyboard and trackpad are a pleasure to make use of. As for what’s happening below the hood, it’s surprisingly highly effective. You count on peppy efficiency. So lengthy as you don’t thoughts that it’s a bit on the heavier facet and that it doesn’t include a stylus included, then this can be a stable possibility.